My search is over...

[Peter Graham]

Beautiful jacket. It’s been re-issued post WW2, probably for the Korean conflict, as the decals are US Air Force, rather than the Army Air Forces decals of WW2.

 

[B-Man2]

Looks like the zipper or the zipper puller was replaced at some point in its life.

 

[tjoenn]

Looks like the zipper or the zipper puller was replaced at some point in its life.

That made me curious of course... how can you tell?

 

[CBI]

then zipper puller is post WW2. As long as it works - terrific!!!!!

 

[Roughwear]

Why do you say it is a replaced zip puller?

It is the original worn M-40 Kwik zipper slider/puller. They also had Conmar zips fitted to jackets from this contract.

 

[Grant]

Why do you say it is a replaced zip puller?

It is the original worn M-40 Kwik zipper slider/puller. They also had Conmar zips fitted to jackets from this contract.

Yep agree with Andrew. Gary mentions this zip info in his book for the this contract/order Cable contract.

 

[B-Man2]

I reviewed Gary Eastman's book and I stand corrected. Thanks Andrew and Grant.
My apologies Tjoenn.

 

[Roughwear]

In this hobby we are all learning something most days.

 

[tjoenn]

I reviewed Gary Eastman's book and I stand corrected. Thanks Andrew and Grant.
My apologies Tjoenn.

No problem! I'm a novice and just very impressed with the mountain of knowledge in here. All I can say is that I'm the most knowledgeable in the office and that doesn't say much!

 

[Grant]

tjoenn,
Kwik zips in an A-2 are rare, so take good care of it.
For what it's worth, when using any original zip I'm always careful zipping/un-zipping so as not to put un-needed wear to it, specially the male end of the zip starter.

Oh yeah, and you got yourself a sweet original there, well done!

 

[tjoenn]

tjoenn,
Kwik zips in an A-2 are rare, so take good care of it.
For what it's worth, when using any original zip I'm always careful zipping/un-zipping so as not to put un-needed wear to it, specially the male end of the zip starter.

Oh yeah, and you got yourself a sweet original there, well done!

Thanks! I'll try to remember to be careful. The zipper feels so much better than the crown zippers on my retros, but I will of course always have in mind that the jacket is 76 years old.

 

[Silver Surfer]

you bet your----, its original. you can source talons, conmars, and crowns, for a price. kwiks? rarely, if ever do they show up. so, as grant wrote, be careful with it. and, yeah, the original kwiks run smooth as a gravy sandwich.

 

[Grant]

Thanks! I'll try to remember to be careful. The zipper feels so much better than the crown zippers on my retros, but I will of course always have in mind that the jacket is 76 years old.

Yep, noticed the same thing between Eastman reproduction Crowns and originals; original Crowns are always smooth as silk.

 

[CBI]

correct, looked post-war to me at first w/o checking reference - oh well...........

 

[YoungMedic]

Looks like it was made for you! Congrats!

 

[R-975]

Hello Tjoenn

Your jacket looks great. That's the kind of fit I will be looking for (i.e. reasonably close-fitting rather than baggy). If you don't mind me asking, how many inches over your actual chest measurement is your jacket's measurement?

Mike

 

[tjoenn]

Hello Tjoenn

Your jacket looks great. That's the kind of fit I will be looking for (i.e. reasonably close-fitting rather than baggy). If you don't mind me asking, how many inches over your actual chest measurement is your jacket's measurement?

Mike

Hi Mike! Thanks for your comment! I'm extremely happy with this jacket, wore it yesterday as temperatures are finally starting to head towards double digits. My actual chest measurement is 40 inches and the jacket is about 21.5 inches pit to pit, so if my math is correct, it's 3 inches over.

 

[R-975]

Hello! Thanks for your reply. That's very helpful as it gives me an idea of size and fit for me. I think ideally I'll need 21" armpit to armpit as I'm a fraction over 39" chest, but a bit over wouldn't hurt.

Thanks again,

Mike

 

[Roughwear]

That's great looking bomber with nice color.Great find for a leather jacket of this style.

It is a Cable Raincoat A-2. Most people do not refer to them as "bomber jackets" on VLJ.

 

[Roughwear]

Welcome to VLJ Flightlanks. Perhaps you would like to post about yourself in the biography section? There are hundreds of threads to read through which would help you build up your knowledge base.