Some of the 4th FG and a lot of A-2s

[Smithy]

I wonder how much of that oil got on his jacket and what he did about it - probably just wiped it off?

I just read about George Preddy ditching into the Channel on a cold winter day. His jacket must have gotten soaked. Then dried. Then worn. I'm sure he did not get a new one... I guess we're babying ours way too much

One of the things which I think most forget is that an A-2 to an operational airman was a piece of flying kit for the most part. It was merely a piece of clobber which was worn whilst he was doing and experiencing slightly more "engaging" things. It's only us weirdos who wring our hands over microscopic details and get the vapours about things like a 1/4 inch detail in measurements.

I think it's healthy to occasionally remember this fact and that those we strive to emulate and copy what they wore, would call us all manner of anally retentive, detail obsessed fucksticks if they had half a chance.

 

[B-Man2]

One of the things which I think most forget is that an A-2 to an operational airman was a piece of flying kit for the most part. It was merely a piece of clobber which was worn whilst he was doing and experiencing slightly more "engaging" things. It's only us weirdos who wring our hands over microscopic details and get the vapours about things like a 1/4 inch detail in measurements.

I think it's healthy to occasionally remember this fact and that those we strive to emulate and copy what they wore, would call us all manner of anally retentive, detail obsessed fucksticks if they had half a chance.

Hahaha .... You’re back!!
I was wondering where you went ... but you’re back !!
and Yes !!..... We really really like you!
So ....Wear the piss out of those jackets!!!

 

[Micawber]

Never a truer word spoken and never has a piece of GI issue workwear assumed such veneration that some people are afraid to wear copies of the things out in a shower. Wear them, wear them all the time especially when doing manual stuff outdoors, Get it wet and keep wearing it, it will fit you better. Wear it while cleaning guns, or changing the oil on your car /truck / whatever. Every scuff, scrape and stain tells a story and makes the garment individual to you. It's workwear so treat it as such.

If you want an immaculate jacket go to Savile Row and be measured for a dinner suit it will be perfect for those photo opportunities against a spotless tablecloth and rare bottle of plonk in that expensive resteraunt or a closeup of a perfect cuff, watch and manicured hand hovering over an exotic automobile.

Fuse lit and retires to safety

 

[Garylafortuna]

You nailed it Smithy; Bravo, Bravo. Can't you just imagine airmen returning from a mission, having heated discussions about the nuances of their A-2 jackets. Perhaps the old cliche: 'don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff', has some significance here. Shout it out Burt: 'wear the piss out of it'. Yeah.

 

[MaydayWei]

Never a truer word spoken and never has a piece of GI issue workwear assumed such veneration that some people are afraid to wear copies of the things out in a shower. Wear them, wear them all the time especially when doing manual stuff outdoors, Get it wet and keep wearing it, it will fit you better. Wear it while cleaning guns, or changing the oil on your car /truck / whatever. Every scuff, scrape and stain tells a story and makes the garment individual to you. It's workwear so treat it as such.

If you want an immaculate jacket go to Savile Row and be measured for a dinner suit it will be perfect for those photo opportunities against a spotless tablecloth and rare bottle of plonk in that expensive resteraunt or a closeup of a perfect cuff, watch and manicured hand hovering over an exotic automobile.

Fuse lit and retires to safety

Speak of the devil! I've been thinking with this frame of mind lately! Wear it, wear it, wear it; if you don't, you'll hate it and it'll hate you.
Lately, I've adopted the rule that if I won't wear it, I won't buy it.
Imagine getting back to the airfield or aircraft carrier and going "shit, do you think that 6 hour flight with the sun to the east has made the right side of my jacket a slightly lighter russet than the left side?"
Or "Hello Lt., I could not help but notice that you're wearing a Werber; and we only wear Roughwears in this squadron, mate."

 

[Smithy]

No doubt posted these of Don before but nothing wrong with rerunning some great snaps of the great man...

 

[Smithy]

I forgot to mention...have a look at what footwear Don is wearing in the first photo of my last post, of him standing beside his Jug...

Very cool

 

[Greg Gale]

What is that footwear?

 

[Lorenzo_l]

I forgot to mention...have a look at what footwear Don is wearing in the first photo of my last post, of him standing beside his Jug...

Very cool

RAF "Escape" Pattern flying boots?

 

[Smithy]

What is that footwear?

RAF "Escape" Pattern flying boots?

No, they're cowboy boots Greg and Lorenzo

There were a handful in the 4th who wore them on occasion, the most famous being Vic France who even wore them when he was an Eagle in the RAF.

 

[Lorenzo_l]

No, they're cowboy boots Greg and Lorenzo

There were a handful in the 4th who wore them on occasion, the most famous being Vic France who even wore them when he was an Eagle in the RAF.

Goes to show I don't know my footwear! I would have expected cowboy boots to be more pointy-ended affairs.

 

[Smithy]

Goes to show I don't know my footwear! I would have expected cowboy boots to be more pointy-ended affairs.

Cowboy boots have traditionally come in a variety of toe shapes Lorenzo from rounded, square up to pointed, although the more pointed toe became more popular after the war apparently.

 

[Lorenzo_l]

No, they're cowboy boots Greg and Lorenzo

There were a handful in the 4th who wore them on occasion, the most famous being Vic France who even wore them when he was an Eagle in the RAF.

I was going to add that cowboy boots do not seem like the appropriate type of footwear to use with rudder pedals or rudder bars but, heck, if they were/are used with horse saddle stirrups, then they must be ok with rudder pedals too!

 

[Smithy]

I was going to add that cowboy boots do not seem like the appropriate type of footwear to use with rudder pedals or rudder bars but, heck, if they were/are used with horse saddle stirrups, then they must be ok with rudder pedals too!

Interestingly cowboy boots were worn by airman more than you might think and not just in the 4th FG or the US services. I know of a number of Canadians who wore them in the RAF and the famous Pick Pickard used to be spotted on occasion wearing a pair.

There was a fellow member here (sorry can't remember the chap's name) who commented when he saw my roper boots that he had used the same for his entire flying career.

 

[Greg Gale]

I remember reading about Vic's boots, but I didn't know Blakeslee also wore them.

 

[B-Man2]

Looks like it’s time to start looking for some nice fitting cowboy boots !
I can see a new thread coming
“ What Cowboy Boots Do You Wear With Your A2 Jackets “

 

[Smithy]

I remember reading about Vic's boots, but I didn't know Blakeslee also wore them.

There were several in the 4th who did it apart from Don and Vic. I'd imagine there would have been others in other fighter and bomber groups who did it as well.

Don was apparently known for pretty much wearing only blue jeans and cowboy boots in civilian life.

Looks like it’s time to start looking for some nice fitting cowboy boots !
I can see a new thread coming
“ What Cowboy Boots Do You Wear With Your A2 Jackets “

Over summer here Burt I quite often wear a pair with an A-2. Got a pair of good old Justin ropers and some Ariat ones, super comfortable.

 

[B-Man2]

For the benefit of some of you who may not be familiar with what Ropers are , here are Ropers on the left and traditional Cowboy Boots on the right . I believe Ropers may be like boots known as Wellingtons

 

[Smithy]

For the benefit of some of you who may not be familiar with what Ropers are , here are Ropers on the left and traditional Cowboy Boots on the right . I believe Ropers may be like boots known as Wellingtons
View attachment 57148

I love both my pairs of cowboy boots, although the ropers are probably the most versatile. I can even wear them with a suit.

I've got a black pair from Justin but want a pair exactly the same in brown from them too. Fantastic boots.

 

[B-Man2]

I love both my pairs of cowboy boots, although the ropers are probably the most versatile. I can even wear them with a suit.

I've got a black pair from Justin but want a pair exactly the same in brown from them too. Fantastic boots.

I wore cowboy boots for years. Looked cool with jeans and on a bike .