Army Air Force Insignia

[2jakes]

Looking for information on transfer decals to leather jackets. I've seen original jackets with painted insignia &
some that look like transfer decals.
Anybody have knowledge or experience using these on their jackets…pro or con. Thanks !

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

You can still get the transfers that were used on the jackets during world war 2. I've seen them on ebay. I can't attest to their permanence, but from original period jackets I've seen with the decals, they seem to be not very durable.
I would paint my own if I wanted one on one of my jackets, or if a client wanted it on a custom jacket.

 

[Gene]

Ask a question...

http://www.garciaaviation.com/products-page/decals/aaf-shoulder-decals-wwhite-lettering/

 

[Wambleyburger]

From what I've seen, read and heard, the AAF insignia on the leather jackets were not that common.

 

[2jakes]

Is there a specific paint that's used ? In the past, I've used acrylics on some of my jacket art work.
Would like to display, but not having luck posting. I get a message that says, I need permission to
access or not sufficient privileges to access at this time from the administrator. I guess I need some
kind of permission or perhaps I need to log in more posts before I can post. Anyway,Thanks guys.

 

[Justhandguns]

Looking for information on transfer decals to leather jackets. I've seen original jackets with painted insignia &
some that look like transfer decals.
Anybody have knowledge or experience using these on their jackets…pro or con. Thanks !

This is what you need.

http://www.mash-japan.co.jp/oversea/eng_moc/collection/aaf_decal_wet/index_eng.html

 

[Gene]

From what I've seen, read and heard, the AAF insignia on the leather jackets were not that common.

You see them on a few, but you're right, it is the exception. As for painting one on, I don't think I've ever seen that done before, they were all transfer decals.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Is there a specific paint that's used ? In the past, I've used acrylics on some of my jacket art work.
Would like to display, but not having luck posting. I get a message that says, I need permission to
access or not sufficient privileges to access at this time from the administrator. I guess I need some
kind of permission or perhaps I need to log in more posts before I can post. Anyway,Thanks guys.

Acrylics, yes.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

You see them on a few, but you're right, it is the exception. As for painting one on, I don't think I've ever seen that done before, they were all transfer decals.

As to the decals, I think it's more a case of longevity, or rather a lack thereof. Water slide decals adhere by a simple gelatin glue, not very permanent. Especially on the irregular surface of a leather jacket. They are fine for smooth surfaces like those of plastic models, glass, etc.
I think maybe as they wore off and got scroungy looking, they were removed the rest of the way with alcohol, lighter fluid, or any solvent that would not harm the leather.
I would definitely use paint in order to secure the permanence of the logo.

 

[kampkatz]

In agreement with Maj.Nick. Painting the inignia on the jacket is the only way to ensure longevity. No decal can be guaranteed to hold up for any amount of time. Good luck.

 

[Edward]

Both my A2s have one. I bought them used. I'm indifferent to it, really, though if I was buying new I don't think I'd want it on there. nothing to do with accuracy (they were only put on a very few contracts), but as I wear my jackets exclusively with civilian clothing, I think they're a little more 'flexible' / less casual in appearance without any markings on them. The decal on my Aero (goat, nicely grained) was a bit rubbed when I got it (jacket otherwise like new), while the one on my ELC (smooth horse) is in better nick (despite the jacket in general showing more wear to the hide for a jacket that is estimated to be about the same age and not heavily worn - nature of the two different hides). Paint can wear or crack too, though I suppose you could touch a handpainted one up which you can't really do with a decal.

If you wanted to know whether there would have been a decal on your jacket contract originally, it'll be listed here somewhere (isn't there a thread somewhere - WW2 area? - on the details of the different A2 contracts?) - or if Andrew (Aswatland) or one of the other resident experts drop in here they'll be able to tell you from memory.

 

[JollyGreenSlugg]

I've had a few goes at painting on leather, and would agree that acrylic fabric paint with a matte sealer seems to provide a fairly durable finish.

Here's an earlier effort, on an old beater. Not particularly impressive, but an interesting exercise..

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Hopalong]

If you'll go to www.artbysky.org they paint the Army Air Force Insignia and etc on the flight jackets. Whenever I find the A-2 I want I'm going to send it there to have them paint the AAF Insignia on it.

 

[MissMittens]

In agreement with Maj.Nick. Painting the inignia on the jacket is the only way to ensure longevity. No decal can be guaranteed to hold up for any amount of time. Good luck.

I can tell you that the fabric jackets sometimes had the logo on the shoulder, and I've seen a handful of A2's that had painted patches on the shoulder, but they were not issued that way. Some flight suits had the AAF insignia printed on the shoulder, most did not. Most if not all issued overgarments DID have either a black or silver AAF logo outline stenciled on them, either on the outside or the lining, depending on garment type. Quite a few A2's had silver stencilled AAF logos on the shoulder late in the war.

 

[Phantomfixer]

Stay away from Garcia for decals. They are not correct (unless they changed)and they peal off very easy. I had a LW decal years ago put on by Stuart. It lasted and is probably still on the jacket. ELC/HPA sells them, I think.
Painting is great way to go if you find an artist willing to do it. A multi layer leather AAF patch looks good.

 

[Gene]

Stay away from Garcia for decals. They are not correct (unless they changed)and they peal off very easy. I had a LW decal years ago put on by Stuart. It lasted and is probably still on the jacket. ELC/HPA sells them, I think.
Painting is great way to go if you find an artist willing to do it. A multi layer leather AAF patch looks good.

Hmmm mine was fine, but I actually weathered it on purpose.

And seriously don't worry about doing a bad job with the painting of insignia. The only jackets I've ever seen with actual beautiful artwork are the ones done by Italian artists on the Isle of Capri.

 

[Phantomfixer]

I did not mean to sound too harsh about Garcia. I used them once. Found the decal flaked off real easy. I took it off and tried again, same thing. I thought too theirs said "U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES" ( maybe they early ones) when it should be "ARMY AIR FORCES".

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I did not mean to sound too harsh about Garcia. I used them once. Found the decal flaked off real easy. I took it off and tried again, same thing. I thought too theirs said "U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES" ( maybe they early ones) when it should be "ARMY AIR FORCES".

It's true. Garcia AAF decals were not correct. Don't know what they are like now.
The original decals were used on A2s toward the end of WW2. Often on depot A2 refurbs(redye).
HD

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Looks like Garcia has corrected their decal....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARMY-AIR-FO...915?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb8d5fb83