Avirex Repro Retrospective

[kampkatz]

Thanks 442RCT for sharing all the artwork jackets. You seem to have the collecting bug big-time.

 

[randooch]

One of these on Goodwill's website:

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=11481018

 

[Dinerman]

Some shady listing going on here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271070153479

 

[thor]

I always liked browsing through the Avirex store in NYC before they changed their style. I have owned numerous A-2 Avirex jackets over the years, along with afew of the high-end repros (ELC, Aero, Goodwear). I have a mint-condition Avirex "China Doll" A-2 that I treasure. Avirex/The Cockpit certainly is an interesting line of aviation-themed clothing.

 

[GoodTimesGone]

Some shady listing going on here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271070153479

I don't understand- what do you think is shady about the listing? The seller is not trying to claim that it's an original WWII A-2, but a Flying Tigers tribute. If the hide is in question it very well could be horsehide. I own a couple Avirex horsehide A-2s, and they have that same label. Just wondering.
_______________________________________________________
Tom

 

[Dinerman]

The listing was changed, originally had a whole part about how it was original and he bought it at auction in 1950. He took that down after some complaints, but it's still listed in the "originals" section, with no mention of it being a reproduction.

 

[GoodTimesGone]

The listing was changed, originally had a whole part about how it was original and he bought it at auction in 1950. He took that down after some complaints, but it's still listed in the "originals" section, with no mention of it being a reproduction.

Aha! Even to an amateur it would be obvious an Avirex was not an original (especially with 1978 being on the label), so this sounds like deliberate deception.
____________________________________________
Tom

 

[GoodTimesGone]

And here's some more ebay fraud: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-A-2-Fli...707?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d5a8d003 One of the pics stops just short of showing the whole label (which looks to be an Avirex), and no original WWII A-2 had a hanging loop like that. They also show a letter from the Dept. of the Air Force stating it appears to be an A-2 but authentication is not allowed by law.
______________________________
Tom

 

[rocketeer]

The Avirex Shop in Oxford Street London

I have a book by Ian Logan featuring this picture and text font inside, the book is entitled Classy Chassy(Correct Spelling I believe) and is one of the first to feature nose art and leather jackets aimed at collectors. I also have a tin drinks tray featuring the same artwork and letter font, someday I may get around to posting a pic.

I should just state perhaps, that I do not work for Avirex Ltd/Cockpit Ltd anymore or have anything to gain by offerring my understanding of these jackets. My love affair with these jackets began in 1988 when I was a student and worked for a surplus shop/high end military/adventure/travel store in Oxford. I was the Avirex guy! After leaving Oxford in 1990 I wrote to Avirex USA begging for a job in the NYC HQ but work permits, green cards etc made that nigh on impossible, so instead I contacted the UK Licensee and began working in London establishing Avirex UK, marketing the brand and setting up the Cockpit Store on Oxford Street. This was my first 'proper' job - it paid badly as I had more or less created my own job but I loved working with the products daily! The owner admired my enthusiasm more than anything else I suspect. In 1991 or 1992 I went to work for the Cockpit Clothing Co in Southampton because Avirex UK was concentrating on the varsity fashion rather than the aviation inspired stuff I loved. Unfortunatey, and sadly, before CCC could become truly great its owner was killed in a car accident and the company ceased trading shortly after. And that was the end of my career in the rag trade; aviation, vintage or otherwise!

I have maintained my passion for these jackets that tell stories ever since. I know people say that the quality of leather and manufacture and cut is much worse than in the beginning - but by the late 90's mid noughties, Avirex was a huge global fashion company and that does tend to change material things but the ethos remained intact at the very top (by the by, the company sold off its sportswear arm and name and is now back to being a small, vintage inspired work and aviation wear business as Cockpit USA, which is a good thing).

The relative merits of these jackets as authentic or accurate designs is not under discussion. My contribution, I hope, is about interpreting the sometimes complex and sometimes apparent contradictions and seemingly glaring errors. I personally think that the jackets are much deeper and more considered than they are given credit for and should not be dismissed so readily. They are, in some cases, quite stunning examples that offer something different than that offerred by the staggeringly beautiful ultra authentic jackets like Good Wear. I think there is room in the world for both.

Anyway, back to the Vietnam era jackets which are much later than my period but as I hope to show the principles, ethos and pedigree runs directly through them back to the early days.

I became a jacket collector in the very early 1980s with my first Aero A2(await an exciting post on this subject). By the time Avirex came on the market I had a couple of original A2s and G1s and only took an interest in these jackets due to their colourful appearance as they were obviously aimed more at the 'Top Gun, Raiders of lost Ark' type of enthusiast.
I was actually interested in an original B3 sheepskin, Aero had moved out of town and Eastman I dont think had even started producing anything at this time, well not to my knowledge anyway. So, wandering the Kings Road in my WWII issue jacket I came across a shop stocking Avirex jackets. Outside was a large hard board advert showing General Patton wearing a B3 in the middle of a battle scene so in I went. On enquiring about a new jacket I was shown something that looked as much a replica of a WWII era jacket as an Aviation Leathercraft Irvin represents a wartime issue jacket. I then tried to explain what I wanted was a jacket like in the ad with the single pocket and leather facings on the sleeves. The manager said was I telling me that what he was selling were not B3s? Yes I told him and that did he stock anything that resembled a jacket like General Patton's . "Yes" he said and showed me a whole rack of non authentic(WWII style) sheepskin jackets, the only connection was that they had a label that read B3 and USAAF but may have read USAF, oh and they were made from sheepskin.
I gave up and stomped out like a five year old and said to the young assistant that his manager was not a terribly good sales man and knew nothing about WWII or especially original WWII issue jackets, to continue to explore the Kings Road vintage clothing shops.
Was this really as late as 1992
A little later I wandered down Oxford Street London and came across a large shop containing a full size replica P51 Mustang fighter, I think the shop was called 'The Cockpit'. On the rails were lots of colourful A2 lookalike type jackets, most with painted backs, more G1 imitators badged up to the nines. Most of the jackets were made from that distressed leather popular in that time.
I did not find that replica B3 but this shop was a much friendlier experience than the Kings Road affair and someone even complimented me on my original WWII jacket.
I found a book being sold entitled Cowboys of the Sky which was basically a catalogue of Avirexe's products. At least it showed some original jackets and the inspiration Avirex's designs were taken from.
Fun times when collecting jackets was not easy in the UK before the internet and specialist shops such as Aero and American Classics etc were selling mainly genuine American vintage clothing including Flip, American Classics and in Kensington market nearby, Flack, all sold old clothing including some leather jackets and the Japanese pushing the prices of original plain A2s to £500 +.

Avirex sort of faded away over here to be replaced by Chevignon and Redskins, were these makers connected to Avirex as they sold very similar products with the same retro WWII vintage theme


Interesting topic and thanks for posting, John

 

[Brettafett]

Looks nice...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-AVIREX...10?pt=US_CSA_MC_Outerwear&hash=item4847feb746

Seem to hold their prices....

 

[armscye]

This is an Avirex I encountered at a Connecticut Flea Market that seems to be obscure enough that its art could be real. It shows what looks like a Chinook, references "HMM-564", which is apparently a Marine helicopter support squadron, and carries the slogan "Harrah has better ideas", and the nickname Snoopy. There's a also a sixties-ish peace symbol, an old Sydney, Australia patch, and a maltese cross.

Anybody know more?

 

[rocketeer]

Anybody know more?

I have seen this copter in a book someplace, maybe a modern perspective on the resurgence of nose art from the Desert Storm campaign and on. There were two books, 'Painted Ladies' and 'More Painted Ladies' I think they were titled.
The books covered everything from decorated fuel bowsers, tool lockers and B52s A10s plus lots of copters etc.
Great reading, John