+1Andrew, I always defer to your expertise, and I am of course aware that we're now saying there were indeed cowhide originals (which wasn't the case for the first dozen years I was interested in A-2s!)... but you are providing a perfect example of the kind of obsessive attention to detail that scares the heck out of flight jacket newbies.
There's nothing wrong with him getting cowhide or lambskin for his first A-2 jacket, if that's what come his way at the right price and sizing. Not everyone wants or needs an outstanding repro of a particular WWII A-2 maker/contract - especially when they're just starting out and on a budget. Not all of us can manage it: it took me a decade and several less expensive jackets before I made the decision and pulled together the funds to get a Good Wear. Let's not make addison feel like he's "wrong" to want to start with a basic, inexpensive model.