USAF A-2 Jacket autographed

Original Autographed Lakenheath USAF A2 Flight Jacket. Condition is "Used".
Nearly 20 years ago some aircrew from the 48th fighter Wing at Lakenheath very kindly agreed to sign this ex USAF A2 leather jacket, even the Velcro patch is signed!
At that time the Wing operated a mix of F15E and F15C Eagle aircraft.
There are some interesting and typically American fighter jock signatures !
This is quite a rare chance to purchase a genuine ex issue A2, it carries the correct Saddlery label and is a size 44R and was manufactured in 1988 by Cooper, and is from the very first contract placed by the USAF for an A2 jacket since WW2.
This was the largest single contract ever awarded for leather flying jackets, and was intended to partly address shortfalls in recruitment at the time.
The quality is excellent and the condition is very fine, with no tears, rips or staining, cuffs and waistband all original. The 494th Fighter squadron F15E patch is attached with Velcro. The space command patch is just an added extra, and is not connected to the jacket. The original pilots name tag, has obviously been removed, and again was attached with Velcro.
The 1988 issue A-2's are the best quality, although of course some aircrew had their own versions made, and commercially available jackets were adapted to service specifications occasionally , albeit unofficially .

In my experience early 1988 Saddlery marked jackets were better made than later 1995 issues and superior to Avirex examples issued at that time
.
Just to be clear, this is an ex USAF jacket, issued in 1988. Not to be confused with the commercial copies made by Cooper and released to the general market.

The commercial copies feature amongst other differences, an orange label and are not an issue item.
S/N 231
Price includes delivery to UK mainland only

Code: 50225