great company to order handmade A2s-Aeroleatherclothing.com

Andymac84 · Post by **Andymac84** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:05 am

Check out the site below. It's a scottish traditional manufactury.

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/weba ... s&catid=54

Tollan · Post by **Tollan** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:34 am

I thought this was a fairly well known company on this forum. They even attempted to make an "indy" jacket a few years ago but gave up, saying it was too complicated for them to make.

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:48 am

Yep, that's correct. _ was working with them on that project when they decided to pull the plug for the reasons stated above.

Regards! Michaelson

Road Warrior · Post by **Road Warrior** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:05 am

Have you guys seen the variety of jackets that Aero makes? I highly doubt that an Indy Jacket was "too complicated" for them. The way I heard it (from someone at Aero when I bought a jacket from them), was that they felt their price point would be too high considering their level of materials and workmanship, and that Indy jacket customers tended to be too nit-picky -- even worse than A2 buyers.

Go to this website for some great pictures of a selection of some stunning Aero jackets:

http://www.picturetrail.com/aeroleatherusa

Believe me, Aero could make an Indy jacket if they wanted to. It ain't too complicated, it's the customers demands.

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:34 am

That WAS the 'complicated' part. They'd didn't want to deal with the, uh, 'crud' from the fans.

Like I said, _ was the spearhead and coordinator on that attempt. Maybe he'll chime in with details on the 'whys', but your explaination is pretty much it in a nutshell.

Regards! Michaelson

Tollan · Post by **Tollan** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:01 am

exactly... it was too complicated to be cost effective for them, not too complicated to physically manufacture. I should have elaborated. I remember seeing a photo of the prototype and it actually looked pretty nice. I think it was was with red satin lining as well which was an interesting twist...

But let's wait for _ to give the full story here.

*Waits patiently*

Andymac84 · Post by **Andymac84** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:13 am

hm, that's interesting. I didn't know these facts..

But I like their craftmanship very much. Maybe a bit overpriced, but great work as well.

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:22 am

Yeah, there's no need to stir this up again.

They explored the possibility, but it just wasn't worth the time and effort.

Their strong suit is the current production line, A-2's as you say, and THAT group of hobbiests they understand.

;-)

HIGH regards! Michaelson

junior · Post by **junior** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:01 pm

Michaelson summed it up best: "They explored the possibility, but it just wasn't worth the time and effort."

I have 3 or 4 "first draft" pics that they emailed to _ and I to glance over. After some feedback, they presumably got busy with things that mattered most and the project was dropped altogether. This seems so long ago now. If I knew how to post pictures on this forum I would post them - seeing I have no idea how to do such things, I can't. I can email them to someone to post if you wish.

Aero is a very reputable company that makes some of the best A2 repros available. Very nice ownership and staff. Mark Moye, the US rep is great to work with. The Bronco A2 is about as good as it gets.
junior

that_dog · Post by **that_dog** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:18 pm

If anyone here is looking at picking up an A-2 repro, I would highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend Good Wear Leather. It's a one-man operation up in Seattle. John Chapman is the owner/maker, and all of his jackets are directly based on original makers' patterns.

http://www.goodwearleather.com

Good Wear is to A-2s what Adventurebilt is to Indy fedoras. (I oughtta know, I own 2 Good Wears [a Bronco and a Perry] along with an AB and an AB Dlx.) You'll get the same level of customization, the same attention to detail, and the same unbelievable quality. (Like AB, you'll also get a bit of a wait, but it is more than worth it.) John will consult with you over pattern, fit, measurements, leather, thread, knits, hardware... whatever you're up for. And he's a great guy to boot.

Here endeth the sermon.

junior · Post by **junior** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:12 pm

Those pics of the Bronco look very nice. Interested to see if _ has spoken with these folks. He'll put up his Aero Bronco against anything. Thanks for the link.
junior

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:51 am

Why would we need another one maker recreate the jacket?
Haven't we got enough?

Or, why not ask any jacket maker we know make the jacket. That way, we may even get a price cheaper than Todd's.

C'mon guys, give it a rest...

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 8:29 am

Oh, come now PLATON, we could have said the same thing about your trouser project.

There's always room for another 'source' if someone wants to pursue it. ;-)

Regards! Michaelson

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:01 am

Oh what I would give to get an Aero Leather FQHH Indy jacket. Let's see, I only really need one kidney...

Road Warrior · Post by **Road Warrior** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:03 pm

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh what I would give to get an Aero Leather FQHH Indy jacket. Let's see, I only really need one kidney...

I don't know... with the GBP down quite a bit recently, Aero jackets have become a lot more affordable. Popular FQHH jackets like their Highwayman, in FQHH, and custom made are $634 today, including shipping, and if you order through Aero Leather USA there's no import duty. We're talking Tony Nowak pricing now, but for a jacket that I would daresay is going to be better in almost every regard -- and most certainly in materials. There's nothing like Aero FQHH.

Of course, they still don't have an Indy jacket, but as an owner of two Aero FQHH jackets, I can say without hesitation that they seem "cheap for the price". And I bought them when the USD was much weaker against the GBP.

Of course, I still think that Wested's custom horsehide Indy is about the best value in jackets today. But it's no Aero. An FQHH Indy jacket by Aero would take a good 2-3 years to get really broken-in, which is far longer than a lot of fans here would care to put in. A lot of mentions are made about the Wested HH being stiff. It's like butta compared to an Aero.

I for one would buy an Aero Indy jacket in a heartbeat.

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 12:16 pm

It is not the cost, it is the unavailablity. I meant that no matter what the cost (regardless of what it actually is) it would be worth it.

I own a modified Highwayman and it is the be-all, end all best jacket I ever owned. I worked with mark Moye and Amanda and had the body of the jacket lengthened by 1 inch and had an additional inch added to the front of the jacket. I also added zip sleeves and 2 G-1 style pockets (one on each side). That style pocket gives you all kids of pocket room if you want it without affecting the drape.

From the way it broke in to the weight and even the smell. Wet it a few times, wear it snow shoveling, and put it through a few spins in the dryer with damp towels (no heat) and that horsehide is like heavy cloth. I should make a video to show how that jacket drapes, you would never know you are looking at 4-ounce+ horsehide.

Aero's FQHH is unequalled in my collection - and I own/have owned a lot of jackets.

fedoralover · Post by **fedoralover** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:50 pm

that_dog wrote:If anyone here is looking at picking up an A-2 repro, I would highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend Good Wear Leather. It's a one-man operation up in Seattle. John Chapman is the owner/maker, and all of his jackets are directly based on original makers' patterns.

http://www.goodwearleather.com

Good Wear is to A-2s what Adventurebilt is to Indy fedoras. (I oughtta know, I own 2 Good Wears [a Bronco and a Perry] along with an AB and an AB Dlx.) You'll get the same level of customization, the same attention to detail, and the same unbelievable quality. (Like AB, you'll also get a bit of a wait, but it is more than worth it.) John will consult with you over pattern, fit, measurements, leather, thread, knits, hardware... whatever you're up for. And he's a great guy to boot.

Here endeth the sermon.

I second that emotion: This jacket featured on John's website for the Dubow in Seal horsehide is MY jacket. I am honored that John used it as his display piece. I also own an Aero Real Deal in Russet which I also love, but it's just not as period accurate as Johns.

fedoralover

cj610 · Post by **cj610** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:52 pm

fedoralover wrote:
that_dog wrote:If anyone here is looking at picking up an A-2 repro, I would highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend Good Wear Leather. It's a one-man operation up in Seattle. John Chapman is the owner/maker, and all of his jackets are directly based on original makers' patterns.

http://www.goodwearleather.com

Good Wear is to A-2s what Adventurebilt is to Indy fedoras. (I oughtta know, I own 2 Good Wears [a Bronco and a Perry] along with an AB and an AB Dlx.) You'll get the same level of customization, the same attention to detail, and the same unbelievable quality. (Like AB, you'll also get a bit of a wait, but it is more than worth it.) John will consult with you over pattern, fit, measurements, leather, thread, knits, hardware... whatever you're up for. And he's a great guy to boot.

Here endeth the sermon.
I second that emotion: This jacket featured on John's website for the Dubow in Seal horsehide is MY jacket. I am honored that John used it as his display piece. I also own an Aero Real Deal in Russet which I also love, but it's just not as period accurate as Johns.

fedoralover

Great jacket.....!

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:58 pm

_ wrote:[Additionally, they received a threat of a lawsuit from another jacket maker in the UK who apparently thought he owned the intellectual property rights to the pattern.

Oh, the same one who is making Lethal Weapon jackets, X-Men jackets, and War of the Worlds jackets?

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:01 pm

Yes, the Lethal War of the Rebel Wolverines Without a Cause jacket

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:19 am

Oh, come now PLATON, we could have said the same thing about your trouser project.

There's always room for another 'source' if someone wants to pursue it.

Regards! Michaelson

That was different. I decided to offer the pants when I purchased a pair of Westeds and and MBA pants. The Wested pattern was off and so were the pocket flaps of the MBA. The MBA was super expensive, so I thought there was space for a cheaper and more expensive alternative.

The situation with the jacket is totally different. All vendors claim to make an SA jacket. Todd's is a screen grab SA with film used measurements, FS is based on the film jacket, Wested makes great custom and so does Magnoli. TN claims he used the hero jacket.

I think the jacket project is exhausted.

What do you think?

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:25 am

Apparently not. Vendors are still coming out of the woodwork for one thing or another since the 4th film came out, and rumors of a 5th abound, and they're finding customers.

;-)

Regards! Michaelson

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:32 am

Nice photo, Fedora. I wonder if he could style the handwarmer pockets like an Indy jacket?

Indiana Johnson · Post by **Indiana Johnson** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:09 am

Ahem

Nice Aero repro A2 for sale in the classifieds

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:23 am

Agreed. I wish some of you guys would start eating more, though. These constant size 40 offerings are depressing for tall and slightly 'portly' gentlemen, such as myself.

;-)

Regards! Michaelson

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:33 am

Michaelson wrote:Agreed. I wish some of you guys would start eating more, though. These constant size 40 offerings are depressing for tall and slightly 'portly' gentlemen, such as myself. ;-)

Regards! Michaelson

Well, my guess is that there's all these offerings because they are getting slightly 'portly' themselves ;-)

Well, maybe some of them anyway...

Regards, Geert

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:37 am

OOOooo, good point, my friend. Sad, but probably true!

Regard! Michaelson

Texan Scott · Post by **Texan Scott** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:16 pm

_ wrote:
Texan Scott wrote:Nice photo, Fedora. I wonder if he could style the handwarmer pockets like an Indy jacket?
Sacrilege! Seriously - those are stitch-for-stitch reproductions. Hand warmers were never part of the military patterns because soldiers should never have their hands in their pockets. Besides, the A2 was flight equipment - not part of the uniform.

I know, big 'un! I've been known to error on the side of practicality occasionally. ;-) When the 'blue norther's' make their way down and that wind starts whippin', nothing like a warm spot to park the digets. Sure looks like an indy jacket to me....minus the waistband, and wristband, and epaulets, and......delusion sets in ever so often!

fedoralover · Post by **fedoralover** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:51 pm

This is one of the most comfortable jackets I've ever worn. It's developing a lot more grain in various places. I like that it's NOT uniform. One arm sleeve is heavily grained but the other is not. One front panel piece is grained more than the other as well. It is a spray finish leather so it's showing wear naturally and does not need any artifical distressing. Here's a shot of the lower front.

fedoralover

CM · Post by CM » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:46 am

Got to say, I've never been an Aero fan - yep heresy... sorry.

Had a Highwayman for 8 years. Broke in after 5 years. Still too heavy to wear comfortably. Cut in an odd way I reckon for most folks - too short and square. Just my view - don't hurt me.

My friend had a 3/4 jacket by them that was unwearable. ANythign that takes several years to break in is for special people only.

What's wrong with a nice soft, tough, wearable goat by practically any other maker?

Cheers - CM