Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN aircrew

[bazelot]

I finally got around to uploading those pics. It was issued (or else was a private purchase) to WWII USN aircrew member (gunner or radioman in this case). Not very common to see an A-2 worn by a USN aircrew member.
Anyone can figure out the manufacturer. Original owner was with VB-4, VB40 and VB-197
The lining looks like it is original and so does the waistband.

 

[Roughwear]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

With your new detailed pictures it is clearly not a Cable, having bevelled corners to the bottom of the pockets. It is not an issued jacket, but a privately purchased item.

 

[bazelot]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

With your new detailed pictures it is clearly not a Cable, having beveled corners to the bottom of the pockets. It is not an issued jacket, but a privately purchased item.

Thanks Andrew, so the pattern does not match any known manufacturer? I wish this one could talk....

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Isn't that an enlisted pilot wing?

 

[ausreenactor]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Isn't that an enlisted pilot wing?

Very close to the sleeve rating and even the AAF Cadet wing..?? VERY unique item this! Great get..
Provenance ups the wow factor exponentially...

Couchy

 

[bazelot]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Isn't that an enlisted pilot wing?

It an Aviation Machinist Mate USN rating, the owner was not a pilot but either a gunner or a radioman, most likely he was a gunner as VB-40 and vb-4 were equipped with SBD planes. It looks like this crew member saw a lot of action in WWII as VB4 saw its fair share of action throughout the war. If only this jacket could talk

 

[bazelot]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Isn't that an enlisted pilot wing?

Very close to the sleeve rating and even the AAF Cadet wing..?? VERY unique item this! Great get..
Provenance ups the wow factor exponentially...

Couchy

Thanks, the jacket is in sad shape but indeed provenance is everything

 

[Treetopflyer]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

I find it interesting that he was not issued/did not wear a M-422A. Maybe it was a post war purchase.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Curious why that wing is there and not a crew member wing. This jacket has to be civilian wear as the Navy wasn't near as flexible as the AAF,

 

[Treetopflyer]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Those "wings" are the rating badge insignia for an Aviation Machinist Mate. A rating is similar to an MOS in the other services. Since Aircrew wings weren't introduced into the Navy until the Spring of 1943, there is a good chance he did not have aircrew wings initially. Since this jacket was not a standard issue for flight crews, I wonder if he was actually aircrew. Just because he was assigned to a squadron does not mean he was a flying Aviation Machinist Mate.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

I just can't see a non Navy issued jacket being worn other than as a civilian. The Navy was too rigid.

 

[Andrew]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Although the leather, shape of the eps and lining made me think it might have been a V505, but just checked mine and it's not. Different pocket shape, snaps and of course zipper.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

If the lining IS the original I'd be 99.9% certain it's an Australian made WW2 A-2, we had three through our hands back at The Thrift Shop in the 1970s/80s when we were virtually the only firm dealing in original A-2s.
As far as I recall only one still had it's label (white if I remember correctly) but they all had identical linings to this one.....we did have thousands go through our hands and it was over 30 years ago, hence the 00.01% doubt!!!!

 

[Silver Surfer]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

agree with ken. oz made. pre 1943.

 

[FlyingYankee]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Could it be a Bronco with those pockets?

 

[bazelot]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

If the lining IS the original I'd be 99.9% certain it's an Australian made WW2 A-2, we had three through our hands back at The Thrift Shop in the 1970s/80s when we were virtually the only firm dealing in original A-2s.
As far as I recall only one still had it's label (white if I remember correctly) but they all had identical linings to this one.....we did have thousands go through our hands and it was over 30 years ago, hence the 00.01% doubt!!!!

THe thing is it has a Conmar zipper and as far I know, Australian A-2s did not use Conmar zippers. Both lining and zipper are original without the shadow of a doubt.

 

[Andrew]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

Here's some detailed shots of mine. I'd like to say it is a V505, however I'm sure all jackets from this maker used the same components and details, so based on the use of nipple studs for the pockets and collar, rounded pocket corners, use of collar stand, centre seam to the lining and "Zipp" zipper I don't believe it is a V505.

And this last one shows a glove by the same maker which uses the same zipper- I also have a flying helmet which also used these so they were plentiful.

 

[Roughwear]

Re: Pictures of civilian or refurbished A2 issued to USN air

If the lining IS the original I'd be 99.9% certain it's an Australian made WW2 A-2, we had three through our hands back at The Thrift Shop in the 1970s/80s when we were virtually the only firm dealing in original A-2s.
As far as I recall only one still had it's label (white if I remember correctly) but they all had identical linings to this one.....we did have thousands go through our hands and it was over 30 years ago, hence the 00.01% doubt!!!!

I think it is very difficult to identify an A2 as Australian made simply on the basis of the lining Ken. The Conmar zipper, the use of goatskin and the nickel ring snaps suggests to me an American-made A2, albeit not an issued jacket.