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A sterling example from an
eminent long-time contractor,
Star
Sportswear of Lynn, Mass. This
CBI jacket is a virtual catalog of theater insignia: composite leather squadron and group
patches. Note "Eager Beaver Bombing Co"! The composite leather CBI and 10th AF
sleeve patches are in the pockets, the cotton thread having failed after fifty years, a
common occurrence. A composite leather and suede Blood Chit adorns the back. Leather rank
tabs on the epaulets. A large parallelogram-shaped patch preceded the 7th Bomb
Group insignia on the right chest.
Star Sportswear was a
premier manufacturer, paying closer attention to quality than most. This is
evident in the photo above: the collar symmetry is exemplary from a pattern
point of view, fully balanced in shape and dimension. Pocket flaps too are
graceful and uniform. Epaulets are beautifully sewn. Star Sportswear examples
are among the very finest of the Seal Brown Horsehide A-2s. Yet observe too how
the left chest panel hides are better than the right! Observe too, the rolled
seams -- no distressing or whitening due to incorrect tanning, merely a
lightening in the darker pigments exposing the russet in the dye mixture. Star remained a
prime contractor after WWII, making many G-1s until the end of the Vietnam War.
This A-2 is a size 44,
increasing its appeal, of course, as larger sized A-2s are scarcer and many
"collectors" will wear these often fragile historical treasures. No
comment.
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