Airborne A2’s

[B-Man2]

Hi Guys!
I’ve always been interested in US Airborne A2 jackets . It’s an area of collecting that is often overlooked when discussing flight jackets . Understandably so, as they are rare and difficult to find in any condition. The fact that they were only issued to officers, makes them even more rare . Of course we’ve all seen the 506th Easy Co repro A2’s that are available, but I’m hoping that if anyone finds some photos of other original or repro airborne A2’s you’ll post them here. I appreciate any photos you guys come up with. Thanks
I’ll start it off with this original beauty.

 

[Flightengineer]

Personal Items — POOR MANS MILITARIA

www.poormansmilitaria.com

WWII BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES GAVIN’s JACKET. 82nd AIRBORNE, 505th PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT. 1943. TAG “TYPE A-2, DWG.NO 30H1415, A.C…., ORDER NO. 42-5 42, PROPERTY, AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY AERO LEATHER C.O. CO. BEACON, N.Y.” AWARDED TWO DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSSES. ACQUIRED FROM TEXAS MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY

 

[Brettafett]

I thought I saw something a while back, and went and found it.

Lots of history and info here:

WWII ID'ed 82nd AIRBORNE A-2 FLIGHT JACKET WW2 in United States

Auction, in United States: 82nd Airborne named A-2 with English and Arabic nameplate. Jacket is named to Mort D. Solomon. Comes with a...

www.lot-art.com

 

[ausreenactor]

'Geronimo' by Mark Rentz has a large range of originals.

Or check Jorge's collection?

 

[B-Man2]

Found this on the forum from 2018 posted by one of our fellow members NKang . It’s Major Richard Winters of Easy Co 506th PIR wearing his original A2 jacket .

 

[B-Man2]

From the Lost Worlds collection, an original 513th PIR ( Parachute Infantry Regiment) A2.

 

[B-Man2]

507th PIR A2 Jacket

 

[ausreenactor]

507th PIR A2 Jacket
View attachment 65249

That one must be a favourite.

 

[B-Man2]

That one must be a favourite.

Spot on Captain,
Would love to own that one

 

[B-Man2]

This is about as close as I’ll ever get to owning one .

 

[ausreenactor]

Is the bag patch larger than the jacket patch?

 

[B-Man2]

Is the bag patch larger than the jacket patch?

Yes … It’s painted on .

 

[YoungMedic]

here's a cool vid that came across my feed the other day

 

[B-Man2]

here's a cool vid that came across my feed the other day

I was at this museum and saw the Major Richard Winters collection as well as several other collections . It’s well worth the time to stop by here if you’re ever in the area . There is no entry fee and the museum owner is friendly and ready to discuss his collections .
I highly recommend seeing the place .

 

[ausreenactor]

That video is awesome! Thank you!

 

[Silver Surfer]

I keep on coming back to the Gavin jacket because of the unique layered leather patches, which is something of a rarity. For the most part airborne patch work was sewn on cloth embroidered type. Wonder if he had them made for his jacket in North Africa. They do not look English made, state side made, or Italian. Mysteriouso.

 

[B-Man2]

My latest attempt to duplicate an original 507th PIR A2 jacket .

 

[ausreenactor]

My latest attempt to duplicate an original 507th PIR A2 jacket .
View attachment 65394View attachment 65393

Is that a second 507th A-2?

 

[B-Man2]

Is that a second 507th A-2?

No…..The name tag and patch are held in place with double sided tape and can be removed and put on other jackets as desired .

 

[ausreenactor]

I can never commit...