It's here! I found a nice box from US Wings inside today when I got home. Thanks to my kids who brought it in from the porch. Upon opening, I was surprised by the new russet Indy jacket. First was that this leather was not as shiny as I had been lead to believe. Even with the other pictures here on this thread, the leather still seemed shiny just like on the website. Well, it is not that shiny. In fact, it seems to have been treated or something with leather conditioner or something similar. The leather is pretty soft. Not at all what I was expecting. I have had other cowhide jackets and that leather was a bit tougher and rough. This baby almost feels a bit like lamb! Definitely medium weight but not heavy at all. Soft and supple! I hugged the jacket over and over and had my kids do the same (OK, maybe only jacket nerds like us would understand!). I can't get over the soft feel of this leather.
Now to the pics! The first of these were taken inside under normal incandescent/led lighting. Again, not too shiny, eh?
this last one was taken at around 5pm outside in natural light.
Can you tell which is the new russet Indy? I put the jacket into my closet and I thought this was a cool picture showing the color variation of all my jackets.
From left to right:
Avirex A-2 in horsehide
Wested Indy in goat
S&J Indy in ribby merino lamb
US Wings Indy in russet cowhide
Wested Indy in cotton
Cockpit A-2 in cotton
I tell you, my Garrison raiders will go perfectly with this new jacket given the red tones of the Garrison fedora. It had always seemed a bit off when worn with my dark brown jackets, but the new russet jacket will look great!
Now to the fit, seems really nice. As the pics show, not too long. I am happy with it. One thing, when I went to zip it up, it feels almost a bit snug around my hips. With the extra length, you have to be careful I guess in not gaining too much weight around the middle and the hips!! It fits fine, but I just noticed that down in that area of the jacket. Sleeve length is good, I would prefer maybe 3/4 or 1 inch shorter on the sleeve but it's fine as is. And now to the length. My large measures at 28 inches exactly. My other Indy jackets measure at 25.5 on the back length. If I could, I would have preferred that length and all would be perfect, but it is what it is. I guess with the extra length and the pockets up higher a bit, if I really wanted to I could have it tailored up a bit by a leather specialist but I don't think I want to do that just now.
All in all, I am very happy with this jacket. Is it perfect? No, but there is plenty to like especially with that leather. Well worth it!