Club Obi Wan

Check it out. Ain't she purty. I have wanted one for so long and found this one on ebay, right after I left the Real McCoy site. I am one happy old man. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT

Fedora

That's a gorgeous jacket, Fedora -- congrats. I'm glad that you finally found one. How long have you been looking?

Congratulations Fedora,
It's a beauty! Wear it well. It's so beautiful, I'm tempted to say, "It belongs in a museum."
Enjoy!

Nice jacket Fedora, wear it in good health.
Funny, when I first saw the topic, I thought it said you got a Toys McCoy, meaning that high end Indy action figure. Couldn't picture you with an action figure.
Enjoy the jacket,
'Blues

Yes that is one real beauty of a jacket. Are you planning on distressing or are you going to do it the old fasion way.
Nice jacket my friend wear it in good health,
Get some pic's wearing as soon as you get it.
Croft

Couldn't picture you with an action figure.

I guess I shouldn't tell them about that Barbie doll...

Seriously though, congratulations! I recently got a horsehide jacket from Lost Worlds and I am still trying to get it to bend in the right spots . These suckers are indestructable. I love horsehide. You will be very happy with it. Of course, as you may expect, we want pictures

It is a great feeling when you find the perfect jacket, the perfect vehicle, the perfect partner or the perfect hat. Speaking of hats, any word yet...

That's a gorgeous jacket, Fedora -- congrats. I'm glad that you finally found one. How long have you been looking?

All of my life!!! No, I have been toying with the idea for a few years, just ask Indydawg. He filled me in on the fine details of these jackets. Sharpetoys sent me a link to the Flight Suits site, in regards, to an A-2 that they had on sale. I called them, and it was sold, with nothing else available in my size. They told me that they were behind, and it would be the 1st of Feb. before I could get one made. So............

I decided to go to the Real McCoy site, and loved the jackets, but paying almost 1000 bucks for a jacket is a bit beyond me. So, I go to the Eastman site and try to order a jacket, from the UK site, and they did not sell to us over here. Weird. So.............

I head off to ebay, and lo and behold, there was my dream jacket. A horsehide A-2, practically new, in my size, with a buy it now price of 600 bucks. The rest is history. Now, I will get rid of my Flying Tigers A-2 that I have worn for 10 years or so. I got me a real jacket now!!! I have not been this excited since I bought my first Federation!!


Speaking of hats, any word yet...
_________________

I called up the guy today, and he was surprised they were not here yet. Well, I have paid for them, so it is too late to cancel. Live and learn. I will place my next order 6 months before I really need them, so I won't have to worry about the time factor. But, it is a bit ludicrous to think that a felt factory can't get your bodies to you in 6 weeks. Well, a bit less. I ordered the bodies the 5th of Oct. They were supposed to be at my door by the 26 of Oct. I would say they are a bit late. Fedora

Six hunnerd samoleans!

whoa, sir! You'd better start sellin' us hats to pay for that fine, fine jacket! Congrats on the find!

To keep this Indy related, I bought a Flight Suits Indy jacket off of ebay a couple of weeks ago, for around 100 bucks! Two new jackets this year.

You'll enjoy it down there in Mississippi with all the snow y'uns guys all get.

Aw, contrare. It is listed as a summerweight, whatever that is. Down South, when the temps hit the 40's, we pull out the arctic coats, and pile up the firewood. regards, Fedora

Fedora wrote:

I decided to go to the Real McCoy site, and loved the jackets, but paying almost 1000 bucks for a jacket is a bit beyond me. So, I go to the Eastman site and try to order a jacket, from the UK site, and they did not sell to us over here. Weird. So.............

Beautiful jacket and $600 is a great price. An Eastman would have run you about $750-ish. They don't sell direct to the US because they have a US distributor (I'm surprised they didn't direct you there) in History Preservation Associates (www.historypreservation.com). They are a professional outfit for WWII replica items. Now you have to get some gloves to go with the jacket!

Very nice jacket, and a good price too.
Wear it well.

Ace

They don't sell direct to the US because they have a US distributor (I'm surprised they didn't direct you there) in History Preservation Associates (www.historypreservation.com). They are a professional outfit for WWII replica items. Now you have to get some gloves to go with the jacket!

Well, that explains it. I spent 15 minutes looking for the USA in the list of countries. Of course, it was not there, but almost every other country was. It is a good thing that I did not get linked to the site you mentioned. I would have missed out on a bargain. I could never make my mind up between Eastman, or Real McCoy, and was actually leaning towards the Eastman for awhile, after conversing with Indydawg. But, prior to talking to Indydawg, I had my eye on the R.M. It all worked out great for me, and a dream has been finally realized. I don't know about you guys, but when I put on something like an accurate A-2, I travel back in time, almost. It is rather satisfying to know I am wearing something that came from my favorite time in history, the 30's and 40's. And the tradition behind those jackets. I used to feel somewhat the same way when I first started wearing fedoras. Now, I never think about the hat on my head. It is part of me. So too, with the A-2. Although hopefully the buzz will last a few years, since we have short winters in the South. Ok, I think I am trying to justify the purchase, and convince myself it was worth 600 bucks. Now, I need my hat bodies in so I can sell a few hats and pay for this. Fedora

Very nice jacket!

Congrats my friend. Good to see you finally got one.

Regards,

Marc

P.S.: Got a sample from the Wested horsehide the other day. Fantastic leather with a smooth surface, but the color is just too red in my book.

Marq - Would you mind posting a pic or two of that sample? Daylight AND indoors would be ideal, but ANYTHING at all would be great if you could! Thanks - J

Fedora, that looks like a beautiful jacket, congratulations.

If the Wested horsehide came in that same colour, I'd be all over it like a shot.

Nice jacket!! If anyone wants a good deal on an accurate replica, you
can also check out Aero Leather Company of Scotland.

I have several of their jackets, including my Californian and a Redskin
B-3. Their prices are easily HALF what Real McCoys charges on their
website, and they offer free shipping to the United States on orders over
250 pounds (approximately $450.00 US).

Here are two replica A-2 jackets they have that are very big sellers:

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/weba ... prodid=621

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/weba ... &prodid=52

These are only two of the MANY examples of A-2 jackets they sell at
a savings of more than half what McCoys, Eastman or Lost Worlds sells
their jackets for.

Flathead

Flathead, Aero are quite near to me, I'm gonna have to drive over and check out the factory shop sometime.

I just noticed they also make a close-enough Indy glove (made a new post in general gear about it).

Fedora,
Do not say you have not been warned, but jackets can be as addictive as hats. I must have bought 25-30 jackets in the last few years trying to find one that is eveything I always wanted. Just like hats, you continue looking after you have found the perfect jacket. You need a black leather jacket now. Then you will need a kangaroo hide. Then a satin lining, etc., etc., etc... Now you can spend the money you earn making hats on leather jackets.

Fedora wrote: To keep this Indy related, I bought a Flight Suits Indy jacket off of ebay a couple of weeks ago, for around 100 bucks! Two new jackets this year.

Nice find. I scored a FlightSuits this weekend and it's great. Wear it well.

Pyro

Fedora,

Glad that my fee for your services when towards your dream jacket!

I know I will be getting the jacket bug again when I see your photos..... Geezz I've got over thirty jackets now, will have to get rid of a few.

Geezz I've got over thirty jackets now, will have to get rid of a few.

Sounds like my hat collection. I am up to 4 jackets now. I would have had 6 but, sold one wested and gave one to my brother. I now own a Wested cowhide(_'s jacket), A LL Bean Flying Tigers A-2(not very accurate, with a two piece back panel), a Flight Suits Indy jacket, and now this Real McCoy Rough Wear pattern. Should be here today, and I will post pics when it arrives. I gotta feeling, this will be the only jacket that I wear this year. But heck, you gotta break em in-right? Fedora

Geez, when I read about jacket and hat collections of that magnitude, I feel like such an amateur!

And I thought that I had difficulty deciding what to wear.

I got it!!!! I just gave my other a-2 away to my brother. I have never seen a real A-2 until now. Wow!!! It is now my favorite jacket, and I doubt if it will ever be knocked out of first place. This thing is booteful. I also discovered that these old patterns were much more slim fitting than the new, modern A-2s. And, it fits perfectly. Like it was made for me. It looks to be brand new. God, I love it!!! My old jacket is so baggy, but his one hugs the body, while being veery comfortable. I guess those old cockpits were small and it had to hug the frame. Why don't thay cut jackets like this anymore? They look so much better. Pics this weekend. Fedora

Now you've got me wanting to find an old A-2 jacket! Looking forward to the pics.

bink

Welcome to the "other" jacket club ! It's fun, ain't it?! I'm wearing my Aero A-2 right now, actually-had it for two years now, this will be the third winter (such as they are here in the Deep South) and I'm still trying to break the thing in! They make 'em just like they did during the war over at Aero, and it takes YEARS of casual wear to break 'em in. Sounds like the RM is a bit different in that respect. I've never seen one in person-only the Aero and a FlighSuits (oh, and an Eastmas Star Sportswear that I owned for about a week-I kick myself in the arse every day for selling that jacket-it was a little big, but it was SO sweet!). You're right, man-they just make A-2s too big anymore. I like 'em the way they're supposed to be worn....snug up to the body.

Anyway-CONGRATS on that jacket. It looks to be a beaut, and I can easily understand it's position at the top of the heap now!

All my best, man-wear that thing as often as the temps will allow!
Later!
Indydawg

Thanks ID. I just bought my second leather patch on ebay. The second patch that I bought came from Real McCoys, and is one of the Flying Tigers patches. So far, I have spent 77 bucks on leather patches, with 2 more to go. I also bought a leather name tag from Flightsuits. One thing is for sure. When I wear this jacket with those patches sewn on, with my brown fedora, folks can't say I am copying Indy. Keep em' guessing is my motto. Fedora

I can totally understand the joy of a horsehide jacket now! Though I didn't get it (I may be scheming for it, though) the vintage clothing shop here just got in a 1940s-1950s horsehide jacket. It's been nicely distressed from years of wear and it fits me! It's a nice russet-brown color and looks very nice. The next time I save up for a Wested, hands-down it's going to be in horsehide!
bink

Thanks ID. I just bought my second leather patch on ebay. The second patch that I bought came from Real McCoys, and is one of the Flying Tigers patches. So far, I have spent 77 bucks on leather patches, with 2 more to go. I also bought a leather name tag from Flightsuits. One thing is for sure. When I wear this jacket with those patches sewn on, with my brown fedora, folks can't say I am copying Indy. Keep em' guessing is my motto. Fedora

Heck yeah, man....those patches are a MUST! On my Aero, it came with the 14th Photo Recon Insignia on it, and the 7th AAF patch on the sleeve. If you're going to go with ####'s Angels patches, I've got some 8th AAF insignia I'd send you.....Eagle Squadron....if you want. Just send me your address again. I love that insignia stuff....definately NOT to be confused with Indy!

You got it right, my man! Let me know if you want those patches-I'll be glad to send 'em out!

Later, dude!
Indydawg

On the U.K. Eastman's site, there is a link for U.S. and Canadian customers that will direct you to the U.S. distributor.

I just put in an order for a Real McCoy's B-2 winter hat. It may be sacrilege to wear a hat other than a fedora with an Indy jacket, but I wanted a winter hat with ear flaps. The B-2 has that vintage look that should go well with my goat Expo. As it gets colder here, I will be layering my Expo with a down vest. The B-2 should keep my head and ears toasty.

Axel

really amazing jackets. In fact they were my first pick when looking for a B-6 Repro Flight jacket - the fact that the U.S. Dollar is so week really made that an impossible option. I did find a terrific jacket w/ Aero Leather - Your new jacket is simply stunning, Congrats again - hope you enjoy it for many years



Happy Holidays and Kind Regards from N.M.

Billy

P.S. i'm now dying to order a hat from you = soon (after i recover from a few recent Military Watch purchases and the Holidays ) !!

read WEAK dollar

Happy Holidays,

Billy

Axel wrote:On the U.K. Eastman's site, there is a link for U.S. and Canadian customers that will direct you to the U.S. distributor.

I just put in an order for a Real McCoy's B-2 winter hat. It may be sacrilege to wear a hat other than a fedora with an Indy jacket, but I wanted a winter hat with ear flaps. The B-2 has that vintage look that should go well with my goat Expo. As it gets colder here, I will be layering my Expo with a down vest. The B-2 should keep my head and ears toasty.

Axel

Maybe a little off topic, but in the cold, cold months of Winter I simply wear one of several ‘newsboy’ style caps I had custom made mostly in browns or earth tones, or blacks, and grays depending on which jacket I wear. The wool is much warmer than a fedora in my opinion while still retaining a vintage look to go along with the leather jacket (both military and Indy styles) I’m wearing. It even works well with wool top coats for that matter. It can give you many different looks depending on how you stretch, tug, or pull it out and can also cover the ears in a pinch if necessary, and you can fold it up and tuck it away for easy carrying if it get's a bit to warm. I’ve never gotten use to wearing a stiff leather cap (just feels uncomfortable to me) although I’d make an exception probably if I wore a sheepskin style jacket such as shown. Just one of the silly fashion rules I follow I suppose.

Rixter,

I was considering starting a thread about hats other than Fedoras that members wear with their Indy jackets, but Fedora might frown on that. I hope the B-2 isn't too stiff. Being sheepskin, I was thinking it would be supple. Orvis has a deerskin "Ivy" hat that looked like it would match up well with an Indy jacket.

Axel

I hope the B-2 isn't too stiff. Being sheepskin, I was thinking it would be supple.

It is not stiff. I have one of these RMNZ B-2 caps, and its a great hat!!

The cap is seal brown shearling, with horsehide trim at the side seams.
It has just regular seams on the top where the three pieces come together.

It has a russet cowhide visor, with russet trim. All of this is to the EXACT
same specs as the WWII B-2 caps.

You may find that the cap is somewhat tight on your head due to the
thickness of the shearling, but this will "flatten" some with wear, and the
hat will feel much better on your head.

The only down side to the RMNZ caps is that they only come in two
sizes, 7 1/2 and 7 5/8.

I tried the 7 1/2 first, and I normally wear a 7 1/2 hat, but it was too
tight for my liking, and I sent it back to Paddy for the larger size. This
one fits perfectly.

As a side note, you can also get this cap in the "Redskin" finish if you
ask for it. If you go to either the Aero Leather, or Eastman Leather web
sites, you can see pictures of what this shearling will look like. Aero
does not make a B-2 cap right now, so when I say to look on their site,
I mean look at their jackets made from the Redskin. Eastman does indeed
make a repro of both the seal brown, and Redskin caps, and they have
pictures of both.

The Redskin B-2 is my next purchase. Even with the weak exchange
rate, the RMNZ cap will still be almost 40 bucks cheaper than the one
from Eastman.

You will enjoy this cap!!

Flathead

Flathead,

Thanks for the info on the B-2. I can't wait to get it. Paddy said that I should have it by next week. I wear either a 7 1/2 or 7 5/8. I opted for the 7 5/8. It sounds like that was a good decision based on your experience. I do have some concerns that the shearling will fit too tightly. Then again, I won't have to worry about it blowing off my head.

The redskin looks very nice. Do you know if the redskin B-2 has the russet visor or does it match the redskin?

I like the look of the Eastman Rough Wear B-2, but it only has sizes up to 7 1/2, plus it would cost over $150.

Does dirt show easily on the shearling?

Axel

What sort of caps are you guys talking about? Pics or perhaps a link to a pic so that I can see. I recall seeing a pic of Dan at one of the QM summits, wearing a military cap, with visor. Looked very cool and retro. I love the look and would no mind having one to wear to the vintage air shows that we have here occasionally. thanks Fedora

Fedora,

Here are links to both the Eastman and Real McCoy's B-2 caps. The pictures of the Eastman's are easier to see.

For the History Preservation site, click on "Products", then "World War II USAAF Headgear by Eastman Leather".

http://historypreservation.com/hpassociates/index.html

http://www.realmccoys.co.nz/cat04.html

Axel

flight jackets may i suggest trying to find a copy of Imai's "Suit Up - the Flight Jackt" ?! The book has over 360 fantastic pages of photos - obviously unless you're able to read Japanese the text is little help but the pages of photos for reference are wonderful. In addition most pages at least have the Jacket "title" in English. Well worth the effort finding a copy:



I've been interested in flight jacket for some time - as i was growning up i heard many stories from my Uncle, who flew a P-47 in the CBI theater during WWII. This is a photo of him next to his P-47 "Old Faithful"



Sorry to take the post further off topic, but thought the book might be of interest (best bet to find a copy is search Ebay from time to time - it'll pop up within few weeks )

Happy Holidays from N.M.

Billy

I like the look of the Eastman Rough Wear B-2, but it only has sizes up to 7 1/2, plus it would cost over $150.

Does dirt show easily on the shearling

The Eastman B-2's run more true to size than the RMNZ. I don't know
why. It may have something to do with the fact that most of the RMNZ
items are made for the Japanese market, and their stuff tends to run
smaller than the the tagged size.

Yes, your shearling will show dirt very quickly. Especially anyplace the
shearling touches your skin, such as the inside front of the cap where
it contacts your farhead.

The natural oils in our skin will make the shearling darken. You can't
help that.

The best thing to do is get yourself some Woolite, mix some up
according to the directions, and use just the suds to clean the wool.
DO NOT USE the watery portion, or get the cap too wet. There is a
write-up on this site already as to how to clean shearling, so I will not
go into the whole process here.




The top cap is the Redskin, and the bottom cap is the seal brown.
They both come with Russet visors, with russet trim just like the originals.

The Redskin is the first version of the cap, and the seal brown is the
second, and more produced version. The Redskin was originally supposed
to be brown, but because of the types of tanning, and other processes,
it came out a mottled reddish color. It wasn't until about 1942 that the
AAF got the color and the process correct to create the seal brown color.

This also goes for all the shearling items of the time, such as the B-3's
the B-6's, the A-3 pants and A-9 gloves.

Flathead

Flathead,

I wish that I had known that Real McCoy's offered the B-2 in the redskin. Judging from the pictures only, I favor the redskin because the visor and crown match colorwise. Does Real McCoy's charge more for the redskin like History Preservation does?

I guess that I'll need to plan to do the Woolite cleaning periodically.

Axel

I wish that I had known that Real McCoy's offered the B-2 in the redskin. Judging from the pictures only, I favor the redskin because the visor and crown match colorwise. Does Real McCoy's charge more for the redskin like History Preservation does?

I purchased my B-2 two years ago along with a B-6 jacket, and at that
time, the Redskin version did not cost any more money.

I don't know about now though. You will have to ask Paddy if the cost
is more or not.

The regular seal brown B-2 that you are getting will be a very nice
color. You will like it. The nice thing about the seal brown one, is
that you can wear it with either a brown or russet colored jacket, and it
will look good because of the russet trim and visor. The Redskin cap will
look good too, but it won't look as good with a darker colored jacket as
the seal one does.

I like the Redskin version because it has a "vintage" look right out of
the box due to the mottled finish.

Flathead

I was also thinking that the seal brown hat would go better with my dark seal goat Expo.

Axel

I received my B-2 hat from Real McCoy's. It only took a little over a week to get here from New Zealand. The hat looks great. The thick cowhide visor already has that vintage look and the dark seal matches perfectly with my dark brown Expo. The hat fit very snuggly when I first got it. In fact I could barely move my eyebrows. I ordered the largest size they had which usually fits me fine. After some careful hat stretching and allowing the shearling to mat down, it now fits comfortably, though still snuggly. My hair is a bit mashed down when I take the hat off.

There were some loose threads and knots on the visor stitching which I carefully cut off. I also had to glue down a torn piece of horsehide trim, but now it looks great. I took a long walk in the cold yesterday and was able to make use of the shearling earflaps. I was also complemented on my hat by a couple of women at work last week. A couple of the guys at work mentioned that it looked like a hat that an old man would wear. When I told them that it was a replica of a WWII military hat, that shut them up.

I'm not sure if I need any kind of leather treatment for the hat (Pecard's jell or leather dressing).

Axel

A couple of the guys at work mentioned that it looked like a hat that an old man would wear. When I told them that it was a replica of a WWII military hat, that shut them up.

Thats actually pretty funny. I got the exact same thing from a few guys
at my work.

They said they had one like it when they were little kids, and that only an
old man would wear one now.

I mentioned that they WERE OLD MEN! And that I was a young guy, and
they were just jealous!

Then, when I told them how much the B-2 cost, they thought I was crazy
for spending that kind of money on "just a hat".

I showed them that it was indeed made to the exact same specs as the
originals, and that it will last me a life time since I take care of it.

I then mentioned that most of them spend more in one month on
cigarettes than my hat cost, and that shut them up real quick!

I mention the cigarette thing to people who say I spend too much on
jackets and hats. Once I put it into that perspective, I will always shut
up the person.

Oh, and you can use the Pecards Jell on the cowhide and horsehide
parts of the B-2. I would suggest the lotion, which is good for all colored
leathers, even white, on the outer sheepskin.

Check out the write-up I did for the B-3 jacket that was just posted, and
you can use the same techniques on your B-2, because it has the same
outer lacquered finish on it, as well as the wool on the inside.

Flathead

Flathead,

Thanks, I already commented on the other thread as to your great write-up. Pretty funny that you got the same comments on the B-2. At least with the B-2 it has a place in history.

Axel