The Mighty A-2 Discussion Thread

[33-1729]

I didn't find the original 30-1415 drawing and thought it was very strange to not be with the other declassified A-2 documents, but I later learned the USAF tore the place (well, lots of places) apart looking for it when the went to reissue the A-2 and couldn't find it either. Hence, Willis & Geiger Outfitters worked with Avirex on the re-spec/drawing of the A-2 in 1988 for the Air Force as Avirex made several hundred jackets in 1987 for the USAF 40th anniversary. I saw a copy of the reissue 30-1415 drawing on one of the re-issue contractor sites, but didn't download it because it was so thin (oops). Attached is a copy of the commercial version of the reissue A-2 spec, A-A-55265, and a drawing is at the end. A little less detailed than I remember, but not by that much.

Also, @dinomartino1 made a nice post on the A-2 reissue at the link below.

How modern A-2s where reinstated by the USAF

How modern A-2s where reinstated by the USAF. Extract from the Airforce magazine Sept 1 1993 Although the A-2 was not issued after the Korean War, it remained a symbol of USAAF’s war years in the minds of those who served. It was revived in the 1980s when Project Warrior was established to...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

EDIT: I also contacted I. Spiewak & Sons, Inc., since they're still in business, as they would have had a copy of the original Drawing 30-1415 when making them during WW II, but (paraphrasing) . . . it was a long time ago, we don't know if we have any of those records, and we're not certain where to look. They were very nice and tried, so I couldn't ask for more.

 

[ButteMT61]

I can't wait! Thank you guys for doing this. Count me in!

 

[2BM2K]

I didn't find the original 30-1415 drawing and thought it was very strange to not be with the other declassified A-2 documents, but I later learned the USAF tore the place (well, lots of places) apart looking for it when the went to reissue the A-2 and couldn't find it either. Hence, Willis & Geiger Outfitters worked with Avirex on the re-spec/drawing of the A-2 in 1988 for the Air Force as Avirex made several hundred jackets in 1987 for the USAF 40th anniversary. I saw a copy of the reissue 30-1415 drawing on one of the re-issue contractor sites, but didn't download it because it was so thin (oops). Attached is a copy of the commercial version of the reissue A-2 spec, A-A-55265, and a drawing is at the end. A little less detailed than I remember, but not by that much.

Also, @dinomartino1 made a nice post on the A-2 reissue at the link below.

How modern A-2s where reinstated by the USAF

How modern A-2s where reinstated by the USAF. Extract from the Airforce magazine Sept 1 1993 Although the A-2 was not issued after the Korean War, it remained a symbol of USAAF’s war years in the minds of those who served. It was revived in the 1980s when Project Warrior was established to...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

EDIT: I also contacted I. Spiewak & Sons, Inc., since they're still in business, as they would have had a copy of the original Drawing 30-1415 when making them during WW II, but (paraphrasing) . . . it was a long time ago, we don't know if we have any of those records, and we're not certain where to look. They were very nice and tried, so I couldn't ask for more.

There is one place that the Air Force probably did not look and that is Australia.

It is a remote possibility that drawing 30-1415 was sent to Australia for the production of the V505 jacket.

If the drawing does turn up it will be from an odd place.

 

[2BM2K]

The other missing documentary information are details for the prototype jacket, such as contract number,
who made it and how many.

In theory these should be found in the 1929-1930 fiscal year returns of the Defence Department or Air Corp.

 

[AeroLeatherBeaconNY]

View attachment 155443

So, as some of you may have suspected from the multiple hints that have been dropped over the last couple weeks (ok, that last one might just be a case of Jeff being Jeff), work is under way on a companion piece to "A Better Fighting Garment...", this time about the A-2 Jacket. We have put together a fantastic team, including @33-1729, @ZuZu, and @Lord Flashheart, and I am beyond excited by how it's coming together. Our aim is to build upon the successes of Eastman's A-2 Guide (now sadly out of print and becoming difficult to find) and present the most comprehensive and authoritative piece on the A-2 Jacket available anywhere. At present we are very close to being done, and we hope to get started rolling it out at some point in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of one of the entries:

I am VERY INTERESTED in learning more about your project regarding A2 jackets particularly relating to Aero Leather Beacon NY ( or its spinoff companies) I would love to connect and discuss more. many thanks for your time!

In addition to the history of Aero leather I am also trying to learn more about how to differentiate an original A2 jacket from the reproductions.

I am located in Beacon NY i’m happy to check any records or do searches for you here if needed.

 

[33-1729]

I am VERY INTERESTED in learning more about your project regarding A2 jackets particularly relating to Aero Leather Beacon NY ( or its spinoff companies) I would love to connect and discuss more. many thanks for your time!

In addition to the history of Aero leather I am also trying to learn more about how to differentiate an original A2 jacket from the reproductions.

I am located in Beacon NY i’m happy to check any records or do searches for you here if needed.

Read the entire thread where you posted the same above for more info on their histories (The Mysterious Aero ...).

The document to be posted really focuses on the jackets themselves. A bit of history is added for continuity and clarity, but it's not the main focus.

 

[SkyBacon]

Is the guide close to being finished?

 

[mulceber]

We actually have a completed draft. We sent it to John Chapman so that we can get his input on this project, but he's understandably got a very busy schedule, what with making jackets for all the fine folks here on the board (and many who aren't on the VLJ besides...), so we're in holding pattern at the moment.

 

[mulceber]

The intro and the first seven contracts are posted!

 

[CBI]

looking great !!!

 

[Lord Flashheart]

It's good to see the new thread add to the Vintage stickies. And this discussion thread is the ideal place to debate, challenge and test anything that needs a second, third or fourth opinion. Good one Jan. Thank you for driving this idea into reality.

 

[Brettafett]

Well done gentleman! Outstanding.
And thank you, to all concerned. Im sure this is going tom be another well-referred to resource.

 

[CK90]

Thank you all very much, gents, Flash, Zu, 33, Jan, J.C and anyone else involved in this.

Such a resource to compliment ‘A Better Fighting Garment’. Between the two of these guides, I plan to read and re-read until my mind is saturated with all the particulars of contracts and dates.

Truly, it’s information like this that really puts these artefacts, testaments of timeless design and manufacturing, we all love and admire into context, to be able to appreciate them all the more.

Bravo!!!

 

[Greg Gale]

Terrific work @mulceber ! Can't wait to read the rest of it

 

[B-Man2]

Outstanding contribution to this forum.
One of the most informative posts I can remember seeing . Well done to all who contributed to it .

 

[blackrat2]

As everyone else has said, thanks to all involved for making this happen, no doubt probably the most definitive thread for A2’s anywhere

 

[mulceber]

Thanks all! I did some more posting this morning, so all the contracts up through mid-1940 are up. Now I'm going to take a break for a couple days.

 

[Micawber]

Brilliant! Thank you gentlemen.

 

[LV426]

Thank you for that Gargantuan task !!! I have so much to learn , and the chance to be in the right place at the right time , with the most devoted and talented peaople . Your common work will stay as a great accomplishment . THANK YOU

 

[Nickb123]

Thanks for all your efforts guys! Nice seeing example of a grainy pre-war ‘33 Werber.