Yet another Aero Hercules

[feltfan]

Possibly the last jacket Mark Moye sent out... I waited over 2 years for this.
I'm not going to say it was worth it, but I do like the jacket. FQHH, made by Vicki.
Customizations: hand warmer and flap pockets removed, internal "G1" pocket,
HH label inside internal pocket, black cotton drill lining, no storm cuffs, widened
cuff opening (wide hands you know). It's not super tight- I can wear a medium
weight sweater under it, which is what I wanted.

Here are some pics of the new jacket. It's already much more broken in.
I guess there's a stage where it looks pretty darn shiny and boxy.

Some observations... The leather is not as thick as my Johnson cow hide jacket
(seen here and not Johnson's heaviest). This could be due to pressure
used during tanning. For all I know, it's the same weight. The leather is very stiff,
I suspect largely from the wax used in it. Appears fairly uniform so far, though I
assume it will gain grain over time.

I have had a few stares, but honestly most people are still so confused by the
fedora they don't notice the jacket.

Thanks to Peacoat for reminding me I have a Photobucket account and Graemsay for
the kick in the pants (that's trousers to you) reminding me to post this.

 

[bretron]

Beautiful jacket. Not to put the seed of doubt in your head, but those sleeves look about an inch too long to me. Ain't worth another two years to get fixed tho- you deserve to wear this sucker!! 2yrs is absurd!!!

 

[feltfan]

For me the sleeves are perfect. Remember that they will shorten as the leather creases.

 

[Davy Crockett]

My feelings exactly! those pic's look like the first time on and they will ride up the best part of an inch when the sleeves get wrinkly

D

 

[ButteMT61]

Yup, they'll pull up fine. You can accelerate with a little hot water and a spray bottle as Jan is sure to tell you. But I think the more it breaks in, the less you'll think about the two years...

Congrats.

 

[bretron]

Maybe I should just go ahead and wear my vintage Langlitz Crescent then. Been holding out till I can get the sleeves shortened up about an inch, cause the sleeves are about the same length as Feltfan's Hercules...you've all opened up my horizon!

Then again, it's practically mint, so I'm hesitant to wear it like it should... Yeah, I know, jackets are meant to be warn... Blah blah blah :lol:

 

[ButteMT61]

Maybe I should just go ahead and wear my vintage Langlitz Crescent then. Been holding out till I can get the sleeves shortened up about an inch, cause the sleeves are about the same length as Feltfan's Hercules...you've all opened up my horizon!Then again, it's practically mint, so I'm hesitant to wear it like it should... Yeah, I know, jackets are meant to be warn... Blah blah blah :lol:

It took me a couple jackets before I:
Stopped wanting to put something on them (Pecards, etc)
Beat them.
Got them wet.
Got them wet then beat them.
Now they all look great - or are on their way. It's hard to do, but you'll see the results and be happy down the road "trust me" lol

 

[jksu]

i bought my aero used... so am glad oldcrow had the courage to get it wet and break it in for me ;-)
now i have to resist putting something on the FQHH (only 2 years old) until it really needs it.

nice looking hercules -- that is one stiff looking jacket.

 

[pauleway]

Feltfan
Jacket looks great, Nice fit too. I feel your pain - I waited 2 years also, but now I'm just glad I received it instead of getting burned like so many guys did!

 

[jack miranda]

Yep, that's a Herc, and a beauty, too. Be prepared for people, especially in bars/pubs to ask you, "Where'd you find that jacket?" Nice. Enjoy. And, thanks for the pics.

 

[Davy Crockett]

Feltfan,
I generally go for Brown FQHH but that black one is the best black hide I have seen! You have got me thinking now!
Lovely jacket enjoy it!

D

 

[feltfan]

Maybe I should just go ahead and wear my vintage Langlitz Crescent then. Been holding out till I can get the sleeves shortened up about an inch, cause the sleeves are about the same length as Feltfan's Hercules...you've all opened up my horizon!

Then again, it's practically mint, so I'm hesitant to wear it like it should... Yeah, I know, jackets are meant to be warn... Blah blah blah :lol:

Wear it.

Remember that motorcycle jackets are supposed to have longer sleeves. They are
cut to cover your wrists when you are reaching forward for the grips.

Thanks to all and here's hoping I didn't cost Davy Crockett too much money...
I will post more pix as it breaks in. Right now it looks a bit like aluminum foil, with all of its
crinkle creases.

 

[Graemsay]

Looks good, and I like how removing the side pockets has cleaned up the design too.

And it'll be even better after some general abuse.

 

[wallis]

Looks good, and I like how removing the side pockets has cleaned up the design too.

Yes. I've always loved the detail on the front of the Herc, but I am turned off by the patch pockets. This jacket looks fabulous!

Right now it looks a bit like aluminum foil, with all of its crinkle creases.

lol.

I will post more pix as it breaks in.

Well.... let's see it!

 

[feltfan]

It *is* summer... even in the SF Bay Area we don't get *that* much wear from leather jackets
in the summer. But I'll see what I can do this weekend. Just for you, I'll put it on now and smoke
a cigar.

 

[Edward]

Great looking jacket. Not that often you see this model, IME (as compared to the Thirties Halfbelt). I did bid on one on eBay a while back which was part leather (sleeves and yolk / collar, if memory serves) and part wool. Lost out, maybe as well given bank balance at the time! How's the fit? Looks a bit less snug than a Thirties Halfbelt, more like the Fifties model and the Bootlegger?

 

[Graemsay]

I believe that the Hercules is based on the Fifties Halfbelt pattern. Mine also has the quilting lining that the earlier models had, which probably takes it down a size. (i.e. it's tagged a 50, but fits closer to a 48.)

Aero's sizes at the upper end of the scale tend to be quite boxy, rather than the more fitted look of the smaller jackets. Mine always tend to be quite loose around the waist.

 

[ButteMT61]

I believe that the Hercules is based on the Fifties Halfbelt pattern. Mine also has the quilting lining that the earlier models had, which probably takes it down a size. (i.e. it's tagged a 50, but fits closer to a 48.)Aero's sizes at the upper end of the scale tend to be quite boxy, rather than the more fitted look of the smaller jackets. Mine always tend to be quite loose around the waist.

Agreed. I think the "assumption" is "fat American", hence the VAT lolIf you're not gut-laden, you need to stress that in your order, although the measurements should do that on paper.

 

[Graemsay]

Is that the Very Ample Torso charge that Aero make?

British clothing manufacturers generally assume that anyone taking an XXL size is going to be morbidly obese, and cut their cloth accordingly. My brother, who is known to rock a belly, complains about this.

I'm wanting to get a Cafe Racer in the not too distant future, but I'm planning on knocking a chunk of weight off first. Hopefully I'll be able to convince Aero to build one that fits like Alex's.

 

[Edward]

I believe that the Hercules is based on the Fifties Halfbelt pattern. Mine also has the quilting lining that the earlier models had, which probably takes it down a size. (i.e. it's tagged a 50, but fits closer to a 48.)

Ah, then it would fit like my Bootlegger.... Worth knowing. The Hercules is one of the designs that isn't on my hit list per se, but if one came up on eBay at the right price.... (famous last words, I know..). I do like the fit of my Bootlegger a lot (Mostly standard with a couple of mods, specifically I has them put on the button cuffs rather than the regular plain cuff).

Aero's sizes at the upper end of the scale tend to be quite boxy, rather than the more fitted look of the smaller jackets. Mine always tend to be quite loose around the waist.

Ah, I'm a 42 in everything of theirs. Not notice this issue, so I must fly in just below it. The only one I've ever not been able to live with in a 42 is the standard Aero MC. Gonig to have to sell that one on. Incredibly slim waist on it - narrower than my Thirties Halfbelt!!