Author Topic: WW2 Bomber jackets?  (Read 193 times)

Offline Ripsnort

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WW2 Bomber jackets?
« on: October 28, 2002, 07:55:34 AM »
My WW2 Bomber jacket of 14 years is reaching the end of its life..literally coming apart at the seams.

Anyone know of a good website where they sell QUALITY leather jackets, you know, nice thick hide, none of that mamsy pansy "thin" leather crap...I want something that will last another 14 years.  Preferably WW2 bomber style.

Offline Dago

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WW2 Bomber jackets?
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2002, 07:59:37 AM »
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Offline gofaster

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WW2 Bomber jackets?
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2002, 08:01:47 AM »
Try either http://www.usauthentic.com or http://www.flightsuits.com.  Flight Suits handles the orders for the Florida Air Museum - new members get a free flight jacket with the museum logo when they join.  If I recall correctly, they'll do custom orders if you want to add extra pockets or whatever.

Offline Ripsnort

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WW2 Bomber jackets?
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2002, 08:05:05 AM »
Did you guys buy one of these from the website above? Can you attest for the quality?

Thks for links!

Offline gofaster

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WW2 Bomber jackets?
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2002, 08:20:16 AM »
My favorite one came from Flight Suits via the Florida Air Museum's membership benefits.  My particular one is the cloth A2 with leather collar rather than the full leather because it was within the museum's budget and because in Florida it never really gets cold enough for a full leather jacket.  Its held up very well over the past 10 years with some fuzzing of the cuffs.  I'm not as svelte as I was 10 years ago, but I do wear it when the weather calls for it.

I do have a full leather A-2 that I bought from a dealer that's out of business.  Its the Cooper A-2 and you can get the Cooper jackets through http://www.uswings.com.  The Cooper jacket is the one currently worn by USAF airmen and fits like a uniform - very straight cut (because military men don't slouch around like us civilian hacks).  I would suggest getting measured by your local tuxedo rental place or a tailor and sending your measurements to whomever provides your jacket so that you'll have the proper fit.

I bought the goatskin leather A2 model.  It was stiff out of the box but loosened up with wear and feels very comfortable now.  My dealer didn't have the option to add patches and name tags, but looking back I wish I had bought one with my name on it with a squadron patch, maybe even the Flying Tigers model with the watermelon on the back.  I think my next one may be the Navy G1 model, but with extra hand warmer pockets and removable moulton fur collar with name tag and a couple of patches.  Its pricey, but amortized over the life of the jacket the cost becomes inconsequential.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2002, 08:27:23 AM by gofaster »

Offline Ripsnort

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WW2 Bomber jackets?
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2002, 08:34:40 AM »
thks go!