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Post by reccerhino on Sept 2, 2015 15:23:45 GMT 12
Greetings from the United States, I recently acquired this jacket and was very surprised to find it in the U.S. It is a 1974 dated U.S. manufactured L-2B light flight jacket. Unfortunately it is not marked in anyway with the pilots name. It also doesn't appear to have any rank insignia on it. I had a couple of questions about the jacket and figured this would be a good place to ask. 1. Did RNZAF pilots use U.S. flight gear, like this L-2B jacket? 2. Does anyone know what the "MACH 1 Sound is Slow" patch would of been for? I don't think the Skyhawk was a Mach 1 aircraft, but have read that it could go that fast in a dive. I was curious if anyone has come across this patch before. The patches on the jacket appear to date from the 70s and both 75 squadron patches are very well done. Overall it is a beautiful jacket. Thanks for your time.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 2, 2015 15:39:52 GMT 12
The A-4K Skyhawk definitely could achieve Mach 1, but not in level flight, but a dive.All pilots were required to break the barrier as part of their conversion training I believe.
This jacket looks authentic to my untrained eye. Is there a name in it?
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Post by reccerhino on Sept 2, 2015 15:54:44 GMT 12
Dave,
Thanks for the reply. No name anywhere on it, however I can see a very faint outline where a name badge would of been on the left breast. It also doesn't appear that any rank was ever sewn on the upper shoulders either. Unfortunately, I don't have any history on where it came from. If only it could talk!
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Post by skyhawkdon on Sept 3, 2015 8:19:20 GMT 12
I haven't seen the Mach 1 patch before but the rest are all 75 Sqn RNZAF patches I am familiar with. The A-4 Skyhawk one on the left shoulder is 1970s era. This was the style of official Douglas Skyhawk patch when we bought the aircraft in 1970. This jacket may have also been owned by one of the ground crew, although the Mach 1 patch suggest more likely a pilot (not many ground crew went Mach 1!). If it had been a pilot's then it would probably have had a set of wings and name tag on the left breast. Interesting find.
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Post by komata on Sept 3, 2015 12:24:38 GMT 12
In respect of the 'Mach 1' patch' and the jacket's current location, is it possible that this was a 'swap' item, perhaps between individual USAF / RNZAF pilots, with the Mach 1 badge being added by the new (USAF?) owner?
Just ta thought.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 3, 2015 12:36:45 GMT 12
I think a number of the ex-Skyhawk pilots have ended up living in the USA at some point, Komata.
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Post by komata on Sept 3, 2015 12:52:34 GMT 12
DH: Thank you; something I'd not considered, especially as we tend to hold on to our 'service' souvenirs.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 3, 2015 13:31:18 GMT 12
I seem to recall that even Trevor Bland lived there for a bit, maybe this was his, right era.
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Post by shorty on Sept 3, 2015 21:29:39 GMT 12
I have seen the Mach 1 badge on jackets before, I believe Mac Macwhinnie (a groundie) had one at some stage, this would have been in the mid 70's. (I have one of those jackets with 1 sqn Andover badges on it)
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Post by reccerhino on Sept 4, 2015 4:40:04 GMT 12
Thanks for all of the replies. I spoke to the seller and he couldn't shed any light as to where or who it came from. It was bought in Virginia (east coast).
There was definitely a name patch of some sort on the left breast at one time. Other then that, I couldn't find any other markings. Thanks again for the replies!
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Post by grumpysumpy on Mar 15, 2017 12:49:35 GMT 12
The Mach 1 'the speed of sound is slow' was part of the conversion training all pilots got when they joined 75 in the mid 70s. A TA4K was faster than an A4K and used for going through the sound barrier off the coast, [usually without drop tanks]. Being a two seater they would take a groundie in the back seat. After the flight both were given the Mach 1 badge, The A4 coming out of Ohakea was made in Singapore on about Vanguard 18/19 and used by both air and ground crew. The Douglas A4 and professionals choice badges point towards being worn by a knuck rather than a groundie, [although I did manage to acquire one]. There were very few knuck jackets worn by the groundies, usually swapped from an Aussie.
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