Who makes the best A2 repro

[Spitfire]

So sorry if this has been asked before. The searchbutton and I are not on speaking terms.

By best I mean most original, best quality leather and at a fair price.
And in large sizes too...

Thanks!

 

[aswatland]

IMO its John Chapman of Good Wear. He makes the most authentic A2s and they are all custom fitted jackets, not "off the shelf" like Eastman for example.

 

[apba1166]

I second Good Wear. While not inexpensive, still a good value, especially so when compared to high-quality modern (fashion) leather jackets from designers, etc. It will last forever and look and feel good as it does. Every one I've ever seen is great. That said, value-wise, there are also "used" A-2 jackets from various places, including this site, ebay (u.s. and u.k.), aero's site, goodwill's site, and many other places, for a lot less money, though it will take every bit of the same time to wear it enough to feel it's your own.

 

[Smithy]

Thinking of getting a new jacket eh Søren?

 

[Spitfire]

Just thinking, Tim. Just thinking...

 

[CBI]

Good Wear - no question about it

 

[Spitfire]

I am VERY impressed with the jackets from Good Wear!!!
But - in order to cut the taxes, customs, postage and all other stuff - and with the cost of the £ today - what do you gents think of this one:
http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/...age?page=displayproduct&subcatid=99&prodid=11

Thanks!

 

[aswatland]

Soren its a reasonable repro, but not 100% like the original Aeros its based upon. I would recommend this jacket from GW.

http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/a2_21996.html

 

[Spitfire]

Thanks Andrew - as allways: Precise and to the point
I will look into it.

 

[Smithy]

That Aero is nice Søren. It won't be as accurate as a GW but I think it looks good.

I'm in the market for an A-2 as my next purchase. I'll probably go for a house ELC in seal HH. I'm not as bothered with 100% accuracy with an A-2 so hence I'll probably go for an ELC over a more expensive GW.

 

[captaincaveman1]

So sorry if this has been asked before. The searchbutton and I are not on speaking terms.

By best I mean most original, best quality leather and at a fair price.
And in large sizes too...

Thanks!

Define "fair price". GW and Aero make great garments but are at the higher end of the market.

For a sub-$350 option, you may also consider Cockpit USA and US Authentic.

I own a Cockpit 1987 contract A-2. This is a repro of the A-2 they re-issued to the USAF and was based on WW2 patterns. It's 100% accurate but harks back to a different time period (late 80's / early 90's).


Cockpit USA Goat Review:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=48524


This is my review of their WW2 HH repro:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=48421




And this is a more recent pic of the goat after many more months of break-in.

 

[aswatland]

My first A2 was a Cooper and I sold it for a more accurate Eastman. If you want a cheap A2 style jacket Cooper/Cockpit etc are fine, but I think Soren is looking for an accurate repro and Good Wear is the way to go.

 

[Spitfire]

You are so right, Andrew.
I allready have an 10 year old Cockpit goatskin and a Historical Russet Horsehide from Flightsuits, Calif. - and both are nice jackets.
But if I am going for the third one, I want it to be precise and as close to the real thing as possible.

 

[aswatland]

good man! Your approach very sensible Soren.

Very often people graduate from a Cooper or a Cockpit A2 to a more accurate repro and then the search seems to go on and on to get the ultimate A2. That one reason why John Chapman started Good Wear a few years ago. You now only have to buy a GW and avoid the graduation process. But if you buy one GW you will soon want another.

 

[Smithy]

Andrew, that link you posted for the 21996 is a stunner! Damn you, now you've gone and thrown a spanner in the works, here was me thinking that the ELC was what I was after...

 

[Marv]

I second Andrew's statement on Goodwear being the way to go....having been an ELC man myself I now have my sights set on a GW Roughwear 27752 as my next A2 but will probably need to off load a couple of my older A2s to fund the cost.

 

[Spitfire]

Digged out my oldest "Goat" A2 - it proved to be a Avirex (yeah, yeah - I know) bought some 10-15 years ago. Or maybe even more. It still fits - and after a good treatment with Pecard it's as good as... vintage.