Aero Barnstormer

[Edward]

I think the rust would look great on the barnstormer, Edward, a nice contrast to the expanse of dark hide.

Yes, I agree - I certainly like it on my AN6552, against the seal brown goatskin.

 

[Sloan1874]

The seal brown is a lovely colour. Quite shamefully, having not even got my first one yet, I was looking at the Aero website last night, earmarking possible 'next purchase' candidates and I kept being drawn to a B-6 flight jacket. Does anyone who owns one of these, or tried them on, know if it's the kind of jacket that you'd get a lot of wear out of? I mean, beyond the depths of winter, is it a 'usable' purchase in say spring or autumn. I know the likes of the Luftwaffe shearling is such a hard core piece of leather that it's just too heavy for the UK climate, even up here, so I'm wondering if that's a general problem with flight jackets.

 

[ButteMT61]

The seal brown is a lovely colour. Quite shamefully, having not even got my first one yet, I was looking at the Aero website last night, earmarking possible 'next purchase' candidates and I kept being drawn to a B-6 flight jacket. Does anyone who owns one of these, or tried them on, know if it's the kind of jacket that you'd get a lot of wear out of? I mean, beyond the depths of winter, is it a 'usable' purchase in say spring or autumn. I know the likes of the Luftwaffe shearling is such a hard core piece of leather that it's just too heavy for the UK climate, even up here, so I'm wondering if that's a general problem with flight jackets.

I live in California and I got my son an Aero B-3. Sure, it's not worn every day, but when he travels or,goes to the mountains, it's worth it's weight in gold. I happen to like the look of "redskin" B-3's, but I'm not a fan of some of the companies that make them. The B-3 I got is beautiful, if not the most "accurate" (for those stuck on such things). Neither of us are flying B-17's over Europe, so it'll do donkey - it'll do lol

 

[Sloan1874]

I live in California and I got my son an Aero B-3. Sure, it's not worn every day, but when he travels or,goes to the mountains, it's worth it's weight in gold. I happen to like the look of "redskin" B-3's, but I'm not a fan of some of the companies that make them. The B-3 I got is beautiful, if not the most "accurate" (for those stuck on such things). Neither of us are flying B-17's over Europe, so it'll do donkey - it'll do lol

Actually, how that I've had a look at it, that's a very lovely piece. I particularly like the seal-russet combination. I may just set up a little 'B-3 fund' at the start of the next year, with a little judicious saving it shouldn't be too hard to get the cash... I'm obviously losing my marbles here, but hell, it's fun!

 

[Edward]

The seal brown is a lovely colour. Quite shamefully, having not even got my first one yet, I was looking at the Aero website last night, earmarking possible 'next purchase' candidates and I kept being drawn to a B-6 flight jacket. Does anyone who owns one of these, or tried them on, know if it's the kind of jacket that you'd get a lot of wear out of? I mean, beyond the depths of winter, is it a 'usable' purchase in say spring or autumn. I know the likes of the Luftwaffe shearling is such a hard core piece of leather that it's just too heavy for the UK climate, even up here, so I'm wondering if that's a general problem with flight jackets.

You're up in Scotland, if memory serves? I'd say go for it. I've never owned a B6, but I have an ELC Irvin and a LW B3 both, and they see plenty of wear down here in London from mid November through to early February. I'd say they're wearable for a good three months of the year, give or take. The B6 being that little bit lighter probably moreso.

I live in California and I got my son an Aero B-3. Sure, it's not worn every day, but when he travels or,goes to the mountains, it's worth it's weight in gold. I happen to like the look of "redskin" B-3's, but I'm not a fan of some of the companies that make them. The B-3 I got is beautiful, if not the most "accurate" (for those stuck on such things). Neither of us are flying B-17's over Europe, so it'll do donkey - it'll do lol

Most of the experts I know have long preferred ELC over Aero in terms of all-out accuracy of their military jackets, but I had the impression the vibe was they were pretty much spot on with the B3? I could be wrong. Aero's "problem" with the Irvin seems to be with the sleeves (always look a bit too narrow / tubular in the photos, to my eye anyhow?), but the B3s look good. I agree, though, that in a civilian context I'd be happy to waive a couple of minor details i it overall looked "right" in favour of a bit of a price saving.

 

[Sloan1874]

The full-body shearling flight suit Aero have on show in their wee museum is amazing, though I suspect impractical for a night in front of the telly.

 

[ButteMT61]

You're up in Scotland, if memory serves? I'd say go for it. I've never owned a B6, but I have an ELC Irvin and a LW B3 both, and they see plenty of wear down here in London from mid November through to early February. I'd say they're wearable for a good three months of the year, give or take. The B6 being that little bit lighter probably moreso. Most of the experts I know have long preferred ELC over Aero in terms of all-out accuracy of their military jackets, but I had the impression the vibe was they were pretty much spot on with the B3? I could be wrong. Aero's "problem" with the Irvin seems to be with the sleeves (always look a bit too narrow / tubular in the photos, to my eye anyhow?), but the B3s look good. I agree, though, that in a civilian context I'd be happy to waive a couple of minor details i it overall looked "right" in favour of a bit of a price saving.

The B-3 I can't fault at all. But I'm not one of the experts on such things. I've read that those folks like ELC. I've never been a fan of the sheering hides I've seen sans a couple of their redskins. According to some, they use new hides now, and they're supposed to be better. The Aero B-3 I got for Dakota is a perfect jacket. If it's not 100% accurate, it doesn't matter to him or me. If I lived in a cold clime, I'd have a B-3 and B-6. Scotland qualifies for sure!

 

[Sloan1874]

Out of interest, and I'm not saying it's to be relied upon completely, but Wikipedia has this to say on shearlings: "The fibers of shearling tend to wick away moisture or retain moisture, depending on humidity, and thus a garment or item of footwear made from them tends to be comfortable year round."

 

[Davy Crockett]

Sloan1874,
I have an Aero B6, I love it! I previously had an Irvin replica which I personally found a little too warm for more than a couple of months a year, the Aero B6 suits my needs just fine, I know it may not be as historically accurate as an Eastman(nothing against Eastman, I have one of their A2's), the fleece on an Aero B6 is thicker than an Eastman, I found the Eastman rather too thin for my needs, It is a jacket which you can wear in Autumn or Spring with just a single layer underneath, I also think the B6 has a very flattering shape from the rear and is slightly longer, I'm very pleased I went for the Aero version after a long deliberation!

D

 

[Sloan1874]

Right, January 1st, the Aero shearling fund starts! Or, if my lottery numbers come up, then it's a long afternoon over in Galashiels...

 

[Lear]

Someone will drag this thread back on-topic. Until then... I'm also a wool sock person for summer. Anything else has my foot sitting in a pool of sweat. Wool can stay dirty/sweaty and won't smell like cotton does. I like the idea of having a FQHH jacket with wool lining. Might day do this one day, knowing it would limit its usage to a couple of months a year.

Really must investigate Smartwool in the UK. Currently using RM WIlliams, as they come in large sizes to fit a size UK 12 foot.

Now, back to the Barnstormer...

Lear

 

[PADDY]

Gents - the socks 'thing' is GREAT and very valuable, but wrong thread 'here' and really deserves a 'thread of it's own' so it doesn't get lost - okay? thanks

BACK ON TOPIC please - thankyou Gents.

 

[PADDY]

Gents - the socks 'thing' is GREAT and very valuable, but wrong thread 'here' and really deserves a 'thread of it's own' so it doesn't get lost - okay? thanks

*It takes a fair amount of time to edit these things and move them to a new, more easily 'findable' area, so please try to stay on the thread topic so it doesn't become a mishmash Cheers*

NEW SOCK THREAD IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

BACK ON TOPIC please - thankyou Gents.

 

[Sloan1874]

Lol. Amazing how you get distracted. I was going to bring it back to the barnstormer - well, at least the collar - does anyone know if there's an issue with adding this on to an order post-the initial measuring etc? I'm guessing that much of the lag is just the backlog in orders, but I suppose there must be a point where people phone up endlessly shouting "just one more thing!" and asking for changes must become tiring for them.

 

[Davy Crockett]

You can generally make changes up to the time the jacket gets produced usually 2-3 days before you will get it, however I wouldn't leave it that long, give Amanda or Will a ring and tell her what you want they will then let you know if it's OK

D

 

[Otter]

Certainly floats my boat, I never knew they did removable collars. I have wanted a Barnstormer for a while, when I order, I now know what I will get.

 

[Edward]

Right, January 1st, the Aero shearling fund starts! Or, if my lottery numbers come up, then it's a long afternoon over in Galashiels...

Ha..... I'd be having a week up there to bother the Aero team, right after I'd dropped down the Row to Henry Poole and ordered up a dozen suits....

 

[Sloan1874]

Ha! I read that now and my laughter is rather hollow: just the one jacket...:eeek:

 

[Edward]

You're one of us, now, Mr Sloan. Don't fight it, resistance only makes the drive stronger....

 

[Sloan1874]

As they say, it's all about mind over matter: if you don't mind, then it doesn't matter... Oh, and if my numbers come up then it's Huntsman for me! I've lusted after one of their suits for years.