Jorgeenriqueaguilera
Well-Known Member
Gents,
Today I would like to share perhaps the rarest bird of all the USAF flight jackets, the Type L-2 Light Zone Flying Jacket made by AMERICAN PAD & TEXTILE CO.
Just before the end of WWII, in 1945, the USAAF tested the Type L-2, a new light zone flight jacket that replaced the A-2. Production running from 1947 to 1949. This flight jacket incorporated an Olive Drab nylon fabric shell, a material produced by DuPont, which was less expensive and less difficult to mass-produce in emergency. It also required less care in handling.
The result was a flight jacket lighter and more flexible. In addition, the lining was made of rayon and wool providing moderate heat retention.
The epaulettes inherited from the A-2, allowed to put through ICS cables and the hose for the emergency oxygen. A leather oxygen mask tab was incorporated to the left chest. Another incorporation was a triangular storm flap on the bottom of the front that was used subsequently on other L-2 models.
The condition of this jacket is incredible considering it’s over 70 years old. All parts are original to the jacket and work perfectly. Some moth holes are present on the knits which is totally normal due to the nature of the material, but they don’t affect its performance.
The right chest depicts a Cadet Civil Air Patrol patch.
The right shoulder depicts a California Wing Civil Air Patrol patch.
The left shoulder depict a color printed U.S. AIR FORCE logo in great shape retaining its original colors.
As a side note, even though is a size 34, it is one of the best examples I have seen so far.
Say no more, enjoy the pics!
Regards,
Jorge
Today I would like to share perhaps the rarest bird of all the USAF flight jackets, the Type L-2 Light Zone Flying Jacket made by AMERICAN PAD & TEXTILE CO.
Just before the end of WWII, in 1945, the USAAF tested the Type L-2, a new light zone flight jacket that replaced the A-2. Production running from 1947 to 1949. This flight jacket incorporated an Olive Drab nylon fabric shell, a material produced by DuPont, which was less expensive and less difficult to mass-produce in emergency. It also required less care in handling.
The result was a flight jacket lighter and more flexible. In addition, the lining was made of rayon and wool providing moderate heat retention.
The epaulettes inherited from the A-2, allowed to put through ICS cables and the hose for the emergency oxygen. A leather oxygen mask tab was incorporated to the left chest. Another incorporation was a triangular storm flap on the bottom of the front that was used subsequently on other L-2 models.
The condition of this jacket is incredible considering it’s over 70 years old. All parts are original to the jacket and work perfectly. Some moth holes are present on the knits which is totally normal due to the nature of the material, but they don’t affect its performance.
The right chest depicts a Cadet Civil Air Patrol patch.
The right shoulder depicts a California Wing Civil Air Patrol patch.
The left shoulder depict a color printed U.S. AIR FORCE logo in great shape retaining its original colors.
As a side note, even though is a size 34, it is one of the best examples I have seen so far.
Say no more, enjoy the pics!
Regards,
Jorge
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