a-2 jackets paint
What type or kind of paint is used for most or all flight jackets
In WW2 almost any kind of paint that could be used was used. Enamels if they could get it, lead based aviation paint, oil paint...whatever the 'artist' could get their hands on. Some squadron artists could only get their hands on yellow airplane paint, so the artwork on the jacket was done in yellow. As troops settled in, painting flight jackets became a cottage industry for the local artisans. Since some of the paints were not meant to be used on leather, they rubbed off, flaked off, and faded. WW2 flight jackets with visible paint jobs are highly prized by collectors.
Current artists who paint reproduction painted flight jackets use acrylic latex or enamel paint. The opinion of the customers who want an enamel paint job, is that it's more authentic to WW2. Most modern artists use acrylic latex. Acrylics wear extremely well, flexing and stretching with the leather, it's easy to use, and dries quickly. Personally, I like enamel paint jobs because they crack and craze with wear, giving the paint job a nice patina. With that being said, I only own one jacket painted with enamel, all my other jackets were painted with acrylics.
