What kind of stuff was on/in the A-2 Jacket?

[Weston]

I've seen eBay sales of whistles that were supposedly attached to A-2 zippers. Were these used, if so for what? What else was added/changed about A-2s to personalize them?

 

[scotrace]

Have you seen...

Capri Bells? Also bomb tags for the zip pull, and for the South Pacific, the blood chit. There are also stamps to be found in the lining - an inspector's stamp and sometimes a Star and Wings stamp. Maybe the owner's name written in below the label.

Signed,

Actually doesn't know squat.

 

[greyhound68]

I've seen eBay sales of whistles that were supposedly attached to A-2 zippers. Were these used, if so for what? What else was added/changed about A-2s to personalize them?

The whistles were used as rescue devices if an air man when into the drink it could be used to get the rescue boat to their location. At least that is the theory. The capri bells were used as "good luck" charms. Bomb tags were used as zipper pulls because with gloves on it was difficult to pull the zipper down if needed. The bomb tag as a puller made it easier.

 

[Mycroft]

This was discused in good length about a year ago or so: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=1027&highlight=Bomb+Tags