Modifying a USAF-issue A-2 leather jacket?

[L2Driver]

Ken,
Curious about your intended end-use? I have my own A-2 from back in the late 80s. I used an exacto knife to remove the velcro for the nameplate and command patch. I've been wearing it for years as a weekend beater and summer/fall flying jacket. While not something to wear at the polo club, it's been a good daily wearer for most casual occassions. As already noted, nothing can be done about the stitch holes. Personally, I think the holes add some character. These jackets take many, many years to show any signs of wear.

[Speedy]

Removing the velcro is a bit of a minefield, but can be done well if you take your time. Some jackets had the velcro initially affixed to the leather before sewing with a dab of glue, so even after removing the stitching you can accidentally screw up the leather while removing the glue (ask me how I know this...).

When we're done, you'll NEVER know the difference.

[Ken]

Curious about your intended end-use?

Like you, it won't be for the polo club, probably more for an around town jacket and the occasional flight. The holes aren't the end of the world, however the idea of some insignia, like my squadron emblem, applied as a WWII style leather patch appeals to me because I obviously dig aviation history and also wouldn't mind honoring the unit I served in at the same time. I'm retiring soon and I feel like the jacket should have a new purpose instead of staying in the closet.

[TROJANII]

"They" (the Air Force) still using those as a retention tool? I remember in the late '80's pilots were exiting for the airline jobs and the Air Force gave those to pilots who reenlisted.

[Ken]

"They" (the Air Force) still using those as a retention tool? I remember in the late '80's pilots were exiting for the airline jobs and the Air Force gave those to pilots who reenlisted.

Nope, it's a standard issue item for aviators and a couple other career fields.

[Randy Haskin]

"They" (the Air Force) still using those as a retention tool? I remember in the late '80's pilots were exiting for the airline jobs and the Air Force gave those to pilots who reenlisted.

Not a retention tool. Issue uniform item for rated flyers.

Here are some quick iPhone snaps of my daily wearer. It's a 1999 Avirex, which came from the factory with the Pop's mods that Ken referenced (they were incorporated into the design spec in the late 90s).

After a summer/fall in Afghanistan getting daily wear, and then subsequently cleaning it when I got home, it has taken a "100 combat mission" look (and it probably has 20 or so combat missions worth of wear).



Before the trip to a combat zone:

[L2Driver]

Mine's not in as nice a shape as Randy's and definitely a far cry from Ken's like-new looking jacket. The stitch holes aren't really visible in this photo but they're definitely there. None of the niceties described above. Other than removing the velcro, no changes since I received it.

Last edited by L2Driver on Sat Feb 25, 2012 7:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[The Inspector]

Over the years I've had patches sewed on by motorcycle apparel shops, a tannery that made biker wear like chaps and vests, and by shoe repair shops. Any professional seamstressing outfit should be able to do a first class job since they aren't in business to P.O. customers and I figure if a shoe maker can fix a $500.00 pair of Texas mukluks, they should have no issues doing a few patches.

[L2Driver]

I know a few guys who had new leather nametags made w/o the velcro and had them sewn directly to the jacket. Same with their squadron patches, etc.

[Ken Dwelle]

Ken-

I've got a 1992 issue A2 Saddlery jacket, same Pop's mods done in 1995. When I got out I used a razor blade to cut the velcro off the front, took about 2 minutes. The thread holes are nearly invisible, you'd have to look really close to see them. If I had to do it over again I'd probably leave the velcro on, if nothing more than so it doesn't look like a sporty's jacket.

Ken

[Ken Dwelle]

Randy-

The "retention tool" quip stems from the 1992 era when guys were bailing for the airlines. The AF brought back the A2 jacket which was issued once you became MR in a combat coded airframe. They weren't at all shy about touting it as a "retention too" it was a bit of a joke at the time. We all wanted them nonetheless..

Ken

[L2Driver]

Randy-

The "retention tool" quip stems from the 1992 era when guys were bailing for the airlines. The AF brought back the A2 jacket which was issued once you became MR in a combat coded airframe. They weren't at all shy about touting it as a "retention too" it was a bit of a joke at the time. We all wanted them nonetheless..

Ken

Yep. It was supposed to be a morale booster. Don't get me wrong, I was happy to get my jacket but did anyone seriously think it was going to stop the exodus? Hmmm, I can triple my pay and fly a lot more or I can have this $200 jacket.

[Randy Haskin]

Randy-

The "retention tool" quip stems from the 1992 era when guys were bailing for the airlines. The AF brought back the A2 jacket which was issued once you became MR in a combat coded airframe. They weren't at all shy about touting it as a "retention too" it was a bit of a joke at the time. We all wanted them nonetheless..

Ken

There are still people who are bent about the "retention" aspect of the jacket. The entire F-15C community largely still refuses to wear the A-2, even though 99.9% of the guys weren't even in ROTC when that was happening.

Funny how those traditions get passed along.

[L2Driver]

There are still people who are bent about the "retention" aspect of the jacket. The entire F-15C community largely still refuses to wear the A-2, even though 99.9% of the guys weren't even in ROTC when that was happening.

Funny how those traditions get passed along.

But I bet all the Eagle guys took the jackets anyway! Nobody refuses free stuff!

Truth be told, I don't ever remember wearing mine flying. I always went with the CWU-36.

[Randy Haskin]

Truth be told, I don't ever remember wearing mine flying. I always went with the CWU-36.

The rules on flying with it have changed three times that I am aware of. There was a long stretch where it was prohibited to be worn flying, but that's not the case now. It's up to individual MAJCOMs to decide, and so far as I'm aware, it's currently technically allowed to be worn flying.

I actually prefer to wear the Aramid thermals instead of the jacket, at least in a fighter cockpit.