White name tapes on nylon flight jackets

[Cocker]

Hello folks,

Since there's a couple real expert of flight jackets here, maybe some of you could help. I've seen pictures of repros L2 jackets from Buzz Rickson with white name tapes that look like simple stencils printed on white cotton. I've also seen this in a comic book, on some USN orange flight suits (Air Force Vietnam is the name of the serie), but never seen it on real flight jacket until now. Does any of you have some informations about these, as to when where they used?

This is what I'm talking about:

 

[Atticus Finch]

White cotton name strips were common on flight gear from the late fifties to the middle sixties when leather tags reappeared. The original white strips were wider (about 2 inches) than later ones (about 1.25 inches).

By the way, if the middle guy in the second photo below looks familiar, there’s a reason. He’s the father of the late John Denver.

AF

 

[Stand By]

Does anybody make them these days ? Split-S make superb leather name strips but who'd make the cotton ones ? Anybody know?

 

[Atticus Finch]

Does anybody make them these days ? Split-S make superb leather name strips but who'd make the cotton ones ? Anybody know?

I've purchased the narrow version form Moore Militaria.

http://store.mooremilitaria.com/ins...-qual-misc/name-tape-set-2-stamped-white.html

AF

 

[Cocker]

Thanks Atticus, you're an information mine!!

It may not be period correct, but I'm thinking about sewing one on my Alpha L2B in AF Blue, along with the 334th FIS patch. And as for Trey Moore, I dealt a lot with him in the past for Vietnam reenactment, the guy's a pleasure to deal with, he's very helpful.

Edit: Just a quick question: what would be written on it? Just the last name?

 

[Atticus Finch]

Edit: Just a quick question: what would be written on it? Just the last name?

Just the last name.

AF

 

[Big J]

Atticus, when did they switch to blue tape with white lettering?

 

[Atticus Finch]

Atticus, when did they switch to blue tape with white lettering?

Big J, I've always been of the impression that the blue name tags were actually meant to go on uniforms, but were hijacked onto flight gear as well. As to dates, its hard to say. There wasn’t any particular time when all jackets had leather name tags...or when all had cloth strips. In period photos, there’s almost always a mixture of gear and insignia from several eras.

To wit:

AF

 

[Cocker]

Great pictures, and great infos again, Atticus. I know it's a cheap beater, but that's the kind of look I'm looking forward for my Alpha L2!

 

[Atticus Finch]

Great pictures, and great infos again, Atticus. I know it's a cheap beater, but that's the kind of look I'm looking forward for my Alpha L2!

When it comes to flight jackets, I actually prefer cheap beaters...they have more character than mint examples. Is your jacket an L-2 or an L-2B?

AF

 

[Cocker]

Ooooh, it's actually one of the current productions Alpha L2... AF Blue like an L-2, orange lining and no zipper box flap like a late L-2B. Never found an original one with sleeves long enough for me...

 

[Atticus Finch]

Ooooh, it's actually one of the current productions Alpha L2... AF Blue like an L-2, orange lining and no zipper box flap like a late L-2B. Never found an original one with sleeves long enough for me...

Actually...the L-2 was olive green. The L-2A was blue and the L-2B was sage green. Sounds like yours is closest to the L-2A. It'll look good patched a little...perhaps something Korean-era?

AF

 

[Cocker]

Actually...the L-2 was olive green. The L-2A was blue and the L-2B was sage green. Sounds like yours is closest to the L-2A. It'll look good patched a little...perhaps something Korean-era?

AF

Exactly! Got an Oxygen Mask tab from MASH to sew on left breast, 334th fighter Interceptor Squadron for right breast, and thinking about the white name tape right now!