Re: The Search for A-2

Posted by Cap'n Paul from 204.208.137.170 on May 11, 1998 at 07:57:45:

In Reply to: Re: The Search for A-2 posted by Max Schulte on May 11, 1998 at 06:02:29:

: OK, W&G still make the loriginal jacket. Do they still use horsehide
: or do they produce the cowhide version. That's an important point
: because nowadays horsehide has become relatively rare/expensive.
: The discussion about the A-2 made me get my old jacket out of the
: closet. I got it from an English firm. The label shows the USAAF emblem
: and the address of the firm. Unfortunately it is not the original...
: Anyway, I found out something really interesting: The jacket has the
: same zipper as the Indy jacket. A 'YKK' zipper no. 8 (I think this is
: the size).

: Regards,

: -Max

: Max, I don't see my reply posted so I'll resend this again....

W&G makes the A-2 in horsehide and goat skins. The reason for the goat option is that the very first Army Air Corps orders were in goat skin, that being the desired skin by Navy/Marine Corps pilots in the 1930's. However, as the U.S. entered the war and demands being what they were, goat skin supplies were severely depleted. This necessitated switching over to the more plentiful horsehide (as explained above). Nowadays, even horsehide is expensive. The jacket is over $400 but since my dad is a flight surgeon (and he is my dad afterall), I felt he was worth it. It was a beauty, right down to the brass throat strap. Also, there are no hand warmer pockets on this jacket. The Army Air Corps didn't want you standing around with your hands in your pockets... -CP

Follow Ups:

A-2 and other matters... Max Schulte 09:29:54 5/11/98 (4)
- Re: A-2 and other matters... Stephen 17:26:18 5/11/98 (0)
- Re: A-2 and other matters... Cap'n Paul 11:20:03 5/11/98 (2)
  - Willis and Geiger Max Schulte 12:14:54 5/12/98 (0)
  - Re: A-2 and other matters... Max Schulte 11:54:39 5/11/98 (0)

Post a Followup:

Name:    
E-Mail:  
Subject: 
Comments:

: : OK, W&G still make the loriginal jacket. Do they still use horsehide 
: : or do they produce the cowhide version. That's an important point 
: : because nowadays horsehide has become relatively rare/expensive. 
: : The discussion about the A-2 made me get my old jacket out of the 
: : closet. I got it from an English firm. The label shows the USAAF emblem 
: : and the address of the firm. Unfortunately it is not the original...
: : Anyway, I found out something really interesting: The jacket has the
: : same zipper as the Indy jacket. A 'YKK' zipper no. 8 (I think this is
: : the size).

: : Regards,

: : -Max

: : Max, I don't see my reply posted so I'll resend this again....

: W&G makes the A-2 in horsehide and goat skins.  The reason for the goat option is that the very first Army Air Corps orders were in goat skin, that being the desired skin by Navy/Marine Corps pilots in the 1930's.  However, as the U.S. entered the war and demands being what they were, goat skin supplies were severely depleted.  This necessitated switching over to the more plentiful horsehide (as explained above).  Nowadays, even horsehide is expensive.  The jacket is over $400 but since my dad is a flight surgeon (and he is my dad afterall), I felt he was worth it.  It was a beauty, right down to the brass throat strap.  Also, there are no hand warmer pockets on this jacket.  The Army Air Corps didn't want you standing around with your hands in your pockets... -CP

Optional:

Link URL:   
Link Title: 
Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Indyfan Forum ] [ FAQ ]