watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
Kunsan AB, Korea
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Nice L-2B shot featuring Chuck Yeager
- Thread starter watchmanjimg
- Start date
greyhound52
New Member
Ok on wizard of nylon can you figure out which one this is? It is 1960s and before Chuck got his star I think it is 1965 L-2B like the one I got from you???
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
George:
I was tempted to offer an opinion when I initially posted this, but now you've put me over the edge. According to the website where I found the pic, it was taken 23 Mar 68. Based on the short body length as well as the absence of pocket flaps, epaulets, and waist tab (at least none that I can see), my gut feeling tells me it's a 7448H from the 5 May 1966 Alpha contract. The '67 Satellite tends to run a little longer, and the salty appearance of Yeager's jacket makes it less likely that he's wearing a brand-new '68.
I'd love for someone else to weigh in on this if they have anything to add.
I was tempted to offer an opinion when I initially posted this, but now you've put me over the edge. According to the website where I found the pic, it was taken 23 Mar 68. Based on the short body length as well as the absence of pocket flaps, epaulets, and waist tab (at least none that I can see), my gut feeling tells me it's a 7448H from the 5 May 1966 Alpha contract. The '67 Satellite tends to run a little longer, and the salty appearance of Yeager's jacket makes it less likely that he's wearing a brand-new '68.
I'd love for someone else to weigh in on this if they have anything to add.
Weasel_Loader
Active Member
Maybe an Alpha G? Can't really tell if it has a zipper snap at the bottom or not. If not, then I'd got with the early H contract. 
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
That does look like the jacket in the Kunsan pic, but is it Yeager's actual L-2B or simply one made up in its honor? Unfortunately the Kunsan pic is too small to pick out telltale signs such as the dual rows on stitching on the leather pull tab--that would have cinched it for us. The length fooled me, but then the Japanese link mentions shrinkage of the lining and that can really change the appearance of any jacket. :roll:
watchmanjimg said:
It seems to be an original jacket, patched up as a replica of Yeager's ... here's a different translation:
http://au.babelfish.yahoo.com/translate ... =Translate
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
I understand it's an original jacket, David, but initially you stated that the Japanese are saying it's a Satellite. After reading the translated page it appears that the author simply used a Satellite L-2B as a starting point for his Yeager tribute. I didn't see any evidence that Yeager's actual jacket was made by Satellite. Either way, I'd bet that Chuck's jacket was either the Satellite or the '66 Alpha as stated in my initial post.
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
Exactly ... I wasn't arguing with you, I just posted the link as relevant tp the thread.[/quote]
The link is indeed relevant, David. I hope I didn't come across as argumentative myself. You're definitely not to be trifled with when it comes to knowledge and research skills.
I've often scratched my head wondering how some of our leather experts identify the maker of an A-2 by some grainy old photograph that doesn't even show the whole jacket, but look at me now! It's one of those situations where I wish I could just reach back in time and say "Excuse me, Colonel? Would you mind if I turned out your left pocket for a second?" I wonder if Chuck's kick to my backside would propel me past the sound barrier . . . :lol: :lol: :lol:
The link is indeed relevant, David. I hope I didn't come across as argumentative myself. You're definitely not to be trifled with when it comes to knowledge and research skills.
I've often scratched my head wondering how some of our leather experts identify the maker of an A-2 by some grainy old photograph that doesn't even show the whole jacket, but look at me now! It's one of those situations where I wish I could just reach back in time and say "Excuse me, Colonel? Would you mind if I turned out your left pocket for a second?" I wonder if Chuck's kick to my backside would propel me past the sound barrier . . . :lol: :lol: :lol:
Weasel_Loader
Active Member
Way too small of photo for me to tell. Also difficult with the G suit on to tell what parts are the G suit and what parts are the jacket.
greyhound52
New Member
There is a picture of Yeager's L-2B on pg 234 of "Suit UP! The Flight Jacket" book. It is a "H" model made by Satellite.
Atticus
Well-Known Member
I think Satellite only had one contract each for MA-1s and L-2Bs, but the jackets they produced seem to have been very good. I've noticed that the linings in Satellites are of a deeper, nicer orange than those of other makers.
Both of the jackets below are from Satellite's 1967 contracts. I had to put a new waistband on the MA-1 and used one from Flightsuits. Sadly, its not exactly the right color. Now, I wish I'd made the effort to buy one from MASH.
I took these photos outdoors on a bed sheet spread on the ground. Every time I turned my back, my cat would curl up on the jacket and I'd have to shoo her away. I just noticed that she still managed to get her foot in the upper left of the MA-1 photo.
Stupid cat.
AF
Both of the jackets below are from Satellite's 1967 contracts. I had to put a new waistband on the MA-1 and used one from Flightsuits. Sadly, its not exactly the right color. Now, I wish I'd made the effort to buy one from MASH.
I took these photos outdoors on a bed sheet spread on the ground. Every time I turned my back, my cat would curl up on the jacket and I'd have to shoo her away. I just noticed that she still managed to get her foot in the upper left of the MA-1 photo.
Stupid cat.
AF
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
Haha, here we go again! I should have kept my mouth shut about the maker. :lol: :lol: :lol:
greyhound52
New Member
I think we all agree it is either a G or a H model L-2B Right???
Atticus
Well-Known Member
I notice that Chuck's jacket's waistband appears rather wide in the B&W photo above. I think Satellite L-2Bs had rather wide waistbands. I just measured the one I have...its three and a half inches. By way of comparison, My '68 Alpha's is two and three quarters inches.
AF
AF
