Best pic yet of Arnold Alaska fliers, 1934

[zoomer]

Very large, high resolution scan of what was originally a large-format photo (probably glass plate). Jacket nuts will be over the moon.

Standing (L to R) are Lt. Lawrence J. Carr, Lt. Charles H. Howard, Maj. Malcolm C. Grow, Medical Corps (flight surgeon), Maj. Hugh J. Knerr, Lt. Col. Henry H. Arnold, Maj. Ralph Royce, Lt. John S. Griffith, and Lt. Leonard F. Harman.
Kneeling (L to R) are Capt. John D. Corkille, Capt. Harold M. McClelland, Capt. Ray A. Dunn, Capt. Westside T. Larson, Lt. Ralph A. Snavely, Lt. Nathan F. Twining (not a flight member), Lt. John S. Mills (not a flight member), Lt. Hez McClellan.

Of the 16 men shown, 10 went on to become generals.

 

[Persimmon]

Great picture.
I would like a close up of the patch

The other 6 guys must have thought ... where did it all go wrong !!!

 

[johnwayne]

They all look like seriously new issued jackets! Wonder what one of them in good condition might fetch today?

 

[zoomer]

I think 3 died in crashes a few years later. Another (John Corkille) had a fatal heart attack in North Africa in 1943. The remaining 2 retired as colonels.

 

[B-Man2]

Great photo zoomer!

 

[Pilot]

Thx for sharing.
Love the fit of all jackets.

 

[Silver Surfer]

hmmmmm....no snug as a bug in a rug fits, there. in fact, for the most part, they look like comfy fitting a-2s.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

They all look like seriously new issued jackets! Wonder what one of them in good condition might fetch today?

I wonder how many asked their pals...."Does this look too long/short/big/small on me?"

 

[zoomer]

I would like a close up of the patch

The only known color rendition was done by an Alaska pilot/artist, and shows the map insignia used on the aircraft.

The jackets had the eagle and totem only, on some kind of background. I'd guess yellow to match the map. (Yellow had a way of appearing dark on b&w photos of the time. Search orthochromatic film for details.)

 

[zoomer]

 

[MikeyB-17]

I can see two A-2’s with button pocket flaps, the chap fourth from left next to Arnold, and the chap on the far left in the back row. There may be others but you can’t see the pockets of a lot of them.

 

[CBI]

they all made an effort to tuck in/away their waist knits

 

[Falcon_52]

I noticed that also. The men standing behind seem to have folded the waistband in and underneath the front of the jacket. I have done the same with an A-2 that is too long in the body. I thought I was crazy but now I can justify it!

Noel

 

[Greg Gale]

Interesting photo, thanks for sharing. What strikes me is that these fellas wore their A-2s a size larger than most fighter pilots in 43-44. (based on pictures I have seen)

 

[Persimmon]

Interesting photo, thanks for sharing. What strikes me is that these fellas wore their A-2s a size larger than most fighter pilots in 43-44. (based on pictures I have seen)

Could that also be due to - they only produced limited size options ( almost one size fits all ) and they wore what they got in this very early time period.

With such limited volume size contracts I guess they would be producing every size from 36-50

 

[B-Man2]

Well here's a little different perspective...just maybe they were in sync with the fashion of the times.
Back in 1934 wasn't it fashionable to wear clothing a little baggy? I'm thinking of men's pleated and cuffed pants and over sized double breasted suit jackets.
Maybe these guys thought jackets a size or two larger than what they wore at the time, was in sync with the fashion of the times.
Just thinking outside the box here.

 

[zoomer]

Suit coats were very form fitting then - wasp waists, narrow shoulders, high arm holes and short skirts. Only the trousers were wide legged (and high waisted too).

 

[B-Man2]

Suit coats were very form fitting then - wasp waists, narrow shoulders, high arm holes and short skirts. Only the trousers were wide legged (and high waisted too).

Thought I had hit on something here.
Oh well........back into the box

 

[Roughwear]

For Arnold's Alaska trip all the pilots and aircrew were issued new A-2s. It has been assumed these were 33-1729 Werbers. These jackets were made in the 1933 fiscal year which ended on 30th June 1933. The Alaska trip was in July 1934. In Gary Eastman's book there is mention of a contract for 170 A-2s, ac 6213, order 34-518-P. It was awarded to Werber on 5th September 1933. No physical evidence has been found for any jackets from this contract. Coming so soon after the 33-1729 order it is likely that the jackets would have been identical to jackets from the earlier order. So perhaps the brand new jackets worn by those on the Alaska trip were Werber from the 34-518-P order.

 

[B-Man2]

Because they have their knits tucked under, the only guy that might have a zipper rivet showing, which would be indicative of a Werber 1729 is the fellow standing on the far left. However I cant make anything out from the photo.