Care of leather jackets *during* WWII

[esteban]

Hi there,

I have a question regarding the leather jackets used on WWII (no matter what type), the soldier (pilot, etc) that got one, was "forced" to shine it? Sort of the way that boots were?
If that was the case, what product did they use?

This is of course, leaving aside a combat environment.

Thanks.

Mods: not sure if this should go on the WWII Forum, or here in Jackets... Feel free to move it.

 

[Harp]

Care

At a glance, reasonable care of the uniform was expected,
and perhaps some individuals went the extra distance,
applying boot cream or oil to leather jackets.

 

[Peacoat]

Hi there,

I have a question regarding the leather jackets used on WWII (no matter what type), the soldier (pilot, etc) that got one, was "forced" to shine it? Sort of the way that boots were?
If that was the case, what product did they use?

This is of course, leaving aside a combat environment.

Thanks.

Mods: not sure if this should go on the WWII Forum, or here in Jackets... Feel free to move it.

As an Army pilot who came along two wars later, I doubt that the pilots in WWII were "forced" to do anything with their flight jackets. As pilots we did well to keep some polish on our boots during VN. Leather flight jackets would probably have been the same. I doubt that any oil or creme would have been made available to the pilots for jacket maintenance, and I doubt that the jackets would have needed any type of treatment for several years after they were issued to the flight crew. Regular shoe or boot polish would not have been applied to the jackets. The jackets were probably allowed to weather naturally. Because of the relatively short duration of WWII, I doubt that a flight jacket would have deteriorated to the point that it needed maintenance. If so, it probably would have just been replaced.

Navy and Marine Corps pilots have been issued leather jackets up to the present day, and they may have a more definitive answer as to the modern practice.

 

[fortworthgal]

Somewhere at home I have a book that talks about care of jackets during WWII. I believe it is in either "Combat Flying Clothing" or "Combat Flying Equipment." I recall that with the shearling-lined leather flight gear, it was supposed to be stripped with acetone every so often.

I'll have to go home and look and see what information I can find. But as I recall, yes there was a specific care regimen they were *supposed* to follow. Whether they did it or not is another story!

 

[Spitfire]

Don't they know there's a war on?

I really don't think anybody did anything to shine up their jackets. The spare time was spent on gettin a life back. That is: dancing, dating, drinking, and what have you. Care of jackets came last.
I wasn't even ther jackets. They belonged to the government. And if they were lost or got torn - you got a new one. So who cared?
Just my 5 cents.

 

[esteban]

Thanks!

Thanks for the replies.
fortworthgal, if possible, I would really appreciate if you can post some of the info from the book.

Spitfire, I agree with what you posted, but, ITOH, for what I read, A2 jackets were really commodities, even during WWII.

 

[scotrace]

I also have that same book, but couldn't find a "care during" section over the weekend. There's a section on caring for valuable originals today (not much help, really). Maybe I missed it?

 

[Peacoat]

As a footnote to my above post, and for what it's worth, I learned last week that Marine Corps pilots are no longer issued the leather flight jackets, but are authorized to purchase them if they wish. Evidently Navy pilots are still issued the leather jackets. This came from a retired Marine friend of mine who was not a pilot. Just wanted to correct a mistake in my post.

 

[tallyho]

Somewhere at home I have a book that talks about care of jackets during WWII. I believe it is in either "Combat Flying Clothing" or "Combat Flying Equipment." I recall that with the shearling-lined leather flight gear, it was supposed to be stripped with acetone every so often.

I'll have to go home and look and see what information I can find. But as I recall, yes there was a specific care regimen they were *supposed* to follow. Whether they did it or not is another story!

I beleive it is one of the appendicies of Combat Flying Clothing has a section on the care of flight gear. Stuff I would dare not try on a vintage jacket now!

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I doubt that most airmen would bother with much leather care. Most of the jackets were government property, and as such were returned to the quatermaster when the airman's tour was over. They were refurbished somewhat at that point, patches removed and maybe a re-dyeing, and then reissued to the next guy. Some guys ended up keeping jackets too, but most vet's jackets are in very worn condition, so it seems that leather care was probably not a major concern.

 

[ltedge]

G-1 care

I'm a Naval aviator stationed in Norfolk. I got my official G-1 issued about 10 years ago and have never needed to do anything with it, although the cuffs will have to be replaced before much longer, especially where my watchband rubs it. I wear it with my uniform daily from Oct through May and occasionally in the summer. There is no written military requirement for us to do anything to maintain our jackets.

I wouldn't want to put polish on it anyways, since polish is flammable and it would be extremely unsafe to be wearing it in the aircraft if we had a fire.

My dad also wore the same type of jacket for 20 years from 1957-1977 while he was in the Navy and never did anything to his jacket. He still has it and it looks great.