Post up your aviation class photos (and ID any jackets you can see)

[mulceber]

I see a Perry on the guy 5th from the right in the back, probably an Aero to his left, and a Dubow on the next guy.

 

[Chandler]

12-29-43? Last A-2s ever issued?

4th from the left standing -- did he try to gargle the stick?

 

[Kermit3D]

Beautiful photo Jan.
Look at that drape ! It's almost as if those A-2s were made from very thin leatherette (please don't hit me).
I'll say it again and again... I suspect that most A-2 reproductions use too stiff leather.

 

[saucerfiend]

View attachment 133599


I see a Perry on the guy 5th from the right in the back, probably an Aero to his left, and a Dubow on the next guy.

Another Perry third from the left in top row.

 

[Phrog Driver]

Our class photo was in dress uniform, so no flight jackets. Here we were a couple of us some months earlier. Late '77. Recently issued G-1's. Time of your life, Kid!

 

[mulceber]

Another Perry third from the left in top row.

Oh yeah - those pocket flaps. Couldn't be anything else.

 

[coolhandluke]

Can't make out the pocket details on John Hemminger's jacket (top row, third from right), but that's a Star collar right?

 

[Greg Gale]

Is it just me or A-2s on class photos looks very different from those taken at operational squadrons. They seem baggy, the drape is weird, they haven't molded to the wearer's body yet.

 

[mulceber]

Is it just me or A-2s on class photos looks very different from those taken at operational squadrons. They seem baggy, the drape is weird, they haven't molded to the wearer's body yet.

Well the photo was taken in Arizona and it looks like all of the class are just wearing their basic flight suit under them. Way fewer layers than you would see in photos on air bases in Britain or whatnot.

 

[Greg Gale]

Well the photo was taken in Arizona and it looks like all of the class are just wearing their basic flight suit under them. Way fewer layers than you would see in photos on air bases in Britain or whatnot.

Fewer layers? Many pilots wore it over their pink shirt only, that's thinner than a flight suit.

 

[mulceber]

Yeah, and they mostly look baggy in them too. Burt has said it many times before, but it bears repeating: these jackets only looked fitted on their owners because the owners were doing a lot of layering. The reason most of them could still fit in them 60-70 years later isn't that they were the same size, but because they were now wearing just a t-shirt under the jacket.

 

[B-Man2]

Compare photos of guys wearing A2’s in that photo with guys wearing them in Europe . Theres a distinct difference in the fit in the US as most of the flight training was done in warmer climates . In Europe they wore about 4 layers of clothes under their A2’s .

 

[bseal]

Lost Worlds

 

[B-Man2]

Lost Worlds

View attachment 133697

Ahh …. That was funny . But 5 Star would have topped it

 

[Chandler]

Lost Worlds

View attachment 133697

What's wrapped around his leg? Trench knife?

 

[Chandler]

Is it just me or A-2s on class photos looks very different from those taken at operational squadrons. They seem baggy, the drape is weird, they haven't molded to the wearer's body yet.

Bangers and mash, Best Bitter, and after-mission shots of Scotch.

 

[saucerfiend]

Oh yeah - those pocket flaps. Couldn't be anything else.

I was looking at the way the collar sits.

 

[Chandler]

Not exactly a true class photo, but sort of.

I have a copy of this Life mag buried in my storage unit -- purchased back in the '80s. The image grabbed me at the time because of the diverse characters portrayed -- and the different jackets and other items of kit. I was also taken by some of the guys who "folded" the collars of their A-2s. Prompted me to do that with mine now and again.

There's even a "P-38 pilot" in there you can make out. @B-Man2

 

[B-Man2]

Not exactly a true class photo, but sort of.

I have a copy of this Life mag buried in my storage unit -- purchased back in the '80s. The image grabbed me at the time because of the diverse characters portrayed -- and the different jackets and other items of kit. I was also taken by some of the guys who "folded" the collars of their A-2s. Prompted me to do that with mine now and again.

There's even a "P-38 pilot" in there you can make out. @B-Man2

And I bet he’s wearing a “Winter Combat Jacket” ( See there … I got it !

 

[Chandler]

And I bet he’s wearing a “Winter Combat Jacket” ( See there … I got it !

But did you pick it out?

(there might actually be two of them, looking closer)