BK aeronaut sizing?

[Superfluous]

Bk actually had a Heron in hand while developing the Aeronaut...
I believe they later sold it.

Andy Falzon (BK) wrote the following to me in a September 15, 2014 e-mail: "David Himel is angry because we copied his Heron jacket." It does not get any clearer than that: "We copied his Heron jacket."

BK made a version of a currently produced model (and named it closely to another competitor's jacket)...

Aero named its A-1 repro the "AeroMarine" . . . Aero + Marine

"Marine" = "relating to the sea" ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marine )

Shortly thereafter, BK named its A-1 repro the "AeroNaut" . . . Aero + Naut

"Naut" = Nautical ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naut )

"Nautical" = "relating to ships and sailing" ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nautical )

So, Aero named its A-1 repro the "AeroMarine" . . . Aero + relating to the sea

Shortly thereafter, BK named its A-1 repro the "AeroNaut" . . . Aero + relating to ships and sailing

On its FB page, BK claimed that "we came up with 'Aeronaut' from the ancient Greek 'Argonaut'." If thats the case, why didn't BK name the jacket the "Argonaut"? Instead, BK changed the "Argo" to "Aero" and, in so doing, used a name for its A-1 repro that is nearly the same as the name previously used by Aero for its A-1 repro.

Thereafter, BK added slash pockets to its Aeronaut jacket and named its new A-1 variant the BK "Campus" jacket. However, Mister Freedom had a preexisting A-1 variant with slash pockets that Mister Freedom named the "Campus" jacket. Mister Freedom was the first to label this particular A-1 variant (slash pockets) a "Campus" jacket. In fact, Mister Freedom's website includes an explanation of precisely how Christophe came up with the "Campus" name for this jacket: http://www.christopheloiron.com/the-campus-leather-jacket-natural-cowhide-made-in-usa/. In particular, Christophe came across a 1933 college yearbook entitled "Campus" in which several students were depicted wearing a similar style jacket: "What I do know is why we called our jacket the 'CAMPUS': flipping through a 1933 Pasadena Junior College year book entitled ‘Campus’, I noticed that that style of jacket was on many of the students’ backs."

Thus, BK first copied Himel's Heron (a fact BK acknowledges), then BK misappropriated Aero's name for its A-1 repro with patch pockets (Aeromarine/Aeronaut), then BK misappropriated Mister Freedom's name for its A-1 repro with slash pockets (Campus). Do you see a pattern here (no pun intended)? Personally, I will not patronize a brand that engages in such obviously improper subterfuge.

Countdown to BK's responsive FB post . . . 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . .

 

[tmitchell59]

It looks pretty close to my eye...

View attachment 131171

This is the Scully Brothers jacket from 1932 that I loaned John Chapman. These jackets were very popular in the 20s/30s. You see few originals today. Many were made in suede and did not survive well. They were jackets that were well worn in the day.

Here is a JC Penney's Ladies suede cossack style from the 30s. Most you see from this era are sized small.

 

[Dr H]

This is the Scully Brothers jacket from 1932 that I loaned John Chapman. These jackets were very popular in the 20s/30s. You see few originals today. Many were made in suede and did not survive well. They were jackets that were well worn in the day.

I have a similar British variant from the same era, albeit with knitted cuffs and waist in capeskin).

 

[Lebowski]

This is the Scully Brothers jacket from 1932 that I loaned John Chapman. These jackets were very popular in the 20s/30s. You see few originals today. Many were made in suede and did not survive well. They were jackets that were well worn in the day.

Here is a JC Penney's Ladies suede cossack style from the 30s. Most you see from this era are sized small.

Terry, I'd buy the upper jacket in proper 42 size without any hesitation, it looks superb to me.

 

[Dr H]

It does look great although, if I’m being really picky, I’d prefer a buttoned fastening.

 

[sunzisheng]

Andy Falzon (BK) wrote the following to me in a September 15, 2014 e-mail: "David Himel is angry because we copied his Heron jacket." It does not get any clearer than that: "We copied his Heron jacket."



Aero named its A-1 repro the "AeroMarine" . . . Aero + Marine

"Marine" = "relating to the sea" ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marine )

Shortly thereafter, BK named its A-1 repro the "AeroNaut" . . . Aero + Naut

"Naut" = Nautical ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naut )

"Nautical" = "relating to ships and sailing" ( http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nautical )

So, Aero named its A-1 repro the "AeroMarine" . . . Aero + relating to the sea

Shortly thereafter, BK named its A-1 repro the "AeroNaut" . . . Aero + relating to ships and sailing

On its FB page, BK claimed that "we came up with 'Aeronaut' from the ancient Greek 'Argonaut'." If thats the case, why didn't BK name the jacket the "Argonaut"? Instead, BK changed the "Argo" to "Aero" and, in so doing, used a name for its A-1 repro that is nearly the same as the name previously used by Aero for its A-1 repro.

Thereafter, BK added slash pockets to its Aeronaut jacket and named its new A-1 variant the BK "Campus" jacket. However, Mister Freedom had a preexisting A-1 variant with slash pockets that Mister Freedom named the "Campus" jacket. Mister Freedom was the first to label this particular A-1 variant (slash pockets) a "Campus" jacket. In fact, Mister Freedom's website includes an explanation of precisely how Christophe came up with the "Campus" name for this jacket: http://www.christopheloiron.com/the-campus-leather-jacket-natural-cowhide-made-in-usa/. In particular, Christophe came across a 1933 college yearbook entitled "Campus" in which several students were depicted wearing a similar style jacket: "What I do know is why we called our jacket the 'CAMPUS': flipping through a 1933 Pasadena Junior College year book entitled ‘Campus’, I noticed that that style of jacket was on many of the students’ backs."

Thus, BK first copied Himel's Heron (a fact BK acknowledges), then BK misappropriated Aero's name for its A-1 repro with patch pockets (Aeromarine/Aeronaut), then BK misappropriated Mister Freedom's name for its A-1 repro with slash pockets (Campus). Do you see a pattern here (no pun intended)? Personally, I will not patronize a brand that engages in such obviously improper subterfuge.

Countdown to BK's responsive FB post . . . 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . .

Wow if that's the case I am no longer so interested. My interest for this jacket merely came from the leather that is charged at such a steep price. How good is it lol.

 

[tmitchell59]

It does look great although, if I’m being really picky, I’d prefer a buttoned fastening.

That jacket represents one of the earlier uses of a Talon zipper. John identfied the 1932 date through a Japanese collector..

 

[Dr H]

True, I’m not disputing the provenance, age, or significance.
My zipped windcheater has a Lightning zip, but I simply prefer the look of a buttoned jacket.

 

[Jeremiah]

Due to Jimmy Fallon's not understanding, ha, my meaning.
I paid $1300 for my BK aero in victory hide. On their site, even with the current discount, the Dark Seal victory hide is about $1800 or so before shipping. So, I consider what I paid for a New Jacket in the Early Dark Seal Victory hide which has the wonderful red undertones a bargain. Considering this hide is no longer offered near what I paid for it. Thats all. Without the discount the Dark seal Victory hide left in stock is well over $2000. Do I think its worth it now having it in hand. Not at $2000. I'd say, thought I am not happy I paid that price, its a great jacket and great leather, but since I don't have anything else other than my ELC in warhorse to compare it with, I don't know if its worth what I paid. I don't regret it though.

 

[tmitchell59]

View attachment 131201 True, I’m not disputing the provenance, age, or significance.
My zipped windcheater has a Lightning zip, but I simply prefer the look of a buttoned jacket.

I know nothing about Lightning zippers. What age is this one? Any ideas on the maker? What is the leather?

I see you said Capeskin. Nice.

 

[Jeremiah]

Just look at this thing.
https://imgur.com/a/36SG3ai

 

[Dr H]

I know nothing about Lightning zippers. What age is this one? Any ideas on the maker? What is the leather?

I see you said Capeskin. Nice.

Ken Calder has identified the capeskin jacket as British and dated it to the 1930s. Lightning was a British manufacturer and was commonly used on Irvin sheepskins.
It’s a rare survivor as the capeskin is in very lightly worn condition.
It’s in a decent size too (unlabelled, but dimensions put it at a 44).
It’ll be up for sale soon in the classifieds.

 

[marmalademan]

Bk actually had a Heron in hand while developing the Aeronaut...
I believe they later sold it. AFAIK Goodwear doesn't do a shawl collared jacket based on the Heron style. John's sample was a loan from @tmitchell59.

Don't forget they also copied Himel's lining. As anyone who knows anything about jackets can tell you, it was Dave who FIRST had the original idea to copy Mister Freedom's camo

 

[sunzisheng]

Don't forget they also copied Himel's lining. As anyone who knows anything about jackets can tell you, it was Dave who FIRST had the original idea to copy Mister Freedom's camo

I didn't see MF has those kind of camo lining. The fabric is pretty common in Asia market though, widely used by japanese vintage brands.

 

[handymike]

I think the lining started with customer requests in an attempt to create a cheap Heron.

 

[handymike]

Recently added to classifieds at $900
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...size-38-in-dark-seal-victory-horsehide.94594/

 

[sunzisheng]

Recently added to classifieds at $900
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...size-38-in-dark-seal-victory-horsehide.94594/

It's the one I was talking about.. It's a pity that it's not 40.