SPECIFICATION

LEATHER :Veg-tanned, aniline-dyed, Bronco hide
ZIP :Talon Mil. spec. Nickel finish
COLLAR HOOK :Nickel plated brass
PRESS STUDS :Authentic Ball-Stud model, black oxidised brass

Describe

The Rough Wear Clothing Co was a particularly productive factory in that they received several contracts for A-2 jackets during the 30s and 40s.

The US Army Air Corps mandated the labelling of ‘Property Air Force US Army’ in each jacket in 1942, so two labels are sewn in this model A-2 as this contract was already in production when the mandate occurred.

The Rough Wear model A-2 has a distinctive design, with noticeable features unique to this maker such as the large collar with collar stand.

The leather used for this model is is tanned by soaking Italian raw hides in a tank with tannin extracted from bark, and the slowly tanning them over time while adjusting the concentration.

After being carefully tanned, seal brown aniline dye is rubbed into the leather by craftsmen. The slight mottling of the shade is a trademark of leather made in this way, and is a finish that is admired by leather aficionados. Compared to lacquered leather, aniline dye-finished leather has a more transparent colour, so it develops a beautiful patina which becomes ever more beautiful the longer it is worn.

"Flying Tigers" name battle: US Volunteer Air Force-Army Air Force 23rd Battalion-Army 14th Air Force

The American Volunteer Air Force AVG, nicknamed "Flying Tigers" (American Volunteer Group, AVG, later renamed as the 14th Air Force), was originally composed of 311 members and was responsible for protecting China from the Japanese army. The structure of the "Flying Tigers" is similar to that of the "Eagle" squadrons of the Royal Air Force that fought in the Battle of Britain. Its organization was within the Chinese Air Force and flew under the flag of the Republic of China.


The founder of "Flying Tigers" is the American flight instructor Claire Lee Chennault. Chennault was born in Texas on September 6, 1893, and has excellent flying skills.


In early July 1937, at the invitation of the National Government, Chennault arrived in China to inspect the Air Force and served as a consultant. When the inspection was about to end, the Anti-Japanese War broke out in an all-round way. Chennault accepted Soong Meiling's suggestion to set up an aviation school in the suburbs of Kunming to train the Chinese Air Force according to US military standards. He also actively assisted the Chinese Air Force in fighting against Japan. Due to Japanese diplomatic pressure, Chennault's activities gradually became private.


On August 1, 1941, Chiang Kai-shek issued an order to formally establish the American Volunteer Brigade of the Chinese Air Force and appoint "Colon Chennault as the commander of the group.
" The Flying Tigers were initially deployed to Myanmar in the summer of 1941, and did not arrive until December 1941. Officially began combat operations.

AVG Flying Tigers Association History and Museum Committee Chairman Tripp Alyn (Tripp Alyn) said: "The Japanese call them "gangsters", saying that they are not playing fair competition. "The Flying Tigers are described by some as mercenaries. Or fortune soldiers, but to a large extent they are all patriotic American military officers. Their participation in secret operations has indeed helped China maintain a state of war against Japan. "