The D-1 that will not die...

[fishmeok]

I picked up this original a few years ago- it was complete but the zipper was wrong, finish was completely worn off, etc. I first repainted the finish and added a NOS Talon and started wearing it around. Almost immediately the shoulder ripped. So I patched that. Then I noticed the windflap was rotten and decided to stop messing around and just keep it as a pattern to use someday.

My wife came down ill last summer and taking care of my family has occupied all my time. I have not worked on a jacket since last Spring. She is through her treatment now and slowly starting to feel better. I decided to dig through and clean up my old jacket piles. Found the D-1 again, and thought it would be relaxing to start up my machine and give it another go. I removed the old repair and added goatskin reinforcement panels to the shoulder and under the windflap. After dying to the correct color they looked pretty good, so I started wearing it again.

Then the inside left arm panel blew out. I was going to give it up again, but decided to keep going out of sheer bloody-mindedness. I added a huge reinforcement panel to the bottom of the arm and started wearing it again. So far it has held up. I wanted this to look like a field repair so I did not dye to match all the panels.

We'll see what happens next.

Cheers
Mark













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[handymike]

That's awesome Mark!
Glad to hear that your wife's doing better.

 

[Bunyip]

Great stuff.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Go easy on the poor thing. I like the repair...Just go easy on it for me would ya..Its a classic.

 

[Guppy]

Stories like this are why I shy away from sheep skin jackets... Just too delicate. But I think the idea of a goat-reinforced jacket with a fleece lined interior sounds quite appealing.

 

[Edward]

Stories like this are why I shy away from sheep skin jackets... Just too delicate. But I think the idea of a goat-reinforced jacket with a fleece lined interior sounds quite appealing.

I wouldn't - they're more robust than you'd realise, for the most part. Bear in mind that this particular jacket is already over seventy years old.... a new repro won't be quite as fragile. The tanning process of the new ones is also different in some way - looks and wears the same, but original USAAF stuff hasn't always survived as well as RAF Irvins owning to treatment procedures.

 

[Worf]

Good on ya mate! Never quit... never surrender! I'd wear her in a heart beat!

Worf

 

[bn1966]

Good on ya mate! Never quit... never surrender! I'd wear her in a heart beat!

Worf

Me too.....great work Mark...looks good for not being dyed to match.

 

[Stand By]

Firstly, I'm glad that your wife is on the mend. Good to hear.

Secondly, this is what I love to see on TFL (this section) and I think it's fantastic that a jacket like this, after all this time, ends up with a person such as yourself; someone who knows what it is and appreciates it for that - and as such, lovingly repairs it with passion. And it's still here and looks great. I'd be proud to own that!
Well done, Sir!
And thanks for posting.

 

[heron163]

that right there is a labor of love... surely you must keep her going...

 

[Carlos840]

That's a lovely jacket! I hope my jackets will still be in such great condition and still be worn in 70 years...

 

[DJH]

Good news that your wife is recovering, Mark!

 

[Dumpster Diver]

I have a D-1 that someone couldnt stop wearing, you should see what the guy did to it! Its Just not possible to wear it anymore. I will take some photos and show you the end result of what happens when you dont retire a workhorse Jacket. Gimme a few days of course, but man...we are talking Extra Crispy and more shredded Than a Julienne salad.

 

[bn1966]

I have a D-1 that someone couldnt stop wearing, you should see what the guy did to it! Its Just not possible to wear it anymore. I will take some photos and show you the end result of what happens when you dont retire a workhorse Jacket. Gimme a few days of course, but man...we are talking Extra Crispy and more shredded Than a Julienne salad.

I want to see this DD

 

[Dumpster Diver]

lost my Camera, and cant find any decent snaps of it, please be patient.

I Stumbled upon My D-1 in Victoria B.C. in a Military Antiques shop back in 2008, I asked the owner if he had any flight Jackets or Bomber Jackets and USAF gear, he scratched his head and said he thought not. I dug around and rooted through some Coats on a hanger and pulled out the D-1 after about 2 minutes flat and brought it up to him and said: So what do you call *this* then!

He said, ah you dont want that thing its way beyond salvage.

I paid full price and took my cake and had a slice.