Flag on flight jacket---anyone clear this up for me?

[JumpBoot]

For the consideration of the group:

Is this kind of flag correct on a WW2 flight jacket? I don't recall ever seeing one before, though it has the correct number of stars. I can't tell whether it looks wrong because they were just uncommon on the shoulder, or because I'm used to the one I wore that's going into the wind.

If it's not correct, then I'll want to change it to something more accurate. Any help is appreciated.


Jumpboot

 

[nick123]

I think I remember seeing one either in a Jon A. Maguire book or "Hell Bent For Leather". But my memory likes to make things up.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Looks correct to me.
I think that arm patch was mainly used for stateside duty during WW2.
HD

 

[JumpBoot]

Oh, ok. Thank you, guys. I appreciate the heads-up. I like the way it looks, but didn't want to be "that guy" walking around wrong.

JB

 

[SIGGY]

I have also seen a few on Ww2 period jackets , their not seen too often , but they were used .....

 

[JumpBoot]

I have also seen a few on Ww2 period jackets , their not seen too often , but they were used .....

Thanks, Siggy.

 

[Stand By]

From what I know from my reference books, it is correct.
To observe proper flag etiquette, technically the star field should be on the opposite side if the flag was to be worn on the sleeve you've chosen - so that it advances forward for the wearer (which explains why you'll sometimes see them that way on modern uniforms) - but back then (in Italian bazaars where your 12th AF incised leather patches would have been made by local artisans), flag etiquette wasn't uppermost in most AAF crew's minds. I've seen them set like yours, so you're all good.
Great jacket and choice of patches!

 

[JumpBoot]

Thanks, Stand! It's my first HH jacket, and I'm really anxious to try it out. Luckily, Alaska is jacket weather about 10 months out of the year. You're right about the bazaar patches; I've seen that kind of thing in the Middle East for the units that were deployed there.

 

[Big J]

I think that's a really neat patch!
There's one just like it on an ELC A-2 in the movie Hart's War, IIRC.

 

[JumpBoot]

Really? Man...now I need to go watch that. I'm pretty sure I have it. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Stearmen]

From what I know from my reference books, it is correct.
To observe proper flag etiquette, technically the star field should be on the opposite side if the flag was to be worn on the sleeve you've chosen - so that it advances forward for the wearer (which explains why you'll sometimes see them that way on modern uniforms) - but back then (in Italian bazaars where your 12th AF incised leather patches would have been made by local artisans), flag etiquette wasn't uppermost in most AAF crew's minds. I've seen them set like yours, so you're all good.
Great jacket and choice of patches!

I think the flags with the field facing forward on the right sleeve is a relatively new thing. The old thinking was, the canton should be to the left as viewed by any one looking at it. So forward on the left sleeve backwards on the right.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

In the book American Flight Jackets, Airman & aircraft..there are several photos of the leather flag sleeve patch on WW2 A2s. All are on the right upper sleeve facing forward as JumpBoot's jacket. I did find a pic in that book of a '60s G1 with flag on the left sleeve facing to the rear.
HD

 

[JumpBoot]

Hoosier:

I don't have the book, but I'd be interested to see that. Is there any way I could talk you into uploading one of those photos?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Sure.
I'll have my Son scan them before he goes to work tomorrow. Hopefully around noon (EST). I found four photos in the book.
HD

 

[JumpBoot]

Thanks a lot, Hoosier! I'm interested to see them.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

 

[HoosierDaddy]

 

[HoosierDaddy]

 

[HoosierDaddy]

 

[JumpBoot]

Hoosier:

Thanks very much for taking the trouble to do that! Those jackets look great, honestly. The military used to have such great style, and not just the US Army, either. I don't see why we ever got away from that.