Great score today!

[watchmanjimg]

Hello all! Just wanted to share my latest acquisition of a very nice unmolested '60s USAF grouping. I just picked it up from a friend at a local gun show this morning. Enjoy!

A few shots of the magnificent D-model Skyline L-2B:

Here are closeups of the 438th Military Airlift Wing and MAC patches, as well as the label:

And here's what I found in the sleeve pocket:

Apparently unworn '64 K-2B flightsuit (if only it were a Medium Short or Regular). The 9th Military Airlift Squadron patch is of particular interest as the unit existed as such for just 20 months (1/66-9/68).

The serviceman's '68-dated fatigue shirt (please excuse my '67-dated feet)

Finally, the same seller had another L-2B that's unrelated to the grouping shown above. It's a '78, but the body length is very generous and I thought it would be a nice wearer:

 

[dmar836]

Nice. Know anything about the guy?

 

[watchmanjimg]

Thanks, Dave! The show was pretty busy so we didn't get a chance to talk about the guy's background. However, the seller is a friend so I can always ask later.

 

[Weasel_Loader]

Nice catch Jim. That D model is great!

 

[Atticus]

Jim, that is a great find!

Probably a dumb question, but what was in the little container you found in the cigarette pocket? I my mind, I keep seeing the cyanide capsule that Francis Gary Powers didn't take.

AF

 

[oose]

Hi Jim,

Nice pick up, its nice to see the group kept together.

All the best
stu

 

[watchmanjimg]

Jim, that is a great find!

Probably a dumb question, but what was in the little container you found in the cigarette pocket? I my mind, I keep seeing the cyanide capsule that Francis Gary Powers didn't take.

AF

Thanks, Geoff! Your question isn't dumb at all. That's an early Vietnam-era earplug case. I'll have to look inside to see whether it actually contains cyanide. :lol:

 

[deeb7]

I have the 1978 Alpha, and as you say, it's a great wearer, but that first orange lined Skyline, along with its friends, is something else .... it was a great day.

 

[deand]

You've really been blessed! Great finds! I guess I've never thought of Viet-nam era as so highly collectable, figuring that there would be soo much of it around. A member of the church I serve has her husband's Mid-1960's MA-1, and wanted to give to me, but I turned her down, as it was a medium. Too small to wear. Makes me wish I'd checked out the tag more closely. Might be desirable.




dean







dean

 

[greyhound52]

Great D model nice score...now where do you put it with all the other jackets you have

 

[watchmanjimg]

You've really been blessed! Great finds! I guess I've never thought of Viet-nam era as so highly collectable, figuring that there would be soo much of it around. A member of the church I serve has her husband's Mid-1960's MA-1, and wanted to give to me, but I turned her down, as it was a medium. Too small to wear. Makes me wish I'd checked out the tag more closely. Might be desirable.




dean







dean

Dean, I can understand why you'd think that but I'm sure collectors 20-30 years ago were saying the same thing about WW2 and Korean-era stuff. The 'Nam-era gear is definitely attractive to modern collectors, and like the earlier militaria they're not making any more of it. Grab it while you can!

 

[watchmanjimg]

Great D model nice score...now where do you put it with all the other jackets you have

Thanks, George! Can I assume you're volunteering to "store" some of my jackets? What a pal!

 

[Peter Graham]

Great score Jim. L-2B's are one of the most wearable of jackets and patched ones look really good. Wear them in good health buddy.

 

[Maverickson]

Hi Jim,

Definitely a great day ! Lucky you, I did not see anything like this over the weekend at our local Gun Show. In any event, I'm glad to see the nylon enthusiasm.

Now that the season is upon us, hardly a day goes by when I am not able to enjoy wearing either a MA-1 or L-2b.

Cheers, Dave

 

[watchmanjimg]

Thanks for all the kind words, guys!

Dave, sorry your show experience wasn't as productive as mine but it sounds like you'll have the last laugh in any event. At least you can wear your jackets!

 

[greyhound52]

Great D model nice score...now where do you put it with all the other jackets you have

Thanks, George! Can I assume you're volunteering to "store" some of my jackets? What a pal!

Sure as one of them is the B-15C mod