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Making my own reproduction A-2

HarrietTheSpy

Active Member
Hello! I am a costume designer/costume stitcher and have decided to attempt making my own A-2 jacket. Discovering this forum has been a wonderful resource, I really appreciate all the information that has been shared here.

Because this will just be something for myself, I'm not trying to create an exact replica, but my love for attention to details has me researching how to make it as accurate as possible. I'll be making it from goat leather using this 1940s pattern with some modifications--adding epaulets and a wind flap, replacing the cuffs and waistband with knit cuffs and waistband and lowering the pockets.
flightjacketpattern.jpg


I do have a few questions--with regards to the wind flap--from the pictures I've been studying, it appears to be an extension of the front of the jacket, rather than an additional strip of leather attached to the left side. About how wide is the wind flap? And if I could also get the dimensions of the pockets that would be a big help as well, the ones in the pattern picture seem as though they might be a little larger.
 

ausreenactor

Well-Known Member
Hello! I am a costume designer/costume stitcher and have decided to attempt making my own A-2 jacket. Discovering this forum has been a wonderful resource, I really appreciate all the information that has been shared here.

Because this will just be something for myself, I'm not trying to create an exact replica, but my love for attention to details has me researching how to make it as accurate as possible. I'll be making it from goat leather using this 1940s pattern with some modifications--adding epaulets and a wind flap, replacing the cuffs and waistband with knit cuffs and waistband and lowering the pockets.
View attachment 55070

I do have a few questions--with regards to the wind flap--from the pictures I've been studying, it appears to be an extension of the front of the jacket, rather than an additional strip of leather attached to the left side. About how wide is the wind flap? And if I could also get the dimensions of the pockets that would be a big help as well, the ones in the pattern picture seem as though they might be a little larger.
Go a Perry multi piece wind flap!
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
There was a bloke who made his own A-2 either here or over at the Salon du Chapeau quite a few years back and if memory serves it wasn't half bad. The chap had some experience with sewing machines and all that guff so not a complete noob.

Of course JC and Mark (from Norshor) both started out by making their own A-2s for themselves so it's doable.
 

mulceber

Moderator
There was a bloke who made his own A-2 either here or over at the Salon du Chapeau quite a few years back and if memory serves it wasn't half bad. The chap had some experience with sewing machines and all that guff so not a complete noob.

Of course JC and Mark (from Norshor) both started out by making their own A-2s for themselves so it's doable.

Yeah, the A-2 is one of the simpler jacket designs out there (completely plain back, no straps or pockets that are built into the body, no gussets or such pieces, so it's definitely doable.
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
Yeah, the A-2 is one of the simpler jacket designs out there (completely plain back, no straps or pockets that are built into the body, no gussets or such pieces, so it's definitely doable.

I can remember the fellow did a fabric mock up to start with (like a proper high end bespoke project) to tweak the pattern before committing to doing the leather.

It's awhile ago now though, the old grey matter is a bit fuzzy but this must be over 10 years ago maybe now.
 

Silver Surfer

Well-Known Member
I for one, will be interested in what you come up with Harriet. needless to say, there are tons pix of a-2s through out the webesphere, with some being quite detailed. yet, the wind flap on ab a-2 is an extension of the front panel. the widths of wind flaps carried from contract to contract. some as narrow as 1"-1/14", and some as wide as nearly 2". even within the same contract there were variances. good luck with your project.
 

Rutger

Well-Known Member
There was a bloke who made his own A-2 either here or over at the Salon du Chapeau quite a few years back and if memory serves it wasn't half bad. The chap had some experience with sewing machines and all that guff so not a complete noob.

That was here, he has a ppl and a neat little plane, nice guy, would be making all kinds of things all the time. Said goodbye cause he didn't like the forum anymore, surely still a member though. dmar836.
 

Chandler

Well-Known Member
There was a bloke who made his own A-2 either here or over at the Salon du Chapeau quite a few years back and if memory serves it wasn't half bad. The chap had some experience with sewing machines and all that guff so not a complete noob.

Of course JC and Mark (from Norshor) both started out by making their own A-2s for themselves so it's doable.
Was it @Maverickson ?

He PMed me a few years ago for measurements from a couple of my repros for jackets he was working on.
 

Smithy

Well-Known Member
That was here, he has a ppl and a neat little plane, nice guy, would be making all kinds of things all the time. Said goodbye cause he didn't like the forum anymore, surely still a member though. dmar836.

Thanks Rutger, only just saw your post. Glad to know my noggin is still working!

I remember the jacket turned out pretty good too.
 

HarrietTheSpy

Active Member
Thank you for all the encouragement, everyone! I had found the Acme Depot website a few weeks ago which has wonderful photos and useful specifics. And yes, I have been finding tons of reference photos online which helps a great deal. I did run across a post on The Fedora Lounge by someone who had made their own A-2 back in 2014, unfortunately the picture links don't work any more. I made wearable mock-up of the pattern out of some vintage wool, just to see how clear the instructions were and what the finished jacket would look like and I'm pretty happy with it. I made it exactly like the pattern picture, I figured it would be easier to alter the mock-up rather than the paper pattern. It still needs a zipper so the front placket is just pinned in place. I know it's hard to see the shape of the collar, but the body of the jacket looks close. It might be a little short, the sleeves seem longer in proportion to the body of the jacket, compared to pictures I've seen--but that could also be that a wool jacket hangs different than a leather one. And the pockets seem a little larger.



Edited to add--I realize this picture is confusing especially with the furry collar. This was just a wearable mockup to see how the pattern fits. Eventually I want to make a reproduction A-2, but am not sure this pattern is appropriate.

bombermockupwool.jpg
 
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Chandler

Well-Known Member
Are you making an A-2 or a, sort of, hybrid commercial jacket that may have been on sale on Main Street?

Asking because of the fuzzy collar.
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Hi Harriet
Welcome to VLJ !
I see from your posts that you’ve been checking out the forum for tips and info regarding the manufacture of your “A2 jacket” . Well if thats the case, then you must know that we have an informal policy here that if you post one of your jackets it’s customary to post fit pictures wearing the jacket . Sooooo .... just sayin;)
 

HarrietTheSpy

Active Member
what I see is a jacket similar a wwll "ike"jacket, or Raf officers jacket. sans furry collar, of course.
Yes, now that you say that, it is more like an Ike jacket. And I think it's a UK pattern so RAF makes sense as well. Thanks, that is helpful. In looking at pictures of Eisenhower Jackets next to the pictures of A-2 Flight Jackets, I think what I need to do is lengthen the body of the jacket so it's more hip length and not so tapered, the A-2 has more of a boxy shape. I think I'm going to have to work more on altering the shape of the jacket with this pattern than I thought. Thanks for all the input!
 
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HarrietTheSpy

Active Member
Hi Harriet
Welcome to VLJ !
I see from your posts that you’ve been checking out the forum for tips and info regarding the manufacture of your “A2 jacket” . Well if thats the case, then you must know that we have an informal policy here that if you post one of your jackets it’s customary to post fit pictures wearing the jacket . Sooooo .... just sayin;)
Ahh, pictures of me wearing the jacket. Will do my best to get post one :)
 

HarrietTheSpy

Active Member
Some pictures of my mockup. I used the pattern as a base--even though it was a men's small 34"-36" chest, it was still pretty big on me so I scaled it down a bit and shortened it both at the bottom of the jacket and the sleeves--I'm only 4'11" and it was quite long. Made the pocket a little smaller. I tried two epaulet styles, right side is narrower and in front of the shoulder seam, left side is wider and centered over the shoulder seam. I am favoring the narrow in front of the seam.

Not sure about the collar, the original pattern collar was quite wide, I've been narrowing it bit by bit and am not sure if it's narrow enough. I also think the point needs to come down some? Not sure if I'm explaining it properly. Like the point needs to be narrower.

Sleeves and body will be shortened further to allow for the knit cuffs and waistband.


a2mockup2.jpg
a2mockup3.jpg
a2mockup4.jpg
a2mockup5.jpg
a2mockup6.jpg
 
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