User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:00:20 PM EDT
A few years ago I purchased this bomber jacket. I have bought other nice Army Air Corps stuff from this family before. Here is the story the Father was in a home and the son wanted to get rid of some stuff. His dad flew in the 8th Air force in WW2.
There was a fiftieth anniversary reunion. So he had his old Twenty five mission jacket rebuilt this was the 90's. With the jacket came a 1910 baby browning in 25acp. Tons of pitting on the left side next to the body and pristine on the right. I am guessing that the original jackets had a vest pocket to carry pistols in on the left. I looked doubtful. So I asked the Wing he was a part of. This is what I got.8th AF 3rd air division, 45th combat wing, 96th bomb group C, 339th bomber squadron. He said that the jackets came with no insignia and the local British women made logos and patches that were hand cut. He also berated the too perfect reproductions in that the art was too good. In that one of the crew usually hand painted the jackets. It's a redo I know that. Constructed by a original member of the crew and painted by him. Stacked hand cut 8th patch and all paint was covered in some kind of flexible clear coat. I paid 100$ for it with pistol. It's kind of big for me but if I wore it would this be a case of stolen valor? The 339th was reactivated in Korea but he never flew there. But he did make Major. 
This was cut from the original coat and stitched to the new one. 
It sits in my closet. The leather needs to be worked a bit. He wore it for a couple of years I was told. I've had it since 2002.Pictures were taken at my sisters house. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:03:22 PM EDT
[#1]
unless you make claims that are not true, it isn't stolen valor, imo.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:04:35 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted: unless you make claims that are not true, it isn't stolen valor, imo. No one is going to assume you are a WWII bomber pilot. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:04:52 PM EDT
[#3]
I don't think wearing a bomber jacket from WWII is stolen valor. If you wore full uniform and were old enough to pass for WWII then yes.
That said that jacket is a relic and probably should be preserved. Wearing it may be too hard on that old jacket it's art work and its history. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:07:04 PM EDT
[#4]
Make sure you say stuff like "This isn't the European Theater. There are rules" and "Yeah, that reminds me of the time I was bombing Dresden..."
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:07:14 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
unless you make claims that are not true, it isn't stolen valor, imo. This. And unless you're like 87 years old, no one is going to believe you flew 25 missions over Europe anyway. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:11:46 PM EDT
[#6]
If there is any discomfort whatsoever, don't wear it. Send it on over to me because in fact I did earn all those patches and rank.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:11:56 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
unless you make claims that are not true, it isn't stolen valor, imo. This. Some people also wear stuff in honor. Just don't give the proscription that you've earned it |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:19:54 PM EDT
[#8]
It is more about the rank insignia. Taking them off would damage it.
Just wanted to see how the mil guys thought about it. It's only about 20 years old. But to keep the folds right and a little body heat and moisture is what it needs. I took it to a place that specializes in leather coats. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 4:24:07 PM EDT
[#9]
You're going to probably need to dye your hair gray or silver and get a cane or walker to pass that off
Nice jacket btw |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:34:23 PM EDT
[#10]
Nice, I would wear that all day long.
If asked tell what the origin is. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:38:48 PM EDT
[#11]
Those hand made WW2 patches bring good money . like several $100 good, My dad had a cocksucker in Florida steal his original
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:43:48 PM EDT
[#12]
I got a setup like this off Ebay. Should I wear it GD?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:45:50 PM EDT
[#13]
Wearing a jacket like that isn't even close to stolen valor. Nobody is going to think that you're a 90 year old bomber pilot.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:47:26 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryI don't think Stolen Virginity is a crime? |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:48:28 PM EDT
[#15]
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:48:40 PM EDT
[#16]
yeah, get a grip.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:49:39 PM EDT
[#17]
I have an early 70's bomber jacket I got from a family friend, I wear it. I'm not claiming to be anything but a fan of the jacket.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:50:03 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I don't think Stolen Virginity is a crime? Quote HistoryQuoted:
I don't think Stolen Virginity is a crime? I doubt anyone is doing anything with his virginity anytime soon. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:52:08 PM EDT
[#19]
I'd wear it as is. Unless you're in your 80's or 90's, No one is going to think you're pretending. If anyone says something to you, tell them the story behind the jacket and that you wear it to honor the original owner.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:52:11 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I doubt anyone is doing anything with his virginity anytime soon. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I don't think Stolen Virginity is a crime? I doubt anyone is doing anything with his virginity anytime soon. Dudes probably an LT by now Stolen Valor Jams |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:53:46 PM EDT
[#21]
Awesome jacket, either way.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:55:06 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Awesome jacket, either way. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 7:55:48 PM EDT
[#23]
That jacket is bad ass.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:00:09 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Wearing a jacket like that isn't even close to stolen valor. Nobody is going to think that you're a 90 year old bomber pilot. This. I actually smirked. 
I wear a special forces shirt a SF friend gave me. You cross the line when you claim or allude to be something you aren't. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:02:58 PM EDT
[#25]
Every once in a while i wear my dads G-1 flight jacket that he wore when he was a crew chief on N model hueys in the Marines. It has his squadron patch and name tag on it, i have worn it around vets and people who were aircrew and they didn't give a shit. I never claim to be something that i am not and i just tell them it was my dads and he gave it to me.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:08:50 PM EDT
[#26]
I wouldn't worry about it. Don Shipley will likely go easy on you for a first offense.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:11:56 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Make sure you say stuff like "This isn't the European Theater. There are rules" and "Yeah, that reminds me of the time I was bombing Dresden..." |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:16:29 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Every once in a while i wear my dads G-1 flight jacket that he wore when he was a crew chief on N model hueys in the Marines. It has his squadron patch and name tag on it, i have worn it around vets and people who were aircrew and they didn't give a shit. I never claim to be something that i am not and i just tell them it was my dads and he gave it to me. Thats because most people, even people who served, don't give a shit. I want to gag at all the "Honor the jacket" tripe. White Knight much? |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:17:20 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That jacket is bad ass. i agree. i would wear it all the time |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:17:21 PM EDT
[#30]
Why are the bombs arranged in a dick and balls fashion?
Was it an all gay squadron?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:18:41 PM EDT
[#31]
Hey, really cool jacket! Wear the fuck out of it!
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:18:53 PM EDT
[#32]
Why don't you just display it in a case? Instead of risking it getting ruined.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:18:59 PM EDT
[#33]
Only reason I wouldn't wear it is because of the oak leaves.
That's just me. I wouldn't flame you for wearing it. Pretty bad asses jacket. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:19:50 PM EDT
[#34]
Apparently, they go for over a grand on ebay and in much worse condition.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:20:14 PM EDT
[#35]
I say -try- and steal valor with it. See how many people you could convince you were a WW2 bomber. If they bite, tell them it runs in your family since your father was a bomber in the civil war.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:21:18 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Make sure you say stuff like "This isn't the European Theater. There are rules" and "Yeah, that reminds me of the time I was bombing Dresden..." I honestly would, because that's hilarious. 
Needs to work in a line about that one dame in Paris . |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:23:37 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thats because most people, even people who served, don't give a shit. I want to gag at all the "Honor the jacket" tripe. White Knight much? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Every once in a while i wear my dads G-1 flight jacket that he wore when he was a crew chief on N model hueys in the Marines. It has his squadron patch and name tag on it, i have worn it around vets and people who were aircrew and they didn't give a shit. I never claim to be something that i am not and i just tell them it was my dads and he gave it to me. Thats because most people, even people who served, don't give a shit. I want to gag at all the "Honor the jacket" tripe. White Knight much? Uh Oh. Prepare to get dogpiled by the Stolen Valor Mafia |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:24:25 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Uh Oh. Prepare to get dogpiled by the Stolen Valor Mafia Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Every once in a while i wear my dads G-1 flight jacket that he wore when he was a crew chief on N model hueys in the Marines. It has his squadron patch and name tag on it, i have worn it around vets and people who were aircrew and they didn't give a shit. I never claim to be something that i am not and i just tell them it was my dads and he gave it to me. Thats because most people, even people who served, don't give a shit. I want to gag at all the "Honor the jacket" tripe. White Knight much? Uh Oh. Prepare to get dogpiled by the Stolen Valor Mafia They need hobbies. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:24:37 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It is more about the rank insignia. Taking them off would damage it. Just wanted to see how the mil guys thought about it. It's only about 20 years old. But to keep the folds right and a little body heat and moisture is what it needs. I took it to a place that specializes in leather coats. Your Dad's jacket... your Dad earned the rank. As long as you aren't claiming to be a former Major bomber pilot from WWII, IMO you're good to go. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:25:40 PM EDT
[#40]
Who gives a shit? Wear the hell out of it
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:25:54 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Only reason I wouldn't wear it is because of the oak leaves. That's just me. I wouldn't flame you for wearing it. Pretty bad asses jacket. Same. Wearing O rank is weird to me. I wouldn't have a problem with OP wearing it, other than wondering why something that nice from that era isn't put away some where. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:27:20 PM EDT
[#42]
I say wear it. Tank icon approved.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:27:26 PM EDT
[#43]
ETA: I guess I need to read more.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:27:49 PM EDT
[#44]
Pan Am Captain Flying a 747 was having trouble understanding the Berlin ground controller's instructions.
Controller asked the Pan AM pilot " Haven't you been here before"? Captain replied back. " Yes I was here in 44' but we didn't land" |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:30:12 PM EDT
[#45]
If you wear it because it's cool or in honor of those who earned it, then no problem.
If you claim its history as your own, you deserve a punch in the dick. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:33:49 PM EDT
[#46]
I would wear it. There are companies that turn out replica jackets for civilian wear with reproduced artwork, names, etc. As others have posted, nobody will think you are posing as a WW2 bomber pilot. And quite frankly, flight jackets are technically not uniform items anyway. They are considered flight equipment (at least in the USAF when I was in). That is why military pilots would catch hell about wearing them off base or even on base if they were not flying. I do not know if that is still true or not, I have seen more than a few active duty pilots wearing their leather A2 jackets off base in the past several years.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:37:45 PM EDT
[#47]
I would not consider it stolen valor if you are obviously NOT trying to depict yourself as the person who wore that jacket in wartime, which should be obvious from your age in this case.
Wearing an article of military clothing to commemorate a certain time in history or war is fine in my opinion, provided you have no intention to deceive. "Stolen Valor" comes into play when people are deliberately trying to impersonate actual veterans or active military personnel, with intent to deceive others. That is a horse of an entirely different color. ETA: I own a few A-2 jackets myself, and although none of them have any rank insignia on them, a few do have "nose art" painted on them. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:42:16 PM EDT
[#48]
If anyone gives you a problem, tell them your outerwear has been vetted and authorized for wear by AR15.com. This authorization is only valid if you don't claim to be a SEAL, Special Forces, A-10 pilot or gender-reassigned.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:46:06 PM EDT
[#49]
Very cool. As everyone else has said, unless you are claiming to be a vet, it's not stolen valor.
I wear an M41 field jacket out every now and then, no insignia right now but I've been meaning to add 5th armored and Tech 5 patches to commemorate my grandfather's service. |
|
|
|
Posted: 12/2/2014 8:56:48 PM EDT
[#50]
Don't laugh but when it cools down I plan on wearing it.
The bombs in a row are runs over Germany proper the rest scattered around are over occupied country's. The swaz is backwards as a sign of disrespect. I was told they just got 25 missions in then they raised the limit. The patch on the front from the original was covered in "dope" some kind of flexible stuff painted on the canvas surfaces of the plane. He was a nice old guy. A friend of my father but his son sucked. Oh and to the poster above aren't those Maple leaves? |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
