applying patch to new A-2

[capt71]

Deleted

 

[hacker]

Hello all,
This is a sort of "off the wall" question and if something similar has been posted and answered elsewhere forgive me. I ordered an A-2 from History Preservation Associates (Eastman Leather) some time ago. I had an exact replica of my Father's B-24 squadron patch made (the original is on his WW2 A-2, which I have) and I wish to put the replica on my jacket. Of course, I'm VERY nervous about having permanent stitch holes put in the leather. Does anyone know if there is an adhesive that I could use to attach the patch (not necessarily permanently) that would not damage or mar the leather in any way?
Thanks.
Bill

NO! it would be a mistake.....just stitch it on. I think that's a great addition to it.


Hacker

 

[T-Bolt]

Bill,

Hacker is right on concerning the attachment of your patch to the jacket. Sewing it on is the way to go.......but be sure you find someone that is well skilled in this type of sewing and has the correct type of machine to make curves and circles.

When you receive the jacket from HPA first be ABSOLUTELY SURE that it fits you properly before attaching any patches or doing painting. That way you can exchange it if necessary.

Many adhesives such as Barge Cement will do the job perfectly and remain flexible BUT it will probably adhere permanently to the leather or pull off the outer layer of the leather finish if you try to remove it. Stitch holes will be much more tolerable than a large area of stripped off color!

Good luck with your project and post photos when you get it done. If you have any more questions.....fire away.


Ted

 

[capt71]

Deleted

 

[Hamsterbear]

NEVER glue a patch to a jacket! It is guaranteed to pull the finish off, leaving a horrible damage spot on the leather. It is much more desirable to sew a patch on, and you can always sell the jacket later even with the holes, but the glue would almost certainly ruin the surface, and you'd be "stuck" with a mess.
We want photo's of the original WWII jacket, and the Eastman with the reproduction patch!
What Sqdn. did your dad fly with? My avatar shows a 330th BS from the 93rd BG out of Hardwick, a 2nd Air Division B-24 group, "Teds Travelling Circus".
-Brian

 

[Anonymous]

Would also recommend sewing, by someone you can trust. Barge (I think is the correct spelling) is an adhesive you can use to glue the patch on before sewing to prevent moving during the process. It is like a rubber cement and will rub off without removing the finish.

 

[capt71]

Deleted

 

[Andrew]

Re: hamsterbear,
My Dad was a B-24 pilot with the 5th AF, 380th Bomb Group, 528th Bomb Squadron, out of Fenton Airfield, Northern Australia (south of Darwin) in 1943-44. I'll post a pic of my jacket when I get it done and figure out the best way to post a photo here. In the meantime here's a link to an article I wrote about my father's A-2, with some photos:

Funny that you mentioned the 2nd Air Division B-24 group known as "Teds Travelling Circus"-- The 380th BG was called "The Flying Circus"!

Thanks again for the advice.

Hi Capt, I suspected you were Bill Shek. I sent you an email (via Barbara Gotham of the 380th Assoc ) some time ago. Didn't John Johnson paint your patch for you?

I know a guy (ex RAAF Lib Capt) here who was with the 380th for some time. I'll have to ask him if he came across your Dad.


In support of the others comments stay well clear of adhesive, and please post some more pics. Here's another link to another story via oldnautibits;
http://www.oldnautibits.com/features/aerofeature6.shtml

and here's a link to the 380th in Australia;
http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/380bg.htm

I have some other links as well which you might be interested in- one with a load of shots. i'm sure you probably have them already but drop me a line if you want them.

welcome to the forum....

 

[flightmac]

What about the leather name strip? I was planning on gluing that onto my A-2. BTW, is there a way to make a new leather name strip look more the same age as an already worn jacket?

 

[deeb7]

What about the leather name strip? I was planning on gluing that onto my A-2. BTW, is there a way to make a new leather name strip look more the same age as an already worn jacket?

Nah, sew it on ... don't glue.

To age it first? Fuller's earth, carbon paper, soy sauce, dark wax, tea, coffee .............

 

[Tim P]

Sew.
It sounds like the jacket is a keeper anyhow so stitch holes should not be an issue. even if you do resell, the others are right in that they do not detract too much from the resale value.
I love the idea of recreating specific jackets and I would echo the aging tips for the name strip. wetting it first will enable the processes to take better. work it to restore the suppleness then add it to the jacket.
BTW, any sewing machine that takes denim will do leather patch onto leather jacket too but I would suggest sending it to a dedicated repro manufacturer if possible as they will stitch with correct thread.