Andrew
Well-Known Member
This was posted ages ago- may have been the other forum, but since it's now complete I thought i'd put it back up. This is my first Goodwear- almost 2 years old now, it's a United Sheeplined size 46 made with Bonanza Mesa Steerhide.
About a year and a half ago I came across a 91 yr old B-24 Ball turret gunner Vet of the 449thBG who had started to paint jackets, first one was a repro for himself and his daughter, then a couple of others for other close friends or relatives of Vets. I was just lucky he was kind enough to do a copy of his own jacket for me (his jacket doesn't have a Sq patch, just the BG insignia on the front). When they received the jacket they were amazed by the quality and attention to detail of John's work. He also made me a Squadron patch which i've now had sewn on so it's now the full bottle. I'm not happy about the placement of the patch by my leather guy, I feel it's too close to the zip, however I note that they were located all over the place- probably not worth moving it across half an inch and having a set of holes exposed- any comments?
Here are the final shots and a bit of other background info. Last time I spoke with his Daughter he was happy to take an order or two just to keep him off the streets and earn a little cash- pm me if you're interested. I count it as a rare privelige to have this jacket.
He painted the Noseart- very demure, and not quite the standards of many but a good effort.
About a year and a half ago I came across a 91 yr old B-24 Ball turret gunner Vet of the 449thBG who had started to paint jackets, first one was a repro for himself and his daughter, then a couple of others for other close friends or relatives of Vets. I was just lucky he was kind enough to do a copy of his own jacket for me (his jacket doesn't have a Sq patch, just the BG insignia on the front). When they received the jacket they were amazed by the quality and attention to detail of John's work. He also made me a Squadron patch which i've now had sewn on so it's now the full bottle. I'm not happy about the placement of the patch by my leather guy, I feel it's too close to the zip, however I note that they were located all over the place- probably not worth moving it across half an inch and having a set of holes exposed- any comments?
Here are the final shots and a bit of other background info. Last time I spoke with his Daughter he was happy to take an order or two just to keep him off the streets and earn a little cash- pm me if you're interested. I count it as a rare privelige to have this jacket.
He painted the Noseart- very demure, and not quite the standards of many but a good effort.
