Post your A-2's here....

[Texan Scott]

Any WWII era A-2's? Also, if there is any particular history about the jacket, please disclose. Thanks!

The Type A-2 leather flight jacket is one of the most classic and immediately recognizable articles of military clothing ever designed. It is most closely associated with World War II U.S. Army pilots, who often decorated their jackets with squadron patches and elaborate artwork painted on the back. Sometimes casually referred to as a "bomber" jacket, its original designation was "Jacket, Pilot's (summer)," and its wartime usage was limited neither to pilots nor to bomber crews.

The Type A-2 flying jacket was standardized by the U.S. Army Air Corps as the successor to the Type A-1 flying jacket adopted in 1927. The Type Designation Sheet lists the dates for Service Test as September 20, 1930, and Standardized (adopted as standard issue) on May 9, 1931. The military specification number for Type A-2 is 94-3040. The Drawing Number was given as 31-1415, but the spec. labels found in the jackets themselves show this to be 30-1415.

On April 27, 1943, Type A-2 was declared Limited Standard, meaning that only replacements for in-service units could be ordered. New units would now be supplied with cloth-shelled jackets such as Types B-10 and B-15.

The U.S. Army Air Forces Class 13 Catalog listed the garment as "Jacket, Flying, Type A-2," with Spec. No. 94-3040. It describes the jacket's construction as "seal brown horsehide leather, knitted wristlets and waistband (skirt)." Broadly similar in construction to the A-1, it replaced the A-1's buttoned front and pocket flaps with a zipper and hidden snap fasteners (although some very early A-2's retained the pocket buttons). The A-1's stand-up knitted collar, which buttoned closed, was supplanted in the A-2 by a shirt-style leather collar, with hidden snaps at the points and a hook-and-eye latch at the throat. Stitched-down shoulder epaulets were also added to the design. Sizes were listed as ranging in even numbers from 32 through 54.

Although the actual design would vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, and even among contracts within a single manufacturer, all A-2 jackets had several distinguishing characteristics: a snap-flap patch pocket on either side that does not have hand warmer compartments (hands in pockets were considered unfit for a military bearing), a shirt-style snap-down collar, epaulets, knit cuffs and waistband, a back constructed from a single piece of leather to limit stress on the garment, and a lightweight silk or cotton inner lining with a military spec tag attached just below the back collar. Prior to WW2 the collar was sewn to a neckband or "stand" like those found in dress shirts, a time-intensive operation. Wartime contracts generally had "simple attached" collars sewn directly to the back panel and rolled over although Roughwear and Perry continued using the collar stand throughout.

Most pre-war and wartime A-2's were constructed of horsehide, which was either vegetable- or chrome-tanned. Some original A-2's were made from goatskin (as was the Navy G-1 jacket), and others possibly from cowhide (which can be very difficult to tell from horse if tanned identically). All Spiewak and Doniger jackets are of goat, as are many Cable, Dubow, Bronco, Perry, and Rough Wear examples.

Wartime-issued A-2 jackets appear in a wide range of color tones and hues, although all are based on two distinct colors: Seal (dark brown to almost black) and Russet (pale red-brown to medium brown). Most seal jackets were russets re-dyed during the war to cover scuffing and discoloration, although some contracts, like the Aero Leather AC-21996, were dyed seal right from the start. Original knit cuffing typically matched the leather or came close, but exceptions exist, such as Aero Leather's eye-catching rust-red cuffing on seal brown hide.

Early A-2's had linings made from silk, per the original specification. This was likely spun silk, a thin, breathable shirt-like fabric. The lining changed to cotton later on. A letter from the Materiel Division of Wright Field, dated 7 January 1939, states that the use of silk in flying jackets had been discontinued "as its procurement was found not to be feasible." The letter does not say when this happened, but it makes clear that the vast majority of original A-2 jackets have cotton linings. (Reference?)

Zippers were made of steel or brass, and some were nickel plated. Known zipper suppliers were Talon, Crown, Conmar, and Kwik, with Talon providing the majority of zippers used in wartime A-2 construction.

Unlike modern, loose-fitting jackets, the original A-2 looks to us today a rather trim-fitting jacket. Period photos and films reveal a jacket which could be worn fitted and sharp looking or a bit baggy and loose in the body. It was designed to fit the thinner male of the time- original A-2 jackets worn by modern men may seem a bit snug in the shoulders. This is particularly true of pre-war contract garments such as the 1933 Werber and the 1938 and 1940 Aero Leathers. Period photos and films show that the A-2 was typically worn over a shirt or a shirt and flight suit; airmen were more likely to switch to a sheep-lined jacket or electrified flight suit for wintertime or high-altitude operations.


Manufacturers
There were many manufacturers of A-2 jackets during the 1930s and 1940s, whose product showed a wide range of quality, workmanship, and fit characteristics. These included civilian clothing producers such as David D. Doniger & Co., makers of the popular MacGregor brand outerwear, as well as leather-goods companies like J.A. Dubow Mfg., whose chief peacetime product was baseball mitts.

Aero Leather Clothing Co., Inc., Beacon, NY*
Air Associates, Inc., Garden City, NY**
Bronco Mfg. Corp., New York, NY
Cable Raincoat Co., Boston, MA
Cooper Sportswear Mfg. Co., Newark, NJ
David D. Doniger & Co., New York, NY
H.L.B. Corp. (possibly H.&L. Block Corp. or a spinoff firm), New York, NY**
J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co., Chicago, IL
Monarch Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, WI
Perry Sportswear, Inc., Newburgh, NY
Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co., Inc., Poughkeepsie, NY
Rough Wear Clothing Co., Middletown, PA
Security Sportswear Co., Chicago, IL**
I. Spiewak & Sons, North Bergen, NJ
Star Sportswear Mfg. Co., Lynn, MA
United Sheeplined Clothing Co., Long Branch, NJ
Werber Leather Coat Co., Beacon, NY** (reorganized in the mid-1930s as Werber Sportswear Co., Newburgh, NY*)


* Pre-war and wartime contractor.

** Pre-war contractor only.

Security Sportswear's Order No. 32-485, placed in 1932, is the earliest A-2 jacket order of which records remain.

At least three A-2 contracts, Nos. 1756, 42-18246-P, and W535-AC-23383, bear no maker name on the label.

[jacksdad]

Nice write up, I love A-2's I own 2, I have a Wings and a US Authentic. My wings is more of the modern day A-2,and My USA is more hsitorically accurate, both are really warm. I have to replace the wristletts and waist band on my wings I've worn it out already from wearing it too much.

[Indiana Strones]

Here's a good website:

http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/index.shtml

[Doug C]

I tried to start a thread here once regarding the type A-1 and was reminded by the admins that it was too off topic, and it was removed. In hindsight I realize they were probably right. Indy didn't wear either one of these jackets but there are other forums dedicated to them.

Doug C

[Indymon]

Aero 15142 contract front quarter horsehide.

[IdahoJones]

I love my A2. I got it from my grandfather who was in the Navy in WW2 (Pacific). This is a reproduction but I love the back label. It's what I am using as my Indy Jacket until I can get a SA. I've never looked up the brand name so I don't know much about it.

[Tron7960]

[tucolino]

nice jackets!!

i don´t have an a-2,but got this g-1 like 20 years ago.i know this is about the a-2 jacket,but couldn´t stop myself for showing it here

my avirex:
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[Texan Scott]

Nice posts! Many if not most modern leather jackets are inspired by the A-2, or are modified A-2's, such as the G-1, and obviously the IJ jacket.

[Last Crusader]

Here´s one out of my collection. It´s a very early Eastman from 1998.

[Indiana Strones]

Beautiful jackets guys!!

[Tollan]

I really like the pocket flaps on the Eastmans

[binkmeisterRick]

I tried to start a thread here once regarding the type A-1 and was reminded by the admins that it was too off topic, and it was removed. In hindsight I realize they were probably right. Indy didn't wear either one of these jackets but there are other forums dedicated to them.

Doug C

Then in all fairness, as Doug points out, this thread would fall under the same category. The A-2 is a cool jacket, but since it's not really Indy, it doesn't completely fit in here. I'll leave it up so folks can look at the jackets, but feel free to discuss them to your heart's content via e-mail or PM.

EDIT:
Okay, after the instant replay and discussion with the referees, this is a valid thread based on the fact that the pre-production sketches originally showed Indy in an A-2 (as opposed to an A-1). Even so, there are aspects of the A-2 which made it onto Indy's final jacket. While we sometimes don't get it right, we are always willing to take a second look at threads and re-evaluate where necessary. Carry on, folks.

[Indymon]

This is a Bronco A-2 in russet goat skin made by Good Wear Leather Coat Co.

[Indiana Strones]

This is a Bronco A-2 in russet goat skin made by Good Wear Leather Coat Co.

You have a very strange face...

[Rundquist]

An A-1 might not be specifically Indy, but the A-1 was a leather jacket from the same time period, which is sort of the point. We all think of Indiana Jones’ clothes as iconic (and they are to a degree), but the initial idea was that he was just dressed from the time period (the ensemble has since become iconic).

I’ve seen many period pictures of guys in leather jackets and fedoras. I’ve also seen original pictures of great looking fedora, jacket, and tie combinations. It’s kind of baffling to me that the jacket & tie combo looked so crappy (in my opinion) in LC. I remember thumbing through a Newsweek a few years ago and for whatever reason there was a period picture of a bootlegger in the mentioned jacket, fedora, and tie combo. Breaking the law never looked so good. Of course, today I usually avoid the combo as to not be called “Indiana Jones”.

[Kt Templar]

The pockets on Indymon's Aero and Last Crusader's jackets look like the size and shape that influenced the TOD jacket pockets. Very similar.

[Texan Scott]

Great...we're back online! thanks, Binkster and those who voted to continue this thread.


Eastman really makes a quality A-2!

Yes, the scalloped pockets, for sure!

[Indymon]

Original Aero A-2 from 1942,and yes I have a few

[Indymon]

Original NOS Rough Wear A-2 from 1943.

[Texan Scott]

IM, what type of leather are these vintage, WWII A-2's, and how is the leather holding up? Soft, stiff, supple, any treatments, etc?

[Doug C]

Maybe Indy will be sportin' an A2 in IndyV, wouldn't that be awesome!? Ha,ha..only kiddin' but now I see that I've being unfare to all those A2s that keep popping up when I search ebay for Indy jackets.

Doug C

[Odo]

Very interesting post...I was looking for options for an A2...searching for the best quality/price equation...

I had seen thos, which are awsome, but pretty expenxive...
http://www.realmccoys.co.nz/cat01.html
Has anybody order any A2 to Peter (Wested)?

[CM]

I always thought the Indy jacket was a great improvement on the A2 design in terms of look. Those knits look terrible. But that's just a personal bias of mine (and a number of others I know of). These days the A2 generally looks lke something out of Macgyvar, The Fall Guy or Highway to Heaven. The Indy jacket design looks somehow more classy - even if it does come out of the 1980's (like those terrible TV shows).

[Indymon]

IM, what type of leather are these vintage, WWII A-2's, and how is the leather holding up? Soft, stiff, supple, any treatments, etc?

Horsehide about 3-3.5 oz. leather. Med./soft,and very supple,as for treatments to the leather,I use Pecards once a year.Horsehide and goat skin can hold up well over a hundred years if treated when dry, and use a wide wooden hanger to keep the leather from stressing.

[CM]

IM, what type of leather are these vintage, WWII A-2's, and how is the leather holding up? Soft, stiff, supple, any treatments, etc?

Horsehide about 3-3.5 oz. leather. Med./soft,and very supple,as for treatments to the leather,I use Pecards once a year.Horsehide and goat skin can hold up well over a hundred years if treated when dry, and use a wide wooden hanger to keep the leather from stressing.

Over 100 years? Site your examples, Sir. If they are not worn, then sure, but same goes for cotton. A lace dress can survive for 300 years... Anything lasts a long time in proper storage. But even the best leather jacket worn regualry will wear out and degrade.

[Indymon]

IM, what type of leather are these vintage, WWII A-2's, and how is the leather holding up? Soft, stiff, supple, any treatments, etc?

Horsehide about 3-3.5 oz. leather. Med./soft,and very supple,as for treatments to the leather,I use Pecards once a year.Horsehide and goat skin can hold up well over a hundred years if treated when dry, and use a wide wooden hanger to keep the leather from stressing.

Over 100 years? Site your examples, Sir. If they are not worn, then sure, but same goes for cotton. A lace dress can survive for 300 years... Anything lasts a long time in proper storage. But even the best leather jacket worn regualry will wear out and degrade.

I`ve owned a lot of vintage leather ,and seen even more. 70+ year old leather, and treated well what`s another 30+ years. There are jackets that have seen combat and still can be worn today,and will last many more generations if taken care of.

[CM]

As I said: you can easily find leather items 70 years - 200 years old. But I bet the amout of time they have actually been worn is just a fraction of those years. Remember most of the surviving A2's were worn just for a couple of years in action and then maybe a few more after the war. After WW2 my father and his friends bought civil gear as soon as they could afford it.

[Texan Scott]

Here's an interesting ad:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:A-2_Jacket.jpg


(.45 cents for shipping charges)

[Michaelson]

I remember thumbing through a Newsweek a few years ago and for whatever reason there was a period picture of a bootlegger in the mentioned jacket, fedora, and tie combo. Breaking the law never looked so good. Of course, today I usually avoid the combo as to not be called “Indiana Jones”.

Oddly enough, in my personal experience I've found if I wear a fedora that's any color than brown with a leather jacket, no one seems to make the 'Indy' connection. Weird.

Regards! Michaelson

[Rundquist]

I remember thumbing through a Newsweek a few years ago and for whatever reason there was a period picture of a bootlegger in the mentioned jacket, fedora, and tie combo. Breaking the law never looked so good. Of course, today I usually avoid the combo as to not be called “Indiana Jones”.

Oddly enough, in my personal experience I've found if I wear a fedora that's any color than brown with a leather jacket, no one seems to make the 'Indy' connection. Weird.

Regards! Michaelson

That is true to a degree with me as well. Indiana Jones has ruined the color brown for me. I'll admit that I thought that the new movie would really ramp-up the "Indiana Jones" comments but I haven't seen much of a change. Cheers

[Michaelson]

I wasn't sure what to expect myself, and totally agree. There has been no increase what so ever with comments regarding hats...jackets, or otherwise.

I'm still just the crazy old guy who drives the old car and wears a fedora around these parts. Nothing new.



Regards! Michaelson

[Indiana Strones]

An interesting A-2 collection:

http://www.lostworldsinc.com/Flight_Mot ... ection.htm

[cj610]

http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/measure.shtml

It's got a lot of the more popular A2 reproductions and their actual sizes. It's pretty good as a reference if you're looking to purchase one...........

[Doctor_Jones]

I look a bit silly in these pictures but here goes. My German made A2 Jacket (MilTec)