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  1. HPA Rep

    m422a jacket

    Big J, I cannot specifically comment about what may be wrong with the ELC size calculator (it's not in my control) but it usually works most of the time; however, there are indeed gray areas that it cannot account for and Gary Eastman and I have discussed this and how personally reviewing a...
  2. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    Thank you, Rick! I was checking these out and they do indeed look nice. The website says they run full, so do you think I should go down in size for a close fit under a jacket?
  3. HPA Rep

    m422a jacket

    Right on, Rick! The WWII jackets are what spin my propellers, though I adored the 55-J-14 I wore for so many years in my younger days. The exact date for spec. 55-J-14 is 31 Oct. 1947, while 7823 (AER) is 21 Nov. 1951. But the subject jacket of this thread, the M-422A, is a spec. dated 1...
  4. HPA Rep

    Eastman Leather Clothing USAC A-1 Capeskin Flying

    Thank you, Samo! Seb has correctly indicated that every style I'm wearing is an off-the-rack size; Eastman doesn't offer any custom tailoring such as waist tapers, etc., but they do offer longs and extra longs. I'd say that how a jacket will fit you depends on the size of the jacket in...
  5. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    :eusa_clap All the way!!!!
  7. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    I saw Pike Bros. with these, too, and I've been curious to get feedback on one. I've yet to find a repro that truly emulates the wool and fit of the vintage C-2s; Buzz Rickson's fit is quite good, but the wool is more coarse and a bit heavier vs. vintage. Vintage C-2s show up rarely...
  8. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    The blue is just a perfect blue, I think. It reflects such a narrow period in USAF history, thus making the jackets so very distinctive.
  9. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    Standby, I happy you've found a soft spot in your heart for our L-2A and thank you for the valued purchase. The L-2A remains #1 in sales of the three "L" series jackets - people just love the blue, as do I. The insulation and overall warmth seems to be equal among all of the "L" series...
  10. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    I certainly don't eschew non-vintage fabrics such as fleece, though I do tend to prefer the overall aesthetics of vintage styles. The C-2 is something I really, really enjoy wearing, largely because it fully zips and is easily removed and put on, and it fits so snugly without bulk as a layer...
  11. HPA Rep

    A2 Knit Merits

    I've never replaced any knits on any jacket I own, though I own so many that the rotation process may preclude any given jacket from having issues. Having said that, it only takes one occurrence, so rotation aside, if it's going to happen, it could just as easily happen on day one or year...
  13. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    Regarding the Buzz Rickson's L-2B length, only the really tall seem to have any issues, so someone 6' tall shouldn't have any problems. The size you need depends on what you are looking for and your personal taste in fit, so as we note on our website and as I personally practice, most buyers go...
  14. HPA Rep

    Eastman A2 versus Gibson Barnes A2

    The Eastman size calculator works most of the time, but there are indeed gray areas that it cannot account for and Gary Eastman and I have discussed this and how personally reviewing a customer's measures is always best. On our website we have sizing tips and listed measurements, which while...
  15. HPA Rep

    Eastman A2 versus Gibson Barnes A2

    Thank you for the reply. And you raise yet another good point - the precision with which repro A-2s are made fails to uphold the typically low quality we see in the vintage jackets as made by the lowest bidder using a pool of labor that ranged from experienced to novice and inept. I have to...
  16. HPA Rep

    Buzz Rickson's USAF 1957 L-2B Flying Jacket, Tops Apparel Mfg. Co.

    Thank you, fellas! I never thought I would say this prior to 2002 when we began carrying the Buzz Rickson's brand, but love the leather jackets as I do, these "L" series jackets are simply more comfortable and functional than the leather counterparts. I'm not about to not wear my leathers, but...
  17. HPA Rep

    Eastman Leather Clothing German Luftwaffe “Erich Hartmann” Flying Jacket, Brown

    Thank you all for the compliments! Though this isn't my own Hartmann, I do really enjoy the style as a cool jacket that works so well and that is, as Andrew mentioned, a great repro.
  19. HPA Rep

    Eastman Leather Clothing USAC A-1 Capeskin Flying

    Outstanding! Glad to have acted as the devil on your shoulder on this. :D
  20. HPA Rep

    Eastman A2 versus Gibson Barnes A2

    Yes, there was "slight" variation between original contractors and from the same contractor, but that was unintentional. I'm talking about, for example, intentionally adding 2" of length to the jacket or flaring out the waist area so the purchaser doesn't need to go to the next size, etc.
  21. HPA Rep

    Eastman A2 versus Gibson Barnes A2

    Exactly! "Shorty" Manch and Jimmy Stewart are two good examples of my point. And Joan Fontaine here could stand some tailoring on her A-2 ...
  22. HPA Rep

    Eastman A2 versus Gibson Barnes A2

    Okay, so having an adjustable seat or telescoping or tilt steering wheel in a hyper-accurate WWII jeep copy would all still be against the grain of total authenticity, as would a left-handed bolt be against the grain of authenticity on a precise copy of an M-1 rifle. If you need or prefer these...
  23. HPA Rep

    Eastman Leather Clothing German Luftwaffe “Erich Hartmann” Flying Jacket, Brown

    Eastman’s Erich Hartmann Jacket has always proven to be a hit with our customers. It’s not in the league of popularity of an A-2 Jacket, but it’s still a fine performer on the list of customer choices, mostly because it’s just a great-looking, great-fitting jacket that does not in any way...

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