Original A2 by Star

[highhope]

Hi all,

Spotted this little treasure on the bay recently going for a quick sale at a fraction of its' worth and in from the measurements, in my size too...

It's a '42 Star Sportswear; the name tag reads R.H. Porter (not researched yet). Have to say, I can't believe the condition of the jacket - it's got a beautiful patina (but not such a beautiful smell) and is very strong and supple. Can't seem to find any weak spots at all in the stitching or leather...

The liner is very good although there's some minor separation at the neck. Even the original label is present and in great condition!!

I was slightly concerned about the fit as I normally take a size 44 in flying jackets and this is a wartime 42 but I was aware the Star contract ones were slightly more generous than the others.

This one will be a cockpit wearer for me from now on

 

[TREEMAN]

Great find.............enjoy.

 

[Technonut]

The Star looks to be in nice condition, and fits you well... Congratz!

I've always been partial to the Star contract, and own a replica made for me by Greatest Generation Clothing Co.. You are fortunate to have snagged one which 'slipped through the cracks'.. It's VERY difficult to do these days for certain.

 

[aswatland]

Well done on a nice find. I know the seller and he knows his stuff. Star A2s are rare these days. They tended to be a more generous fit than jackets from some other makers. They were also a little longer in the body too. I have a mint one in a size 44.

 

[Marv]

you have a "mint one" of every A2 contract don't you Andrew

 

[highhope]

Thanks for your kind words; does anyone else out there wear a wartime vintage jacket with any degree of regularity?

I fly with a friend of mine who still wears his father's original A2 and B3 in the air; they're both becoming a bit brittle now though but he won't wear anything else in the cockpit!

The Star A2 I now have is very strong indeed for it's age - there's no separation at all of any of the stitching and the leather seems to be strong and tight...

 

[aswatland]

With these jackets over 70 years old now they need to be worn with care and not everyday. I wear mine occasionally and repros as daily wearers.

 

[aswatland]

you have a "mint one" of every A2 contract don't you Andrew

Sadly no Paul as you know!

 

[Stand By]

Great find, Highhope! I'm as envious as I am pleased for you! It fits you to a T and just screams authenticity.
Be gentle with it! It's a keeper!

 

[Dumpster Diver]

still cant believe you guys wearing those originals like that but do as you please...Just let it be known that I Die a little inside. So you want to fly with it instead of a Repro,Why? makes no sense to work horse that Jacket...It belonged to someone who flew in the war right? find out who he was or what he did...I mean it was *his* Jacket, Wartime Jackets are sacred objects and deserve respect IMO. Im superstitious, to me It was someones Lucky Jacket and if it survived and made it back home with the original owner intact as well, and was kept as a nostalgic keepsake thats pretty amazing. No secret that If it was mine it would only get a couple wears once in a blue moon when I feel luxuriant. Theres far too many Repro Jackets out there to Wear and tear IMO. and Originals are becoming fewer and more expensive with time, you might regret it. They are more of a *collectors* item. Get yourself a Great Repro says I. Save hundreds on a quality one if you buy used. If you are flying These Jackets will get completely Shredded and abused in the wrists, Arms and elbows if you fly with them...I know a guy who wore his G-1 Repro for over 30 years in his Planes, all I can say is thank god he wore a Repro.

 

[Worf]

"He shoots.... HE SCORES!!!!!" Great looking jacket amazed it's war issue. Congrats!

Worf

 

[highhope]

still cant believe you guys wearing those originals like that but do as you please...Just let it be known that I Die a little inside. So you want to fly with it instead of a Repro,Why? makes no sense to work horse that Jacket...It belonged to someone who flew in the war right? find out who he was or what he did...I mean it was *his* Jacket, Wartime Jackets are sacred objects and deserve respect IMO. Im superstitious, to me It was someones Lucky Jacket and if it survived and made it back home with the original owner intact as well, and was kept as a nostalgic keepsake thats pretty amazing. No secret that If it was mine it would only get a couple wears once in a blue moon when I feel luxuriant. Theres far too many Repro Jackets out there to Wear and tear IMO. and Originals are becoming fewer and more expensive with time, you might regret it. They are more of a *collectors* item. Get yourself a Great Repro says I. Save hundreds on a quality one if you buy used. If you are flying These Jackets will get completely Shredded and abused in the wrists, Arms and elbows if you fly with them...I know a guy who wore his G-1 Repro for over 30 years in his Planes, all I can say is thank god he wore a Repro.

Hang on a minute!! Don't think I deserved that torrent really. These things do deserve to be respected - very much so - and the best way I know how is to keep them flying...!!

It's not as though I'm hoping to rip the thing or destroy it within 5 minutes - but to me, wearing these things, loving these things is the difference between seeing a B-17 gathering dust in an air museum or watching it fly...are we to ground all vintage aeroplanes from now on because flying them is too risky? Many of them are only canvas stitched together.

No, I'm happy to fly in this - with extreme care, of course.

 

[aswatland]

I only buy original A2s which I can wear with care from time to time. This Star A2 is a robust jacket and should withstand careful use.

 

[willyto]

It looks to me that flying on a plane with an original wearable condition A-2 shows more respect than putting in on display and looking at it.

 

[kampkatz]

High Hope, it sounds like you are a reasonable person who knows how NOT to abuse something as valued as your "new" A2. Take care and enjoy your conversation piece. PK

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Fair enough then, but could you maybe Get a repro and wear them both so as not to wear this one flying as much or something at least? I duno, Great Jacket right..post some more pics for us then!

 

[rocketeer]

When I bought my Lucky 7 Seven Wartime A2 back in 1983 I wore it everywhere. They were not quite as collectable then but at £185 still not cheap.
I wore that jacket everywhere, as much as my Aero Battersea Contract, had fun in it and got drunk, danced to vintage Hep Cat music and went to the emerging 1940s scene, though I was never one for dressing up in uniforms but stuck with jeans and pull on boots. If on occasion I wore tan slacks, chino's or my favourite were my French Foreign Legion dress trousers.
By the 1990s I was a little fatter but it still fitted but by then lived most of it's life on a padded hanger occasionally oiled up with some Ko Cho Line.
Still got it, mainly a 'hanger queen' now, recently re-cuffed by Stephen Silburn. Could do with a new zip but only the bottom part of the insert has torn so it still does up..........though a bit tight now. Gets the occasional wear but my Mrs hates it because it's a bit on the tight side so I don't do it up.
Great jackets live forever
Johnny Tee