What do you all think of US Wings' VINTAGE cowhide?

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:21 am

In particular the Vintage A-2 2000
http://uswings.com/ta2.asp#VCA22000

I was all set on a goatskin dark brown a-2 2000, but the vintage looks like it has THE color and texture I've always wanted in a leather jacket.

My requirement for Indy SA has devolved to "brown. Leather"

Can anyone tell me anything about this particular leather type? origins, texture, look, feel, drape?

Thanks!

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:57 am

are you talking about this actual jacket? - Or just the type of hide? The hide looks great, but the jacket itself isn't SA...

Nibs

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:58 am

Sorry, I just answered my own question... Don't judge me- I just woke up lol

Nibs

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:00 am

Well just to clarify yeah, tha tparticular jacket. SA-enough for me would be brown and leather at this point since this purchase is being shared by my long lifetime desire for a leather jacket and my desire for an Indy jacket

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:09 am

Well, I just slathered my vintage in Pecards after wearing in the shower a couple times and it's turned into what's just about my favorite leather. Beautiful grain and patina. This is quite a real piece of leather.

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:32 am

I f you have always wanted an indy jacket but aren't too hung up on SA, why don't you just get one of these?

Collectors Edition
Signature Series™ Indy-style
Vintage Adventurer Jacket

Signature Series™ Indy-style
Vintage Adventurer Jacket

http://uswings.com/aviatn.asp#IJVIN

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:38 am

No knit sleeves..

I like the handwarmers on the A-2 as well.

I'm thinking of going back to the goatskin though. I changed my mind and want a LOT of drape

coronado3 · Post by **coronado3** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:47 am

Oh I gotcha... You want the knit sleeves.

In that case, I like both materials. I have had an Indy from US wings in both Cow and goat and both were very nice hides. The Cow is lighter in shade than the pictures on their site.

c3

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:22 pm

Predistressed leather is very subjective. All that matters is if you like it. The only other piece of info that I would feel comfortable giving you is that usually predistressed hide will darken much more than other leathers with an application of pecards.

indy89 · Post by **indy89** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:40 pm

I prefer the cowhide over the goatskin when it comes to USW.

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 2:59 pm

I ordered one in the past, remember they are very large, if you're a 40R order a small. I ordered a large and had to send it back. Also, the color is quite a bit lighter in person. If you put dressing on it, that would darken it up.

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:20 pm

I own a goatskin US Wings Indy jacket. It is not well suited for colder, windy days, but otherwise it's a nice hide. I prefer cow hide for chillier temperatures... or a cotton lining. I think Wings always uses the satin-like stuff.

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:53 pm

Sounds like the US Wings Signature Series LE WWII Vintage Goatskin A2 (try typing that name out 3 times

) may be what you are seeking. It's goat, definitely brown and and A2.

The downside is that is has no handwarmers.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:04 pm

..or inside pocket.

That's the ONLY thing I don't like about the jacket, as I never use the hand warmers anyway (and yes, I own one!)
;-)

Regards! Michaelson

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:18 pm

Since I've caught the bug I think I still might buy the vintage A-2 2000. I wonder if it's soft and smooth though..

does it have a worn in rustic look to it?

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:41 pm

As far as the vintage cowhide, I've seen it in person. It's a wonderful feeling leather and very soft. I wasn't taken with the color (it's a little light for my tastes) but if you like the color, you'll love the leather.

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:28 pm

I kind of like the look of this one, is this what it's like?
I don't want it too light like those kind of "light brown m&m" jackets I see sometimes (tobacco brown?)

CM · Post by CM » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:35 pm

I don't think you posted enough photos.... ;-)

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:43 pm

The photos of Elaine's jacket is about the color of my vintage cow Wings jacket. Personally, I love the hide. It is jsut about the same color as seen on the site and it drapes very well. Its also the softest leather I've ever felt.

Dave

Chewbacca Jones · Post by **Chewbacca Jones** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:12 am

Agreed. It should be fairly close to the lovely lady's jacket. If you find it too light in person, I'm told that a treatment of pecards will darken it up quite well.

However, based on your taste for more classical leather looks, I think the vintage A-2 will be right up your alley!

If I were going to by an A-2, that would probably be my choice.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:19 am

No leather like horse hide though. ;-)

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:40 pm

DR Ulloa wrote:The photos of Elaine's jacket is about the color of my vintage cow Wings jacket. Personally, I love the hide. It is jsut about the same color as seen on the site and it drapes very well. Its also the softest leather I've ever felt.

Dave

Dave,
Are you referring to the USW Blue Label?

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:05 pm

Couple of pics of one of their A2's in Vintage cow.

After a dose of pecards:

Pecards faded:

Before Pecards dusk shot lightened

Ok jacket. I don't like how the collar sits. I paid $79 for this in their blowout sale. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't really pay more than about $150 for it.

This is a XS fits like a 40r.

DR Ulloa · Post by **DR Ulloa** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:19 pm

JC1972 wrote:
DR Ulloa wrote:The photos of Elaine's jacket is about the color of my vintage cow Wings jacket. Personally, I love the hide. It is jsut about the same color as seen on the site and it drapes very well. Its also the softest leather I've ever felt.

Dave
Dave,
Are you referring to the USW Blue Label?

Yes, I am. I don't have my laptop with me, its being repaired, so I'm on my PS3's we browser and don't have any of my photos. I'm sure the photo of my Wings is still up in the Blue Label thread. The jacket I received is, I'd say, a shade lighter than the Dreyfus jacket.

Dave

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:28 am

I like how it looks.. a bit light

Why wouldn't you pay more than $150 for it?

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:12 am

I agree... a bit light, but still a pretty good look.

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:47 am

blueoakleyz wrote:I like how it looks.. a bit light

Why wouldn't you pay more than $150 for it?

Well, it's very well constructed, has a nice lining etc. It should last and last.

The cut is a bit generic and it's a very 'workmanlike' finish. You know how BDU's are super tough yet no one looks particularly good in them? A bit like that.

As for the colour, the one on the clothes stand is in natural daylight and is the best reference from those photos for the leather without a recent pecard treatment.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:06 am

KT, wasn't your jacket was a Chinese contract jacket ? If so, keep in mind that the fitting is different than the U.S. made versions. At least mine was.

Regards! Michaelson

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:15 am

Blue, if the leather is anything like the vintage cowhide they use on their Indy jackets (and my guess is it's the same stuff) it is supreme! I put a coat of Pecards on mine and it's stayed a nice shade with great reddish undertones. It's the jacket I've been wearing for the cold lately.

As far as workmanship goes, I've said before mine had Schott tags (my USW goat did not) and this jacket is nearly perfect in those terms - one of the finest OTR items I've ever purchased. And the fit is different than my other USW too; it's a bit smaller and the sleeves were more tapered.

Of course the details aren't the most SA, but that's a known fact here!

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:10 pm

Michaelson wrote:KT, wasn't your jacket was a Chinese contract jacket ? If so, keep in mind that the fitting is different than the U.S. made versions. At least mine was.

Regards! Michaelson

It doesn't say anywhere on it where it was made, so yes, it's probably made in China!

Although all that red white and blue would seem to infer US!

tym · Post by **tym** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:19 pm

Michaelson wrote:KT, wasn't your jacket was a Chinese contract jacket ? If so, keep in mind that the fitting is different than the U.S. made versions. At least mine was.

Regards! Michaelson

My understanding was that all "blue label" jackets are made in China, though I'm not sure if this is "blue label" from looking at the photo.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:25 pm

You're confusing the blue label with the one KT has. Two completely different jackets.

The blue label jacket was made in Hong Kong, where the one KT owns was made by various Chinese contractors in a single trial run a year or two ago. They were cleared out for $79. Not exactly up to Wings standards, but still decent jackets.

Unless they're clearly labled 'Made in USA', they're contract jackets, and that was/is stated on their website when advertised.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:26 pm

Kt Templar wrote:
Although all that red white and blue would seem to infer US!

You're making the same assumption folks made when Peter started having his jackets made in India. Folks assumed since they had the Wested label inside, they were all still made in the UK. ;-)

Regards! Michaelson

tym · Post by **tym** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:30 pm

Michaelson wrote:You're confusing the blue label with the one KT has. Two completely different jackets.

The blue label jacket was made in Hong Kong, where the one KT owns was made by various Chinese contractors in a single trial run a year or two ago. They were cleared out for $79. Not exactly up to Wings standards, but still decent jackets.

Unless they're clearly labled 'Made in USA', they're contract jackets, and that was/is stated on their website when advertised.

Regards! Michaelson

Ah! Thanks for the clarification.

I will be dropping by their retail location in the next week or two and will evidently need to keep an eye on the labels!

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:33 pm

Good man! ;-)

Be sure to check out their vintage A-2 Flight jacket, made from the 60 year old vintage goatskin. I bet you walk out with one....or at least give it HARD consideration.

Regards! Michaelson

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:56 pm

It would be nice to able to drop in to their retail location. I'd love that.

tym · Post by **tym** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:27 pm

Michaelson wrote:Be sure to check out their vintage A-2 Flight jacket, made from the 60 year old vintage goatskin. I bet you walk out with one....or at least give it HARD consideration.

Indeed, although the thinness of my wallet may win that argument.

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:19 am

The leather that Elaine is wearing looks more like the leather Tony used on Indiana G's second Indy I jacket...if that makes any sense.

Check out the "no 'dino hide' here" thread.

I dont' think anything US Wings has matches up to it. Even my US Wings Indy L.E. is close but still has a different medium brown tone-- more matte brown than waxy brown.

tym · Post by **tym** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:50 pm

tym wrote:
Michaelson wrote:Be sure to check out their vintage A-2 Flight jacket, made from the 60 year old vintage goatskin. I bet you walk out with one....or at least give it HARD consideration.
Indeed, although the thinness of my wallet may win that argument.

Well, I stopped by today, and as was just my luck, they're out of my size (medium long) due to their holiday shut-down. However, I did get to see the jacket in the flesh (leather?) and the A2-2000 looks like a winner, even in modern goat. The medium regular was just an inch or two too short at the waist.

Not sure if the pricing is the same as the website, but I can ask when I call next week; they expect to be restocked by the end of the month.

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:41 am

What does vintage or VIP US Wings cowhide feel like to the touch?

tym · Post by **tym** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:27 am

blueoakleyz wrote:What does vintage or VIP US Wings cowhide feel like to the touch?

My focus was mainly on the goatskin offerings, which were reasonably supple and soft, with a rather shiny finish. I didn't really handle the cowhide, but I had the impression that it was a bit more thick and stiff, as would be expected.

I do hope they get more medium long A2-2000s before their January sale ends (presuming that the sale price is also honored at the store).

EDIT: Seems the "January sale" has become a "February sale" too.

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:39 am

If I were to buy a cow leather jacket from US Wings, either an A-2 or Indy, which cowhide would you suggest?

Which ones of their jackets look like the 3rd pic on the right of this post

http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t ... hlight=cow

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:06 am

The name of the jacket is listed on the post at the bottom of the pic. It is the US Wings Limited Edition (LE) which is no longer available. The leather is from the same production batch used in the Crystal Skulls movie. The leather is great...is distresses really easily.

The only problem I have with my LE is the fit. Its a bit too baggy for my liking.

I think but am not 100% sure that the US Wings Collector's Edition (CE) Indy is the same type of leather; it just does not have the distinction of being the exact movie leather.

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:50 am

Browncoat wrote: I think but am not 100% sure that the US Wings Collector's Edition (CE) Indy is the same type of leather; it just does not have the distinction of being the exact movie leather.

That is correct.

Regards! Michaelson

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:18 am

Browncoat wrote:The name of the jacket is listed on the post at the bottom of the pic. It is the US Wings Limited Edition (LE) which is no longer available. The leather is from the same production batch used in the Crystal Skulls movie. The leather is great...is distresses really easily.

The only problem I have with my LE is the fit. Its a bit too baggy for my liking.

I think but am not 100% sure that the US Wings Collector's Edition (CE) Indy is the same type of leather; it just does not have the distinction of being the exact movie leather.

..But doesn't it say on U.S. Wings website that it's supposed to be the exact same leather used in a "certain" Indy movie.....something about a surplus of leather that was left over after making the movie to make the jackets?

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:35 pm

Yes, it does, but the LE (no longer available) was from the exact SAME production run as the CS jackets, while the CE jackets are from the same factory, but different runs.

Regards! Michaelson

PSBIndy · Post by **PSBIndy** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:28 pm

Michaelson wrote:Yes, it does, but the LE (no longer available) was from the exact SAME production run as the CS jackets, while the CE jackets are from the same factory, but different runs.

Regards! Michaelson

Wait...so the LE was made from the same leather as the Nowak CS?

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:36 pm

PSBIndy wrote:
Wait...so the LE was made from the same leather as the Nowak CS?

Not exactly the same leather but cowhide of the same type from the same 'batch' from the same tannery. There would have been a lot of hides in that batch.

Since their process is the same and it's a hide they regularly offer, subsequent batches would be similar. Every hide though will not be exactly the same.

Baldwyn · Post by **Baldwyn** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 5:36 pm

PSBIndy wrote:
Michaelson wrote:Yes, it does, but the LE (no longer available) was from the exact SAME production run as the CS jackets, while the CE jackets are from the same factory, but different runs.

Regards! Michaelson
Wait...so the LE was made from the same leather as the Nowak CS?

Well, the point is it's made from the same production run as the movie jackets. The current Nowak CS's are not from the same production run.

Whether Tony uses the same leather but different run as before, I don't know.

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:29 pm

Way late but here's another pic of the vintage cowhide. They made the prototype of the ToD jacket in this leather.

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q421 ... 130052.jpg