Aero A-2 'Unknown Maker' 1756 contract

[Sloan1874]

I had given serious consideration to the idea of a patch, but glad I didn't. Mind you, I missed the boat there, apparently there was some guy selling hand-painted ones for 99p a pop on eBay but I can't find anywhere...

 

[nick123]

El Aguila=The Eagle

 

[Edward]

Looks great. The Vicenza is very nice indeed. Whether you use a hanger or a shelf, just keep it away from the floor.... I got carpet beetles in my flat last year, not sure the little feckers are entire gone yet, but they ate the knits on my A2.....

 

[Big J]

It looks really great Sloan! I think you should definitely patch it up, and get some art on the back of a huge pin-up girl dropping bombs by hand on a mini-Hitler (or something tasteful, like that)

BTW, Sloan, I think your mind's going. The guy you remember selling patches really cheap on eBay was convicted criminal Will Lauder, surely?

 

[Sloan1874]

Of course it was, how could I forget that! I really did think about getting it patched, but the only examples of badged 1756s I've seen are 532nd Bomber Squadron, and its emblem looks like a murderous My Little Pony with wings. [huh]

 

[Big J]

Of course it was, how could I forget that! I really did think about getting it patched, but the only examples of badged 1756s I've seen are 532nd Bomber Squadron, and its emblem looks like a murderous My Little Pony with wings. [huh]

View attachment 29800

Ow! Not an example of 40's patch art at its finest!

 

[AdeeC]

Great jacket but don't spoil it with a patch unless it really means something to you. Patches are for originals only IMO or for one to have a legit reason to sport one. They should not be fashion statements.

 

[Big J]

Nah, plaster that sucker with as many patches as you can; Numbered Air Force, Group, Squadron, and back art!
You'll look like you were really there.

 

[Sloan1874]

The room is split! I think I'll leave it, tbh, it would be a shame to detract from the beautiful hide.

 

[Big J]

The room is split! I think I'll leave it, tbh, it would be a shame to detract from the beautiful hide.

I was just trollin' AdeeC

 

[Blackadder]

Great looking jacket. Any special feature in this particular contract?

 

[Stand By]

Of course it was, how could I forget that! I really did think about getting it patched, but the only examples of badged 1756s I've seen are 532nd Bomber Squadron, and its emblem looks like a murderous My Little Pony with wings. [huh]

View attachment 29800

Very nice A2, Sloan - and the caramel coloured knit really make it for me. Fantastic - it looks beautiful.
I'd wear it as-is for a while if it was me. See how you feel about putting patches on later …

But if you want a good patch of the 532nd BS (a fine squadron), I can heartily recommend this one from 6th of June:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381ST-BOM...8TH-AAF-A2-JACKET-PATCH-532-WW2-/161342003747

I have one of their 364th BS patches on my Aero C-3 and it's absolutely amazing wool and looks very authentic - and is a perfect reproduction. Very much worth the money. If you went for it, I'd have Aero cut a HH border for it as I had. It finished it off perfectly. If you wanted, you could "age" it with a tiny pad of tea and it'll tone in perfectly and blend with the hue of the knits.
Looking forward to the fit pics …

PS. This patch is cotton-on-felt. Should be robust enough for general wear. If any thread did ever pull loose in time, a touch of super-thin CA (superglue) would fix that instantly and invisibly.

 

[Sloan1874]

@Blackadder: it's one of the slimmer A-2 contracts, a bit like the Aero 38 contract, though the body tapers a bit more towards the bottom. It also has a collar stand - a feature that has led a lot of people to believe it was made by Perry, who kept this feature in all of their jackets - and the collar ends are much more rounded than other contracts.

@stand-by: the caramel knits really set off the leather, I'm glad I went with them over the plain brown ones. I'm not sure about the 532nd bomber patch, though. There seems to be a common practice among squadrons to have slightly cartoonish characters - Donald Duck riding a bomb anyone? - which I'm not keen on. Och, the thing's gorgeous, I'm just going to enjoy it. Fit pics shortly!

 

[Sloan1874]

Right, my other half capitulated to my requests (pleadings), so here are some fit pics:

 

[pawineguy]

That collar is very distinctive. I love the fit of this jacket, the arms seem (in your photos) to really balance a slim profile but still be comfortable to wear.

 

[Fanch]

Great fit pictures. Those knits definitely augment the overall appearance of the A-2. :thumb:

 

[handymike]

Awesome!

Glad to see you sportin' the SJC too...

 

[nick123]

Looks good. I can tell the leather probably looks phenomenal in person. What's your chest size again Craig? I'm under the impression one has to size up for most Aero A-2s?

 

[Sloan1874]

Thank you, gents. When I get a moment I'll hwt the collar a bit. It's a really comfortable wear, and the vincenza HH is ideal for A-2s in terms of weight and flexibility - even with the high armholes there's no sawing at the arm pits! - and I reckon it'll develop some very nice character.

Nick, I'm normally a 36, but for this I went up to a 38 and took a bit off the arms and length to get it just right.

 

[nick123]

Thanks. Enjoy that jacket.