R.A.F. Battlejackets On Sale at WPG!!

[cloves]

I think it would only be disrepectful if he tried to pass himself off as the real deal. I feel Ron has been more than upfront about wearing the medals "in memoriam."
I say go for it!

[Riverkilt]

Well, anyone who thinks a 64-year-old fat, bearded, pony-tailed guy is trying to pass himself off as a member of the R.A.F. just isn't paying attention...the jacket is a replica of an old uniform...and even I ain't that old.

I don't wear any medals with the jacket because he didn't earn any. He did get a pin with "RAF 1942" that was issued to pilots who flew then. Probaby the only time there were a significant number of Americans in the R.A.F. In the Air Corps he wore that RAF 1942 pin on his right pocket and mini RAF wings on his right breast. Both were authorized by the Air Corps.

I am also active on War II Air Corps boards and have attended my father's old fighter squadron reunion and met men he flew with. I've also talked on the phone and corresponded with men he flew with in the R.A.F. They have thought the kilt AND the jacket were a splendid idea - even touching. They are pleased someone remembers and honors those days.

My father was safe in Montana at Pearl Harbor. He chose to travel to Spokane and join the R.A.F. to help defend his ancestral homeland at a time the Allies were losing. Europe was lost and invasion of Great Britain was expected. He went knowing it was a bleak situation and as a young pilot he would be facing experienced enemies.

Things didn't go well after he got over there. He was on the Dieppe Raid. The Allies continued to lose. When the American forces arrived in Sept 42 he was transferred to the Air Corps and flew a P-39 over 7 hours through hostile skys from England to North Africa.

Once in North Africa he flew ground support against the Afrika Corps when the Allies were still losing. He was shot down at the Battle of Kassarine Pass.

Before ordering the R.A.F. tartan for a kilt I corresponded with Alex Mackie who owns the rights. He not only thought it was a fine idea to honor my father he helped me find the then last of 16 ounce fabric in the R.A.F. tartan.

When I attended my father's fighter squadron reunion the men who flew with him in the R.A.F. and transferred with him to the Air Corps thought it was a fine idea. I was more taken with the swarm of young fighter pilots from the local air base who swarmed the reunion to talk to these aging War II fighter pilots. It was as if the young pilots were worshiping at some oracle. They hung on every word of the old pilots and showed the utmost respect.

And, that is why I put the insignia on the jacket. To show respect for a man who cared enough about his ancestral homeland to put his life on the line and repeatedly fly in harm's way when his team was losing. Its a tribute to taking on a tough job and sticking it out in rough times.

I know....the original post was about a rare half price offering from WPG...they are fine jackets and you don't have to put anything on them.

Ron

[ccga3359]

Do not get me wrong, I do appreciate your father and all those American soldiers, sailors and airmen who chose to fight even though it was not their war. Whether for a sense of adventure, sense of purpose or a sense of what was right, we shall all honour them. No I don't believe you, a "64-year-old fat, bearded, pony-tailed guy" is a current serving member of the RAF but on first seeing you I could easily figure you were a retired RAF flight sergeant. I am now honouring you and not Flt Sgt. MacDonald ex-RAF, ex-USAAC, pilot, hero. Now if I were to meet you, engaged in conversation I would now doubt hear your fathers story but what I were not able to meet you?

I've worn a uniform for 15 years as a volunteer, 5 years in the fire service, 10 in the coast guard auxiliary. I've worked damn hard for that uniform, I've sacrificed much time with a young family, I've shed more than enough blood, sweat and tears. My uniform in both cases involved the same style of light blue shirt and dark blue trousers. What made them unique was the shoulder flashes and the rank insignia. It would make my blood boil to see a civilian wearing that insignia whether on the proper blue shirt or not. My first commander that I served under in the CCGA was a flight sergeant in the RAF flying a B24 Liberator over Germany. Upon meeting him for the first time I noticed is RAF wings on his coast guard uniform and inquired. He earned those wings and the right to wear them on any uniform. It is thinking of his service that makes me shake my head when I see you wearing those same wings on an RAF battledress.

As a side note this gentleman, my friend is still going strong at 87 and still very actively involved in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary although less on-water duties. He is a typical Scot but in all his years has never worn a kilt (trews, yes). He also enjoys seeing this Englishman/Canadian wearing a kilt, so much so that I've often had to pose for photographs with whatever camera is available at the time.

In short I am not against the wearing of this jacket (nobody calls it a blouse in N.A., Jock) it is just a jacket. It's on for a great deal and would be an excellent accompaniment for kilts (especially the Royal Air Force tartan). It's when you start wearing insignia not earned that it ruffles my feathers.

[Riverkilt]

I hear you Grant,

it just ain't enough to change my mind about honoring my father, and his comrades, in this manner. Sorry. Guess we agree to disagree.

Semper Fi,
Ron

[ccga3359]

I hear you Grant,

it just ain't enough to change my mind about honoring my father, and his comrades, in this manner. Sorry. Guess we agree to disagree.

Semper Fi,
Ron

Fair enough I say no more. So how warm are these jackets? How thick the wool? I know we used to wear similar uniforms in the R.C. Air Cadets. they were fazed out in the late 70's and went to a bottle green (shudder) uniform as part of the unification of the armed forces.

[Riverkilt]

Jerry at WPG may have the exact weight. Its neither light or heavy. Feels about what you'd expect. Thicker than the wool midshipmen's shirts but thinner than a wool greatcoat or bridgecoat. Unlined.

The three jackets I have from WPG (enlisted and officer's Ike jacket replicas too) are all well made - except one Ike jacket's sleeve seems sewn on a tad funny. More noticeable on the hanger than when worn.

At $75 I don't think anyone would be dissappointed.

Ron

[csbdr]

Ron, do they run true to size? any need to go up or down? I ordered the hose and they were HUGE!

[Riverkilt]

Mine were true to size in the chest...

Did have a problem with one jacket with Jerry not looking closely at the size tag and shipping me a properly labeled much smaller size. He made a quick exchange. He sometimes forgets to put on his glasses he says...remind him and you should be fine.

Ron

[Bigkahuna]

Like you said Ron, in the U.S. we call them "Ike Jackets".

[macwilkin]

Like you said Ron, in the U.S. we call them "Ike Jackets".

Ah, but the British had them first.

T.