A few A-2's from the collection

[Silver Dollar]

Being a new member, I came upon this late. These jackets are incredible. Thanks for posting these.

 

[navvet]

It has been a real treat to observe this thread. Please know, JG, that many more probably read this without commenting. You have an amazing collection.

 

[JGC]

Silver Dollar and Navvet, thanks for the thumbs up, I love sharing my collection with other collectors. Jon

 

[Pete17]

Superb collection Jon. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Seeing those jackets and reading some of the history behind them is a real treat.

Cheers
Peter

 

[nogbat]

top man jon ,thats some collection you got .. wellcome aboard..

 

[JGC]

I haven't posted for awhile, so I thought I'd share a Korean War M 422-A jacket named to a 1Lt George Seaver Jr. USMC, who flew with VMF 334. The jacket is a little rough, but with a little tender lovin care it should look just fine. Thanks Jon

 

[alfanator]

Wonderful collection, thanks for sharing!

 

[tater]

I have the day off so I thought I'd post a couple more of my Navy flight jackets. I don't have much information on either one of these jackets, they came in a small navy aviation collection I purchased some time ago. The first is a G-1 and the 2nd is a M-442a. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jon

This is VF-72. I only know WW2-era stuff about them, though they were in Korea, too.
They were put on Saratoga about the time of Midway under Lt. Cdr. Henry Sanchez. They were then switched to Hornet where they saw action. Not sure where they went after Hornet was sunk.

I will try and find the other unit for you.

 

[tater]

I'm having trouble with the 2d patch but I've been looking at "composite" squadrons and VT units. The torpedo, bombs, and rocket suggest a TBF/TBM unit to me.

 

[EMBLEMHUNTER]

I'm having trouble with the 2d patch but I've been looking at "composite" squadrons and VT units. The torpedo, bombs, and rocket suggest a TBF/TBM unit to me.

Yes that is what they flew at the time when this patch was being worn .
Johnny

 

[JGC]

Thanks for the information guys, I appreciate the input. Jon

 

[JGC]

Thought I'd post a few more jackets, I just picked this B-15 up yesterday. There is no spec tag in the neck, but I had read that there were some that never had tags. Its in almost unissued condition, but it was exposed to some sun lite on the left shoulder so the white AAF emblem is almost faded out.

 

[JGC]

This B-15 is a size 38 made by Stagg Coat Company. It has what appears to be Japanese writing on the front, I'm assuming the mans name. If there is anyone out there that can translate this, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[deeb7]

... There is no spec tag in the neck, but I had read that there were some that never had tags.

I believe they were all born with tags, but they were sometimes removed post war to eliminate Property U.S. Army Air Forces, or in this case perhaps it's a civilian version.

The white labelled Stagg below is superb.

 

[Grant]

Actually not true. I've seen a number of late 40's civi B-15's with no evidence of a spec label.

 

[deeb7]

Actually not true. I've seen a number of late 40's civi B-15's with no evidence of a spec label.

I thought that's what I was saying. :lol:

 

[TankBuster]

The shot of the inside of the B-15 is what makes me think it is a civilian version. Doesn't look like the issued type.

 

[Silver Surfer]

welcome to the abusement park, jon. killer jacs, really killer. wowiezowie.

 

[JGC]

The B-15 does have the White AAF stencil on the left sleeve, but its very faded. I wouldn't have thought that it would have been put on a non-military issue jacket. In Jon Maguire and John Conway's book, American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft, they mention the fact that they have found many early examples that were issued without a Spec Tag. There is no evidence that a tag was ever present on this jacket, I do have a number of jackets where the tags was removed. In a couple of cases when I purchased the jackets directly from the veterans they mentioned being concerned about the tag saying Army Aircorps Property. Thanks for all the comments on the jackets, I'll try and get a few more posted soon. Jon

 

[deeb7]

The B-15 does have the White AAF stencil on the left sleeve, but its very faded. I wouldn't have thought that it would have been put on a non-military issue jacket.

If it's a nice jacket from the period, I'm sure it doesn't matter, but it does differ from the military spec. B-15's.

The lining looks to be of the green plush type often seen on the civilian jackets, instead of the wool/alpaca blend similar to that of your B-10. The zipper appears to be central, instead of offset to the right, and the pen pocket is the double type found a little later on the B-15A. There is no cloth hanger ...

I don't know how Messrs Maguire and Conway were able to tell that a jacket had been issued without a tag. It makes no sense as the sizes were incorporated into the label.