A2 fit

[Pa12]

Must have sucked to be that tall in the 40’s

 

[Silver Surfer]

yeah, Stewart's a-2 sleeves ride up to almost the fore arms.

 

[mulceber]

Yep, one of the design flaws of the A-2 is that the larger sizes didn't really differ from the smaller sizes in their length/sleeve length measurements. The manufacturers seemed to think 46 and above were A-2s for tubby people, instead of linebackers.

 

[Pa12]

And that’s standing up with his arms at his sides. Will only get worse from there.

 

[Chandler]

If you read "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," or any of the books on the Doolittle Raid, you'll find talk of that airman being an extraordinarily large man.

 

[Pa12]

If you read "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," or any of the books on the Doolittle Raid, you'll find talk of that airman being an extraordinarily large man.

Yes, it’s from the Doolittle raiders book.

 

[Chandler]

Crew #3

Crew of 3rd Aircraft - Plane # 40-2270 -

www.childrenofthedoolittleraiders.com

"Shorty" Manch.

 

[Pa12]

Can’t help but think a custom cut jacket for someone so brave is the least they could do. The greatest generation is an understatement.

 

[Silver Surfer]

I may be mistaken, but I seem to remember that Stewart was issued a size 40 rw. he was over 6' in height.

 

[Pa12]

Ouch. Big guy. Regardless of his height, he looks bigger then a 40. Especially when that’s closer to a modern 38.

 

[mulceber]

Ouch. Big guy. Regardless of his height, he looks bigger then a 40. Especially when that’s closer to a modern 38.

Two different people - Silver Surfer's referring to Jimmy Stewart the actor, who served in the European theater (8th AF) and was pretty lanky. Here's a picture:

Jimmy's jacket looks well-fitted compared to that Doolittle Raider's.

 

[Pa12]

I can see that. Very tall and slim. I guess all these guys had more important things on their plates then how their jackets fit. And because of that generation we have the luxury of complaining about how ours fit.

 

[Pa12]

Two different people - Silver Surfer's referring to Jimmy Stewart the actor, who served in the European theater (8th AF) and was pretty lanky. Here's a picture:

Jimmy's jacket looks well-fitted compared to that Doolittle Raider's.

 

[Pa12]

Awesome. Exactly what a Hollywood star commanding a b-24 should look like. My favourite jimmy Stewart movie is flight of the Phoenix.

 

[Feliz]

Jimmy’s a pretty cool looking dude, didn’t he end up a general in the sixties?

 

[Pa12]

I believe so. I think he stayed in the reserves and retired a brig. General if I’m not mistaken.

 

[Tattoo A2]

Jimmy Stewarts jacket resides in the Air Force Museum in Dayton , Ohio

 

[Pa12]

Yes, I’ve visited it at least 4 times. Awesome museum too.

 

[B-Man2]

Here ya go.

 

[Pa12]

As big as the roughwear collar is, his looks even bigger. Maybe they used the same size collar for all sizes , so the smaller the jacket the bigger the collar looks.