Recent content by Former.USAF.C130

I joined the USAF 60 years ago. I was discharged 56 years ago. I shouldn't be opining on matters which have occurred since. The CWU did not exist then. I have one now, and I like it. I have an old Avirex B-15 leather jacket. The leather is not damaged at all, but the color of the leather...

Not making excuses for Mr. Clyman, but he says on the Cockpit website that the current issue A-2 was designed to incorporate changes wanted by USAF pilots. Beyond that, Cockpit is a government contractor, and we know what that means: mediocre product at the lowest feasible cost.

One more thought: what is the likelihood that a leather A-2 was actually worn in the operations of the Gulf War? I was under the impression that the temperature got pretty hot in the region of operations.

Interesting perspective. I would suggest that the current-issue USAF A-2, might be seen as a recruitment tool, making aviation to seem especially glamorous. I have never held a current-issue USAF A-2 in my hands, but I had some experience with the nylon MA-1 jackets of the Vietnam era, and...

I strongly suspect that you are correct: animal hides might become prohibited, or simply unavailable because of a change of dietary practices. It is already known that using land and water to grow cattle is using valuable resources. On top of that, we have PETA, which is trying to prohibit the...

I am thinking that it might be useful to start a thread about jackets or manufacturers that are considered to be of questionable quality. Does anyone agree?

Here is a better picture of the fit.

Please tell me: what is an RW collar?

Just the mark of a custom-made jacket!

Would you kindly tell me the color of your jacket?

You requested photos of this jacket. They are attached. Several explanations: the wrinkling you see on the shoulder photo completely covers both arms; none of the photos gives a good picture of the actual color of the jacket (because we had no direct sunlight) but one photo of the front...

It is of course possible to get a nice patina without wearing a goatskin jacket for many long years. About 10 years ago, I had a US Wings goatskin jacket in seal brown. I didn't like the color, so I decided to dye the jacket with Fiebings mahogany or cordovan. The jacket readily absorbed the...

If you will check other threads, you will see plenty of pictures of high-quality leathers without high price.

I am very glad you posted this. This is exactly what I have been looking for !!! Thank you.

I would speculate that the difference is simply the motive of the buyer. I would assume that collectors would go for the jackets which were worn on wartime missions. I would also assume that there are some non-collectors who think it would be cool to own something of that type. Then there are...