Boeing Airplane Co. L-2a Type jacket

[oose]

Hi all,
Came across these interesting photos of a Boeing Airplane Co. L-2a type jacket worn by A.M. "Tex" Johnston and fellow boeing test pilots, the colour looks light compared to military spec and is probably a civilian version, also note the dark colour of the oxygen tab. Does anyone have any info on these, colour etc, not sure what year they were taken but I guess some time in the 1950's. Maybe 1954-55







All the best
stu

 

[deand]

The cap is interesting, no surprise to me, in the first photo. I posted this photo last year and asked if anyone knew what model jacket, L-2A or L-2. I'd guess a special contract with Boeing, but if only we had color shots. Could they be yellow? Khaki? Light Blue?






dean

 

[dmar836]

Could be that early sage green.
The cap is unique. The bill looks almost large enough to be "sundowner" style but that decorative diagonal accent is very 70's looking IMO - not very military looking.
JMO,
Dave

 

[watchmanjimg]

Distinction among the various models of the L-2 family is based on color. The original L-2 was olive drab, the L-2A was blue, and the L-2B was sage green. This applies to the N-2 and N-3 series as well.

Getting back to the jackets depicted here, I'm not sure of their color but I agree that they appear to be a non-regulation type although obviously of fine quality. The giveaways are the unconventional design of the sleeve pocket as well as the zipper, which looks like a Crown but with a different slider assembly than the type used in issued jackets.

 

[oose]

Thanks guys,
One shot I missed off.


I think that this is a non military speck jacket, also of note is lack of zip on the pencil pocket, I'm leaning to the colour being yellow,but that just a hunch, no proof yet. Hope something in colour is out there somewhere! Maybe one for Buzz to go with that red MA-1!

All the best
stu

 

[deand]

Good detailed look there, Jim, the zips and pocket flapsare a bit different.








dean

 

[watchmanjimg]

Good detailed look there, Jim, the zips and pocket flapsare a bit different.

dean

Thanks, Dean! It's actually the sleeve pocket I was referring to, as it lacks the vertical zippered "cigarette" pocket seen in the issued versions.

 

[deand]

Doh! Weird how I looked at those pocket flaps and convinced myself they were wider than a standard L-2A. Didn't even look at the 'cigarette' pocket.






dean

 

[Willy McCoy]

I would guess that the jacket is a special order Skyline (Seattle Knitting Mills) with no cigarette pocket but a pencil slot pad.

 

[deeb7]

... I'm leaning to the colour being yellow,but that just a hunch, no proof yet.

See this thread ...

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1635&p=19789

 

[oose]

Thanks deeb
I' not convinced that the one pictured in the Valkyrie link is yellow, I think it probable was white, see image below you can see that the reverse of this jacket was white.



stu

 

[oose]

Hi all,
Just an update to an old thread, few more pictures of Boeing L-2b jackets, still looking for a color shot! and a jacket!!





All the best
stu

 

[Peter Graham]

They do look to be yellow but I'm not sure why I'm saying that looking at a B&W photo. I hope not though !

 

[Willy McCoy]

The image of the cockpit is what I am referring to.

http://rbogash.com/727history.html

Hi'ya 'Oose & Peter !!

Here is a picture of Lew Wallick on the first flight of the 727. When I enlarged this picture on my monitor I noticed that the sheen of the fabric reflected light that suggests an absence of military drab but rather a light, primary color like yellow. Perhaps a high visibility jacket was called for when testing the jet over Lake Washington, which was standard practice for Boeing back then.

 

[oose]

Hi Willy,
I'm pretty sure its yellow, just waiting to find a color shot to confirm, seems like are this Nylon section is a very select group!!! :lol:

All the best
stu

 

[oose]

Hi All,
Well they are NOT Yellow after all! I finally tracked down some color shots. Here they are plus a few more B&W.





All the best
stu

 

[Willy McCoy]

Looks like slate gray. Good work finding those color images Stu !!

 

[deand]

Solved! Congratulations, Stu!










dean