Re: A-2 and other matters...

Posted by Stephen from pve-pm3-2-90.harborcom.net on May 11, 1998 at 17:26:18:

In Reply to: A-2 and other matters... posted by Max Schulte on May 11, 1998 at 09:29:54:

: : : 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

: Thanks for the information, CP...
: I must admit the missing handwarmer pockets are the one thing I do not
: like about the A-2. I always prefered jackets having them. It's still
: a great jacket, probably the most famous along with the B-3.
: Anyway, it was quite a nice idea of yours buying your father a leather
: jacket. I guess he was really happy.
: I had extreme difficulties finding the horsehide version. I did not
: think of looking for the firm that actually made them - at least it's
: 60 years ago they were issued.
: As far as I know it was worn with taupe pants (officers pink) and with
: a kahki shirt by the higher ranked officers. It seems as if Indy's
: clothes were all based on military ubiforms/clothes. The jacket is
: definitely based on the A-2 - when I saw 'Raiders' for the first time,
: I even thought that he was wearing one.
: By the way, I recently bought two of the LC belts. They were available
: in many different colors (white, black, green). Aren't they also used
: for the Class A uniforms worn by Naval/Marine Corps/whatever commissioned
: officers?

: Regards,

: -Max

You might try a place called "The Cockpit." It's located in
Ney York city, but they have a mailorder catalog. I bought an
A-2 (made from horsehide) from them nine or ten years ago and it is
still in great shape. I, too, miss the hand warmer pockets, but such
is the price paid for originality.

Regards,
Stephen

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