Interesting A-2 Jacket

Great idea Moggy. Perhaps you’d like to donate the Colt too! 🙂

After I have gone they will put it there anyway 😎

Moggy

Old Buckenham still has some flying activity too.
Moggy, I think could tell you more about what goes on there today.

Certainly can.

As we don’t have fuel at the strip OB is out closest refuel stop, so the Colt and I are there frequently. The 453rd Diner is one of the more excellent airfield eateries in the UK and well worth a visit. They do feature the Mustang Burger, and dish that does take a certain amount of tackling.

There are plans afoot to redevelop one of the buildings into a wartime memorial museum. If it comes to anything I’ll contact Mr Patterson to see if he feels it would be a suitable place for the jacket to finally be displayed.

Moggy

What an outstanding piece and, as said above, thankfully it’s in the hands of someone who can appreciate it for what it is and not just for what it is worth!

The material is Olive Drab, from a uniform I imagine. Also, the addition of an inside pocket and lining the sleeves were probably done by the original owner.

The cuffs and waist appear original. Here are a couple more shots.

Steve,
The pocket flap detail looks like the Aero Leather Co. A-2 as well. There is also specific detailing on the pocket top under the flap for this contract jacket.

Lining mod is interesting, and likely period in service, as as you said probably from a uniform. A-2’s weren’t that warm, so possible local mod to offer a bit of added comfort (plus added practical touch of that inside pocket) in the UK climate and/or in the air, without resorting to the bulk of a B-3 or B-6 shearling jacket…?

Again, very nice plus interesting item.

Graham.

Patty
I’m actually closer to Old Buckenham than you think.
My Mum’s family are actually from that village.
As a child I still had elderly relatives who lived there.
On your ‘Summer Odyssey 2005’ I’ll take you there. There’s a decent pub on the village green. Old Buckenham still has some flying activity too.
Moggy, I think could tell you more about what goes on there today.
Small World innit??
Nice jacket
Speak later
Andy

Contract 18775-P by the Aero Leather Clothing Co. of N.Y. is the one I was thinking of, although, strictly speaking, the original colour of the lining is described as Mustard, and it should also have distinctive khaki stitching.

The lining may have been replaced at some time (no label or label stictching) but the distinctive Red/Rust coloured knit on the cuffs and waist is a good indication that it is one of these A-2’s.

Nice……. 🙂

Thanks Firebird. Yes, the lining has been replaced. It appears to be a wartime job. The material is Olive Drab, from a uniform I imagine. Also, the addition of an inside pocket and lining the sleeves were probably done by the original owner.

The cuffs and waist appear original. Here are a couple more shots.

Thanks again for the info!

Note the khaki lining and reddish cuff/waistband which IIRC was peculiar to one particular A-2 contract………but for the life of me I can’t remember which off the top of my head

Contract 18775-P by the Aero Leather Clothing Co. of N.Y. is the one I was thinking of, although, strictly speaking, the original colour of the lining is described as Mustard, and it should also have distinctive khaki stitching.

The lining may have been replaced at some time (no label or label stictching) but the distinctive Red/Rust coloured knit on the cuffs and waist is a good indication that it is one of these A-2’s.

Nice……. 🙂

Steve, fantastic jacket – next time your over you should bring it with and re-unite it with Old Buckenham!

thats a fantastic jacket steve, good to see its in the hands of someone who appreciates it’s historical worth. Im presuming it was the jacket of the husband of the lady who gave the jacket to your friend?

Hmm – nice piece !

Fergie most probably relates to the name of the original owner and must have been his nickname. Could have been first name Fergal or last name Ferguson or similar.

I also haven’t found any 453rd BG B-24 with the nickname “Fergie” so far.

Would be interesting to set the story behind this jacket.

Martin

That’s a particularily collectable type A-2 as well 🙂

Note the khaki lining and reddish cuff/waistband which IIRC was peculiar to one particular A-2 contract………but for the life of me I can’t remember which off the top of my head, will have to wait till I get home tonight or someone else post’s the answer first….. 😀

I know Eastman did a repro of this type a few years ago, but not any more.

That is beautiful Steve! What a patina.

Will it be at Legends this year?

Hi Mr Patterson

Did you know there is a place in the US (Charelstown?) which restores these jackets for a pretty good price and no they don’t wreck them they just fix broken/torn areas and protect the leather- about $150 for the whole treatment which is pretty good for something like this – priceless.

Regards
John P