Club Obi Wan

Guys, I don't see an IJ jacket coming my way (anytime soon) so looking for alternatives (while I am waiting).

Please help me choose. Which jacket of the two do you like more? and why.

Who makes these jackets?

i don't like the patches on the jacket on the left.

I'm not wild about the CBI / squadron patches on the left jacket.. What if you get tired of them? You end up with stitch-holes if removed. Just MHO....

The jacket on the right is appealing, and has nicely scalloped pockets... Kind of reminds me of a Dubow contract...

Indiana G wrote:i don't like the patches on the jacket on the left.

Me either...

I also don't like the patches.
If it was available without the patches I would buy two without second thought.


I am not saying who makes these jackets because it will affect your decision.

And anyone else who knows, please don't say. That's not the matter here.

Whar about color?
drape?
fit?

I like the jacket on the right! Looks like the MacGyver jacket
http://dretskalemythe.free.fr/dwl/macgyver/angus.jpg

Much regards

orb

i like the color on the left.

i cannot really comment on drape and fit till i try one of them on. i can't tell with someone else's body or on the mannequin (sp?). i've seen and fell in love with some spectacular looking jackets in the past, only to try them on and disagree with the drape and fit.

PLATON wrote:Whar about color?
drape?
fit?

Well, the jacket on the left has long epaulets, and shoulder droop... The color is not bad. The jacket on the right has a nice russet color, and less shoulder droop... I prefer more of a squared shoulder cut in an A-2....

I couldn't care less.

I'd get the right one. After some adventures it probably would look like the one on the left.

I prefer the leather on the left jacket, but I too would only want the patches if they were of my particular unit. Just my 1/5-dime.

JKL
Ron

Gordon Bennett! Lookie the price on those!

Kt Templar wrote:Gordon Bennett! Lookie the price on those!

The use of James Gordon-Bennett's name as an expletive possibly bears relation to his outrageous lifestyle and involvement in newsworthy stunts. Imagine opening your daily newspaper and reading yet another news item telling you of his latest antics, and as you begin to express incredulity with a "God Almighty", you restrain your publically unacceptable language and instead say..... GORDON-BENNETT!

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/articles ... ennett.htm

I kinda like the color on 'Patches' better, but I'm not too fond of those scalloped pockets. The patches I personally don't mind, so long as you don't mind hearing 'Top Gun' jokes

I also like the leather on the left, but dislike the patches.

I wouldn't get either one! Just wait 'till Todd has his indy jacket ready for sale...

C3

PLATON wrote:Guys, I don't see an IJ jacket coming my way so looking for alternatives.

You don't see an IJ jacket coming your way? So just like that you're looking at A2's from a Eastman? I'm sure you've already seen Peter's reply to you in the other thread, so this thread has been reduced to semantics. I'm just surprised that after the HOURS you put into this (and everyone through) that you would even consider giving up after a little wait and incommunicado from Wested. Especially with the jacket you asked for. Many of us waited far longer than you for standard requests. Not trying to bust your chops, just offering some perspective.

I wasn't giving up on the Wested, I was just looking to buy something else while waiting.

The A-2 is a good jacket, but there is no subsitute for an IJ custom Wested.

Really? I suggest that you go edit your first post then. That's not what your first line states.....

Regards! Michaelson

You betcha

HIGH regards!

Michaelson

In my village we have a saying...
It goes... "the easily understood (things) are omitted"

Totally understand that, my friend

Regards! Michaelson

First off I am huge A-2 fan. Personally I like the one on the left. The one on the right has to be made by either flightjacket.com or Eastman Leather. The left one looks much like an original in terms of the fit and the patches are of the correct size. Plus patches really give an A-2 that period WWII look. I own two A-2's, one from Flightsuits. I would highly recommend an A-2 from flightsuits. If you are looking for the most accurate A-2's out there, as far as I know, try eastmanleather.com. I have always wanted an A-2 from Eastman, sadly being made in England, the exchange rate kills that dream, lol.

Having just bought an A-2 goat from Flightjacket, I would say it would be hard to get one better at the price they are offering. It has a very trim fit in the sleeves and body plus it comes with wool cuffs and waist. Flightsuits historical A-2 HH is supposedly one of the best for the money. I think with Eastman, you are paying for a name and minor detals that varied from maker to maker anyway. Russet is a good color for an A-2 to answer your original question. So I would say even knowing the maker, the right one is a good color choice. Patches are something I never got into. Even the real U.S. Navy pilots I was stationed with only had one or two patches at most.

By the way I am contacting the maker of the left jacket. They say there is a chance to give me the jacket without the patches (There is a big ugly patch of two flags in the back).

If anyone here likes the looks of this jacket and want one without patches, here's your chance. Just contact me platon@stardust-records.com and I think that if we line up, we'll have a much more better chance of getting them.

Has anyone ever considered The Cockpit (used to be Avirex) for an A-2? I have an Avirex cow A-2 that is over 25 years old and still kicking butt! They have a beautiful A-2 horse hide ($365) I am seriously considering buying. Check them out at www.cockpitusa.com

Here’s mine. It’s an FS. I’m still breaking it in. It’s about seven months old. These were taken at about the time it was new. The 23rd fighter group patch is a one off variation. Everything is stock. Cheers

I like the one on the left, sans patches. Both the color and the leather seem to look a whole lot nicer.

Loa- I have heard that their jackets are cut looser or fuller than the original models were. Also they have 2 piece backs. Their are some good tips in the Fedora lounge to help if you are looking for info on military leather jackets, both U.S. and British and German too.

I voted for the left, it looks better even with the patches. Good thing now that you can get it without.
Regards,
Kim

Here’s mine. It’s an FS. I’m still breaking it in. It’s about seven months old. These were taken at about the time it was new. The 23rd fighter group patch is a one off variation. Everything is stock. Cheers

I understand that this is the historical model and not the current issue. Correct?

PLATON wrote:

Here’s mine. It’s an FS. I’m still breaking it in. It’s about seven months old. These were taken at about the time it was new. The 23rd fighter group patch is a one off variation. Everything is stock. Cheers

I understand that this is the historical model and not the current issue. Correct?

Correct. (In goatskin).

You know, everytime I see a Flightsuits jacket I am overwhelmed by the cut and the neatness of the finishing, stitching and lining. I just wish I could get them here in Aus.

Regards - CM

Go for the Eastman Monarch. It is one of the most authentic A-2 on the market.
But don´t forget that there are some other great A-2s. Have a look at Aero, Lost Worlds and RealMcoy´s.

Thanks for the advice. The jacket on the left costs 50% of what the jacket on the right costs.

That's the problem.

Holy Smokes!!!

Regards! Michaelson

Yeah, jacket on the right costs $811 without shipping. Go figure...

My new A-2 jacket (see left jacket in the 1st post) arrived yesterday.
The fit is great. Juat what you see in the pic. The sleeves are tight and narrow with very small armholes. I am very happy with them. I got size 38 although the vendor advised that I should get 42. For reference my chest measures 42in their 38 size jacket has chest 441/2 and their 42 size has chest 481/2. Go figure.

The sleeves could be a little shorter for better exposure of the knits. I guess they will ride up soon.

The leather is horsehide but not that reddish type russet. It's more like light brown. The color and cut are surely reminiscent of the WWII jackets.

The pockets are the right size, have perfectly scalloped flaps and have the correct distance from the storm flap.

Unfortunately, the zipper is not talon or the like, it's a YKK brass. The lining is a deep dark orange, the best I have seen. The label is black with yellow letters but does not look like the originals (you can't have it all, can you?).

Of course, no inside pockets and no hand warmers.

Photos soon.

So, who is the maker then?

The maker is COCKPIT ex AVIREX.

I know that the above name is synonymous to the bulky blousy non accurate A-2 jackets of the 1980s but this one is cut to WWII patterns and I guess it's one of the best cheap repro alternatives.

It costs $555 which is a price that you may find close to the G&B historical and the US Authentic. However, the US Auth have not convinced me that the cut will be as desired (_ didn't spare some pics and also the pockets didn't have same distance from the storm flap and they were asking $100 to fix that) and with G&B there were delivery issues, so I had to go with COCKPIT.

Of course, out of the three, I guess the most accurate would be the G&B.

My next jacket will be an Indy WESTED super accurate which I design now, then a Todd's and for an A-2 an EASTMAN and that's for sure. Though no one can tell when I will get the next one....

one on the right

After some adventures it probably would look like the one on the left.

Yes. Like going to the grocery store or to fill the tank with some gas, perhaps going to church or school. Maybe some trips to mom and dads house...a walk in the park perhaps?

Here's the pics I promised.

that fits you really well platon. great pocket flaps!

perhaps i'm too use to the indy jacket as i think the a2 pockets are always located too far apart for my taste...but most of the ones i've seen including vintage ones were spaced as so. thats a heck of a jacket for sure.

Very nice score PLATON... The sleeves and pockets are great!