Italian L2B Flight Jacket

[bn1966]

Just scored this off of e-bay, Italian L2B Starfighter pilots jacket in XL. Appears genuine? A little research suggests it might have belonged to a pilot. Once had a button in lining. Shell a cotton / nylon mix. Has anyone come across one of these before?

 

[Atticus Finch]

Yes, I've seen them before and I think yours is real. I remember a couple of people on VLJ had them, but that was six or seven years ago and I don't remember much about the details of their jackets. If I recall correctly, the lining of the Italian jacket was orange just as in a USAF, Vietnam-era L-2b.

 

[bn1966]

Thanks Atticus, would have been great to have got the lining too. It's a nice light shell being 80% cotton & 20% nylon. Not good for the weather that's reportedly coming our way from the Arctic next week...Irvin time me-thinks.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Here's a link to jackets like yours being sold as "dead stock".

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/valiente-shop/item/rvjj098nn/

AF

 

[bn1966]

Very interesting Atticus. Thank you

 

[Stearmen]

View attachment 6018

The 104 patch is really Cool! I'm not much of a jet man, but love the Missle With A Man In It!

 

[Stand By]

The 104 patch is really Cool! I'm not much of a jet man, but love the Missle With A Man In It!

Totally agree. Way cool design.
And that's a very summery looking jacket - but is the L2-B too warm for Summer ? (I had a Buzz L2, and that was great for cool summer mornings - but I know nothing about the later variants).

 

[bn1966]

Hi Stand By, this cotton / nylon variant (without button in lining) is the lightest L2B variant I've come across. Tried wearing an Alpha version in the warmer weather & roasted. Italian L2B should be suitable during the summer.

 

[bn1966]

Jacket would be perfect over a T-shirt during a warmish day.

 

[Stand By]

Good to know ... thanks! I'd love another light nylon jacket someday - I'll enlist your help when I'm ready!

 

[bn1966]

I acquired a Gibson & Barnes "light" MA1 type earlier in the year which is also wearable on warmer days despite being made of nylon.

 

[bn1966]

Have just scored a mint un-issued Italian Flight Jacket with the liner from e-bay for £16.00