Redtails WW2 Movie showcases repro Flight Jackets

[Baron Enski]

Hi
Check it out, Eastman is one of a handful of companies
doing the jackets etc for the new Red Tails movie , Check out their site.

Good for them!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

The write-up on Eastman's website is a little bit misleading. They weren't the only supplier of jackets for the movie; they were a supplier. Good Wear also supplied some jackets for the film.

I'm looking forward to seeing the movie.

Noel

 

[ButteMT61]

The write-up on Eastman's website is a little bit misleading. They weren't the only supplier of jackets for the movie; they were a supplier. Good Wear also supplied some jackets for the film.

I'm looking forward to seeing the movie.

Noel

There's certainly a lot if "info" out there about who supplied jackets for this flick.
I've heard (so far):
Aero
LW
G&B
GW

I know people still argue who supplied jackets for the Indy movies, so it's hard to say if we'll ever know this for sure...

 

[Edward]

Well, how many scenes are there to be in the film with a lot of AAF personnel wearing A2s? I should have thought that great care will be taken over the 'hero' jackets for the principal cast, with the rest, for background artists, being sought out and bought in bulk. Given that WW2 era A2 reproduction is something of a cottage industry, in all likelihood if they have a cast of hundreds they'll have to buy from several different suppliers to get enough within the timeframe.

It's nice to see a local company like ELC involved, and their jackets are great IME. I'll be interested to see if they introduce a specific Red Tails model of anything in due course. The site at the minute only shows regular ELC product, but I don't think that means anything. Most likely if they did do something special for the film, they would be expected to keep photos under wraps until the film is released.

What I wonder is whether this film will have a significant impact on interest in the vintage scene, as regards those interested in the war era. Our hobby / lifestyle / whatever label you want to put on it is incredibly white-dominated. In very large part, of course, this is down to the fact that for those outside of white, Christian folks the mid twentieth century was certainly not a real swell time to be mythologised or looked back on with rose-tinted glasses. I do wonder, however, if the relative lack of persons from other ethnic groups in lead roles in the sorts of films etc that inspired a lot of people to develop an interest in the era is part of it too - in which case a film like Redtails might make a difference?

 

[ButteMT61]

^^^ Time will tell. Hard to say what plays in the dominance of "white" folks in this interest in WWII era gear. I suppose people of all makeups have things that are unique to "them" and I don't think much about it. If someone is interested in something, I think they'd just dive in. Blacks have a great history and many contributions to the WWII efforts, and I'd think many would be proud of it, if not interested in the "look" of it. I know some of the makers like Avirex have made jackets with these groups in mind over the years - don't know if they ever sold well or not...

 

[CBI]

Over on the VLJ thread there is an explanation that is clear on these jackets. Costuming were going to use ELC but once they found out about Good Wear, they went with GW for the main actors jackets. There is ELC gear in the film however their site is misleading as they are not THE only official supplier. I did a little work for costuming on this film as well so I am pretty up on what happened. There are McCoys jackets as well. I could be wrong but I don't believe there are any Aero's but I suppose there could be in the background. If someone wanted to purchase a "Red Tails" A-2, buying a Good Wear would be the way to go. In any case, I hope a gazillion people buy GW's, ELC's, McCoys, Aero's, BR as a result of this film.

 

[ButteMT61]

^^ x2!

 

[Baron Enski]

There are'nt just A2's in the film I 'd say Eastman supplied right across the board B3's tanker jackets D1's B2's Etc . I mean who else makes that much authentic stuff. Good Wear only really does A2's. Either way it would be good if there was a craze again with these type of jackets like back in the eighties, except this time their going to be made a damn site better !!!!

 

[nicholasb]

I watched the trailer last night. The film looks worth a watch. http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/redtails/

I'm sure Eastman must have had permission to use Redtails on their site. Its doesn't seem that misleading.

 

[Justhandguns]

There are'nt just A2's in the film I 'd say Eastman supplied right across the board B3's tanker jackets D1's B2's Etc . I mean who else makes that much authentic stuff. Good Wear only really does A2's. Either way it would be good if there was a craze again with these type of jackets like back in the eighties, except this time their going to be made a damn site better !!!!

Enski, the A-2s of the main characters in the movie are all made by John Chapman of Goodwear as mentioned so many times. The Tanker jacket that Cuba Jr wore is actually Japanese, probably Mccoys?. There are plenty of other jacket suppliers around as well. Not to say that ELC is not good, just that they may have bluffed a little bit too much this time.

The reason why you do not see fighter pilots wearing drooling oversized A-2 like in Pearl Harbour is because John Chapman was giving advices on the proper look and fit of the A-2 during the WW2 period.

 

[Phantomfixer]

The more jacket makers the better in this film. The diverse selection of jackets makes for realism.

 

[416rigby]

I always have to grin at the fierce and many times agressive "brand loyalty" shown by the lads here. Best not name names if Ya can help it when discussing repo stuff hahahaha

 

[ButteMT61]

The more jacket makers the better in this film. The diverse selection of jackets makes for realism.

X2! If they used one maker, it would look typically Hollywood. Look at the jackets in the wild from WWII - lots of styles, hides, colors, etc. But maybe the average movie goer wouldn't get that - after all, they cater to the LCD most of the time...sadly.

 

[ButteMT61]

I always have to grin at the fierce and many times agressive "brand loyalty" shown by the lads here. Best not name names if Ya can help it when discussing repo stuff hahahaha

Nothing wrong with that - as long as you're not dissing another brand(s) without ever actually owning one!

 

[Baron Enski]

Ok I'm a big fan of Eastman jackets , And I've got 3 of the top A2's they do and we've all got our favourite makers at the end of the day who really cares so long as we're all happy!!!!!!

Thinking about it the tanker jacket is probably aBuzz Rickson. Take a look at Gregory Pecks Jacket in 12 Oclock High and Sam Sheppards in the Right Stuff , great movies but them A2's aint visually accurate millitary issue. Still looked great though!!!!

 

[Baron Enski]

I thought the A2's in pearl harbour did'nt look that bad

 

[Baron Enski]

Who made them good wear

 

[tonypaj]

The more jacket makers the better in this film. The diverse selection of jackets makes for realism.

Hmm. George Lucas and realism. I'll leave it at that. Nice jackets in the trailers. I'd be happy to wear one,.

 

[Justhandguns]

Ok I'm a big fan of Eastman jackets , And I've got 3 of the top A2's they do and we've all got our favourite makers at the end of the day who really cares so long as we're all happy!!!!!!

Thinking about it the tanker jacket is probably aBuzz Rickson. Take a look at Gregory Pecks Jacket in 12 Oclock High and Sam Sheppards in the Right Stuff , great movies but them A2's aint visually accurate millitary issue. Still looked great though!!!!

As confirmed by fellow members of the VLJ forum, Good Wear supplied A-2s, and that The Real McCoy's supplied the tankers, and B-10s. I think Aero also were asked to make some test jackets a long time ago as well. If you look at the special ELC website, the Star A-2 is very very likely to be made by Goodwear, not ELC. If it is true, it is just bizarre.

I also own (owned) 2 Eastmans, I am still wearing my .50Cal A-2 a lot since I like the colour very much. But then, I think Gary Eastman has to be a bit more careful in their promotion adverts. As quoted by some fellow A-2 experts around the internet, the ELC Redtail website is giving the impression that they supply everything from headgear, gloves to all sort of jackets.

I thought the A2's in pearl harbour did'nt look that bad

The A-2s in Pearl Harbour are absolutely fine, just that the size of the fittings are way way off for the main characters.

 

[PADDY]

Gents - the movie is good from a number of perspectives.

1. Great that a WWII film is being made in this modern PlayStation World of ours.
2. It brings to the 'modern' public consciousness the valuable part these African-Americans played in fighting for freedom, whilst they battled great adversity & racism of their own in a predominantly 'white' world.
3.It gives a great opportunity for today's repro jacket manufacturers to showcase the 'old time' flying jackets that we all love ('All' manufacturers, so GW, ELC, Aero, RNNZ..etc).

4. *ADVICE - Please keep any 'brand loyalty' banter away from this room and praise the movie and the hardware used for the positive things it brings to all of us. Thanks Gentlemen