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Aero Anj4

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
What happen to the 'report' a post option..? Without that alert, this kind of stuff can drag on a lot easier.

It's still there... there's a little drop down menu to the left of the bottom strip under each post. Click on that. (This is on my mobile device, anyhow.)
 

alfyman

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
Cameron Park CA
So I was cheeky and asked Ken if I could borrow one of the new pattern long zip type Anj4 jackets. Of course he agreed and after a one week wait he sent one out by courier.
What a beautiful jacket it is made from very nice soft sheepskin with superb soft cream coloured shiny fleece and really great horse hide facings of the correct colour. The first impression was that this is an easy wearing garment as there is no struggle to get it on and it zips up the first time with ease. There is virtually no restriction to movement. This is a generous 42 with plenty of room so it would be wise to check dimensions carefully when ordering. It's also quite long and gives adequate cover of the lower back without the skirting that can occur when the side belts are tightened.
I notice that this jacket has a two panel back. Most of the originals seem to be single panel, certainly the Eastman and Lost Worlds have single panels so I am unsure whether this is a copy of a specific contract.
There are a couple of minor seam wobbles but these are very minor and certainly wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I only point them out to be objective.
So in comparison to the recently reviewed Lost Worlds I would say that this is almost as good. It comes very very close in terms of quality and exceeds it in the choice of leather trim. The double rivets are àlso very nice touch.The main thing though is the price, it is almost half the cost !
In conclusion I would say that there is no longer any need to go to The Real McCoy's as we have our own version in Scotland.
Thanks to Bernie for making the jacket.
Apologies for any inverted images Tiny pic doesn't like my tablet.
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Beautiful Jacket, where can I buy this one.? Thank you.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
A little tidying up of this thread has been done. Interesting to hear you guys aren't seeing the 'report' button.... The thread was reported by one of our members, so some folks must be able to pick it up, may be abrowser thing? I'll raise it with the mod team.
 

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
An idiot-proof 'report' button would be a good addition if feasible. It might take years to get Zoran erased from all of the threads he opened. :eek:
 

alfyman

One of the Regulars
Messages
202
Location
Cameron Park CA
Noble House come in for some criticism for Irvins/A-2s, etc., but their Kanaljacke (http://www.noble-house.eu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=43) looks more substantial/accurate than some of their other jackets.
I purchased the Kanaljacke winter version, I really like the Fit and the leather, The interior lining is Curly sheepskin, My only disappointment was that the collar and the wind flap was not Mouton, it has a type of carpet rug feel, I am having the collar and wind flap changed to a black mouton as I type,
 

esm87

New in Town
Messages
28
Hi guys, first post here. Recently looking into these badass flight jackets. I love the look of the ANJ-4 model. Im currently really taken by the simmons-bilt model, anybody have any experience with that aswell as this one??

Hope everybody is good!
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,427
Location
Glasgow
Buy the Aero one. Comes with built-in integrity and it's accurate as you'll get. Is it just me, or is spate of 'I'm thinking of buying a SB jacket is rather odd? Buy what you like, but I'd say this forum is not the best place to ask for recommendations about a brand built on the theft of patterns and IP of another.
 

esm87

New in Town
Messages
28
Hi sloan!

I literally have no experience in the hobby of collecting pilot jackets, apologies for any ignorance.

I literally seen a cool jacket which I found out was a B3 and started looking into these badboys. Over the past few days I have looked into the various models and manufacturers etc.

I just think the colour of the SB ANJ-4 is awesome, but I seem to like all the versions of it. Just think the look of it on the website is really cool.

Im not versed in the story behind each model and manufacture, if SB have a bad rep im blind to it at the moment. I hope nobody takes offence.

Im down in south wales UK and am struggling to find a shop thatstocks these flight jackets to at least try on in person.

Some superb flight jackets to admire that I bet would look awesome with fitted jeans and nice boots.

The redskin variant of various models also look amazing on the net. Cool place you guys have here!!!

Cheers for the reply.

I also like the D1 and B6 models.
 

Plumbline

One Too Many
Messages
1,271
Location
UK
If you want the best ANJ-4 available new currently ... IMHO buy a Lost Worlds. Until I ever get my hands on a 2nd hand RMNZ ANJ-4 ... of the most recent 12 ( yes that is right .. 12 ) ANJ-4's ( including 2 x originals) I have owned ( though I am still a novice compared to John on ANJ-4's) .

4 x Aero's (both former and latter models)
1 x SB
3 x Eastmans
2 x Lost Worlds
2 x Originals

The Aero is nice but IMHO the Eastman is a better made jacket. The SB is a great jacket and their new pattern is much better than the old one which was OK but the post 2016 pattern is much better and more Eastman-esq. There are no "bad" ANJ-4's really ..... at least not from the major repro makers. It depends on your price point and what you want, you pays yer money and you takes your choice. I'd say the price point reflects the relative quality of the jackets ( This may be slightly different from Dr Levers evaluation but it's just MHO). The Lost Worlds is rare ( read long waiting list) and @£1500+ ..... the Eastman £950 and Aero @£825 and the SB £750. There are also a number of others e.g. Pike Brothers at £1450, RRL and various mainstream versions. Is the Lost Worlds worth 2 x the SB .... not in MHO but it IS better than all the rest with the Eastman the best of the UK, followed closely by Aero then SB.

Mine hardly get worn (I'm down to two) ... it's a major league jacket ..... and is heavy / incredibly warm but BULKY. I wear my B-2 and N-1 and never really need more. In the UK the D-1 is probably;ly the best 4 season jacket around and will be suitable with layering, a scarf and gloves for ANYTHING the UK has to offer.

Unless you are moving to Canada or Norway and you're set on a shearling buy a D-1 (it's such a simple yet practical jacket and all the repros are on a par TBH) or if you want to be a bit flashier a B-6 with it's epaulettes and bi-swing back. Then again maybe you want an ANJ-4 wardrobe decoration like mine :)
 

John Lever

One Too Many
Messages
1,820
Location
Southern England
All the jackets mentioned by Robb are excellent so you can't go wrong really. With the costs associated with running a small business and relatively smell runs these jackets will always come at a premium price. Buy second hand if you can.

Aero have a sales page that offers great value.
The rarest one in my collection is a Real McCoys Japan. I'd only ever seen them on japanese blogs the last one ten years ago so I just had to have it at around 800 GBP. Totally mint a real keeper if such a thing exists in this mad hobby.
 

esm87

New in Town
Messages
28
Guys, thanks alot for the info and guidance. The knowledge shared is very much appreciated!

Looking at the Aero Leather clothing D1 in redskin and I really like what I see, it's the colour that gives it that bit of luxury look to it for me.

I'll take you guys word for it, that the B3 and ANJ-4 is probably overkill for a uk winter and that a D1 is more practical wearer friendly year round.

I will try to get upto england to a store to check these jackets out in person.

Do companies offer alterations such as adding zipper sleeves on the D1 I mentioned for example, should I wish to wear merino wool gauntlet gloves?? I do like the zippered pockets though, very practical.

I would want the jacket to be of a fitted look around the waist area with bit of a snug fit overall including arms. Im 29, in decent enough shape, broad shouldered, stocky/muscular build.

I will try and find some interesting threads on here regarding the D1 jacket, I will get the hang of the site quick enough I imagine.

The jackets in various threads here by the members really look awesome. Must feel great dressed up in these jackets with jeans and boots, when the majority of people don't wear these style of jackets. Head turners for sure.
 

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