Three good ones of Gabby ...
Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:22 pm
From the NARA holdings - we're so used to seeing these guys in their combat garb, which can add a few years to their apparent age that we forget just how young they really were. That being said, every now and then a photo captures the real youth within the man ... IIRC, these were all taken in early July 1944, just before his last victory and his downing:
Wade
Wade
???
Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:12 pm
Good ones Wade!! You're right about these guys looking (and being) so young!
Gabby, Bill Heaton KIA 9-5-1944 & Steve Gerick
Ralph Johnson & Bud Mahurin
Gabby, Bill Heaton KIA 9-5-1944 & Steve Gerick
Ralph Johnson & Bud Mahurin
Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:51 pm
Can sombody tell me what type jacket Gabby is wearing in the first photo?
Is this type reproduced today? It looks neat
Is this type reproduced today? It looks neat
Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:42 pm
Ohhh, yes, Steve! If you have the money, you can have pretty much any item worn by our combat airmen in WWII, including those nice jackets!
There are a few "reenactors" on this board, IIRC, and they can fill you in in much greater detail than I can about purchasing a jacket style - and from where - but the jacket Gabby is wearing looks to be the B-10. It was lighter and more flexible than the A-2 leather jacket, though the leather can't be beat for looks! The B-15 is very similar in appearance, but with the B-15 the jacket zipper is "offset" (not centered on the chest) an inch or so to the wearer's right, IIRC.
These days, commercially, the faithfulness to the original specs varies from an almost exact duplicate of the WWII issue (including, on some models, the lack of pockets where you might like them today) to something that 'appears' sorta-similar, and the cost varies proportionally. One thing to keep in mind is that the WWII jackets were each manufactured by a virtual rainbow of different contractors, and each had their own "signature" differences, be it collar style, zipper size, etc., etc. That goes for all the jackets, but you can find all the info your heart desires via Mr. Google if you really want to nail down a specific, exact flavor.
While researching my last A-2 purchase, I found that there are even plenty of 'geek' sites that are actually very informative and full of neat historical data about the jackets, even telling you to get a size smaller than you normally wear for that WWII "fitted look" - I agree, since few pics I have seen show the guys back then wearing jackets that were too big. What they don't remind you of is that those skinny guys in the WWII pics were all in their early 20s, and could get away with tight-fitting jackets - and still move!
From my experience of buying several jackets over the years, I'd say spend a good bit of time researching them on the 'net, and see what the 'jacket geeks' have to say about the ones offered commercially. Sometimes you can find a great place you never heard of that'll give you a superb product for a decent price.
Here's one site that shows the B-10:
http://www.303rdbg.com/uniforms-gear4.html
Wade
There are a few "reenactors" on this board, IIRC, and they can fill you in in much greater detail than I can about purchasing a jacket style - and from where - but the jacket Gabby is wearing looks to be the B-10. It was lighter and more flexible than the A-2 leather jacket, though the leather can't be beat for looks! The B-15 is very similar in appearance, but with the B-15 the jacket zipper is "offset" (not centered on the chest) an inch or so to the wearer's right, IIRC.
These days, commercially, the faithfulness to the original specs varies from an almost exact duplicate of the WWII issue (including, on some models, the lack of pockets where you might like them today) to something that 'appears' sorta-similar, and the cost varies proportionally. One thing to keep in mind is that the WWII jackets were each manufactured by a virtual rainbow of different contractors, and each had their own "signature" differences, be it collar style, zipper size, etc., etc. That goes for all the jackets, but you can find all the info your heart desires via Mr. Google if you really want to nail down a specific, exact flavor.
While researching my last A-2 purchase, I found that there are even plenty of 'geek' sites that are actually very informative and full of neat historical data about the jackets, even telling you to get a size smaller than you normally wear for that WWII "fitted look" - I agree, since few pics I have seen show the guys back then wearing jackets that were too big. What they don't remind you of is that those skinny guys in the WWII pics were all in their early 20s, and could get away with tight-fitting jackets - and still move!
From my experience of buying several jackets over the years, I'd say spend a good bit of time researching them on the 'net, and see what the 'jacket geeks' have to say about the ones offered commercially. Sometimes you can find a great place you never heard of that'll give you a superb product for a decent price.
Here's one site that shows the B-10:
http://www.303rdbg.com/uniforms-gear4.html
Wade
Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:20 pm
Thanks Wade for the info. I knew a little about jackets but just couldn't ID that one off hand. yeah many years ago when I got my horsehide A-2 I didn't size up and its really tight now. Even did the nose art on the back.
I'll check into the B-10, thanx again.
I'll check into the B-10, thanx again.
Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:09 am
Hey Steve, that jacket is definately a B-10, and they certainly make them today as well. I just purchased one myself about a month back, and its becomes my daily jacket. The one I have is made by the Buzz Rickson company, a Japanese outfit that specializes in repro WW2 jackets. You cant buy them direct from Japan, but there is a North american distributor, History Preservation Associates . Buzz Rickson, along with Eastman Leather Clothing, make the most accurate B-10s around.
http://historypreservation.com/hpassoci ... roduct.php
And here is a photo of my jacket.
If your really interested in WW2 jackets, i'd recommend joining the vintage leather jacket forum, www.vintageleatherjackets.org.
http://historypreservation.com/hpassoci ... roduct.php
And here is a photo of my jacket.
If your really interested in WW2 jackets, i'd recommend joining the vintage leather jacket forum, www.vintageleatherjackets.org.
Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:25 pm
I have always wanted a B10 but I am 6"4 and wear a size 48. I don't know if that size is available. Great looking Buzz Rickson edition !
Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:33 pm
Bob, next time we have our show in Savannah we're gonna get you over to hang the higher paintings!
I think we're due to be back in 2010. Hope to have one or two bigger 'mini-murals' by then - ah, I keep saying that!
Wade
I think we're due to be back in 2010. Hope to have one or two bigger 'mini-murals' by then - ah, I keep saying that!
Wade
Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:52 pm
Chicoartist wrote:Bob, next time we have our show in Savannah we're gonna get you over to hang the higher paintings!
I think we're due to be back in 2010. Hope to have one or two bigger 'mini-murals' by then - ah, I keep saying that!
Wade
Sounds great Wade ! I am "in training " as a volunteer at the mission experience in the museum so I hope to see you next time you are there !
Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:23 am
bobbrunn wrote:. . . I hope to see you next time you are there !
Aside from our 4-man show you saw from Nov 07 - Apr 08, the American Society of Aviation Artists will be holding their annual juried exhibition and forum at your museum in 2009. This year we were in Seattle. I hope to attend '09 with a couple/three 8th AF paintings. Savannah is not only a great venue, but it's a short 6-hour drive for me.
Wade
Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:11 am
Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:12 pm
If you are looking for absolute authenticity in a U.S. Army Air Force A-2 flight jacket......then you need to closely examine the Good Wear Leather Coat Co. website.
The owner, John Chapman, is one of the most knowledgeable experts on leather flight jackets in the world, IMHO. John sources the correct leather, labels, hardware, etc. to make a perfect repro of pre-war A-1 type jackets or pre-war/wartime A-2 jackets. He copies the design differences of many of the sixteen-plus WWII era A-2 contractors.
Check out his website I have listed below......you will be impressed!
http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/index.html
Ted
The owner, John Chapman, is one of the most knowledgeable experts on leather flight jackets in the world, IMHO. John sources the correct leather, labels, hardware, etc. to make a perfect repro of pre-war A-1 type jackets or pre-war/wartime A-2 jackets. He copies the design differences of many of the sixteen-plus WWII era A-2 contractors.
Check out his website I have listed below......you will be impressed!
http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/index.html
Ted
Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:18 pm
Remind me what the whistles are for again please? 
Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:28 pm
Django wrote:Remind me what the whistles are for again please?
I thought they were for letting rescuers know where you were if you went down in the Channel, but that might not be correct.
Zack
Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:34 pm
Many times I've seen the same explanation for this: The whistles were for signalling the "almost there" rescue crews/boats trying to find you in the water - as they got closer evidently waves 'hiding' the downed crew was a problem often enough that many fighter pilots took to wearing the police whistles on their upper collar clasp to avoid losing them in the bailout.
Wade
Wade