a2jacketpatches invites you...........

Well, anyone who is into the decoration of flight jackets that is. In my opinion AND experience, the hands at work embellishing any flight jacket from the lowest to highest end don't get near the credit deserved for making the typical "Bomber Jacket" market what it is today. We're tossed in as a kind of sub topic here and there. Well, after leaving a "premier" flight jacket forum, yes by force I've come to realize that it may be my responsibility now to bring the pillars of this unique art community together. It's been a bit of a struggle the last couple of years pushing the issue in outdated forums, but much to my surprise the advantages of social media have been there all along. My creation of "Reproduction A-2 Flight Jacket Patches" is a place where reproduction patch artists, jacket makers, and jacket painters will be concentrated into a single ongoing thread dedicated to our collaborative efforts. every little detail is important so I don't discount specific contracts and details, but on the other hand the flight jacket market overall has more interest in the look as opposed to these boring specs. Don't shoot the messenger sticklers, I took a poll from my recent 20 customers spending good money and not a single one was concerned with 100% accuracy, they just wanted what looked good.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/874376629338790/

Group Description -

In this group you'll find the close knit cottage industry of Flight Jacket Decoration Reproducers.

You'll find all methods of production in the spirit of WW2 here. Painted Leather Patches and Nose Art, Mediterranean Theater style Incised Leather Patches, and CBI style Multi-Layered Leather Patches.

Let this be a place where potential patrons can find a selection of unique styles and methods to choose from. Feel free to post your latest work and links.

So is it aimed at the actual manufacturers or potential buyers?

FB should be a perfect venue for you. You can self promote all you want without dominating some of those pesky 'outdated' forums and members that you just can't seem to play well with. Takes a lot of effort to get banned from the VLJ, but now you've found your niche..!!
Good luck with the excellent leather layered patches.

Anyone and everyone interested in the decoration of reproduction flight jackets one way or the other. A place where the 150- Cooper owner can feel as comfortable as the 1600- GW owner. Where every manufacturer can provide his contact info or any enthusiast can ask questions. How were patches arranged? is it ok to do this or that? where can I find? It'll be a gathering of information easily obtained in a friendly environment without bias. No nitpicking allowed, just be happy, live and let live, or go away. It is not a marketing campaign for reproduction manufactures, but more so a way to create a centralized area for like minded jacket enthusiast to collaborate, we are the majority. I've been asking all the right people all the right questions and the interest is huge. In 20 years of not only being a reproducer, but an avid enthusiast, I'm thinking this is a direction this hobby needs to follow.

A lot of US based jacket makers are on the page Van. Why can't you embrace the FB surge? If you were into jackets more perhaps you would get on board?

ausreenactor said:

A lot of US based jacket makers are on the page Van. Why can't you embrace the FB surge? If you were into jackets more perhaps you would get on board?

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Well said Trev, whatever my biggest fan had to say I'm sure it's the normal non jacket related rubbish. It was not my intention to start another Van rant but that's gonna happen no matter what in a place where he can feel safe. The FB scene isn't for broken down old timers with nothing better to do, it's the networking opportunity of a lifetime and all I want is to talk jackets and jacket art with friendly guys. To go on and on over personality conflicts doesn't make much sense anymore. I expect nothing less than the typical nonsense from the same old guys but at least they're isolated and not comfortable enough to surface in the modern world. The proof is in the pudding as I was able to view myself today, the last 10 active members stroking each other in a dying forum. I got 13 new members in 24 hours loving the new group, 4 in a row since posting here on FL.

BTW Mods, no "disrespect" intended. So whatever my ignored fan had to say, I'm absolutely certain sight unseen that my reaction was simply equal or lessor force before I get the boot here as well.

ausreenactor said:

A lot of US based jacket makers are on the page Van. Why can't you embrace the FB surge? If you were into jackets more perhaps you would get on board?

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Hey I 'embrace the surge' for anyone who wants to find top of the line jacket patches. I am 'into' jackets, but just not necessarily the kind that suit adornment with patches anymore. Many of the jacket makers that have joined FB are good guys, indeed, without an abrasive attitude and do have an outstanding rep. whether be it an 'outdated' forum or various other type of groups. That's a good thing.

a2jacketpatches said:

BTW Mods, no "disrespect" intended. So whatever my ignored fan had to say, I'm absolutely certain sight unseen that my reaction was simply equal or lessor force before I get the boot here as well.

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Keep going, I am sure you will soon be two for two.

Just as I suspected, my simple invite derailed by the usual suspect and closely followed by a usual buddy. Don't follow too close behind Seal Brown Knight, and keep that nose clean Sheesh, don't you clowns have better things to do?

Anyway, woke up this morning with two new members, a bunch of cool photos by several artists and one of my favorite jacket makers. Skip over the trolls and flaming to the top of this page for the link, I'd love some new members showing off decorated jackets.

a2jacketpatches said:

Well said Trev, whatever my biggest fan had to say I'm sure it's the normal non jacket related rubbish. It was not my intention to start another Van rant but that's gonna happen no matter what in a place where he can feel safe. The FB scene isn't for broken down old timers with nothing better to do, it's the networking opportunity of a lifetime and all I want is to talk jackets and jacket art with friendly guys. To go on and on over personality conflicts doesn't make much sense anymore. I expect nothing less than the typical nonsense from the same old guys but at least they're isolated and not comfortable enough to surface in the modern world. The proof is in the pudding as I was able to view myself today, the last 10 active members stroking each other in a dying forum. I got 13 new members in 24 hours loving the new group, 4 in a row since posting here on FL.

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Huh? I don't go to VLJ much so I don't know why you were banned from there, but it must have been for frequent transgressions?

While Van can be a bit acerbic at times, I have found him to be on point about the members here he calls out. Many of the threads I don't read, especially the painted patches threads, so I don't know what problems you have had with the members here, but Van must have gotten on to you pretty good for you to put him on your Ignore List.

Although I'm not into the painted patches thing, I do like the antiquity of the original patches and the care and attention to detail in reproducing them. I looked at your FB page and it appears you have an excellent start. Good luck with it.

He was banned on VLJ by Nathan for pretty much the same $#@& he is now pulling on here. Added to the ignore list so I don't have to see him again.

Otter said:

He was banned on VLJ by Nathan for pretty much the same $#@& he is now pulling on here. Added to the ignore list so I don't have to see him again.

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The same old $#@& .......You mean standing up to internet trolls? Actually, you are wrong, I've got an email directly from Nathan stating that he"Primarily sided with me" Sorry Nathan, I'd never throw anyone under the bus but since my thread is being hijacked by two of your elite remaining skeleton crew on VLJ, well........

It is evident to me that my support is global by many. The few select that railroaded me out of VLJ is very much insignificant and the last thing I wanted to rehash here on FL. Truth be told, if these guys had an any idea, and Van singled out in particular, what some of their mentors have labeled them and said on the sidelines, their spirit would crumble like a stale cookie. Believe it or not fellas, I simply don't care.

The only difference between me and the other leaders in this hobby, is that I stand toe to toe with them and say it publicly. This is reality behind my banishment. As most might guess, I wasn't too worried about it.

And Peacoat, 99% of the members don't go there much so you are not alone. That's about says it all. Thanks for checking it out and the kind words, it's not for everyone but my invitation wasn't either.

So check it out if you'd like.......or don't.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/874376629338790/

A relentless propensity to argue points of drivel and nonsense has a strong tendency to off put most people, and can even run off potential customers if one is attempting to sell something. I think one well known vendor from Greece who otherwise brought a great deal of knowledge to the table seems to have not learned this and has also been banned from more than one forum. There are times when one must speak up. There are also times when diplomacy is a better arc. Wisdom is knowing when to speak up and when to walk away, keeping in mind that a soft word deflects anger and discord.

Fanch said:

A relentless propensity to argue points of drivel and nonsense has a strong tendency to off put most people, and can even run off potential customers if one is attempting to sell something. I think one well known vendor from Greece who otherwise brought a great deal of knowledge to the table seems to have not learned this and has also been banned from more than one forum. There are times when one must speak up. There are also times when diplomacy is a better arc. Wisdom is knowing when to speak up and when to walk away, keeping in mind that a soft word deflects anger and discord.

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Well said, but I'm a little confused as to who you are referring to. The trolls that just hijacked my thread out of nowhere as usual? Reading back, well, take a look for yourself folks, start at the beginning. In any event, you are correct and my only intention here was to offer an invitation so I'll leave it at that, thanks.

It's strange that nobody has taken a look at who has jumped on board in support of your page. Will leave it at that.