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The Panamanka (Russian: Панаманка), also called the Panama hat (Russian: головной убор) and Panamka (Russian: Панамка, officially the M-38 Field Hat, was the standard Soviet Army tropical headgear. introduced on 10 March 1938 for troops in Central Asia, North Caucasian and Transcaucasion military districts and Crimea. In Afghanistan, the Afghanka was often worn with the Afghanka uniforms and equipment, which was needed as Afghanistan was known for its extreme hot daytime temperatures in the summer and its equally bitter cold nights in the winter months. There were two versions.
The original hat was developed to keep the rays of the sun off the wearer's head and out of his eyes. It was made of heavy cotton cloth and featured a set of ventilation holes, a thin leather headband, a plastic chinstrap, and the enameled metal M22 Red Star badge, on a large sew on red star, on the front.
A second version appeared with had a flatter top than the Afghanka, and was more closely resembled the boonie hats used by NATO forces. This version features snaps or press-studs that allow it be buttoned up on the side similar to the Australian slouch or bush hat.