Korean war a2 jackets

[ausreenactor]

Here's an interesting one, from the Lost world's collection. Issued in 1946. Used in Korea. It has no collar snaps, no hang loop and has a khaki cotton lining, doesn't seem to have a contract label either. It seems strange that it was an issued piece of kit. View attachment 36999

I am always drawn to the patches first? Interesting name plate too. Will grab the glasses but it looks likes an aircrew wing with a rounded top.

 

[ausreenactor]

6166th Air Weather Reconnaissance Flight - Air Force Unit Directory - Together We Served

Find 6166th Air Weather Reconnaissance Flight unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. If you served in 6166th Air Weather Reconnaissance...

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[P-47 thunderbolt]

I would say that it’s definitely a post WWII
commercially made A2 . Are there any other tags in the pocket or lining ? What name is on the zipper pull?

There are no tags anywhere on it, the zipper looks 50s... Leonards USA. There's mistake stitch holes under the pocket flap too, I had a thread ages ago but don't think anyone could identify it https://www.vintageleatherjackets.o...-identify-private-purchase-civilian-a2.23601/

 

[P-47 thunderbolt]

Here is a very old thread that I came across, unfortunately the gentleman hasn't been active on the forum for some time but I gather he was issued an A2 jacket in 1951. The images are old photobucket ones that I can't see but he was also issued a USAAF A-11 flying helmet from ww2

Korean War A-2 jacket

Actually Dave, I'm impressed that all of you have so much information about various aspects of the A-2 Jacket. I appreciate all your advice. Thanks Tim for your offer to paint my squadron insignia on a new jacket. About 10 years ago I bought a jacket from AVIREX LIMITED, which I was told is...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

 

[P-47 thunderbolt]

I found an image of the gentleman's A2 once it had been restored.

I was not quite 19 when I was issued mine in June 1951 with the 6147th Tac Con Gp. Of course it was recycled from WWII, as was much of our gear

 

[P-47 thunderbolt]

Scoring an A-2 jacket for flight personnel in korea was a matter of luck. Since they were no longer in production, it all depended on what was kicking around in supply. I would have preferred one size larger, it was a bit snug, but it was the only one available at the time so I grabbed it.

 

[Grant]

My dad recalled before shipping out for Korea, they had access to a California supply depot with racks of surplus WWII flight kit including plenty of A-2's. Because he knew they were headed someplace cold, he picked a D-1 and B-1 trousers.

 

[ausreenactor]

My dad recalled before shipping out for Korea, they had access to a California supply depot with racks of surplus WWII flight kit including plenty of A-2's. Because he knew they were headed someplace cold, he picked a D-1 and B-1 trousers.

Smart man. Dress for where you are going!
Have you posted a thread devoted to your father's service? I have seen many references and pics.... Might data dive....

 

[Grant]

Yeah, he flew B-26 Invaders with the 13th BS.

 

[P-47 thunderbolt]

My dad recalled before shipping out for Korea, they had access to a California supply depot with racks of surplus WWII flight kit including plenty of A-2's. Because he knew they were headed someplace cold, he picked a D-1 and B-1 trousers.

Ah so once they got their posting were they able to choose whatever kit they wanted from the ww2 surplus ?

 

[MikeyB-17]

My dad recalled before shipping out for Korea, they had access to a California supply depot with racks of surplus WWII flight kit including plenty of A-2's. Because he knew they were headed someplace cold, he picked a D-1 and B-1 trousers.

Whoa, wouldn’t it be great if that was still there?

 

[Peter T]

Hi, nice jackets thanks, has someone photos of usn G1 jacket from Korea era? Original jacket photos from some museum? Thanks

 

[Flightengineer]

Hi, nice jackets thanks, has someone photos of usn G1 jacket from Korea era? Original jacket photos from some museum? Thanks

G-1 Korea

 

[P-47 thunderbolt]

The G1 was of course a standard piece of kit for naval aviators where as the A2 was no longer produced under government contract and so it's use after ww2 was not the norm. Private purchase jackets from this era seem commonplace. I know airmen used private purchase jackets on missions, I wonder if it was allowed by commanders or simply went unnoticed?

 

[Flightengineer]

It seems to me like in on any war in this case it was more important that pilots make they combat missions, they were unlikely to be scolded for a back art on their jackets, cause nose art also was in Korea as in WW2 Like private jackets too.

 

[P-47 thunderbolt]

Yeah the theatre of operations is a different environment to the baracks in the US, can't imagine they'd get scolded for wearing a non issue A2 when they could potentially get killed on the next mission.

 

[Ed Rooney]

To me, this is the equivalent of a modern military pilot buying a CWU from Avirex or G&B. No, they are not issue, but they are nomex and look enough like the real thing. It wouldn't be a big deal.