I'm thinking of purchasing a Flightsuits Historical A-2, and I am debating between goatskin and horsehide. I know horsehide was the more commonly used leather for old A-2s, but I am wondering pros and cons versus goatskin.
I've a goatskin Wested (great), so I'm familiar with the virtues of goatskin, but I've no experience with horsehide - except when riding a horse.
I thought I'd avail myself of the wisdom of the group before making any decision. Thanks.
I currently own a HH Wings A-2 , and though surprisingly supple and soft when it first arrived, in real cold weather it gets quite stiff. Prepare for a pretty stiff jacket right out of the gate. It takes a lot of work to loosen up (just ask our resident expert _ , as he's had to work quite hard to get his to cooperate, but he's big enough to beat them into submission! ), but once done, it's a VERY nice leather and as tough as advertised. I totally understand why folks hang onto their horsehide jackets for generations. You have to work so hard to get them right, you can't bear to part with them. That's MY little story. Others? Regards. Michaelson
If you're going historical, go with the horse as that was the preferred hide back then, though goat was used when the horse supply was thin. Even so, I have been told that a horse jacket is simply incredible.
If I remember correctly, _ prefers the FS goatskin for their Historical A2 over their HH, but if you want MY opinion, I say go for the HH.
I am one of those who could not bear to part with my HH Aero A2. I've been wearing it hard and heavy as often as possible since I got it this past summer, and it is just now starting to break in nicely. It's a tough as nails leather....and I really like the look of it.
Again, for something that is Historical...I just don't see the point in getting anything but HH.
That's my opinion, for what it's worth.
Later!
Indydawg
My first FS was a horsehide A-2 back in 1989. The thing about HH is that depending on how it's tanned, it can be vastly different from hide to hide. The last one that I saw come out of FS was Paterson's chrome tanned HH A-2. It made me drool. Chrome tanned leather jackets in WW2 were more rare than vegetable or Indian tanned ones, I believe. I'd go with FS's chrome tanned HH if I were you. On the other hand, I've heard that FS's "authentic era" goatskin is fabulous. The original spec called for horsehide, but by the end of their production run they were making A-2's out of any leather available. Horsehide in the 30's was readily available because of all the slaughtered horses that came about from the advent of the automobile. Goatskin I will say has always been the most desired leather for military jackets. You could say that the Navy was trying to "one-up" the Army Air Corp by using goatskin. With that said, I'd say go for the horsehide since you already have a goatskin Wested. Cheers
I have several horsehide jackets and love all of them. When they are brand new though, they are a bit stiff (they are a little heavier). If it is ordered especially for you and you break it in, it is an awesome jacket. I have purchased a few on eBay that are broken in by others that do not fit the way I move. They are truly personalized jackets and you will not regret owning one (or two, or three... )
I recently had a question posted here about whether or not Peter offered the Raider's jacket in horsehide...
I remember that....I thought I had posted back to you that I remembered him offering it in HH, but did not know if he still did or not. I think he may still offer it as a special request leather....you can always get in touch with him and see.
Later!
Indydawg
PS-You're right about a HH jacket really becoming YOUR jacket as you wear it. You just won't get a HH jacket from someone else that will ever fit YOU just right.
, as he's had to work quite hard to get his to cooperate, but he's big enough to beat them into submission! 
That's MY little story. Others? Regards. Michaelson
