Dr H
Well-Known Member
Just seen an unfortunate listing on EBay for a Perry Sportswear A-2 which was machine washed 
Quote 'I took it to a professional leather care shop experienced :roll: with flight jackets for cleaning and replacement of cuffs and waistband.
Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication, and instead of being cleaned by hand, as I expected, it was cleaned by machine. This caused removal of most of the original dye, fading of the silver B-25 to its present "ghost" image, some few small tears in the lining, separation of the top of the lining from where it is sewn to the inside of the collar (it is still held in place by the jacket-hanging strap), and transversely tore the right-hand portion of the zipper 9 inches above its bottom end. The zipper is still functional, can be zipped up and unzipped if care is taken when the slider is passing over the torn portion. This may require reaching behind the zipper to keep it on track. This is no problem for mannequin display but could be an annoyance if the jacket is used for wear. The shop offered to redye the jacket for me, but I declined, because the B-25 would then be lost. The replacement cuffs and waistband are of very high quality and correctly installed, and the leather is in fabulous condition for its age, no sign of rot. Collar hook, collar snaps, and pocket flap snaps all intact and functional.'
Sad, as it would have looked treat before the HWT treatment...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-WW2-US-Arm ... 500wt_1196
Quote 'I took it to a professional leather care shop experienced :roll: with flight jackets for cleaning and replacement of cuffs and waistband.
Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication, and instead of being cleaned by hand, as I expected, it was cleaned by machine. This caused removal of most of the original dye, fading of the silver B-25 to its present "ghost" image, some few small tears in the lining, separation of the top of the lining from where it is sewn to the inside of the collar (it is still held in place by the jacket-hanging strap), and transversely tore the right-hand portion of the zipper 9 inches above its bottom end. The zipper is still functional, can be zipped up and unzipped if care is taken when the slider is passing over the torn portion. This may require reaching behind the zipper to keep it on track. This is no problem for mannequin display but could be an annoyance if the jacket is used for wear. The shop offered to redye the jacket for me, but I declined, because the B-25 would then be lost. The replacement cuffs and waistband are of very high quality and correctly installed, and the leather is in fabulous condition for its age, no sign of rot. Collar hook, collar snaps, and pocket flap snaps all intact and functional.'
Sad, as it would have looked treat before the HWT treatment...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-WW2-US-Arm ... 500wt_1196
