texas_aggie
Member
Howdy all!
During my research I've noticed that the 'very high end' A2 reproductions (Buzz Rickson, Aero, Goodwear, etc...) have the shoulder seam back-of-enter with the trailing edge of the epaulette touching the seam and therefore centered directly over the shoulder. I've also noticed that because of this placement, the epaulettes tend to be visible from the rear of the wearer and also that they tend to 'bow' up a little.
On the other hand, it seems that the majority of mid-range A2 reproductions (Five Star, Headwind, Cockpit USA, US Wings, Gibson & Barnes) place the shoulder seam directly over the shoulders with the trailing edge of the epaulette also touching the seam, but causing the epaulette to roll forward slightly. This usually means that the epaulettes can't be seen from the rear of the wearer but that they do tend to be wear flatter and not 'bow' up like on the higher end reproductions.
I've also noticed that the issued A2 jackets (Excelled Leather, United Sheepskin, etc...) follow a similar trend to the mid-range reproductions.
And yet I've also seen higher-end reproductions (Lost Worlds, for example) that follow the mid-range example of slightly canted epaulettes and I've also seen some old(er) A2's that do this as well.
I understand that this design difference is a bit of a point of contention among forum members and I'm wondering what some of you have to say about this. Do we know why this design change happened? Is it purely cost and materials? Or is there another reason? And, does anyone know when this change occurred, ie: during the 1980s when the USAF started re-issuing A2's from Avirex or Cooper?
Thanks!
During my research I've noticed that the 'very high end' A2 reproductions (Buzz Rickson, Aero, Goodwear, etc...) have the shoulder seam back-of-enter with the trailing edge of the epaulette touching the seam and therefore centered directly over the shoulder. I've also noticed that because of this placement, the epaulettes tend to be visible from the rear of the wearer and also that they tend to 'bow' up a little.
On the other hand, it seems that the majority of mid-range A2 reproductions (Five Star, Headwind, Cockpit USA, US Wings, Gibson & Barnes) place the shoulder seam directly over the shoulders with the trailing edge of the epaulette also touching the seam, but causing the epaulette to roll forward slightly. This usually means that the epaulettes can't be seen from the rear of the wearer but that they do tend to be wear flatter and not 'bow' up like on the higher end reproductions.
I've also noticed that the issued A2 jackets (Excelled Leather, United Sheepskin, etc...) follow a similar trend to the mid-range reproductions.
And yet I've also seen higher-end reproductions (Lost Worlds, for example) that follow the mid-range example of slightly canted epaulettes and I've also seen some old(er) A2's that do this as well.
I understand that this design difference is a bit of a point of contention among forum members and I'm wondering what some of you have to say about this. Do we know why this design change happened? Is it purely cost and materials? Or is there another reason? And, does anyone know when this change occurred, ie: during the 1980s when the USAF started re-issuing A2's from Avirex or Cooper?
Thanks!