M422a - Aero, Eastman or someone else?

[David r]

Hi, I’m thinking about buying an M422a and have been looking at both Aero and Eastman’s offerings.

there’s quite a price difference (c. £300) with the only difference that I can see being the aero offering is darker brown.

am I missing something or is there something that justifies the additional money for the Eastman.

or is there another manufacturer I should be considering?

 

[jacketjunkie]

I'd pay extra and get the Eastman, their patterns are better than Aeros imho. Other makers to consider? Truthfully? I'd get a Cockpit G-1 for 30-40% of the price, maybe not historically accurate but have yet to see an Aero or Eastman look and fit as good.

 

[Edward]

When I first got into this game, Eastman were considered to be the more accurate patterns. No idea if that's still true or not; I know Ken redrafted a lot of the Aero patterns to make them really contract accurate after 2012. No idea if the USN jacket have been redone too, though close enough to my eye. I certainly wouldn't talk down the quality of an Eastman, but they've long priced me out of their market. I've also seen enough variation among photos of originals of the same time to be just a little bit wary of the notion of perfect accuracy to a single contract (as opposed to some specific jackets of that contract). I have owned an Aero AN6552, a similar pattern - effectively the successor jacket that wasn't issued in big numbers before it evolved into the G1 - and I was extremely pleased with the quality.

If I was looking for something at the budget end as a beater or whatever, the WPG option looks nice on screen - not handled one. I'm planning eventually to have an Aero M442a done up with some AVG patches and a leather blood chit; the WPG might make a nice second option to have for when I'd like to take a jacket of that style places I couldn't wear one with the old Rep. of China flag on it. China in particular!

 

[Blackadder]

Another option is Dave Sheely who is a member here. You will find threads of his jackets. He is taking order on ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/401735533123?hash=item5d894dc243:g:RfoAAOSwyCZbg0Gz

 

[dubpynchon]

I have an Eastman G-1, I can’t imagine the Aero could be as good, even though I’ve only had the Eastman, that’s how good it is, and I’m a fan of Aero and have lots of their jackets. I do like the idea of getting a thicker goatskin then the Eastman in an Aero though, but then it wouldn’t be as light...

 

[Tom71]

FWIW: I have an Eastman M-422A. Haven´t handled an Aero, so I cannot really compare. Like @dubpynchon, I like the Eastman very much. Good pattern, lightweight and versatile. Was between 42 and 44 according to Eastman´s "size calculator" and sized up which was absolutely the right decision.

 

[Frank Castle]

Hi, I’m thinking about buying an M422a and have been looking at both Aero and Eastman’s offerings.

there’s quite a price difference (c. £300) with the only difference that I can see being the aero offering is darker brown.

am I missing something or is there something that justifies the additional money for the Eastman.

or is there another manufacturer I should be considering?

What’s your size?

 

[David r]

What’s your size?

Hi, I’m normally a 38”

 

[draš katalenić]

If you are on a budget range maybe 5star. Have you seen Bill Kelso's M422a?

 

[Deacon211]

I have both an ELC G-1 and an Aero A-1.

As Edward has said, I’m not certain about the patterns that Aero uses and I agree that perfect accuracy is more than a bit of Unobtainium, but the ELC is a beautiful and convincingly accurate jacket. Be aware that ELCs are (or at least were) thinner leather than average. Some say that this is period correct. I have had mine for ten years and it has broken in beautifully and does not appear to have suffered from the light weight. The knits are also quite lightweight and may wear a little earlier than most. Like most ELCs, be prepared for the leather to be quite stiff for awhile. But don’t worry because it does soften up.

My Aero is nicely made, though I can’t help but feel that my A-1 is more period inspired than period accurate. Their lightest horsehide is certainly thicker than the heaviest goat that I have ever seen in a G-1, but that’s a bit apples and oranges. As it is (or can be?) custom sized, be sure that you get a good fit. One virtue of off the rack is that it either fits or doesn’t. If you get your Aero custom and it doesn’t fit your path is somewhat less clear.

As others have said, there are other good options. The vintaged Cockpit G-1 (not the sueded one that looks like someone crashed in it) is a very good looking jacket. A few concessions to modern fashion, but not immediately noticeable. I’ve heard great things about AVI and 5Star as well which offer a lot of bang for the buck.

Good luck with the hunt and feel free to ask if you have any questions.

 

[Edward]

I have both an ELC G-1 and an Aero A-1.

As Edward has said, I’m not certain about the patterns that Aero uses and I agree that perfect accuracy is more than a bit of Unobtainium, but the ELC is a beautiful and convincingly accurate jacket. Be aware that ELCs are (or at least were) thinner leather than average. Some say that this is period correct. I have had mine for ten years and it has broken in beautifully and does not appear to have suffered from the light weight. The knits are also quite lightweight and may wear a little earlier than most. Like most ELCs, be prepared for the leather to be quite stiff for awhile. But don’t worry because it does soften up.

My Aero is nicely made, though I can’t help but feel that my A-1 is more period inspired than period accurate. Their lightest horsehide is certainly thicker than the heaviest goat that I have ever seen in a G-1, but that’s a bit apples and oranges. As it is (or can be?) custom sized, be sure that you get a good fit. One virtue of off the rack is that it either fits or doesn’t. If you get your Aero custom and it doesn’t fit your path is somewhat less clear.

As others have said, there are other good options. The vintaged Cockpit G-1 (not the sueded one that looks like someone crashed in it) is a very good looking jacket. A few concessions to modern fashion, but not immediately noticeable. I’ve heard great things about AVI and 5Star as well which offer a lot of bang for the buck.

Good luck with the hunt and feel free to ask if you have any questions.

If you were looking at AVI, I'd scour eBay for the company in the Far East who make them for them - they're very quick to list the brands they make for, including AVI. They put out a jacket under their own brand identical to the one they made for AVI at a third of the price.

 

[AlyeskaPilot]

If you were looking at AVI, I'd scour eBay for the company in the Far East who make them for them - they're very quick to list the brands they make for, including AVI. They put out a jacket under their own brand identical to the one they made for AVI at a third of the price.

I would be very interested in this. Do you happen to know the maker or have a link to their ebay store?

 

[CBI]

David r - if you are a size 38 (or in that range) then its a perfect size to buy an original G-1. You can find used ones on the Bay or other places. Even here on the Buy and Sell , "wanted original G-1" You should be able to find one in good shape for a fraction of the high end makers and its the real thing!

 

[photo2u]

Another option is Dave Sheely who is a member here. You will find threads of his jackets. He is taking order on ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/401735533123?hash=item5d894dc243:g:RfoAAOSwyCZbg0Gz

Dave is one of the best makers here in the US. Love his work.

 

[David r]

Great suggestion, I hadn’t considered that. I will have a look on eBay and see what’s there.

thanks

David r - if you are a size 38 (or in that range) then its a perfect size to buy an original G-1. You can find used ones on the Bay or other places. Even here on the Buy and Sell , "wanted original G-1" You should be able to find one in good shape for a fraction of the high end makers and its the real thing!

 

[Edward]

I would be very interested in this. Do you happen to know the maker or have a link to their ebay store?

I'm afraid I didn't take any note of it. They were on ebay, though - shouldn't be too hard to track down if they're still there. They had in the text of their listing a whole line of brand names they'd manufactured for (and who I'm sure cursed them for it!).

 

[bn1966]

Got the Eastmans G-1 a few weeks ago..stunning

 

[David r]

Got the Eastmans G-1 a few weeks ago..stunning

Any chance of some pics?

I’m going on holiday shortly to an area close to their showroom and was thinking of popping in to try a few jackets on. Just need to convince my wife to make a small detour

 

[bn1966]

Going to get some photos done soon, stellar quality jacket, nicest goatskin I’ve ever handled. It’s substantial but still relatively light which works for me (not a fan of suits of armour).

Well worth visiting Eastman’s, a couple of military vehicles and displays as well as a superb showroom. Best to book an appointment though before visiting

 

[South9407]

Good evening men,
Random question. Do any of you remember seeing an Eastman M-422A floating around the internet a few years ago with the name E.D. Feid stamped in black on the inside lining?
I've come across this jacket on ebay that i'm interested in buying and the more i look at it and that name stamped inside, i feel like i have seen it before.
thanks in advance!
Glenn