Recent content by highhope

Hi all, Just wondered if any of you wise folks out there knew why some jacket patches are sleeved with a kind of leather frame while others aren't? Is there any history behind this? As the photos show, some originals are framed while others aren't? Apologies if it's a silly question. Was...

Thanks matey :)

One for every season! Looking forward to getting some use out of my B6 now :)

Thanks for your comments everyone - I took the plunge in the end :-) had to re-do the patch though as the paint didn't adhere to leather finish on my first attempt. Spent a night with a piece of sandpaper, some humbrol paints and the tongue out - and much happier with the result. No flaking or...

Hi Sadly only distant relatives now remain as he had no children. Those that remain never knew him, they knew nothing of his past or even that he served in the army air forces during the war. To be honest, I had expected to part with his jacket once I’d got in touch with them - but they didn’t...

Hi all Thanks for your comments - I guess it’s just different tastes. I wasn’t very clear on my first post but the original jacket I have doesn’t have any patches on - only the name of the chap who owned it - Fred Handley Porter (and who’s history and family I traced when I acquired the...

Hi all, I acquired an original A2 jacket some time ago, managed also to trace down the original owner and researched his past - a pilot with 15th fighter squadron in Panama. Took it a little further and got in touch with his remaining family in the states, a truly fantastic story - and it’s...

Hi all, Some time ago I posted about an original Star Sportswear A2 I was lucky enough to find on eBay. It's in absolutely beautiful, strong condition for its age and fits me perfectly. The original listing mentioned the name tag 'R. H. Porter' when in actuality, while difficult to read, it's...

She's a beauty mate!! Cracking jacket...get some photos up of it being worn, would love to see the fit :-)

Hang on a minute!! Don't think I deserved that torrent really. These things do deserve to be respected - very much so - and the best way I know how is to keep them flying...!! It's not as though I'm hoping to rip the thing or destroy it within 5 minutes - but to me, wearing these things, loving...

Thanks for your kind words; does anyone else out there wear a wartime vintage jacket with any degree of regularity? I fly with a friend of mine who still wears his father's original A2 and B3 in the air; they're both becoming a bit brittle now though but he won't wear anything else in the...

Hi all, Spotted this little treasure on the bay recently going for a quick sale at a fraction of its' worth and in from the measurements, in my size too... It's a '42 Star Sportswear; the name tag reads R.H. Porter (not researched yet). Have to say, I can't believe the condition of the jacket...

And by the way, I think your rescue work is commendable - you have every right to get those brushes out again!

Thanks so much for your kind comments Standby - chuffed to bits that someone as skilled as yourself rates my art here, I really am! It goes almost goes without saying that your jackets are of the highest standards...which is why I trusted your tutorial to the letter I too am into building model...

Thanks Standby - it was hard body acrylics I used to allow some flexibility. I did what you said and used matt varnish in a single coat and it has really given it a good, tough finish which I'm over the moon about! Here's the finished jacket anyway - appreciate your comments! I followed your...