Current issue A-2?

[Republic_Flier]

http://www.vanguardmil.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_440_458_462&products_id=7829

I know Vanguard as the sole Civil Air Patrol supplier of uniforms, but what do you guys think of this jacket? Is it legit or just some fake?

 

[cco23i]

For WW2 it's the wrong color and has the hand warmer pockets. (If it's the same one our tanker pilots get).

Scott

 

[Atticus Finch]

The last I checked, The Cockpit (Averix) has the contract for USAF A-2s. To my knowledge, there have only been three contractors since the A-2 was re-introduced in 1988. Saddlery (Cooper) had a 1988 and a 1996 contract. Branded Leather (Orchard) had a 1992 contract. Averix had a 1998 contract and The Cockpit (the new Averix) has the current contract.

AF

 

[Republic_Flier]

Well I'm thinking it's a modern day issue jacket not a WW2 type. Probably will end up firing off an email to Vanguard regarding the manufacturer of this jacket.

 

[Atticus Finch]

The "new" current issue A-2 (The Cockpit's version) has hand warmer pockets and lacks the throat latch. The "old" current issue A-2 (the Saddlery, Orchard and Averix version) had the throat latch and patch pockets.

AF

 

[green papaya]

it looks like a modern full cut A2 , looks nice

I prefer the modern full cut jackets

 

[Bingo]

A2

if you want a ww2 looking one, then it's the wrong colour. Also check how many panels the back of the jacket has. You can't see from the link.
WW2 A2's had one panel making the back.

 

[Zemke Fan]

All A-2 Jacket Discussions...

In the Outerwear Forum. Thread moved.

 

[Hankh]

Last week met a couple of U.S. C-130 pilots.
They bought their Alpha-2 jackets in Turkey:

http://www.popsleather.com/

 

[Republic_Flier]

I sent off an email to Vanguard regarding the manufacture of this jacket and if it is the current issue. Too bad I just noticed they had a live chat feature on their site. Oh well I'll keep you guys posted when they reply.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Aren't issue jackets generally marked in 38-40-42-44 sizing rather than S-M-L-XL? (See the US Wings site: their official versions are sized numerically, whereas their others are sized alphabetically.)

And some makers, like Gibson & Barnes, also have Short/Reg/Tall versions as well as the numeric sizing, which shows a far more serious committment to proper fit...

 

[Atticus Finch]

Aren't issue jackets...marked in 38-40-42-44 sizing rather than S-M-L-XL...(and aren't they provided in) Short/Reg/Tall versions as well as the numeric sizing?

Yes.

The jacket in question here is not the jacket provided for purchase by Air Force flight crew. It may be a good jacket, and it may be very much like the issued jacket, but I am of the opinion that Cockpit still has the USAF contract.

AF

 

[Interbak]

And it's black! Issued A-2's were never black. My current issue type Cockpit is very dark seal brown, but it isn't black.

Brian

 

[Republic_Flier]

It could be just a really dark brown, but also don't forget the jacket seems to come with all the velcro patches like the real issue one.

 

[Doctor Strange]

It says it's black right there on the page... and its sounds like that's pefectly correct for the flight jacket that the CAP is using now.

A quick look at the Wiki page on the Civil Air Patrol shows that they have a whole bunch of different approved uniform garments. And in fact, I recall a couple of years ago, when US Wings introduced their black goatskin A-2 with handwarmers but without a throat latch, they said that it had been made for a large contract.

The point is, we're talking about the CAP here - which is a separate entity from the USAF. CAP's jackets/uniforms have little or nothing to do with what's been issued by the Air Force. So, I'd say that this black A-2 is "legit"... for the CAP.

And there's nothing wrong with a black A-2. I've had my G&B black A-2 since 2001, and it gets more wear than all my brown jackets put together!

 

[pjstrass]

Pops A2 type flight jackets

has anyone actually gotten their airline jacket...looks like a good price for a custom made jacket...tho they discourage goatskin...would be most curious....

 

[johnnyjohnny]

civil response

a look at the civil air patrol website (http://www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/member_services/uniform_information/) has a link to vanguard, and vanguard makes a number of their uniform and jacket requirements.

i think it's pretty cool to get legit spec leather jackets from other services aside from the main 4, tho in all honesty it seems to be a slightly modified usaf a-2...but still cool from a collector's pov...i'd get it

 

[johnnyjohnny]

oH mY

just realized i needed 2 more posts to hit 500. have slacked off a bit since i got the perfect jacket (eastman luftwaffe horsehide), but now i need one more post to hit 500. i'll choose wisely.

i am gratified to know that everyone on fedlounge has enjoyed every one of my posts immensely