Looking to buy an A-2 jacket, opinions...

[Yesteryear]

Darn, the Aero I like best has already sold, QT#041.

 

[Fanch]

Look at QT#040 if it hasn't sold too.

 

[Yesteryear]

It has sold, lol. Besides, I'm looking for a medium or russet brown color.

 

[Yesteryear]

After you factor in shipping there is still a ~$75 difference between the Aero and US-A jackets, and the US-A is already a little over my price range. I am going to try the US-A jacket and see how it fits me. Worst that will happen is I need to return it.
I am a size 38R but ordered a size 36R, hoping that the smaller size will account for their weird long/tall sizing issue.
I got the medium brown goatskin, it looks pretty nice in these pictures: http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/flight_jackets/A-2/a2.html

....I'll post back when I get it, for better or worse.

 

[Seb Lucas]

let us know how it works out. Their size 40R and 42R is just 26 inches and 26.5 inches long respectively. Not long in my view. I fit the 40 and 26 isn't going to be long enough.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

After you factor in shipping there is still a ~$75 difference between the Aero and US-A jackets, and the US-A is already a little over my price range. I am going to try the US-A jacket and see how it fits me. Worst that will happen is I need to return it.
I am a size 38R but ordered a size 36R, hoping that the smaller size will account for their weird long/tall sizing issue.
I got the medium brown goatskin, it looks pretty nice in these pictures: http://www.electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/flight_jackets/A-2/a2.html

....I'll post back when I get it, for better or worse.

The photos look real nice...right up until the last one with those six cloth patches...

 

[TXFlyGuy]

You might also consider the Cockpit WWII Government Issue A-2, in horsehide.
This taken from their website:


Awarded over 100 military decorations including the Medal of Honor from the US, this A-2 was made famous by General Douglas MacArthur who wore his custom made horsehide A-2. Manufactured with hard wearing military grade horsehide as originally specified in 1931, the leather shows the same natural creases, folds and graining details as those worn in the Army Air Corps of 1931 to 1939 and the WWII Army Air Forces. Lined with authentic russet brown cotton blend and featuring top entry pockets, a snap down collar with hook and eye closure, underarm ventilation grommets, specification knit cuffs and waistband, leather epaulets and a brass zipper under the front storm flap, the A-2 is symbolic of its once extraordinary owners and a proud American legacy. Available in regular and long sizes, the jacket is cut true to size. Made in the USA of USA russet horsehide leather.

www.cockpitusa.com

 

[Doctor Strange]

I've seen the Cockpit horsehide model - Worf had one. It's essentially just their contemporary A-2 jacket pattern made in horse. My old US Authentic was a better generic WWII repro, and - despite being large on me in some dimensions - had a slimmer, old-school cut... not to mention a real cotton lining and real wool knits, and a closer-to-correct hanger loop.

Cockpit definitely makes some nice stuff, but claiming that this is a WWII repro just because it's made of horsehide instead of another leather? Really?!?

 

[nick123]

I've tried the horsehide Cockpit. Nice jacket with a good shade of russet.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

I've tried the horsehide Cockpit. Nice jacket with a good shade of russet.

There ya go. As far as the knits are concerned, for everyday wear, a nylon-wool blend is far more resistant to that annoying pilling issue, according to G&B. And a nylon/cotton blend lining lends itself to far easier egress, and ingress.

But for those who want a museum piece to admire...

 

[Doctor Strange]

I didn't say the horsehide wasn't good. It's a very nice, serviceable jacket, well made for a reasonable price. It's just not a good WWII A-2 repro. You can do better in the same price range if you WANT a WWII repro.

And I resent the museum piece comment. I'm not one of those guys with closets full of jackets that don't get worn. I own exactly two repro A-2s and a repro M-422A. They all get worn plenty, and if I personally happen to find the cotton lining and wool knits vastly more comfortable than synthetics, why does that somehow offend you?

 

[nick123]

There ya go. As far as the knits are concerned, for everyday wear, a nylon-wool blend is far more resistant to that annoying pilling issue, according to G&B. And a nylon/cotton blend lining lends itself to far easier egress, and ingress.

But for those who want a museum piece to admire...

I wish I could give out some sizing advice for the Cockpit A-2, but it was my first proper jacket, and a size 46. Go figure. This was before I'd ever even heard of numerical sizes. For me, I reasoned I wore an XL t shirt (which was too big for me anyhow), so I went with an XL. This was in high school!

For the knits, synthetic knits on an A-2 have never bothered me. Sure, they might get a little frizzy, but they're just as comfortable and perhaps a little less scratchy than wool.

This used GB G-1 I picked up has some piling issues (though the Navy knits are different). My Johnson flight jacket's knits are still smooth after 2 years. I recall the Cockpit's knits feeling slightly scratchy.

 

[nick123]

^I'll have to really go back and do the "feel test" on them too. But point in case, I don't mind synthetic knits at all.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Most synthetic knits (and blends) are fine, though the all-wool knits I have on a couple of my jackets feel much better... to me. Not scratchy, but very soft and comfortable.

The worst knits I've seen - without a doubt - are the "texturized nylon" ones on my vintage-2001 G&B Civil A-2. They pilled and fuzzed out badly almost immediately, but the nylon thread is very difficult to cut, so I haven't been able to trim them to neaten their appearance. I really hope that G&B is using different knits on their standard jackets these days!

 

[Yesteryear]

There is a reason why so many manufacturers have added these extra pockets. Having jackets with both styles, the extra side pocket is a winner for me (and many others).

I want a WWII style A-2, no side pockets is the first thing I look for.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

I want a WWII style A-2, no side pockets is the first thing I look for.

There are many to choose from, so you will find exactly what you are looking for. Funny, the first thing I look for is side hand-warmer pockets. Spent too many days and nights walking around Europe in the middle of winter, wind blowing, freezing temps, gloves on, and no place to keep my hands warm.

We are fortunate the marketplace caters to all of our desires.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I didn't say the horsehide wasn't good. It's a very nice, serviceable jacket, well made for a reasonable price. It's just not a good WWII A-2 repro. You can do better in the same price range if you WANT a WWII repro.

And I resent the museum piece comment. I'm not one of those guys with closets full of jackets that don't get worn. I own exactly two repro A-2s and a repro M-422A. They all get worn plenty, and if I personally happen to find the cotton lining and wool knits vastly more comfortable than synthetics, why does that somehow offend you?

I agree with you Dotor. I'm not an A2 guy but if the company can't provide a trim cut and authentic materials I'm not going to consider their product. I don't want a "museum piece" (what a grubby, dismissive expression) but I want something very similar and this site is all about trying to get things right - sometimes at a price point.

I have a G&B Radier with knits. They pill so fully and sincerely that they probably deserve a special recognition award for their shabbiness.

I'm not sure how trim US Authentic really is. Their 42 has a pit top pit of 24 inches. I would think 22.5 would be more desirable.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

You guys take yourselves way too seriously! The term 'Museum Piece" simply refers to a jacket that could be on display in a WWII era museum because of it's authenticity. Nothing grubby or dismissive here. You can also wear it proudly.

Much like a P-51D Mustang. Many argue it should be on display, never to be flown. I argue that the plane was meant to be flown for all of us to appreciate. I make the same argument for a nice jacket.

 

[Seb Lucas]

TX we take jackets seriously, not ourselves.

In a nutshell the point is this. If you're going to get a half-belt, you want it to be as close to the real period item as possible; ditto for an A2. After all it is the actual design we dig, not an approximation of that design.

In my case I don't need an exact A2 copy, but if I am going to get one I want something closer than the basic, wide chested often sloppy looking repos that flood the market. If' you're happy with them, fine. In my experience people buy those when they lack the funds to get something better. We've all been there but we don't all want to stay there.

This site is about learning and developing our taste and in purchasing a jacket we work to iron out the details that makes an item of clothing great. Not average. This is serious.

 

[handymike]

You guys aren't nearly as "serious" as those VLJ guys ;-)