B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Good question
The short answer is that yes many USAAF people wore jackets without name tags or the Roundel on the shoulders. You can find photos of them all over the photo section of this forum.
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Star Sportswear A-2 - found at the Goodwill outlet bins
- Thread starter Centaurus3200
- Start date
The short answer is that yes many USAAF people wore jackets without name tags or the Roundel on the shoulders. You can find photos of them all over the photo section of this forum.
Edward
Well-Known Member
not everyone. I have many period photos of crew wearing A-2s with no name tag or roundels or rank whatsoever. my original 5th AF 22nd BG 2nd BS has a squad patch only. no stitch holes for ever having had a name tag or rank on the epaulets.
Some guys had roundels sown, some painted on and others the waterslide decals but many nothing at all believe it or not! some guys even had the epaulet rank painted on rather than a patch type sown on. I recently posted pics of guys with their names painted on instead of a leather strip. I guess it depended on what was available or how much time you had... I think some guys probably desired rank and roundels but just didn't have time to get them put on. get a jacket, get some sleep, get in the air, get more sleep.
Grant
Well-Known Member
I tend to prefer collecting all original A-2's with no name tags, patches or decals. They're actually harder to come by than ones with patches/paintings/tags. There are too many really talented folks out there patching and painting jackets and selling them as "original".
Centaurus3200
Active Member
Not that I'm an expert, but I think I've moved beyond the "is it an original or a reproduction" phase". I'd put money on it being an original at this point.
I think it was most likely a desk pilot so the jacket probably never saw the inside of a Cockpit.
I have not put any magic elixir on it. its in a breathable cotton bag under my bed. The jacket seems to have gained more shape in the few months I've had it. I think it's been hanging in a closet for many, many decades prior. No longer smells of mothballs too!
I just took a peak at it prior to checking the thread, so yeah... I'm probably its bitch at this point. Lol!
Though, I still intend to get the knits darned up and wear it at the USS Hornet at some point. I'm guessing it probably wouldn't be the star sportswear's first time on board... Hhmmm...
I think it was most likely a desk pilot so the jacket probably never saw the inside of a Cockpit.
I have not put any magic elixir on it. its in a breathable cotton bag under my bed. The jacket seems to have gained more shape in the few months I've had it. I think it's been hanging in a closet for many, many decades prior. No longer smells of mothballs too!
I just took a peak at it prior to checking the thread, so yeah... I'm probably its bitch at this point. Lol!
Though, I still intend to get the knits darned up and wear it at the USS Hornet at some point. I'm guessing it probably wouldn't be the star sportswear's first time on board... Hhmmm...
ausreenactor
Well-Known Member
I only have the one original. A Bronco (44) from Aero's historical collection I grabbed around four or five years ago. Complete with a decal, CAPT rank and stitch holes from TWO squadron patches. Contemplated getting Sean Collins to do a patch and then get Steve Sellers to put it on using the same holes. But it has just 'hung around'. If it wasn't from Ken's collection I would have had doubts as to the provenance.
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Couchy
If you have some extra time would love to see a couple of pictures of it . We don’t get to see originals much these days.
Cheers
Centaurus3200
Active Member
Took a peak at the jacket last night. thinking it's time to mend the knits.
I counted close to 20 moth holes combined. Some have some pulls. They look saveable though.
What's a reasonable cost to darn them up? I assume we're at like $100 for a tailor that's not a complete moron?
I'm in the San Francisco Bay area if anyone has suggestions.
I counted close to 20 moth holes combined. Some have some pulls. They look saveable though.
What's a reasonable cost to darn them up? I assume we're at like $100 for a tailor that's not a complete moron?
I'm in the San Francisco Bay area if anyone has suggestions.
Happy Hooligan
Well-Known Member
why not just spend $5.00 for matching thread and a needle and do it yourself?
Centaurus3200
Active Member
Centaurus3200
Active Member
I think John says on his site he doesn't do repairs?
I think what I need is an old seamstress who can do French stitching and stuff.
I do have my local guy. He's a bad ass. Tears apart kiton and Isaia Napoli all day long. I'll see what he says.
I'd rather keep the jacket local.
I think what I need is an old seamstress who can do French stitching and stuff.
I do have my local guy. He's a bad ass. Tears apart kiton and Isaia Napoli all day long. I'll see what he says.
I'd rather keep the jacket local.
Centaurus3200
Active Member
Reco hot off the press from styleforum.
Advanced European Tailors in Berkeley does leather jacket alterations and repairs. The owner buys rare and vintage military jackets, including A2s, and repairs them before selling them to Japanese collectors. He uses original trims.
Advanced European Tailors in Berkeley does leather jacket alterations and repairs. The owner buys rare and vintage military jackets, including A2s, and repairs them before selling them to Japanese collectors. He uses original trims.
Centaurus3200
Active Member
And not to derail my own thread, but I'm casually looking for a low cost daily wearer A2. Thinking an older size specific one piece back ll bean?
Weren't those made by golden bear in SF?
Seem like a lot of jacket for the money?
Weren't those made by golden bear in SF?
Seem like a lot of jacket for the money?
mulceber
Moderator
I'd either buy one from Five Star, or hang around here waiting for a used Aero or Platon jacket to come up for sale.
