Jacket Art

[EarthAngel]

Hi,

I wanted to start up a new thread in regards to jacket art. As in the thread "Is anyone here involved with WWII reenacting? ", I described that there are several people here in the SF Bay area that are doing WWII costumes.

"snip" There are 6 of us in the SF Bay area (California), 1 in the central valley and another outside of San Diego, CA, who have jumped into the deep end with costuming as USAAF's 8th Air Force bomber/fighter pilots. We have been jokingly call it "Vintage crack." We are about halfway through our hunting and gathering of the correct (historically accurate) jackets, crush caps, insignia, shoes, rank, khakis, etc.

I wanted to post my progress pictures on the project. Here is my attempt at a squadron patch. The graphics is based on the 390th Bomber Group/ 570th Bomber Squadron (8th AAF). Close-up of the patch:


I purchased the jacket from Flightsuits.com off the clearance rack. Ordered the nametag from them and got the shoulder decal from garciaaviation.com. Crusher cap is coming in from garciaaviation.com, too. I saw the What Price Glory crusher cap, and didn't like it as much as the garciaaviation.com.



I painted the patch myself on cowhide leather scrap and used acrylic paint that I purchased from Michael's arts and craft. It took me 7 hours, but I think that it was worth it. I also painted another squadron patch tonight, but I will wait until later to post. The second patch is only took 3 hours. Hey! What can I say? I was on a creative roll.

--Evans

[Imahomer]

Jacket art is very cool. I saw something a while back on it and there was just some dynomite photos. I'm in the process of finding myself the right jacket now, but I don't know if I want a piece of jacket art on it. They look good and I can appreciate it...but, I don't know. However, if the right one showed up, perhaps.

Your lucky you have some artisitic ability. My artwork always resembles stick people!

[EarthAngel]

IAMHOMER,

Holler if you need help hunting for jackets that are historically accurate. We are relative close to each other. I'm down in Fremont. There are a lot of companies out there that claim that they sell A-2s that are historically accurate, but they really aren't. Cooper is one of them. Bottom line, it depends on how deep your pockets are. Conversely, I can't justify the $600+ pricetag of the Eastman's either.

I'll post some links that have a nice review of the different jackets.

--EA

[Imahomer]

Originally posted by EarthAngel
IAMHOMER,

Holler if you need help hunting for jackets that are historically accurate. We are relative close to each other. I'm down in Fremont. There are a lot of companies out there that claim that they sell A-2s that are historically accurate, but they really aren't. Cooper is one of them. Bottom line, it depends on how deep your pockets are. Conversely, I can justify the $600+ pricetag of the Eastman's either.
I'll post some links that have a nice review of the different jackets.
--EA

I don't know what I'd pay if I saw the "right" jacket. I would appreciate some links though. I wouldn't know the difference between historically accurate and not even close!!!! I'd appreciate the education.

Mike

[EarthAngel]

IAMHOMER,

Here you go!

http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/index.shtml

--EA

[Imahomer]

Originally posted by EarthAngel
IAMHOMER,

Here you go!

http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/index.shtml

--EA

Great. Thanks. I appreciate the help.

Mike

[EarthAngel]

Although it's Eastman's way of tooting its own horn, it is a very comprehensive catalog, and covers all the versions of A-2s. Lots of pictures, and comparisons of vintage stuff with Eastman's.

Here is a link, IMAHOMER. Eastman's The Golden Book

--EA

[Imahomer]

Hey Earthangel

Do most people get the jacket and add the art? Do they do it themselves, or have it done or what? I'm just not sure I'd want something like that on my jacket, but then again, if I found something just right.......

[Bogie1943]

I love jacket art, noseart, love it all, it's so stylized! I have a replica made by Avirex in Japan, only for Japan. It is an exact replica of a jacket worn by a AAF Radio Operator. Has the word RABDUCKET at the top, the name of the plane most likely. I have seen the real jacket it was replicated from. Avirex did a really nice job on this. It was a Japanese exclusive thing, so the accuracy is very high on both the art and the pattern. It's one of the best modern replicas I have ever seen, the cut is perfect for the time in which the real A-2's were made in the 1940's.