Thud Driver's Jacket?

[hairpin151]

Ran accross this earlier: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

Is it the real deal or a put together? I'm not interested in pursuing it,wont fit me,just curious.Nice looking either way though!

 

[Tim P]

The branch tape seems a little out of place to me.

 

[watchmanjimg]

That's been seen many times before. Apparently some units used this configuration. Based on the rank and absence of a squadron patch, it would appear that this jacket was worn by a staff officer of some kind--assuming the patches are original, of course.

 

[Weasel_Loader]

I'd buy it strictly for the jacket itself and nothing else. Seeing as those patches are nothing rare or expensive, I believe the jacket would be worth more without as it looks mint.

As far as the patching goes, there is evidence of using blue tape and Air Force under pilot wings but very rare. I believe Jim is right as this jacket is patched as a pilot assigned to the 23rd TFW and not to one of the assigned squadrons. Command patches were not widely used on jackets prior to 1970s but are seen being worn in some TAC units in the late 60s.

That's my two cents.

 

[deeb7]

The jacket is in excellent condition and the waist and cuffs have been perfectly replaced with nice soft cotton knits.

Cotton knits. :shock:

Perhaps the patches were added at the same time.

 

[Weasel_Loader]

Hmm. This is sounding and looking more and more like the jacket I sold that was originally aquired from Jim.

 

[watchmanjimg]

Hmm. This is sounding and looking more and more like the jacket I sold that was originally aquired from Jim.

The description of the knits suggests they could be Alpha replacements, which is what I used for the collar and waistband. The cuffs were NOS GI.

 

[Stony]

I was in the 23rd TFW/561st TFS around the same time as this jacket. I worked on Thuds and was stationed at McConnell AFB also during this period.