Vintage ‘Black Hats’ Corsair Pilot — T. Wayne Crossbody Bag -REMAKE©-

Details

The Story

In the Vanguard universe, the Skull & Crossbones stands as the ultimate symbol of human equality, absolute freedom, and an unwritten code of honor—heavily inspired by childhood classics like Captain Harlock and the romantic world of Porco Rosso. Operating within The Pacific (1940s) era, a renegade squadron of aviators guards forgotten islands from a secret outpost.

I created this piece to capture the spirit of Captain T. Wayne, a fighter pilot in the VMF-88 ‘Black Hats’ squadron. The inspiration came from a Japanese influencer (@indian_atomo)I saw who rides a vintage Indian motorcycle while wearing a crossbody bag. I imagined Captain T. Wayne landing his F4U Corsair on a remote Pacific strip, grabbing his essential gear bag, kicking his vintage motorcycle to life, and riding into the island interior. Every stencil and brushstroke I put on this bag tells the story of his journeys across the Pacific Theater.

Sonia 

-REMAKE©- Piece

Vintage ‘Black Hats’ Corsair Pilot — T. Wayne Crossbody Bag -REMAKE©-

I crafted this bag using the heavy, weathered canvas bottom of a vintage European military duffle bag (circa 1970s German military supply), transforming it into a functional crossbody bag built for motion.

To secure the middle, I hand-sewed two heavy-duty metal fasteners salvaged from a vintage military gas mask bag. I suspended the bag using a reclaimed vintage military webbing strap sourced from a kit bag.

I designed and painted the exterior to act as a physical flight log from the Vanguard timeline:

1. Front: I hand-painted and stenciled the squadron markings: the pilot’s name “CAPTAIN T. WAYNE,” the squadron designation “VMF-88 ‘BLACK HATS’,” and his service serial number “SCB 044188”—which I modeled after U.S. Army and Air Force numbering. Right beside the text, I painted the signature emblem: the custom High-Hat Skull and Crossbones with lightning bolts and dice.

2. Back: I stenciled a list of the exact locations Captain T. Wayne visited and loved to ride his motorcycle:

   • WAIKIKI

   • HONOLULU

   • AIRO BEACH/MIDWAY

   • DUMAGUETE COAST

Hanging on the side ring, I added a custom keychain that I hand-sculpted and painted out of air-dry clay, featuring two dice and a werewolf charm—symbols packed with personal meaning and pilot folklore. Inside, I stenciled the official 88th Company label, stamped with its unique serial number and the signature twin “8” dice motif.

Details & Features

1. Handmade by me — Every detail, stencil, stitch, and brushstroke is crafted by my own hands in my Atelier.
2. Repurposed vintage European military duffle — Made from the heavy canvas base of a 1970s German and different origin military duffel bag.
3. Vintage gas mask bag fasteners — I hand-stitched two heavy-duty metal fasteners salvaged from a vintage gas mask bag at the center for solid closure.
4. Full Captain T. Wayne Stencils — Hand-stenciled front detailing featuring “CAPTAIN T. WAYNE,” “VMF-88 ‘BLACK HATS’,” “SCB 0044188,” and the hand-painted High-Hat Skull and Crossbones emblem.
5. Back Location Log — Stenciled Pacific travel log listing WAIKIKI, HONOLULU, AIRO BEACH/MIDWAY, and DUMAGUETE COAST
6. Hand-sculpted clay charms — Includes my hand-sculpted air-dry clay keychain with twin dice charm.
7. Reclaimed vintage military strap — Heavy webbing strap repurposed from a vintage military bag, fitted for crossbody comfort.
8. Signature 88th Company inside label — Complete with a unique serial number and custom “8” dice graphics paying tribute to the 88th Co. brand name.
9. Hand-distressed finish — I treated and aged the canvas by hand using natural pigments for a field-worn military patina.
10. One-of-a-kind physical artifact — Crafted with intentional character and wear, connecting directly to the Vanguard storyline.

Features

Hand Hand-Painted Story Labels

Vintage ‘Black Hats’ Corsair Pilot — T. Wayne Crossbody Bag -REMAKE©- has its unique label tag from l’Atelier. The tag is numbered with the bag’s unique serial number and has a red wax handmade quality control seal. On the back of the label tag are two other stapled tags: one for the -REMAKE©- list and one for measurements.

Hand Painted Packaging

Packaging is the last and most important part of the design process. Since all my items are hand-painted, applying the same method to their packaging is natural.
I spray painted the 88th Company logo on a beautiful large brown bag on a custom stencil. After inserting the custom item inside the bag, it is folded and closed with a vintage twine string. Finally, like a top-secret letter, the string knot is sealed with a custom wax seal.

Returns

Please read my shipping & returns policy here.