The Flight Jacket Thread

[moykky]

That William Gibson -model MA-1 is so coool. Top it with sunglasses with mirror lenses...

Attention you leather armoured SuperFuturians! I bought an unused Schott leatherjacket from eBay but it's a bit dry after ~25 years of storage, so what would be the best way to soften it? Pecards antique leather dressing?

[jake431]

That William Gibson -model MA-1 is so coool. Top it with sunglasses with mirror lenses...

Attention you leather armoured SuperFuturians! I bought an unused Schott leatherjacket from eBay but it's a bit dry after ~25 years of storage, so what would be the best way to soften it? Pecards antique leather dressing?

A little pecards goes a LONG way - use less than you think it needs, then let it soak in overnight, or over a couple of days. Wipe of the excess. You should be good to go. It might darken the leather slightly, just fair warning.

-Jake

[Chicken]

^ i second that. pecards will do magic on dry leather. letting it soak in for few days is key, though. and little at a time is better than too much at once, imo.

and pics please.

[moykky]

Thanks guys. It's that 674-model with faux lambshair lining. Very heavy winterjacket. The only place that sells Pecards in Europe is closed until the 17th...

[bustinxjustin]

SidneyLo, that jacket looks awesome on you!

[dave023]

Just fell in love with this Buzz Rickson's A2 jacket....( Hand aniline dye)

New and worn in...

Simply gorgeous...

[SLAB]

that looks amazing!

[moykky]

that looks amazing!

Indeed it does! Why can't they be more affordable for common people...

[pantheist]

purchased this weekend.

[heBAY]

This might be a newbie question...but how do brands like Schott measure up in quality of their leather flight jackets?

[jake431]

This might be a newbie question...but how do brands like Schott measure up in quality of their leather flight jackets?

Schott makes good quality jackets, construction wise (or so I've heard from all who own them), but they're not authentic in any way, shape, form. But you may not want an authentic A-2 or G-1 flight jacket. If not, their stuff is made well.

But if you want authentic, I'd look elsewhere.

-Jake

[Chicken]

by elsewhere, good place to start for a-2 is:

* Aero Leather Clothing Co., Inc.

* Bronco Mfg. Co.

* Cable Raincoat Co.

* Cooper Sportswear Mfg. Co.

* David D. Doniger & Co.

* J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co.

* Monarch Mfg. Co.

* Perry Sportswear, Inc.

* Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co., Inc.

* Rough Wear Clothing Co.

* Spiewak & Sons

* Star Sportswear

* United Sheeplined Clothing Co.

* Werber Sportswear

i think here's a good link if you want to learn some stuff about a-2s, not that i'm an expert on a-2s:

http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/index.shtml

[jake431]

by elsewhere, good place to start is:

* Aero Leather Clothing Co., Inc.

* Bronco Mfg. Co.

* Cable Raincoat Co.

* Cooper Sportswear Mfg. Co.

* David D. Doniger & Co.

* J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co.

* Monarch Mfg. Co.

* Perry Sportswear, Inc.

* Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co., Inc.

* Rough Wear Clothing Co.

* Spiewak & Sons

* Star Sportswear

* United Sheeplined Clothing Co.

* Werber Sportswear

i think here's a good link if you want to learn some stuff about a-2s, not that i'm an expert on a-2s:

http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/index.shtml

Chicken's just named a mess of originals - they will cost a fortune most likely.

Some places for more authentic jackets you can wear without having a grabber everytime you spill something, try these manufacturers:

http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/index.html

http://www.realmccoys.co.nz/

http://www.eastmanleather.com/

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/

A few less expensive options:

http://www.flightsuits.com/ (Gibsons and Barnes)

http://www.usauthentic.com/

Here is a forum dedicated to the minutae of flight jackets:

http://cornellsurgery.com/phpBB3/

Once you learn a little bit more about these jackets, eBay is always a good place to browse in search of a (relative) bargain.

-Jake

[heBAY]

by elsewhere, good place to start for a-2 is:

* Aero Leather Clothing Co., Inc.

* Bronco Mfg. Co.

* Cable Raincoat Co.

* Cooper Sportswear Mfg. Co.

* David D. Doniger & Co.

* J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co.

* Monarch Mfg. Co.

* Perry Sportswear, Inc.

* Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co., Inc.

* Rough Wear Clothing Co.

* Spiewak & Sons

* Star Sportswear

* United Sheeplined Clothing Co.

* Werber Sportswear

i think here's a good link if you want to learn some stuff about a-2s, not that i'm an expert on a-2s:

http://www.acmedepot.com/a2jacket/index.shtml

Chicken's just named a mess of originals - they will cost a fortune most likely.

Some places for more authentic jackets you can wear without having a grabber everytime you spill something, try these manufacturers:

http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/index.html

http://www.realmccoys.co.nz/

http://www.eastmanleather.com/

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/

A few less expensive options:

http://www.flightsuits.com/ (Gibsons and Barnes)

http://www.usauthentic.com/

Here is a forum dedicated to the minutae of flight jackets:

http://cornellsurgery.com/phpBB3/

Once you learn a little bit more about these jackets, eBay is always a good place to browse in search of a (relative) bargain.

-Jake

Rep coming your way in 24 hours. Thanks...I'll definitely take a look. I tapped into the eBAY world of "vintage" a-2's and g-1's and found a bunch from Brill Bros. (there were others...but that was a name that stuck out)...is that an authentic vintage manufacturer?

Thanks again.

[jake431]

Rep coming your way in 24 hours. Thanks...I'll definitely take a look. I tapped into the eBAY world of "vintage" a-2's and g-1's and found a bunch from Brill Bros. (there were others...but that was a name that stuck out)...is that an authentic vintage manufacturer?

Thanks again.

Brill Bros is a real G-1 manufacturer, but most collectors I know stay away from their jackets in favor of other manufacturers of Navy jackets. Still as a starter jacket, you could do worse.

-Jake

[Chicken]

a minor contribution:

buzz rickson's ma-1 black

usaf cwu-45/p

scovill zipper

usaf cwu-45/p on sale

[SLAB]

nice collection Chicken!

[fardin]

hey HEBAY another great forum for flight jackets is http://www.thefedoralounge.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

they have many threads on A2s and this will answer all your questions if you are interested in authentic flight jackets.

and check out jacke431s links. with aeroleather its always good to look at the used aero link or the sale part, they sell alot of their jackets there cheaper, and they are just great.

[jake431]

Following Chicken's lead, here are some jackets I have owned:

Buzz Rickson B-15( Mod:

Buzz Rickson L-2A:

Aero Leather 1940 contract A-2:

This is just a smattering of the stuff I've owned. It's easy to spend too much on flight jackets; I suppose that's why there is such an overlap (I've found) between jacket nuts and denimheads.

-Jake

[red]

that a-2 looks sweet. mind if i get a fit pic?

[jake431]

that a-2 looks sweet. mind if i get a fit pic?

Sure, if you don't mind looking at my beautiful face (and who would?). I wound up returning the jacket and getting a larger one.

Here's the jacket one size up:

Ultimately, I've come to accept that 99% of all A-2's are too short in the body for me, because 1) I have a long torso, and 2) I don't tuck shit in, basically ever (except for formal occasions which demand it). I tend to live in t-shirts and jeans, and A-2's just aren't long enough to cover an untucked shirt to an appropriate degree.

-Jake

[dave023]

Great jacket Jake!!How's the leather on this jacket, is it horsehide? and how is the sizing on this jacket?

[jake431]

Great jacket Jake!!How's the leather on this jacket, is it horsehide? and how is the sizing on this jacket?

Thanks Dave - it's their smooth "russet" horsehide. Really more of a chocolate shade (which I loved), and the knits were the "caramel" shade, which were lighter than their mid-brown knits most people get. I really liked the contrast, more subtle than their "rust" shade which I feel is a little too red.

The sizing was trim, trimmer than their usual 1942 contract A-2. But the shoulders were too wide (they have a persistent pattern problem in that regard across all their A-2's) for me, and I added some length to the body but it was still a little too short (for me, not for people who tuck shirts in).

All in all it was a fabulous jacket, although one I did not ultimately keep.

-Jake

[Chicken]

This is just a smattering of the stuff I've owned. It's easy to spend too much on flight jackets; I suppose that's why there is such an overlap (I've found) between jacket nuts and denimheads.

-Jake

yes, and flight jackets go so well with jeans!

nice jackets, jake. especially like the color of the ribbings on your a-2.

[Slub]

I also have an Aero A2 - the Anniversary model - and love the quality of the leather, really heavy horsehide. It was quite stiff initially but after a few months wear softens up.

Fit is 'authentic' i.e. its pretty trim round the body and under arm. I'd agree with Jake's point above about length. This isn't so bad for me but I do also avoid wearing long fitting tees (AA over GAP for example).

After a year of wear the colour around the elbows, pockets, etc. is looking great, there is a dark reddish base under the dark seal brown - on the way to looking like this 4 year old example from Aero

[Chicken]

if you guys are having difficulties with length, i think there are some models out there that are slimmer/longer. like this a-2 from standard clothing in japan, for example. but these limited editions are already all sold out.

[jake431]

yes, and flight jackets go so well with jeans!

nice jackets, jake. especially like the color of the ribbings on your a-2.

if you guys are having difficulties with length, i think there are some models out there that are slimmer/longer. like this a-2 from standard clothing in japan, for example. but these limited editions are already all sold out.

Chicken - Thanks. I don't have a picture of my two favorite repro(s): my RMNZ M-422a, which is five years old and looking fantastic, or my RMJ B-10 Stagg. Both of which are not too short for t-shirts, which is partially why I love them so much, and the mouton collars are too cool. Regarding Length, the next A-2 I will get is a Dubow model from Goodwear - John Chapman (the owner and current sole maker of all of the jackets) will gladly make one long enough in the body for me, and his leather and details are all about as accurate as owning a NOS original. Not to mention as they are made in the USA no customs hit on shipping...

-Jake

[dave023]

Thanks Dave - it's their smooth "russet" horsehide. Really more of a chocolate shade (which I loved), and the knits were the "caramel" shade, which were lighter than their mid-brown knits most people get. I really liked the contrast, more subtle than their "rust" shade which I feel is a little too red.

The sizing was trim, trimmer than their usual 1942 contract A-2. But the shoulders were too wide (they have a persistent pattern problem in that regard across all their A-2's) for me, and I added some length to the body but it was still a little too short (for me, not for people who tuck shirts in).

All in all it was a fabulous jacket, although one I did not ultimately keep.

-Jake

Thanks Jake!

I've been looking for a while now at the Aero site, only issue is that I'm a big broad shouldered guy ( 1m87 and 100kg) so I have no idea how to size...

So, would you advize to size up on my true size?

[jake431]

Thanks Jake!

I've been looking for a while now at the Aero site, only issue is that I'm a big broad shouldered guy ( 1m87 and 100kg) so I have no idea how to size...

So, would you advize to size up on my true size?

Dave - I would not advise you size up. Really what I would do is contact Amanda at Aero, tell her which model you are interested in, and provide your measurements. Also tell her your suit jacket size and how you'd like the A-2 to fit. She will be able to put you into a jacket that is perfect. Aero will make your jacket custom, so no worries about trying to jam yourself into an off-the-rack A-2. The wait will be maddening but is part of the process, it's how you "earn" your jacket.

-Jake

[dave023]

Dave - I would not advise you size up. Really what I would do is contact Amanda at Aero, tell her which model you are interested in, and provide your measurements. Also tell her your suit jacket size and how you'd like the A-2 to fit. She will be able to put you into a jacket that is perfect. Aero will make your jacket custom, so no worries about trying to jam yourself into an off-the-rack A-2. The wait will be maddening but is part of the process, it's how you "earn" your jacket.

-Jake

Thank you!

That's the issue too...which model...???USAAF or original contract etc....too many choices...