Converting a "vintage" A-2 into my uniform jacket

• Nov 24, 2015

• #1

B

Banzai

Familiar Face

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94

Location

United States

Alright, so I found an older 1-piece back LL Bean A-2. Really like it. In fact, I'm tempted to turn it into my uniform jacket.

But that means sewing velcro receivers onto the chest.

Is that a cardinal sin to do to this jacket? Will I be banned/cursed/etc.?

What do you think?

 

• Nov 24, 2015

• #2

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up

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7,562

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Australia

What we think doesn't really matter - what uniform are you referring too - and what do you think people will say?

 

• Nov 24, 2015

• #3

B

Banzai

Familiar Face

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94

Location

United States

Seb Lucas said:

What we think doesn't really matter - what uniform are you referring too - and what do you think people will say?

Click to expand...

Sorry. USAF uniform.

My original issue jacket was an oversized POS. I found a Saddlery (Cooper) A-2 on e-bay once upon a time that I liked much better, and it already had velcro, etc. Only knock on it is that it's a bit long, since S/short sizes are really, really difficult to come by.

However, the LL Bean jacket is shorter, and it really fits nicely. I think it might be a good looking candidate to replace the Saddlery as my uniform jacket, but it means putting some little holes in it. I'd never do such a thing to a no-kidding vintage/1930s/40s jacket, of course, but the Bean jacket is a civilian model from, I believe, the late 70s or early 80s.

So it's kind of "vintage", but I don't think it would be considered a true collectors piece per se. I'm on the fence about stitching velcro to it though.

 

• Nov 24, 2015

• #4

nick123

I'll Lock Up

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6,366

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California

No sin. Those LL Bean jackets are a plenty. If it was an original you would be in hot water. Enjoy your jacket; I've heard they are of good quality.

 

• Nov 24, 2015

• #5

thor

Call Me a Cab

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2,000

Location

NYC, NY

+1
I have one of these LLB jackets with the one-piece back and they are really nice quality. I think it's really cool to convert it to a uniform jacket! Go for it!

 

• Nov 24, 2015

• #6

Deacon211

One Too Many

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1,012

Location

Kentucky

I'd love to see some pics! I'm actually a little surprised that the old LLBeans would be close enough to the current issue to pass for a uniform item.

We used to have plenty of guys that would pick up "Osan Specials" or some, like myself, that would wear a G+B instead of an issue G-1. But it was always pretty obvious that these weren't issue and occasionally you'd get the look from the brass.

Being away from the flagpole always helped of course!




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• Nov 24, 2015

• #7

Bolero

A-List Customer

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406

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Western Detroit Suburb...

Sounds like a great idea however I think the USAF would consider that "Out of Uniform"
Former USAF member from the 1960's and the C124 GlobeMasters, which were phased out for the C130 Herc's... Hows that for Going Back...

 

• Nov 24, 2015

• #8

Deacon211

One Too Many

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1,012

Location

Kentucky

Bolero said:

Sounds like a great idea however I think the USAF would consider that "Out of Uniform"
Former USAF member from the 1960's and the C124 GlobeMasters, which were phased out for the C130 Herc's... Hows that for Going Back...

Click to expand...

Nice!

I do think that aftermarket jackets are not expressly prohibited. A couple of guys in my office wear their Pop's Leather A-2s, which I think is particularly a favorite amongst the Zoomies.

Since there have been a couple of makers over the years since reissue, I think a jacket that was identical in all the important respects to the current A-2 would probably not raise any eyebrows.

The reason I asked is because I recall some LLB A-2s (probably the later models) began to depart from the originals a bit.


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• Nov 24, 2015

• #9

Bolero

A-List Customer

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406

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Western Detroit Suburb...

I'm sure you will be ok, just thought I would mention it...Back in my "F106 Delta Dart days the fast movers were all on their own page.
3 days a week I breakfast with a former Korean Conflict F86 pilot with 3 Migs to his credit, quite a guy, he knew several of the WWII Aces like Yeager, he said they said he was just a punk kid with a lot to learn and he had better get it figured out quick...He did.
I also shoot Skeet every Sunday with a WWII former B24 Liberator Nose Gunner, 15AF, 50 Missions, he is 93 years old and can still go 25 straight with the shotgun, he is amazing....I've got some really interesting stories re these Heros...some other time.

 

• Nov 24, 2015

• #10

Treetopflyer

Practically Family

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674

Location

Patuxent River, MD

Not sure how the USAF is with exact spec. of the jacket, but if they are anything like the Navy, you can wear anything that looks like the issued jacket and get away with it. I've seen guys in the Navy wear commercial G-1s that barely pass as G-1s. "Brown leather, check. Fur collar, check. Must be a G-1." As a G-1 purist, the open "hand warmer" pockets kill me.

 

• Nov 25, 2015

• #11

Juanito

One of the Regulars

Messages

247

Location

Oregon

Banzai said:

Alright, so I found an older 1-piece back LL Bean A-2. Really like it. In fact, I'm tempted to turn it into my uniform jacket.

But that means sewing velcro receivers onto the chest.

Is that a cardinal sin to do to this jacket? Will I be banned/cursed/etc.?

What do you think?

Click to expand...

Honestly, the L.L. Bean jackets are a dime a dozen (well, actually about $50-$125 on eBay) an have zero historic value. They are very high quality jacket, but I can't imagine anyone being upset with modifying one, unless their concern was that it wasn't accur enough with the hand warmers and double seam pockets.