Star Sportswear A-2 - found at the Goodwill outlet bins

[YoungMedic]

Ahh thats too bad, at least I hope he's well. I was worried when I saw his post history abruptly stopped last year. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[ausreenactor]

Some "regulars" of this forum "tried too well" for him, and some others,иso that they stop writing anything in this forum.
But now these "regulars" are some of the main ones here and only they write, and consider themselves the masters of this forum.

Okay....?

 

[ausreenactor]

Rough Wear has left the building!
( He’s stopped posting here, for reasons known to himself and I guess a couple of others here) That’s all I’ve got

Moved to Facebook and really into the Living History stuff. Pretty consistent poster on a number of pages.

 

[ausreenactor]

It's not the same for everybody...

The Moderators have enhanced capabilities here to curb or halt some things. Post how and whenever you feel so inclined. If people like what you are saying then your input is appreciated. Same for responses and replies.

Some take feedback as criticism. Others embrace it. We are the masters of our own experiences here.

 

[Micawber]

I'm talking about topics and ambiance on the forum, and not about specific skirmishes.
Unfortunately, this is no longer a forum vintageleatherjackets. Now this is a forum - whohasabigestego.

On the contrary, I think there is actually less of that. Besides, the ignore facility is a pure delight.

 

[ausreenactor]

Some were pushed... and that meant others followed also.

I have been here since I found the internet. I surge and taper as tempo in the real World dictates. Facebook has a broader audience as well. Those that want to be 'seen' are seen by a larger number of people.

 

[Micawber]

And can just leave, which many did.

Aye there is that, did it myself way back when the pomposity became tiresome.

 

[Micawber]

Nothing like a good meta discussion is there

 

[YoungMedic]

Sorry to drag up a touchy subject. I enjoy the knowledge and the jackets, hate to see any of that leave the forum for whatever reason.

 

[Bombing IP]

whohasabigestego. That makes no sense I do not see that here on the forum .

BIP

 

[Silver Surfer]

naw, not who has the biggest ego, but who has the cheapest repro. "the not so vintage leather jacket forum"

 

[Officer Dibley]

Some "regulars" of this forum "tried too well" for him, and some others,иso that they stop writing anything in this forum.
But now these "regulars" are some of the main ones here and only they write, and consider themselves the masters of this forum.

Something Andrew himself did as those of us who have been around 20 years or so will know. He came out of nowhere with zero knowledge but seemed to have a lot of money and bought a heap of jackets and set about learning with the zeal of the academic he was. Plus, as a primary school headmaster (at the time) he had plenty of time for his new hobby. He was generous in sharing his knowledge but did come across as pompous and humourless which was a shame as that put many folks backs up. He became a great jacket Yoda.

I come & go on here myself - usually driven by the cul-de-sacs the forum sometimes dives down or by folk who are the centre of attention for 15 minutes - but i see the cycles.

 

[ausreenactor]

Nobody is buying many high end repros these days. So less input in that regard.

 

[Officer Dibley]

Nobody is buying many high end repros these days. So less input in that regard.

True. Are the monied buyers gone now they have their jackets or do we have less money ?

 

[B-Man2]

IMHO I think what happens is that you get caught up in the whole historical thing with the A2 jacket being a symbol of the sprit and the deeds of a group of WWII fighter pilots. You decide that you want to have a physical item from that period , and the A2 jacket best represents that, as well as being something that just looks cool to wear . So you look around for a while until you find one that works for you , fit wise and price wise. You buy the damned thing and as soon as it arrives , you try it on and realize that you have now become the caretaker for a unique historical item. So the thing you wanted most, the jacket, now becomes something you feel guilty about wearing, so you try to maintain it and you go back to wearing your repro. After a couple of years you realize you have a bunch of money tied up in these items and they just sit around needing to be cared for . In effect you become their “bitch” . (Just trying to insert a little humor). So after a while you realize it’s best to move it on to its next care taker. That seems to be the cycle .
Again ... just my opinion..
How this all applies to the above is that new buyers will eventually be identified and will throw there hats in the ring. It may just take a while.

 

[Edward]

IMHO I think what happens is that you get caught up in the whole historical thing with the A2 jacket being a symbol of the sprit and the deeds of a group of WWII fighter pilots. You decide that you want to have a physical item from that period , and the A2 jacket best represents that, as well as being something that just looks cool to wear . So you look around for a while until you find one that works for you , fit wise and price wise. You buy the damned thing and as soon as it arrives , you try it on and realize that you have now become the caretaker for a unique historical item. So the thing you wanted most, the jacket now becomes something you feel guilty about wearing, so you try to maintain it and you go back to wearing your repro. After a couple of years you realize you have a bunch of money tied up in these items and they just sit around needing to be cared for . In effect you become their “bitch” . (Just trying to insert a little humor). So after a while you realize it’s best to move it on to its next care taker. That seems to be the cycle .
Again ... just my opinion..
How this all applies to the above is that new buyers will eventually be identified and will throw there hats in the ring. It may just take a while.

 

[Officer Dibley]

IMHO I think what happens is that you get caught up in the whole historical thing with the A2 jacket being a symbol of the sprit and the deeds of a group of WWII fighter pilots. You decide that you want to have a physical item from that period , and the A2 jacket best represents that, as well as being something that just looks cool to wear . So you look around for a while until you find one that works for you , fit wise and price wise. You buy the damned thing and as soon as it arrives , you try it on and realize that you have now become the caretaker for a unique historical item. So the thing you wanted most, the jacket, now becomes something you feel guilty about wearing, so you try to maintain it and you go back to wearing your repro. After a couple of years you realize you have a bunch of money tied up in these items and they just sit around needing to be cared for . In effect you become their “bitch” . (Just trying to insert a little humor). So after a while you realize it’s best to move it on to its next care taker. That seems to be the cycle .
Again ... just my opinion..
How this all applies to the above is that new buyers will eventually be identified and will throw there hats in the ring. It may just take a while.

Why do you have to be so wise Burt ?

 

[Micawber]

I'm a jacket (and other stuff) "bitch" and proud!

Oh hang on, that doesn't sound that good does it

 

[foster]

IMHO I think what happens is that you get caught up in the whole historical thing with the A2 jacket being a symbol of the sprit and the deeds of a group of WWII fighter pilots. You decide that you want to have a physical item from that period , and the A2 jacket best represents that, as well as being something that just looks cool to wear . So you look around for a while until you find one that works for you , fit wise and price wise. You buy the damned thing and as soon as it arrives , you try it on and realize that you have now become the caretaker for a unique historical item. So the thing you wanted most, the jacket, now becomes something you feel guilty about wearing, so you try to maintain it and you go back to wearing your repro. After a couple of years you realize you have a bunch of money tied up in these items and they just sit around needing to be cared for . In effect you become their “bitch” . (Just trying to insert a little humor). So after a while you realize it’s best to move it on to its next care taker. That seems to be the cycle .
Again ... just my opinion..
How this all applies to the above is that new buyers will eventually be identified and will throw there hats in the ring. It may just take a while.

This is an excellent post! Much truth in there.

Back to the original subject - that looks like a beautiful original to me (though I am not an expert). But I am someone with experience in textiles, and the concerns over petroleum based products on cotton stitching are real. Greases and oils are not ideal to cotton fibers, although in some cases you have to use something on the leather. The safest option is just a damp cotton cloth to wipe across the surface, but if done at the wrong temperature and humidity then the leather can potentially dry out more when the water evaporates. I guess it is likely to be splitting hairs to some extent, and honestly from the photos not much looks like it needs to be done.

Also vintage leather care is not the same as leather care for newer leather goods. If you ever do any leather cleaning or conditioning on this, I would go with some of the pH balanced options. I think Lexol has the pH balanced conditioners, but it will still likely darken the leather if you use it.

 

[mulceber]

Wow, just saw this - incredible find, if it's an original (or, frankly, even if it's a reproduction - getting a GW, BK or Aero for pocket change? Unbelievable!).

I'm probably completely wrong here (and if I am, I'm looking forward to learning more!), but...shouldn't an original A-2 jacket have a leather nameplate? And some sort of decal on the left shoulder indicating the affiliation of the pilot? And maybe rank insignia on the shoulder straps? Or at least traces to show some of those things were originally there? Were there WW2 pilots that had "blank" A-2s? I'm genuinely curious about this.

Great find no matter it's origin!