How Do I Recondition This A2?

[raf]

From the curators that maintain A2s in museums I have read to not use anything with fat or animal products in it as it will cause damage to the cotton threads.
But to each their own.
From my point of view less is more when it comes to old leather. I have used Pecards for years with no bad side effects. But I use it sparingly. I know guys that pull out a jacket a throw stuff on their jackets a lot.

Since you mention the subject, Pecards was specifically recommended to me by the folks at the Army War College Museum at Carlisle Barracks, PA.

 

[HatsBySam]

Since you mention the subject, Pecards was specifically recommended to me by the folks at the Army War College Museum at Carlisle Barracks, PA.

Another pecard fan here. I use it on all forms of full grain leather - belts, boots, sheaths, leather sweatbands, it makes old leather footballs look fantastic, too.

 

[jchance]

Thank you for the advice phew dodged a ****** there, and back to the drawing board leather for good jacket

You can get a military-issued A-2 for $200-300, if you know what to look for.

 

[DogFacePonySoldier]

You can get a military-issued A-2 for $200-300, if you know what to look for.

I have a vague limited understanding

 

[jchance]

I have a vague limited understanding

You can read through the following A-2 guide several times and use it as a reference for a thorough understanding:

The Mighty A-2: A Guide to the Army Air Forces’ Leather Flying Jacket

Introduction: One of the first things that any newbie stumbling onto vintageleatherjackets.org (VLJ) and looking to buy a flight jacket learns (besides “it costs how much?!”) is that there was not one A-2 jacket, but countless combinations of patterns, leathers, zippers, thread and knit colors...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

 

[TLW '90]

You can get a military-issued A-2 for $200-300, if you know what to look for.

Yes, but probably not a ww2 A2.

A post '88 USN or USAF cooper / saddlery A2 can definitely be had for under $200, sometimes even under $100.
They're good jackets and have their official issue status going for them, but I would expect most 50's-60's civilian A2's to be a bit better.