Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Share #1 Posted May 20, 2014 Although I've been a GI collector for 30 years now, I've never been in a position to add an original A2 to my collection. Either they weren't readily available over here in the UK, or I lacked the necessary funds...usually the latter! So, as an alternative, and to amuse myself, I decided to create my own using one of my older and nicely worn Eastman jackets as the basis. The jacket represents one typically worn by members of the 512th FS, a P-47 fighter-bomber squadron of the 9th AF. I hand-painted and sewed the leather patch on myself. My preferred medium is oil-based hobby enamels. The jacket-art is of my own design, and again was hand-painted using oil-based enamels. When the paint had cured I used a favoured technique to age it. Other added details include a vintage "Acme Thunderer" dinghy whistle, a brass bomb-tag used as a zipper puller, and an original 9th AF SSI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted May 20, 2014 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted May 20, 2014 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted May 20, 2014 ...and finally. At $800+ per jacket, I wouldn't recommend you try this unless you know exactly what you're doing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted May 20, 2014 Share #5 Posted May 20, 2014 Great job...classy looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted May 20, 2014 A template was cut and the design sketched in with white chalk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted May 20, 2014 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted May 20, 2014 Cont'd.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted May 20, 2014 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypilot6670 Posted May 20, 2014 Share #10 Posted May 20, 2014 Sabrejet Beautiful job. I'am putting together an A2 with copies of my fathers stuff.Johnny Signor is making copies of his unit patches and name plate.my Dad was an ordinance man in the 8th and 9th squadron 49th fighter group 5thAAF. Normally I don't think an ordinance guy would have an A2 all done up,but he had the patches and tags and I thought it would be a nice tribute to his service.Iam concerned about sewing. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomlegg Posted May 20, 2014 Share #11 Posted May 20, 2014 Simply outstanding mate! Extremely impressive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted May 20, 2014 Sabrejet Beautiful job. I'am putting together an A2 with copies of my fathers stuff.Johnny Signor is making copies of his unit patches and name plate.my Dad was an ordinance man in the 8th and 9th squadron 49th fighter group 5thAAF. Normally I don't think an ordinance guy would have an A2 all done up,but he had the patches and tags and I thought it would be a nice tribute to his service.Iam concerned about sewing. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks Mike. Thanks for your kind comments...sounds like a great project. Re the sewing, as I said, I hand-stitched mine of necessity. In the past, I used to take my stuff to a leather-craft place which had the proper sewing-machines etc., but alas they closed down so I had no choice but to do it myself. You might want to check out the businesses in your area to see if there's such a leather-craft business who could do it for you? Sewing through two layers of leather is not easy! It's tough on the fingers so you'll need a thimble and a proper leathercraft needle...somewhat tougher than a regular needle! I positioned my tab and patch using masking tape then carefully punched the guide-holes with a sharp bradawl. This made the whole process slightly easier and gives the impression of machine stitching. You'll also need to use a heavy duty twine. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted May 20, 2014 Simply outstanding mate! Extremely impressive! Cheers Tom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted May 20, 2014 Great job...classy looking. Thank you very much Robert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted May 20, 2014 Share #15 Posted May 20, 2014 This is more than impressive Ian...Fantastic job! And on an Eastman too, that was a gutsy move! Great job, as good as an original. Hope all is well my friend, Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted May 20, 2014 This is more than impressive Ian...Fantastic job! And on an Eastman too, that was a gutsy move! Great job, as good as an original. Hope all is well my friend, Will Hello Will...thank you! All is well here...trust it's likewise with you? Normandy 2014 is looming, closely followed by Tankfest....and then War&Peace, so it's all systems go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted May 20, 2014 Share #17 Posted May 20, 2014 Great job Ian! Very well done! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted May 20, 2014 Thank you JD. Coming from our resident "Mr A2" I take that as a compliment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted May 20, 2014 Share #19 Posted May 20, 2014 Sabrejet Beautiful job. I'am putting together an A2 with copies of my fathers stuff.Johnny Signor is making copies of his unit patches and name plate.my Dad was an ordinance man in the 8th and 9th squadron 49th fighter group 5thAAF. Normally I don't think an ordinance guy would have an A2 all done up,but he had the patches and tags and I thought it would be a nice tribute to his service.Iam concerned about sewing. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks Mike. hey Mike, you may want to try either a saddle repair shop or shoe repair shop for getting the patches sewn onto your jacket ...... Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted May 20, 2014 Share #20 Posted May 20, 2014 That is any absolutely Outstanding job! -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share #21 Posted May 21, 2014 That is any absolutely Outstanding job! -Dave Thanks a lot Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusl4 Posted May 21, 2014 Share #22 Posted May 21, 2014 You did a GREAT job! I really like the patch. Russell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share #23 Posted May 21, 2014 You did a GREAT job! I really like the patch. Russell Thank you very much Russell. I just checked out yours too...great stuff! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Apathy Posted May 21, 2014 Share #24 Posted May 21, 2014 Hey Ian, are you going to be. ' flying into Normandy ' in a weeks time for the 70th anniversary wearing this jacket Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share #25 Posted May 21, 2014 Hey Ian, are you going to be. ' flying into Normandy ' in a weeks time for the 70th anniversary wearing this jacket Ken You never know Ken...I might just wear or bring it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now