A-2 with breeches? Hap Arnold did it.

[zoomer]

This is the only picture I've ever seen of anyone wearing an A-2 jacket with the old high boots and breeches uniform.

Lt. Col. Henry Arnold, r, with unidentified officer and pilot of Douglas O-25 from 91st Observation Squadron based at The Presidio, San Francisco.
Taken in front of terminal at Swan Island Airport, Portland, Ore.
"AM-5" (Air Mail Route 5) on plane dates photo to early-mid 1934. Route 5 ran between Portland and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Click to enlarge (1800x1238)

Hap with his old friend and mentor Gen. Billy Mitchell around this same time.

Credit: Auburn University Libraries

 

[zoomer]

Should have said, "These are the only pictures..."

 

[Weasel_Loader]

Great photo reference. Seems "Hap" liked to change it up a bit with regard to the collar being snapped or un-snapped.

 

[Jaydee]

Well.....that man can wear any pants he wants. I don't think any of us could pull it off though.

(Just between me and you, he looks like he should be on a horse, not wearing it)

 

[deand]

Great photo reference. Seems "Hap" liked to change it up a bit with regard to the collar being snapped or un-snapped.

Yes, it really changes the look, too, doesn't it.







dean

 

[zoomer]

Well.....that man can wear any pants he wants. I don't think any of us could pull it off though.

(Just between me and you, he looks like he should be on a horse, not wearing it)

There probably was an order, eventually, that airmen weren't to fly in breeches. Doing so was already unusual by 1930.

I agree, the A-2 plus breeches look is anachronistic, if not Pattonesque. Arnold wasn't yet a general, who could change the uniform to suit himself, so the look had to go.

 

[zoomer]

Higher resolution scan of the Mitchell-Arnold pic available here.
Hap's wearing his Goldsmith 31-1897. No one else was ever photographed in one.

CONTENTdm

www.ohiomemory.org

 

[Nickb123]

That collar is gigantic!

 

[ausreenactor]

What do you think the brassard is? 'C?'.

 

[zoomer]

I would say GR, perhaps for ground referee (at a speed trial or war-game exercise).