Brettafett
One Too Many
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- 1,343
- Location
- UK
Hello everybody,
A while back, while in Denmark, I contacted Morten at AVI Leathers (www.avilthr.com) and we talked ‘A-2’s. So, keen on a seal version, I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of these jackets.
Thought I’d post some info.
First impressions... not bad at all. Well presented and a well-made jacket.
The quality is great, one can feel it right out the box. Its well put together, feels durable and the stitching is pretty neat. This is a jacket that will certainly last a life time.
Its based on the Bronco contract, but not from original patterns. Rather, this is their take on the classic WW2 A-2 jacket… it has scalloped pockets and a sharp profile with square shoulders… does not feel restrictive at all.
The jacket has a collar stand and sports an inside leather facing along the zipper, which although not necessarily ‘authentic’, arguably adds a bit of extra quality… I also really like the collar profile.
The leather is quite interesting. I believe its goat. I really like the colour, not too dark, not too light, and the mottling gives a good ‘vintagey’ effect. There appears to be an even mix of smooth and grainy areas - overall, the jacket certainly has character and will look pretty good in a short time of wearing without any artificial weathering.
Also, the leather is buttery soft (as advertised) and it wont take long to mould to the wearer.
Weight-wise its right in the sweet spot. Medium weight, not heavy or bulky nor thin or flimsy.
All the correct details are there; collar snaps, studs, throat hooks, etc… The Talon zipper is a nice touch. Standard brown Cotton liner and stitching, and a leather hanging loop.
I understand that the components, zippers, snaps etc… are generic, to keep costs down and thats fine for a jacket in this range.
At the price they are asking, I may even have the knits replaced with something a little more authentic, but as they are, they do the job. I feel that upgrading the knits will bump this jacket up a level… That said, this is a pretty decent version of the classic A-2.
Fit-wise, and this is just personal… this particular jacket fits ok, but I feel its a touch roomy on me, esp in the body/waist area. I could possibly go one size down, but would then need lengthening on the sleeves. But I always have this issue.
That said, its a comfy jacket and not restrictive in any sense, the leather ‘gives’ enough to be able to maneuver without needing to be broken in.
This would be great for guys who are a bit broader in the mid section, but still want square shoulders and the classic WW2 aviator look.
SIZE 40 Measurements (approx) - for ref I am 5’10 and weigh 72kgs, trim to thin build
SHOULDER SEAM TO SEAM: 18.75”
ARMPIT TO ARMPIT: 23,5” front and 23,5”+ back
BACK LENGTH FROM COLLAR STAND TO BOTTOM OF WAISTBAND: 26”
SLEEVE LENGTH FROM SHOULDER SEAM TO END OF CUFF: 26”
Zipper: 23”
An ELC or GW it is not, but its not meant to be. (Bare in mind, at the time of this post, it was a 1/4 of the price of a GW!!!!!)
For the budget conscious, who want a classically detailed A-2, with square shoulders and all the correct bits in all the correct places, its a serious contender.
Patch it, paint it, kick it around, no worries...
Honestly, for what they are asking, I think its a bargain! Hope you found this interesting.
A while back, while in Denmark, I contacted Morten at AVI Leathers (www.avilthr.com) and we talked ‘A-2’s. So, keen on a seal version, I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of these jackets.
Thought I’d post some info.
First impressions... not bad at all. Well presented and a well-made jacket.
The quality is great, one can feel it right out the box. Its well put together, feels durable and the stitching is pretty neat. This is a jacket that will certainly last a life time.
Its based on the Bronco contract, but not from original patterns. Rather, this is their take on the classic WW2 A-2 jacket… it has scalloped pockets and a sharp profile with square shoulders… does not feel restrictive at all.
The jacket has a collar stand and sports an inside leather facing along the zipper, which although not necessarily ‘authentic’, arguably adds a bit of extra quality… I also really like the collar profile.
The leather is quite interesting. I believe its goat. I really like the colour, not too dark, not too light, and the mottling gives a good ‘vintagey’ effect. There appears to be an even mix of smooth and grainy areas - overall, the jacket certainly has character and will look pretty good in a short time of wearing without any artificial weathering.
Also, the leather is buttery soft (as advertised) and it wont take long to mould to the wearer.
Weight-wise its right in the sweet spot. Medium weight, not heavy or bulky nor thin or flimsy.
All the correct details are there; collar snaps, studs, throat hooks, etc… The Talon zipper is a nice touch. Standard brown Cotton liner and stitching, and a leather hanging loop.
I understand that the components, zippers, snaps etc… are generic, to keep costs down and thats fine for a jacket in this range.
At the price they are asking, I may even have the knits replaced with something a little more authentic, but as they are, they do the job. I feel that upgrading the knits will bump this jacket up a level… That said, this is a pretty decent version of the classic A-2.
Fit-wise, and this is just personal… this particular jacket fits ok, but I feel its a touch roomy on me, esp in the body/waist area. I could possibly go one size down, but would then need lengthening on the sleeves. But I always have this issue.
That said, its a comfy jacket and not restrictive in any sense, the leather ‘gives’ enough to be able to maneuver without needing to be broken in.
This would be great for guys who are a bit broader in the mid section, but still want square shoulders and the classic WW2 aviator look.
SIZE 40 Measurements (approx) - for ref I am 5’10 and weigh 72kgs, trim to thin build
SHOULDER SEAM TO SEAM: 18.75”
ARMPIT TO ARMPIT: 23,5” front and 23,5”+ back
BACK LENGTH FROM COLLAR STAND TO BOTTOM OF WAISTBAND: 26”
SLEEVE LENGTH FROM SHOULDER SEAM TO END OF CUFF: 26”
Zipper: 23”
An ELC or GW it is not, but its not meant to be. (Bare in mind, at the time of this post, it was a 1/4 of the price of a GW!!!!!)
For the budget conscious, who want a classically detailed A-2, with square shoulders and all the correct bits in all the correct places, its a serious contender.
Patch it, paint it, kick it around, no worries...
Honestly, for what they are asking, I think its a bargain! Hope you found this interesting.
