Strange question

[Whatsit]

hi All
I have a strange question. Do any of you put things in your jacket’s pockets that a wwii pilot may of had in theirs? And if so what? I thought it might be kind of fun. I currently have a 1942 dime and a bullet. I’m going to buy an old zippo and put that in there to. Was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions of what to put in the pocket

 

[Brettafett]

Actually, now that you mention it... I have a couple of those small dehumidifier sachets in my pockets. I know thats not really what you are referring too, but anyway.
An escape whistle is a fun compliment to an A-2.

 

[Whatsit]

Thanks. I have an old acme thunderer whistle I thought about putting in there. Thanks. Those packets make sense too. Thanks Brett

 

[Brettafett]

It was often attached on the throat hook... Somewhere readily available, especially if one had to ditch and was hanging onto something.

My mobile goes into my pocket, but does not fit very well. Wallet fits better.

 

[jeremiah]

I need to get a nice whistle one day. I have one, but its not an acme with the stamping on the side, but it is a British police whistle of similar design.

 

[Whatsit]

I put my whistle there and my wife said it looked stupid. Oh well. I also made dice zipper pulls

 

[Steve27752]

I put my whistle there and my wife said it looked stupid. Oh well. I also made dice zipper pulls

When asked about the whistle, I say it is for dog retrieval.

 

[B-Man2]

The zippo lighter is probably the most recognized item that was kept in a A2 pocket . You often see photos where the outline of the lighter is imprinted in the leather.

 

[Brettafett]

I had a little Swiss Army knife classic that was supposed to live in one of my flight jacket's pockets, but I lost it. I should have put it in there sooner.

 

[Stony]

Since the original question says "jacket" and not "A-2", navy jackets have that huge inside pocket that I can get my check book, wallet and cell phone into and still have more room.

On a more "on point" answer, I have dice and a 42' dated .45 bullet for zipper pulls. Another item you might want to put in your pocket that was popular is a woman's hankie. They were usually given to the pilot/soldier from their mother, wife or girlfriend for good luck. On occasion, I have found hankies in the pockets of WWII clothing that in some cases has been there since the war.

 

[Cocker]

Well, I usually have a pack of cigarettes, a Zippo model 1941 and a small pocket comb in my A-2. I guess this could have been in any WW2 flight jacket pocket!

 

[dmar836]

Not typically unless it’s something I actually use. I would likely forget and go through security while traveling.
Dave

 

[Whatsit]

Sorry, I meant an A-2 jacket.

 

[dmar836]

I was going to keep a necklace of my enemy's teeth or a small bottle of the tears of children but I don't want to lose those!
Dave

 

[Flightengineer]

I put in my A2 pockets what a modern pilot have (wallet and smartphone, sometimes my car's key).

 

[johnwayne]

I recall one member here (Cobblers I think?) selling an A2 that he'd obviously worked on to define a Zippo outline on the left hand pocket, maybe based on an original or pic he'd seen! Me, I purposely prefer a smaller wallet so it fits my A2's and back pocket of jeans but my phone is too big!! I've often wondered why there never was at least one inside pocket and prob why some back then utilised blood chits as inner pockets. Does ELC still offer the 'elite unit' A2 with inner pockets(?), I think it was the first 'elite' type they did.

 

[Whatsit]

I have an iPhone plus that’s pretty big, but I have no problem putting it in my front pants pocket. Just a suggestion. I always put my wallet in my back pants pocket.

 

[blackrat2]

Zippo for me and yes Cobblers did the same, no need to work on the leather though, pop your lighter in and it will find it’s own way of sitting inside the pocket, before you know it the Leather shapes around it

 

[Smithy]

When I still smoked, a Zippo and a packet of fags.

 

[Whatsit]

Now that you don’t smoke Smithy what do you keep in them?