Current USAF Issue A-2s

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

...and here’s what is apparently a private-purchase jacket -- it’s clearly several shades lighter in colour than the issue jackets:

 

[Blackadder]

They now have slit pockets as well like the civilians A-2s?

 

[Doctor Damage]

They now have slit pockets as well like the civilians A-2s?

I don't believe it's mentioned in the spec document, but from photos it's clear that the current A-2 jackets have handwarmer pockets behind the main patch pockets. This seems to take two forms:

(1) side seam of patch pockets is left unsewn to allow hands to enter

(2) an extra slit is added for a separate handwarmer pocket

I get the feeling that the USAF wants these jackets to conform only to a general standard and isn't worried about a rigorous standard or what might be considered minor details, so they don't fuss about the pockets. But I don't know.

 

[Blackadder]

Nice to know. Thanks.

 

[Marv]

My very first A2 (which I still have) is a commercial Orange label Cooper, not sure from what year it was manufactured but it has all the same features as the issued Saddlery version.

Excellent goatskin, purple hue knits, Ideal zipper, one piece arms, no under arm gussets, no hand warmer or inside pocket, large collar and as it is a 46 Long, it has the extra side panel on each side of the torso.

The label is the Orange commercial version with Defense Contract Department but still an excellent, well made jacket and would great if I could find out the manufacture year as I'm not sure whether this is on the label anywhere.

Any help would be appreciated....

 

[Doctor Damage]

The label is the Orange commercial version with Defense Contract Department but still an excellent, well made jacket and would great if I could find out the manufacture year as I'm not sure whether this is on the label anywhere.

Any help would be appreciated....

Did you read this thread in its entirety? I think Atticus Finch mentions the tags and how to interpret the date. There should be a large white tag underneath the woven orange Cooper brand tag. There should be two groups of letters and numbers separated by hyphens. Let us know what those read and someone here should be able to help. There are some old Cooper jackets which don't have that tag -- I have one of those jackets -- but they seem to be rare. Most likely you have one with the full tags.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Marv]

Did you read this thread in its entirety? I think Atticus Finch mentions the tags and how to interpret the date. There should be a large white tag underneath the woven orange Cooper brand tag. There should be two groups of letters and numbers separated by hyphens. Let us know what those read and someone here should be able to help. There are some old Cooper jackets which don't have that tag -- I have one of those jackets -- but they seem to be rare. Most likely you have one with the full tags.

Here's photo of the white spec label but the numbers aren't very clear due to the stitching running through them but any idea's on the jacket's year or manufacture would be great....

 

[Atticus Finch]

I didn't say so, but my post about dating military jackets via their DA, DSA, DLA or SPO numbers is applicable to issued military jackets, only. I don't think one can date a civilian Cooper A-2 using its "GAC" number. I believe this is just a number created by Cooper to make the tag appear "authentic"...and the same number appears on Cooper tags regardless of when the jacket was manufactured.

AF

 

[Doctor Damage]

... Definitely confirms that these are much looser a fit by design than the original A2; whereas I'm a 44 in most original fits (I can fit a 42 for the later warf contracts, boxier shape), for these I'd have to size down to a 40 to be hapy in them. I suspect this is reflective of the modern jackets beinbg likely to be worn over a bulky flight-suit rather than a collar and tie?

Although the official document doesn't mention them, there are bound to be some +/- variation or tolerances for measurements. But I know what you mean: I would need to downsize too.

 

[Doctor Damage]

more USAF photos

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

The link below is a short thread on the US Militaria Forum about modern-day A2 jackets including manufacturers, tags, and years etc. There's also a detailed article about why the USAF re-introduced the A2. Others here can hopefully corroborate the information in the thread.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/for...ern-usaf-regulation-a2-a-couple-of-questions/

 

[rocketeer]

Reminds me of the leather typically found in a '76 Imperial Leather G-1. Hardcore cow. Sometimes late at night, if you listen closely, you can hear it "moo".

AF

:eusa_clap Must have shared a field with a meadow fed Suffolk Punch.
A ful tank of rich cream milk or grass from those green green fields produce the finest leathers for our jackets