Non AAF insignia on A2

[mikepara]

The thing is:
1. I've a superb Eastman A2.
2. I've a superb repro 513th PIR patch

3. I will get a 17th ABN DIV arm patch.

Now I have a notion that I would like to wear them together on the same jacket.
Was it common or even done to see these items sewn onto A2's?
Any history of Airborne insignia on flight jackets?

I may do it anyway but would feel happier if there was a precedent.

MP

 

[Mike K.]

I don't know how common it was to see an A-2 jacket adorned with non-AAF insignia, but it probably was done (I'll defer to some of the FL members with more expertise). The A-2 jacket was a much sought after piece of clothing. Jon Maguire's book (Gear Up) shows an AAF ground crewman wearing the coveted A-2. ELC's Golden Guide also shows the A-2 worn by Luftwaffe pilots (traded or taken from downed US airmen?). Also, General Patton is known to have worn an AAF sheepskin jacket...adorned with his ground unit insignia! Even though I'm more an AAF enthusiast, I'm also eager to know the answer to your question.

 

[Baggers]

A-2s were issued to officers in Airborne units such as the 101st and 82nd. Although I believe they were only worn during stateside training, the rationale as I understand it was that they qualified for aircrew clothing because their regular duties involved flying in an aircraft once in a while.

While I don't usually recommend movies as a research tool, you can see A-2s being worn by the officers of Easy Co. during the first episode of Band of Brothers.

Cheers!

 

[tallyho]

There are a number of A-2s with all sorts of airborne patches in the uniform book Geronimo! ( I think thats what it is called, I'm not at my home now to check) Lots of pics of original jackets and also several wartime pics showing them in use.

 

[greyhound68]

Go to this site to see an A2 with 101 abn patches on it
http://www.101airborneww2.com/uniforms2.html

There is also a photo of a 82nd Abn troop with an A2 with the 82nd patch on the jacket (American Flight Jackets, Airmen and Aircraft pg156).

Also as mentioned before the Band of Brothers Series shows A2s in at least the first two shows and the last one. BTW their jackets were made by RMNZ.

So I think it would be perfectly fine to put those patches on. Being a paratrooper myself I don't mind if you do.

 

[mikepara]

Cheers..

Mike K, Baggers, Tallyho & GH68, Many thanks for input folks. I think that settles it.
Its a GO!

Sound off for Equipment Check!..........

 

[Mike K.]

Gotta post pics when you get your jacket finished!!
Cheers :cheers1:

 

[Mojave Jack]

A-2s were issued to officers in Airborne units such as the 101st and 82nd. Although I believe they were only worn during stateside training, the rationale as I understand it was that they qualified for aircrew clothing because their regular duties involved flying in an aircraft once in a while.

While I don't usually recommend movies as a research tool, you can see A-2s being worn by the officers of Easy Co. during the first episode of Band of Brothers.

Cheers!

I think paratroopers were considered to be in a flying status, partially due to the stricter physical fitness requirements, and under a literal interpretation of the regs were authorized to wear flying gear. I'm not certain about the regs in WWII but it is true in the Air Force today. When I was on jump status my medical and other records were annotated as on flying status. I was therefore authorized under Air Force regs to wear the A-2 and a flight suit, even though I was not in an aviation billet. A lot of PJs I knew wore flight suits for working wear for the same reason. The pilots hated that, of course.

 

[Tim P]

Can I sugest that you apply only the 513 patch?
rarely if ever have I seen pics of paratrooper A2 jackets with more than one patch.
also, less is more.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I have to agree with the less is more theory. I think the sea of patches gets distrqacting after a while... more like alot of the jackets you see in the 50's

 

[mikepara]

Tim & Mat..

... I see what your getting at but surely a Divisional Arm patch and the 319th chest patch mentioned hardly constitute a sea of badges...I'm not talking Top Gun.

I'll see. Still humming and harring about sewing anything on.

 

[Harp]

Divisional Insignia with A2

Good evening Gents, new in town, the name's Harp.

Mike: I'm ex-101st Airborne and wear an A2 with both divisional insignia and brigade patch; although I believe that should be a practical limit.

P.S. I saw that sharp Canadian Army issue winter coat you bought and wanted to pitch a complimentary comment your way (and tell ya to stop
grousin 'cause ya sounded like a leg). Great find.

 

[mikepara]

Hi Harp..

..Hello and welcome. Nice to have another member of the Airborne aboard.

Yeah since I started this thread I've seen loads of pics of Airborne A2's. Not all vintage either, lots of modern 101st / 82d ones too. Just waiting for a decent leather worker to sew them on.

Was gripeing abit. Thats sleep deprivation talking.. makes you into a self pitying twit* (*add own vowel to taste) shouldn't surf when you can't sleep.
Mike