Original Photo of the US ARMY Air Maneuvers 1931 Featuring The First A-2 Test Jacket

[Skyhawk]

I found this original 8 x10 photo a while back. It is newsreel photo with full description on back. It's a really amazing snap shot in history and features that rare, no epaulet pre A-2 test jacket. The 1931 Army Air Maneuvers in Chicago was a pretty big deal at the time. There was a lot of advertisement as you can see on the commemorative envelope below. This photo finally solidly dates our mystery jacket as appearing before the Goldsmith A-2.

 

[Chandler]

How can you be sure it's an issue jacket?

 

[Skyhawk]

This was not technically an issued jacket. This jacket was a test jacket that tested out some new features for the A-2 project. With there being at least 3 different identical jackets I have seen, all on prominent army aviators, it's obviously not just a single jacket, but part of a group made for a purpose. This jacket shares some features with both the A-1 and A-2 jackets and appears to be a evolutionary step between the two.

 

[YoungMedic]

big collar and hookless zipper too

 

[ausreenactor]

The missing link?