Alvin "Tex" Johnson, 1955, and he's wearing...

[deand]

Okay, Alvin's wearing:

a) L-2

b) L-2B

c) A fabric form of one of the above.

d) _______________________________.

Anyone care to guess, or do you know what it is?

dean

 

[Chris217]

My guess is a L-2.

 

[deand]

My guess is a L-2.

It'd be my guess, too, were it not for the really light tinted knits, and the total absence of nylon "shine" to the shell of the jacket. But L-2 does seem to be the best guess, I agree.





dean

 

[MikeyB-17]

I'm thinking L-2 as well, due to the leather oxygen tab-L-2B's had fabric ones-at least the ones in 'Suit Up!' do, which is where my guess comes from-my knowledge of nylon is rudimentary indeed, so I'm probably talking out of my bottom, as usual. I love the cap-anybody know if that's an issue item?

 

[Atticus]

My guess is a L-2.

It'd be my guess, too, were it not for the really light tinted knits, and the total absence of nylon "shine" to the shell of the jacket. But L-2 does seem to be the best guess, I agree.
dean

I've never held a real L-2, so I might be talking' out of my button, too...but I used to be an avid B&W photographer back in the days before digital. I'm pretty sure that the photo in question was shot through a green filter...and probably through a polarizing filter on top of the green filter. Green filters were commonly used to improve flesh tones in portraits…polarizing filters were used to cut glare and sharpen contrast. If I am right, both filters would significantly alter the way an olive, nylon jacket would appear in a B&W photo. The green filter would lighten the jacket’s green shell and green cuffs, and the polarizing filter would dampen the jacket’s "sheen" and make it look like cloth.

...so I think Tex's jacket is an L-2.

AF

 

[watchmanjimg]

I agree that it's probably an L-2. The oxy tab appears to be leather, and the main zipper looks like a Crown with spring-loaded puller that is missing its leather tab. As the owner of an original L-2 as well as an L-2A, I can state that the early nylon jackets seem to lose their sheen with use. This jacket would have been upwards of 5 years old at the time it was photographed, and in any case Geoff has offered a far more technical explanation for the absence of sheen and apparent shade of the knits.

 

[deand]

Thank you, I think that answers the question, Atticus! Knowledge is power!







dean

 

[Stony]

He's also probably wearing cowboy boots as that was one of his trademarks.