Brettafett
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,355
- Location
- UK
A while back I reviewed an A-2 from AVI Leather and had asked them if they planned to make an G-1/M422a in the near future.
The response was something like… watch this space.
Well, I did… and am pleased to present to the Lounge my latest acquisition. An AVI Leather version of the classic 55J14 G-1 jacket.
This jacket is a copy of an original 55J14 that they acquired, and impressions are… Wow, its a pretty decent jacket.
Although I do not consider myself a pro when it comes to USN jackets… Besides all my A-2s, I have owned an original M422a, an old Avirex G-1, and both a Cockpit 100 missions and Forrestal G-1. I have also handled and tried on a good number of originals and Eastman's versions at Pop-ups and Airshows recently.
This jacket is easily on par with the Cockpit G-1s I had, maybe even +1....
The lamb mouton collar is great. Its so soft and they nailed the size and shape. White USN stamp is there.
The goatskin is a lovely chocolate shade and is supple with decent a pebbly grain... The jacket is comfortable to wear, certainly not heavy or stiff.
Pocket profiles look right… Clean stitching, buttons and inside pocket snaps are of good quality. The knits although not technically authentic… are nice and tight, a touch thicker than some top end repro jackets I have recently toyed with... obviously of decent quality.
No punch holes in the wind flap, but then maybe this particular model didn't have any.
Not sure.
I can’t speak too much about the authenticity of the zipper, but its a repro Talon and works well. The main details all seem to be there.
I would not compare this to a 'top end repro' maker perhaps, in the sense that I don’t think they were concerned about stitch counts, specifically tanned vintage leather and microscopic details. For example, the label is not an exact reproduction, but.. its the label.
I wasn't sure to go for a 40 or 42, so tried both. The 40 just feels better for me. I like the trimmer fit around the body, lengths are fine.
Initially I thought the shoulders seemed a little broad, but I think it could be the pattern of this particular contract.
Anyway, moving and extending arms is very easy and comfortable..
Measuring these jackets, there does not seem to be too much of a difference, its mainly in the body.
For ref I am around 5’10 72 kgs 39.5” chest, normally wear a 40 A-2 for example...
Pics are of the size 40.
Approximate measurements:
Size 40 (jacket pictured)
Back length, base collar to end of knit - 25.5"
Shoulder to shoulder across back - 20"
Pit to pit - 21"
Sleeve length, shoulder to end of knit - 25.5"
Zipper length - 22"
Size 42
Back length, base collar to end of knit - 26"
Shoulder to shoulder across back - 20.5"
Pit to pit - 22"
Sleeve length, shoulder to end of knit - 25.5"
Zipper length - 22.5"
The jacket is well made, solid, but not heavy. Comfortable and not stiff like some other jackets I have tried. This is a quality repro and for the price, offers incredible value imo.
I think they are even offering free postage outside the EU (Should this incl the UK? - Brexit
For specifics, I would recommend contacting the guys at AVI, I can’t recommend them enough. They have always been very quick to respond to questions and have been a pleasure to deal with.
www.avilthr.com/product/G1-flight-jacket
They even sent me a photo comparison of their test jacket together with their original it was copied from.
I look forward to seeing what else these guys are going to do down the line.
p.s. I have been told that they have acquired an original WW2 BRONCO and are in the process of upgrading their A-2. This may prove interesting indeed!
The response was something like… watch this space.
Well, I did… and am pleased to present to the Lounge my latest acquisition. An AVI Leather version of the classic 55J14 G-1 jacket.
This jacket is a copy of an original 55J14 that they acquired, and impressions are… Wow, its a pretty decent jacket.
Although I do not consider myself a pro when it comes to USN jackets… Besides all my A-2s, I have owned an original M422a, an old Avirex G-1, and both a Cockpit 100 missions and Forrestal G-1. I have also handled and tried on a good number of originals and Eastman's versions at Pop-ups and Airshows recently.
This jacket is easily on par with the Cockpit G-1s I had, maybe even +1....
The lamb mouton collar is great. Its so soft and they nailed the size and shape. White USN stamp is there.
The goatskin is a lovely chocolate shade and is supple with decent a pebbly grain... The jacket is comfortable to wear, certainly not heavy or stiff.
Pocket profiles look right… Clean stitching, buttons and inside pocket snaps are of good quality. The knits although not technically authentic… are nice and tight, a touch thicker than some top end repro jackets I have recently toyed with... obviously of decent quality.
No punch holes in the wind flap, but then maybe this particular model didn't have any.
Not sure.
I can’t speak too much about the authenticity of the zipper, but its a repro Talon and works well. The main details all seem to be there.
I would not compare this to a 'top end repro' maker perhaps, in the sense that I don’t think they were concerned about stitch counts, specifically tanned vintage leather and microscopic details. For example, the label is not an exact reproduction, but.. its the label.
I wasn't sure to go for a 40 or 42, so tried both. The 40 just feels better for me. I like the trimmer fit around the body, lengths are fine.
Initially I thought the shoulders seemed a little broad, but I think it could be the pattern of this particular contract.
Anyway, moving and extending arms is very easy and comfortable..
Measuring these jackets, there does not seem to be too much of a difference, its mainly in the body.
For ref I am around 5’10 72 kgs 39.5” chest, normally wear a 40 A-2 for example...
Pics are of the size 40.
Approximate measurements:
Size 40 (jacket pictured)
Back length, base collar to end of knit - 25.5"
Shoulder to shoulder across back - 20"
Pit to pit - 21"
Sleeve length, shoulder to end of knit - 25.5"
Zipper length - 22"
Size 42
Back length, base collar to end of knit - 26"
Shoulder to shoulder across back - 20.5"
Pit to pit - 22"
Sleeve length, shoulder to end of knit - 25.5"
Zipper length - 22.5"
The jacket is well made, solid, but not heavy. Comfortable and not stiff like some other jackets I have tried. This is a quality repro and for the price, offers incredible value imo.
I think they are even offering free postage outside the EU (Should this incl the UK? - Brexit
For specifics, I would recommend contacting the guys at AVI, I can’t recommend them enough. They have always been very quick to respond to questions and have been a pleasure to deal with.
www.avilthr.com/product/G1-flight-jacket
They even sent me a photo comparison of their test jacket together with their original it was copied from.
I look forward to seeing what else these guys are going to do down the line.
p.s. I have been told that they have acquired an original WW2 BRONCO and are in the process of upgrading their A-2. This may prove interesting indeed!
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