Very early type A-4 flight suit

[bombs away]

Hello,

Just arrived at home, this very early type A-4 flight suit.
It is from a 1932 contract ! (first contract for the A-4 flight suit is from 1930).

Main differencies with the standard A-4 we all know :
- 2 chest pockets
- 2 legs pockets (different shape, closing with a button).
- larger collar
- Air corps' black tag and civilian maker's one
One question about these 2 labels : I think I've already seen this situation (civilian and military labels) on a flight jacket, but which one ? Could someone help me to remember this ?

I have already posted this picture in the photo section of the forum, but here it is once again, you can see this type of suit worn by pilot #5

Lt Col Crawford H. HOLLIDGE has been Group Commander from the 10th Photo Recon. Group (9th AF).

Tim

 

[zoomer]

Incredible. Any prewar issue gear is unbelievably rare and this is a beauty.

Never seen an Air Corps nametag with gold lettering - they all used to have it, but it disappeared before WW2.

The dual labeling was also done on Security Sportswear's A-2 jacket, the first known contract for the A-2.

 

[dujardin]

splendid

good catch

looks in great state of preservation

 

[bombs away]

Thanks guys !

Special thanks to Zoomer about the picture of the dual label.
I knew I had seen it, but I'm far from a prewar specialist.
I didn't know about golden lettring nameplate.

And for $36 it would have been stupid to let it go.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... MEWNX%3AIT

Tim

 

[deeb7]

And for $36 it would have been stupid to let it go.

What an excellent score ...

Full Gear doesn't have this 1932 contract, but notes four different versions of the A-4. Version 1 differs from version 2 in having a separate fly with a buttoned flap. I can't imagine why they would delete this feature ... it appears to be very practical.

 

[Weasel_Loader]

What a super find. I know many of us, including myself that would have paid at least double that price just for the label.

 

[zoomer]

Col. Hollidge was from a Boston mercantile family. C. Crawford Hollidge was a prominent women's clothier in the Hub for many years.

"The Town of Barnstable's first conservation commission chairman, Col. Crawford H. Hollidge of Marstons Mills, retired U.S. Air Force officer and former president and chairman of the board of C. Crawford Hollidge Limited, died Aug. 27 in Massachusetts General Hospital at age 80." - 1979 obituary from The Barnstable (MA) Patriot

 

[TankBuster]

Awesome find Tim! That's a beauty. Love the Security label!

 

[dmar836]

Enacting the reversal postal block. How'd that slip through? Please send it back to the States c/o me.

How am I missing this stuff?!

Dave

 

[grommet]

This thread is a good demonstration of the educational value of this forum. A special thanks to Zoomer and David for all of your information and insights. Also, congratulations to Tim.