Incredible WWII A-2 Jacket For Sale on eBay

[Joel Shapiro]

For all you A-2 fans:

http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-A-2-FLIGHT-JACKET-w-NOSE-ART-381st-525th-B-17_W0QQitemZ170611228652QQcategoryZ4729QQcmdZViewI temQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3 DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D75459 87982919918169#ht_18455wt_1141

[HDRnR]

Dang, that is awesome.

[aswatland]

Yes it is a very nice A2 from the no name 25573 contract made by Cable Raincoat of Boston. The art work is superb and the jacket has watertight provenance.

[Chrissss]

Damn I can't see it due to restrictions of my country :/

[scottyrocks]

Wow, that is something.

A question for collectors: is it considered 'appropriate' to treat such an historic piece with a preservative so the leather doesnt further deteriorate, or would that be considered restoration? There always seems to be a blurry line of how far into an object's life when altering devalues it. I'm thinking of leather preservative as I would car polish or wax. It doesnt actually change the object its being applied to. It just keeps it in good condition. I'd just liek to know the 'purist' view. Thanks.

[Gene]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with trying to prolong the life so future generations will be able to see it. Of the A2's donated to The Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, TX, they spent a lot of time and money getting them cleaned up and supple again so they don't just disintegrate. I think it would be pretty damn silly to let an historic jacket crumble to dust just for the sake of "keeping it original."

[fl&wvmike]

GENE ...................
I have read, that some museums, simply hand rub Vasoline into the leather to preserve it. I have tried that on a couple old leather jackets, and it seems to be good for the leather.
MIKE

[scotrace]

Reposting this always useful information (http://nautarch.tamu.edu/crl/conservationmanual/File7.htm) (to prevent well-meaning damage to historic leathers).
Vaseline is quite risky. There are numerous threads here that address proper leather conditioning products and methods.

[Treetopflyer]

As a modern military aviator, I find it interesting that WWII flight jackets sell for $4,200. I find it interesting because I wonder if modern military leather flight jackets will ever sell for that price. I understand that there is a historical significance to the WWII jackets, but perhaps someday our current jackets will as well. Someday someone kid will say “Tell me again Grandpa how you wore this jacket on combat missions in Iraq/Afghanistan”.

[eckhartus]

Damn I can't see it due to restrictions of my country :/

me too
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Pfff