COMPARING TWO ORIGINAL 1940 AERO A2s

[Roughwear]

Aeros from the small 40-3785-P contract have been discussed from time to time on the forum. The contract dates to the fiscal year 1940, so was issued sometime from July 1939 to June 1940. There are less than ten jackets known to have survived from this contract. Unlike Wartime Aeros, the 1940 jacket has a collarstand, nipple snaps, as opposed to ring snaps and a 1930s Talon zipper.

I have been extremely fortunate to have been able to acquire two contrasting examples in a size 44. Both were originally russet in colour, although one has been re-sprayed in a USAAF depot. The horse hide used to construct the russet jacket was quite dry when it arrived, but is now very supple following a couple of coats of Pecards. It required a little re-stitching on one pocket, which I did using 1940s thread. The jacket had a wartime replaced waistband and knits. The waistband was single ply and was similar to that used on naval jackets. It had no elasticity at all and put pressure on the zip when the jacket was zipped up. Until I can source some NOS mid brown knits I have installed a set from MASH. I have followed the line of the top stiching above the waistband. The top stitching was done when the waistband was replaced in the War as originals from this contract did not have this feature.

Both jackets have their original zips, but the pullers are different, and I particularly like the fantail one on the russet jacket.
The seal Aero is 100% original, apart from the re-spraying. It was issued to E.J. Cichon who flew with the 2nd Combat Cargo Squadron in the CBI theatre. I love the embroidered patch.

I hope you find the pictures interesting.

Label from russet jacket

Label from Seal jacket

Talon zip on russet jacket

Talon zip on seal jacket

 

[cmk-2]

Hey Andrew,
Do you find that the Re-Dying process dries out or stiffens the leather? I have a Dubow Re-dye that is abit stiff and have always thought that the re-dye was the reason.

 

[Roughwear]

Yes, the leather on the redye is drier to touch and slightly less supple than on the russet Aero.

 

[deand]

Those plum/cherry/berry knits have a really deep rich color. How different would they be as issued? Or are those the replacements?







dean

 

[Roughwear]

Those plum/cherry/berry knits have a really deep rich color. How different would they be as issued? Or are those the replacements?

dean

Originally the knits were most likely mid brown. The seal Aero has original knits, which have faded a little over the years.

 

[deand]

Thanks, Andrew! Love your posts, and always learn a lot from you.









dean

 

[Clyde from Carolina]

Fascinating post Andrew.

Thanks for posting such an interesting comparison of two jackets from a seldom seen contract.