AVI M422A Development and Improvements

[STEVE S.]

Steve
Is this true for using Pledge on originals as well?

Yes, for normal maintenance on a jacket in good condition.

 

[Enigma1938]

Next step done.
I added a patch from the VMF-214, also known as the Blacksheep. Some may know them from the famous baa baa black sheep series from the late 70s.
It's the 1st type of the squad patch around 1943, later ones lack the 214 on it. Actually the 214 squad had a different patch and name before the sheep ones, called the "swashbucklers".
Nametag will follow, it's in customs currently.

Here a pic of a survived original jacket from the 214. It belonged to Frederick "Fred" Samuel Lorsch, who flew with the unit under Pappy Boyington, Sep-Dec, 1943, while based in the Solomons

 

[Enigma1938]

Nametag done (censored for photo):

Was a quick night shot,
I'll try to take some better pics soon.

 

[B-Man2]

Looks good ! Congrats !

 

[Enigma1938]

Also a quick shot in the sunlight.
I dunno why the lining appears so bright red here, I think the phone camera is to blame. It's more a salmon red actually and not that bright.
The brownish leather color is better visible here.

 

[Enigma1938]

Looks good ! Congrats !

Thank you Burt!

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Looks good Enigma. Nicely done

 

[McNally]

Very nice! Forgive me if this info is already posted, but I'm new here and figured I'd use that to my advantage. How are you sewing those on? Good machine or incredible patience?

 

[Enigma1938]

It's hand sewn only. I do have a sewing machine but I'm afraid it's not strong enough for the sturdy goatskin.

Very nice! Forgive me if this info is already posted, but I'm new here and figured I'd use that to my advantage. How are you sewing those on? Good machine or incredible patience?

 

[Deacon211]

That turned out beautifully.

You probably already know this but 214 had a short-lived 3rd name:

Boyington’s Bastards: The Legendary Black Sheep Squadron

From Marine Corps orphans to top-scoring fighter pilots, the fabled Black Sheep followed pugnacious “Pappy” Boyington to fame.

www.historynet.com

In fact, though I think that the meaning of the heraldry is disputed these days, the diagonal stripe was an original nod to their illegitimate parentage.

 

[Beaker_UK]

Also a quick shot in the sunlight.
I dunno why the lining appears so bright red here, I think the phone camera is to blame. It's more a salmon red actually and not that bright.
The brownish leather color is better visible here.

View attachment 76865

That is amazing! Where did you get the Blacksheep patch from? Might need to get one along with one for the Checkerboards having worked with both…

 

[Enigma1938]

That is amazing! Where did you get the Blacksheep patch from? Might need to get one along with one for the Checkerboards having worked with both…

Thank you!
I got the patch from this guys:

Popular Patch

Explore a vast collection of embroidered patches at PopularPatch.com. Discover licensed logos, military emblems, custom designs, and more. Fast shipping, secure checkout, and excellent customer support. Create unique statements with our premium-quality patches today!

www.popularpatch.com

They have different versions of VMF-214 patches also, like the first "swashbucklers" version or one from the Korean War era...

 

[Enigma1938]

That turned out beautifully.

You probably already know this but 214 had a short-lived 3rd name:

Boyington’s Bastards: The Legendary Black Sheep Squadron

From Marine Corps orphans to top-scoring fighter pilots, the fabled Black Sheep followed pugnacious “Pappy” Boyington to fame.

www.historynet.com

In fact, though I think that the meaning of the heraldry is disputed these days, the diagonal stripe was an original nod to their illegitimate parentage.

Thank you!
Yes the design and meaning of their emblem ist great, especially for me because I felt like a black sheep also often in my life.

 

[coolhandluke]

@Enigma1938, I hope you don't mind me adding my current Avi M-M422a project to your improvements thread. My jacket is also in the process of undergoing a few changes.

I've purchased a NOS M-39 Talon pull from Dave Sheeley, installed the pull and top zipper stop that Dave also kindly provided.

I've also purchased two patches to potentially use. At this time I plan to use the felt Nightcappers patch shown below (along with the leather VPB-71 patch that was also purchased).

Lastly, Steve Sellers provided me with a repro G&F spec label. The size tag that was included is a black/yellow M-69 style label, so I will likely just re-use the original white Avi label.

I currently plan to drop the jacket off this week with a local tailor that does a fair amount of leather garment work. There is a small section of stitching that retains the zipper tape on the lower left panel that has failed. I'll also have the tailor sew on the squadron patch and swap the spec label while the stitching is being addressed. If it can be done, I'll also ask that they remove the black product label from the interior of the liner as well. On another note, there seems to be a fair amount of issues with the thread that Avi is using on their M-422a's (many button thread failures, and at least one other jacket with popped pocket stitching). Hopefully this won't be a continuing occurrence as the jacket ages.

 

[mulceber]

Looks great, Luke! Show us the finished photos when it's done!

 

[coolhandluke]

Looks great, Luke! Show us the finished photos when it's done!

Thanks Jan. I appreciate you giving me the push to swap the zipper pull and spec label. The original Talon zipper alone makes a world of difference to the appearance of the jacket.

 

[mulceber]

Agreed, I've done zipper upgrades on a couple of my jackets and it's amazing what a NOS zipper does to take a repro to the next level.

 

[Brettafett]

Jackets looking spanking...
I would drop AVI/ Morten an email regs the stitching. He needs to know this is happening...

 

[Enigma1938]

@coolhandluke
You did good with your M422a, the zipper and label are bringing so much more authenticity to the jacket. If I were you I would choose the felt patch. Those jackets are perfect for having fun experimenting with improvements, for patching etc...
Btw I hadn't any problems with stitching on my Avi, seems it's not a general problem.

 

[Mr. Mike]

Next step done.
I added a patch from the VMF-214, also known as the Blacksheep. Some may know them from the famous baa baa black sheep series from the late 70s.
It's the 1st type of the squad patch around 1943, later ones lack the 214 on it. Actually the 214 squad had a different patch and name before the sheep ones, called the "swashbucklers".
Nametag will follow, it's in customs currently.
View attachment 76807

Here a pic of a survived original jacket from the 214. It belonged to Frederick "Fred" Samuel Lorsch, who flew with the unit under Pappy Boyington, Sep-Dec, 1943, while based in the Solomons

View attachment 76808

Small amendment: Fred Losch's Jacket was actually an AN-J-3a, but I cannot recall anymore in which Air-(Force)-Museum it is located today.