My New Jackets

[DiabolicalAngel]

Sorry if the pics are jumbled up, just can't seem to get photobucket up on my comp at the mo. So here goes....

A double whammy of jackets for the last week. First in the post is the Lost Worlds A-2 Dubow recreation. Boy this jacket is tough! I had to mash the sleeves up just to be able to flex my elbows. After all the hype, the jacket is ok but has that new shine to it that I will gradually wear down.....

Now onto my next A-2 , this is my long awaited Aero Bronco !! Long awaited of all of three weeks to be precise from start to finish! They are such a good bunch, basically went with all my requests, nothing was too hard and hey presto ! I went for the antique horse hide and boy what a nice hide it is too. My first choice was FQHH but none left, so this was my next choice, I didn't see a sample but went for it anyway, the good thing about this hide is that it is not really shinny. From the NOS Crown zipper, to the scalloped pocket flaps, this is a real gem! The hide is going to look real good soon as I will wear it hard and let it take shape over the next few weeks.....


The Lost Worlds Dubow

Aero Bronco

Aero Bronco pocket

Aero Bronco Crown Zipper

Bronco & Dubow

 

[BellyTank]

Nice!- congrats.

Nice jackets-

The LW Dubow is very recognisable as a LW Dubow.

The Bronco's pocket flaps seem quite profoundly disproportionate/oversized-
is that for real or is it a camera trick? Maybe they're dropped a bit low over the pocket- something fishy there...

Are these jackets in quite a large size?

Good work!

B
T

 

[DiabolicalAngel]

The pocket flaps look a bit oversized as they are undone, and probably the angle I took them on, maybe if they were fastened down they wouldn't be so amplified. They are scalloped so they flare out over the sides as opposed to being straight.

Wait 'til you see my next Aero being made right now, it's a bit of everything!...watch this space!

 

[Marv]

breaking in a newbie jacket

Qiuck question, just received my ELC A2 gs and it's pretty stiff and definately needs breaking in, was just wondering if you guys had any tips or tricks on breaking it in faster apart from just everyday wear.

 

[DiabolicalAngel]

Hi Marv, I guess there are lots of ways to break the new jacket in. On my Lost World Dubow, the leather is so stiff that I crumpled up the sleeves by twisting them one way and back another and that softened it slightly. With your ELC in goat, I have a ELC Cable in goat and that is tough as old boots and have not really done anything to it but wear it in. There's a chap I know who sits in his bath with a new jacket, scrunches it up and leaves to dry which I dare say that I wouldn't be willing to try out but I have to admit that they look pretty good afterwards. Good luck !

BellyTank - sorry forgot to mention they are size 42R

 

[tallyho]

On a side note, I am new to here and wanted to correspond directly with Diabolical Angel. I painted one of my A-2s with the same nose art on it as you have. I wanted to know if you have any other info about the plane that the art was on. All i have been able to find is that it was assigned to the 401st BG

Thanks!

 

[DiabolicalAngel]

Diabolical Angel Info

Hi TallyHo !

Hope this is enough infor for you! Put a pic of your DB artwork up ! Would be great to see!



1st Lt J.P. Comer
612th Bomb Squadron
"Diabolical Angel" 43-38541 (SC-F)
Deenethorpe, Northamptonshire


Crew Members

Pilot 1st Lt J.P. Comer
Copilot 1st Lt F.R. Matthes
Navigator 1st Lt B. Wienstein
Bombardier 1st Lt A.L. Smith
Radio Operator T/Sgt H.A. Hulse
Engr / Top Turret T/Sgt J. Bixby Jr
Ball Turret Gunner T/Sgt C.M. Erland
Tail Gunner T/Sgt L.M. Kirkhuff
Waist Gunner T/Sgt J.E. Mainprise

Missions (Group Mission)
1. Hanover (159) 22 Oct 1944 42-31891
2. Hamburg (160) 25 Oct 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
3. Bielfeld (161) 26 Oct 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
4. Munster (162) 28 Oct 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
5. Munster (163) 30 Oct 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
6. Frankfurt (166) 5 Nov 1944 43-38637
7. Harburg (167) 6 Nov 1944 42-107113 Mrs Aldaflak
8. Merseburg (168) 8 Nov 1944 43-38733 I'll Be Seeing You
9. Metz (169) 9 Nov 1944 42-39993 Hell's Angel Out of Chute 13
10. Merseburg (172) 25 Nov 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
11. Misburg (173) 26 Nov 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
12. Misburg (174) 29 Nov 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
13. Bohlen (175) 30 Nov 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
14. Kassel (176) 4 Dec 1944 42-107039 Ice Cold Katy
15. Merseburg (180) 12 Dec 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
16. Koblenz (183) 24 Dec 1944 42-97395 Chute The Works
17. Gerolstein (184) 27 Dec 1944 42-106992 Baby Lu
18. Rheinbach (185) 28 Dec 1944 42-39993 Hell's Angel Out of Chute 13
19. Bingen (186) 29 Dec 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
20. Krefeld (188) 31 Dec 1944 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
21. Maximilliansau (195) 13 Jan 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
22. Cologne (200) 28 Jan 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
23. Berlin (203) 3 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
24. Giessen (204) 6 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
25. Lutzkendorf (205) 9 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
26. Dulmen (206) 10 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
27. Dresden (208) 15 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
28. Gelsenkirchen (209) 16 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
29. Harburg (214) 24 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
30. Soest (218) 28 Feb 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
31. Heilbron (219) 1 Mar 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
32. Chemnitz (220) 2 Mar 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
33. Chemnitz (221) 3 Mar 1945 43-37790 Lady Luck
34. Schwabmunchen (222) 4 Mar 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel
35. Essen (224) 8 Mar 1945 43-38541 Diabolical Angel

Back row (L to R):
Alvie Smith, Jack Comer, ? Franklin, Byron Weinstein, Frank Matthes.

Front row:
Cletus "Red" Erland, Joe Bixby, Leonard Kirkhuff, Harold Hulse, Jack Mainprize.

 

[Brutus]

Nice looking jacket! Crown zip is a nice touch.

 

[Cruiser]

very nice, congrats.

 

[nightandthecity]

Qiuck question, just received my ELC A2 gs and it's pretty stiff and definately needs breaking in, was just wondering if you guys had any tips or tricks on breaking it in faster apart from just everyday wear.

there are lots of ways, but I wouldn't recommend any of them myself. They all amount to taking time off the lifespan of your jacket and throwing money away. Wear it hard and often, as it was meant to be worn, and it will soon soften and evlop a nice patina.

 

[Marv]

thanks guys but at present not much chance of wearing it due to the heatwave the UK is currently having

 

[tallyho]

Thanks for the info on the crew. I will take a few shots of my jacket for you.

Did you paint your own or did you have it done?

 

[DiabolicalAngel]

The jacket was painted by someone else. I purchased the jacket in the mid 80's and it's one of Aeros early ones. Back then I stupidly sanded the whole jacket down to give it an aged look! It spent the best part of 20 years plus in my loft/attic before I dug it out. I was clueless about Nose Art back then and my children have renewed my interest in A-2 jackets again having had them little ones made by Aero.

It would be great to see your pics!

Cheers !