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Name Tag Placement on A2

Persimmon

One of the Regulars
Messages
134
Location
Nottingham
Name tag is always a matter of judgement

Name plates were issued in leather strips of 4 inches by 5/8 inches and were pressure stamped with the wearer's name. Plenty of alternative and hand-crafted examples can be found of differing sizes, shapes, and printing methods and styles. The name plate goes on the left chest generally about a half-inch or so above the squadron patch (or where one would be if it is not worn) and generally centered above it or slightly off to the wearer's right. The inside edge of the name plate is then about 2.5 to 3.5 inches from the edge of the wind flap. Again, it should eyeballed so it looks right.

The location of the squadron insignia on the A-2 jacket is on the wearer's left chest, placed laterally about one to two inches (or perhaps equal to the width of the wind flap) from the vertical stitch line of the wind flap, and about one inch or so above the top of the pocket. These measurements are just guidelines and the best thing to do is to place the patch so it looks appropriate. Once you have that rough guide then with a touch of keen eyesight depending upon the size of the patch you can work out where the name plate above the patch goes.
Hope thats of help

Alan
 

Speedbird

A-List Customer
Messages
359
Location
London, UK
Spitfire said:
Excuse me - but have you looked here:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=48627
Or do you want coordinates? ;)

That's a bit harsh Spitty![/I]

You have to remember that to us newbies the Lounge is such a massive resource it can be hard to navigate around. The thread you sign-posted is very recent.

Some of us need co-ordinates. :eusa_doh:

Name tag? somewhere on the left chest, down a bit from the shoulder and centred, where it looks right. Or inside. Or not at all. Look through the pictures and you will see there is all possibilities. Squadron patch? If you have one, line it up with that. Not all had them. The one on Dick Winters' A-2 looks low ... but who is going to tell him it was in the wrong place? [huh]
 

Speedbird

A-List Customer
Messages
359
Location
London, UK
That's quite alright, Brian. Spitfire is a long established member and a goldmine of information, and probably fed up of answering the same questions over and over again. Irritability comes with old age lol

I am new here too (vocal but new), newer than you - I just spout off a lot!
 

442RCT

One of the Regulars
Messages
261
Location
California, USA
My all time favorite flight jacket name tags are seen on CBI hump flight crew jackets that were in three languages, English, Chinese, and Hindi...way kewl in my book.
 

Phantomfixer

Practically Family
Messages
819
Location
Mid East coast USA
speedbird

Threads like this really tickle me... oh ah put a smile on my face lol

I have seen a few name tags right above the left pocket too. few and far between for sure and not advising that location. The more typical is upper left chest. Leave room for a 5 inch squadron patch just in case....
 

Spitfire

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,078
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark.
BrianS said:
Thank you Speedbird for the advice.About spitfire:( , Nothing impresses me more than a tough guy behind his keyboard. Brian

And nothing impresses me less than a lazy guy behind his keyboard! :)

All I am saying is, it might - just might - be a good thing to search a bit among the different threads here before one jumps a question.
In your case it could not have been that difficult - the A2 historic picture thread was two or three threads from the one you posted.

There is so much knowledge here, that 90% of the answeres are out there.
But I admit - it's easier just to ask (the same questions over and over...)

Welcome BrianS;) Hope my link helped you in some way, anyhow.
 

Dudleydoright

A-List Customer
Messages
408
Location
UK
Speedbird said:
How come the Americans favoured them and the British/Commonwealth didn't?

I am prepared to be corrected but if I understand correctly, British & Commonwealth flight jackets (the Irvin) was not issued to the man but kept in store and issued out for each flight (as was all flying kit held centrally and maintained by specialist groundcrew). If someone was unable to fly due to illness or having completed his tour, the flight jacket would be re-issued out to the next person whom it would fit. I suspect it was different for boots and flight helmets as they would get pretty sweaty and grimy and not be hygienic to issue out to someone else. Even wartime Brits were a little fussy !
Nametags would be a bind. We Brits were were cheapskates when it came to issuing anything - unlike our rich Colonial Cousins ;)

Dave
 

Spitfire

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,078
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark.
@ Dudleydoright: That's news to me. I always thought that the Irvin was issued to the pilot. Hence the many "named Irvins".
But you may be right - just never thought about it.

ANDREW? What do you say????
 

Smithy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,139
Location
Norway
I'm 99.99% certain that, with Fighter Command at any rate, Irvins were personally issued. They were issued at the same time as other flying kit and usually kept in a pilot's dispersal locker.

Bomber Command is not my main interest but I imagine that with their crews it was the same.
 

Speedbird

A-List Customer
Messages
359
Location
London, UK
Hmmmm... that's interesting. I did think jackets were issued to an individual. I suspect Dudley is at least half right though - we Brits are stingy when it comes to issuing anything. At the very least, I suspect there was an expectation it would be returned at some point. Or charged for if lost. Which explains why kit is ID-ed with name and number even today.
 

Cobden

Practically Family
Messages
788
Location
Oxford, UK
I suspect it was a simple as they honestly didn't think of it or see the need, rather then any concious descision not to do it
 

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