Bill Kelso's new goatskin Bronco 29191 A-2 jacket

[Brettafett]

Here are a few pics, measurements and comments on this A-2 recently received from Bill Kelso.
Bronco 29191 A-2 flight jacket

BK has done a pretty good job reproducing this contract, most (if not all) of the Bronco details are there.
Of course, there was so much variation among originals of the same contract, that there is no ONE/ perfect original to copy from.
Plus, with a war on, no time to dally with perfection, pilots needed jackets and there were quotas to meet.

In this case, Kelso used MASH Japan's original to copy from.

Heres my original left comp BK right

MASH's original comp BK's Bronco

 

[Brettafett]

Some details

BK's russet goatskin is fantastic! Light, flexible, with tons of pebbly grain. This will look great in a few years time.
I have their Dubow 27798 in goat also. Goatskin, in the correct format, is very underrated for an A-2.
Makes them just that much more forgiving and easier to wear.
Label looks great, workmanship is good and knits are excellent, better than most top end repros.

All the 'classic' Bronco details are captured, from the bevelled pocket corners and the curved collar profile (notice the small kinks in the collar... 'classic' Bronco) to the the box-stitched hanger tab (many were bar-tack stitched) and wide square shoulders.
Broncos came in russet and seal, horsehide and goatskin (and cow)
This russet brown goatskin is very close in shade to my original with the correct olive drab thread and dull brown lining.

Broncos did tend to be on the longer side compared to other contracts at the same size.
A very athletic pattern and profile. Comfy easy to wear.

My only ****le is the eyelet. It is securely in place, but it was set it in a bit of a shoddy way. The tool pressed in a bit hard perhaps. Or was moved around. It's al functional and strong, but it just could have been done nicer. Never had this issue with any other Kelso.

Zipper. Yes, it's a bell Talon. I know full well Crowns were the most common zipper type on Broncos (although other original zippers can be found incl. various Talon types)
I opted for a Talon because I dont trust a Crown. Too fiddly and you have to be mindful zipping the jacket up.
If/when they go, it's a palaver. Talons are hardy and last forever.

Original Bronco with bell Talon.

 

[Brettafett]

Measurements are approximate.
Taken with jacket laid flat & held taught where possible.

Size 42
Shoulders - 19.5"
Pit to pit front - 22" to 22.75" pulled
Pit to pit back - 22.5" to 22.75" pulled
Windflap - 23"
Back length - 26" (23 leather)
Sleeves - 27" (24" leather)

Im 5'10, 40" chest and around 75kgs, athletic build.
I usually wear a 42 and this jacket fits well, if on the roomy side. Its a touch long and theres a bit more room in the torso than I'd like.

 

[Brettafett]

Some more fit pics, followed by some WWII photos of guys wearing Broncos.

Bronco on the far right.

 

[Brettafett]

Some famous pilots wearing their Broncos
Pappy Herbst 23rd FG

Buck Cleven of the infamous 'Masters of the Air' 100th BG

W Brewster Morgan 4th FG and his original Bronco

 

[Bfd70]

How are BKs delivery times these days. I thought they had become unreliable

 

[TLW '90]

That's a great looking jacket, I really love the color much better than seal brown.

 

[Bennarion]

That's a great looking jacket, I really love the color much better than seal brown.

+1

 

[Brettafett]

How are BKs delivery times these days. I thought they had become unreliable

This particular jacket was ordered around 19/11/25, so not too bad.
A couple of other jackets however, took longer.
Best to get in touch with them with what you're after and try get a time frame.

 

[Brettafett]

That's a great looking jacket, I really love the color much better than seal brown.

Yes, BK's russet is really nice. It's slightly more 'dull' and opaque, same for the horsehide.
Mimics many originals really well.

 

[olworthers]

I love A-2’s in Russet. And goat is a much under appreciated leather in my opinion.

 

[olworthers]

I bought this super jacket from Brett but sadly it’s just a little bit too tight for me - listed in the classified section now if anyone is interested: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...co-29191-a-2-jacket-size-42-in-the-uk.122697/