A-1 Jacket / A1 Flying Jacket - The ultimate Golden Era flying accessory!

[boyorastroboy]

Nice work, Mark. Looks excellent. So how does one become a customer?

 

[fishmeok]

drop me a PM or e-mail superiorflightapparel@gmail.com
I'm in Minneapolis now, I think you are somewhere in the metro too if i remember right?
Cheers
Mark

 

[Fletch]

Moon Flight, 1929

No, just kidding, it's a Keystone bomber crew under Lieut. Odas Moon. They sham-bombed New York City at night - a first - as part of aerial maneuvers in May, 1929. L-R, they are Lieuts. Charles T. Skow (radioman), Moon (pilot), Eugene L. Eubank (copilot), and John P. Richter (observer and refueler). The Keystone also carried a civilian navigator (the Army Air Corps did not yet train navigators as such).

This is one of the best group photos I have found of airmen using the A-1 jacket. Each wears the early variant with waist buttons (no snaps), layered over V-neck sweaters. The well-used A-1s show the distinctive graining and stretch of capeskin and the button front's tendency to gap.

The pic is notable as well for the achievements of these pilots. "Odie" Moon had piloted a tanker plane as part of the marathon Question Mark flight earlier in '29 – an operation apparently repeated on this May flight. He was an early strategic bombing instructor before alcoholism led to his grounding and premature death in 1937, at the rank of major.

Charles Skow had flown in the first crop-dusting experiments earlier in the '20s. Gene Eubank, a fellow bombing instructor of Moon's and later CO of the 19th Bomb Group, is remembered for introducing the 1943 film Bombardier. John Richter, in 1923, had been the first ever to refuel an airplane in flight.

 

[Fletch]

I see the gremlins have eaten the picture I posted above. Here it is again. Bigger this time. Take that, gremlins.

 

[Fletch]

OH BTW!

I've turned up a great gob of pix illustrating the Navy's A-1 variant, the 37J1. Go to this thread to see them.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Here's one i'm selling right now in Classifieds. (hint) An original from the 1930s in size 44. Immaculate.

The front, highlighting the classic patch pockets with buttoned flaps. See the bottom for these buttons, guys. They are spectacular buttons. I suspect they're Corozo, but i'll be getting them under a microscope tomorrow to have a look-see. Also showing the mandarin-type collar, and the cuffs. And the obvious knit waistband unlike the one above. There are two vent grommets at each armpit, to the front of the side seam.

3 panel rear and 2 panel arms. Interesting mismatching of colour on panels, especially on the collar back it's quite evident.

A close-up of the collar area. You can also see the knit wool lining. That hole is where, i think, a label was attached. There is another hole at about the right position to suggest these were where the ends of a rectangular label were attached. See below for close-ups of the zipper; it's a good 'un. The collar is lined in almost corduroy material. It isn't really corduroy, but it's getting there. Ribbed and appears to be cotton.

Pocket flap. Lovely buttons.

Here's the front of the zipper. Puller and stopper box are a quite early Lightning variant. I can post pics of a slightly later Lightning, where the slider looks more like a Lightning, rather than this one that looks much more like a Talon. The stopper box is also different from the later Lightnings, which usually had vertical ribbing.

And the rear. Look at the huge curved portion at the top of the slider. This is where the one-piece cast slider was folded over to complete the engineering process. What a piece of work!

An attempt to give more detail of the knit cuff. In green, black and white elasticated material.

And the cuffs. These are very nicely constructed, and lined with the same cream wool as the rest of the jacket. Look at that little securing button on the interior where the button is attached. Nice touch!

AND FINALLY! Those buttons. Absolute works of art. Really beautiful orange buttons throughout (both pocket and cuff buttons match), with an apparently natural swirl pattern that suggests to me that they're Corozo. Lovely. Shows up the grain of the leather quite nicely too.

bk

 

[newsboy]

Hey Mark, how much would you charge for an goatskin A-1? I think we're just about the same size.

 

[Fletch]

Here's a very late pic of an A-1 on duty - April, 1938. Brig. Gen. James Chaney, CO of the Randolph Field training center, is suiting up for some LIFE photographers. Click to enlarge

 

[Fletch]

Wearing a pretty salty A-1 behind his desk is Lieut. Carlton F. Bond, Air Reserve Corps, CO of Pearson Field, Vancouver, Wash., and the 321st Observation Squadron from 1929-'33.

Note his distinctly unmilitary watch and dramatic cigarette case.

Officers of the 321st on maneuvers, 1933. Bond is 4th from r, top. Note the reservists' mix of A-2s, A-1s, and civvy jackets.

Pearson first landed a balloon in 1905 and still serves general aviation, making it the US' oldest operating airfield.

ca. 1930

 

[andy richards]

Just bought an Eastman A-1 jacket

Gents,

In the classified section of the FL I found this wonderful Eastman A-1 jacket.
I could not resist and bought it. Can't wait to have the jacket here...

Here's the link:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?53665-For-sale-Eastman-A1

When the jacket arrives I will post some more pictures.

Cheers,
Andy

 

[blethook]

Congrats!

You won't regret it!

It's one of my two favourite jackets...

 

[andy richards]

Thanks Blethook. I was about to order one new directly from Aeroleather of Eastman, and just stumbled over this wonderful example and could not resist...
Andy

 

[rumblefish]

Good for you, you won't be disappointed!
I'll wear mine all winter long; with a tweed overcoat till I get to the office and it stays on all day, unless the the building gets stuffy.

You darn well better post some pictures.

 

[jack miranda]

I'll add my Yes! Well done! to blethook and rumblefish.

I bought an Aero second-hand a few years ago. A great jacket. Even my wife thinks it looks great. You will enjoy wearing it every time you put it on. Congratulations, and yes, please, pics when it arrives.

 

[andy richards]

Thanks guys!
This jacket is made of capeskin. According to Eastmans' website it is "butterly soft. I understand it is not that heavy and thick like FQHH, but how about quality of this type of leather? Does it wear fast? And how about maintaining this leather? Also Pecard dressing?
Yep, I sure will post pictures!
Thanks,
Andy

 

[1087]

Excellent choice and score Andy!!
Wear it in good health for many years to come!.
Please post few pics when you get it!

 

[andy richards]

Thanks for your kind words, 1087.
Sure I will post pics!
Cheers,
Andy
ps: tonight I will celebrate my buy with a couple of Dutch beers...

 

[PADDY]

Photos? please...

 

[Fletch]

Great pick Andy. I have one myself and love wearing it.

This A-1, along with the Security A-2 from Good Wear, are like "brands from the burning" - revivals of original garments so rare and known to so few that it's amazing they could be reproduced at all.

 

[andy richards]

Gents,
Last week my Eastman A-1 came in, finally made some pics for you guys.
I love the fit of this jacket. The capeskin leather is very supple and wears like a merino wool sweater of flanel shirt.
This weekend I will give it one coating of Pecards' leather dressing, will post pictures after doing so.

Measurements are:
Size 42, armlength incl cuffs 25", front armpit to armpit 24", back armpit to armpit 22.5", backlength incl waist 25.5".

Cheers,
Andy