A2 project

[Bfd70]

I started a project to combine my interest in WWII and my job. Jacket is a 1980’s vintage Cooper. I picked it up for $160 on ebay. That was the price point I was looking for in the event the project didn’t work out. I was pleasantly surprised by what I received. While the finish and leather isn’t as nice as top tier repros it is very comfortable. Super supple goat. I Learned a lot already this first attempt. Would make some layout changes if I were to do it again BUT I think the fact that it is not perfect adds a degree of authenticity. Breast patch and name rocker on order.

 

[Marc mndt]

That's so cool! What's your design idea for the breast patch?

 

[Bfd70]

I’ll be using the department patch but am having it made larger. Seems that period correct patches are 5” diameter. I’ll go between 4-5.

 

[Bfd70]

Still have a little painting to go on the back. BTW I couldn’t paint a stick figure. The artist is my 16 yo daughter who also happens to be my jacket fit pic photographer. She’s a good sport.

 

[El Marro]

That’s awesome man! I have a feeling everybody in the Chicago Fire Department is going to want one of those when they see yours. You better start buying those vintage Coopers in bulk!

 

[Edward]

Really well done - compliments to your daughter!

Nice to see Felix on this. The original Felix cartoons begin, from memory, in 1919 but had declined by 1929 in competing with the talkies equivalent. They tried to do sound versions from '29-'32 but they didn't take off, and aside from a run in around 36, from memory, that was it for some time. A serviceman issued with an A2 up until 42 would have been of an age to have enjoyed Felix as a young child, and thus he makes an ideal mascot for the era your jacket nods to.

As something of a coda, my understanding is that the character was revived for American television in the early 50s. It intrigues me to imagine kids of that era, had your jacket design been around in WW2, suddenly realising one day that this Felix was the cat on dad's old jacket...

Great project. I love the design of this, really sharp.

 

[Superfluous]

Great idea and well executed. Very cool!

 

[Canuck Panda]

Felix the Fire Cat. Very cool and talented. The best thing I've seen this month. Thank you.

 

[photo2u]

How about a nice old school leather US flag on the shoulder? for the patch nice red suede leather with the cat in nice tooled leather or black horse hide for contrast?

 

[Fonzie]

Looks great!

 

[Bfd70]

How about a nice old school leather US flag on the shoulder? for the patch nice red suede leather with the cat in nice tooled leather or black horse hide for contrast?

I’ll be using the jacket at work a bit so I’m putting the dept crest upfront

 

[Bfd70]

A little disappointing that the bottom knit in back is stitched in such a way that it can’t possibly lay flat. It ripples. I may send to Dena for a redo. May just live with it.

 

[photo2u]

A little disappointing that the bottom knit in back is stitched in such a way that it can’t possibly lay flat. It ripples. I may send to Dena for a redo. May just live with it.

I think it looks good as it is. Changing the knits is about 180 dollars total? Just me thinking out loud...

 

[Edward]

I think it looks good as it is. Changing the knits is about 180 dollars total? Just me thinking out loud...

I'd agree. I had to look again at the photos to see what this is. I well understand how a small thing can prey on the mind, but I would be leery of sinking that much money on 'fixing' what seems to be purely a cosmetic issue. I don't think it looks 'bad' - tbh, I would have noticed it had it not been mentioned - YMMV, of course, @Bfd70 . It would at least be worth living with it for a while to see how it goes - could even be that with regular wear it disappears, either because you stop really noticing it, or because the jacket drapes differently with your wearing it often.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Nice work! Looks excellent!

 

[Bfd70]

“Bombs” axes added.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Great artwork.
Please remember to add hidden signature or just sign. Every artist needs to be credited for his/her own work!