Club Obi Wan

So... my father is getting married this Sunday (I know... right? ) and his birthday is near the end of this month. So I want to get him a nice wedding/birthday gift. He has this old falling apart A-2 jacket that he bought at a Wilsons like 30 years ago. The tag on it says "Adventure Bound Originals". The sleeve has a HUGE rip in it that he has "repaired" with duct tape and the zipper pull broke off and has now been replaced with a paper clip.

Now, it shouldn't be all that difficult to find a replacement jacket... I've been looking at the US Wings site and am really digging the Current Issue A-2. It's perfect for what I am looking for. It has the side-entry pockets and everything that my father would want. The problem is, my father is 6' 5" tall and roughly 240 pounds. His old Adventure Bound jacket is a XXXL. I took some measurements of his old jacket and here they are:

Front length (measured by the storm flap): 25"
Shoulder: 9"
Waist: 23"
Sleeve (from shoulder seam): 26"
Chest (pit to pit): 24"
Back (from base of collar stand): 28 3/4"

I e-mailed US Wings and when I mentioned the size of my father they weren't confident that their Current Issue A-2 in a XXXL would fit him. To me, I think it comes pretty close but it's tough to say without just having my father try it on.

What does everyone think? Should I try for the US Wings Current Issue A-2 or should I try something else? Remember I am looking for a jacket in that particular style and side entry hand warmers are a must. I am trying to keep the cost around $200.

Thanks in advance!
Nick

Thanks _!

Back when I had a US Wings jacket I ordered an XL and the thing fit me like an XXXL. It was simply massive on me. So this time I am trying to get some actual measurements from the jackets instead of just going off of their chart.

LisaS told me that for the Current Issue A-2 jacket in a XXXL that the back length is 28 inches and the sleeve length is 39 ½ inches. According to that the length is just cutting it. With those measurements I would think an XXL would be too short on him? I've been wrong before... but I still find their sizing chart confusing.

I know you're trying to get it right the first time, but with Wing's generous return policy you have the option of an exchange, or could go the route of "buy two and send one back."

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

I would bet he tried the Wilson on when he purchased it, so in the absence of having him try on a jacket in person, you are going about it the right way.
Bear in mind that while original A2 had a fairly trim fit on the (usually slimmer) men of the era, what is offered by retailers (including Wilsons and US Wings) is usually a little bit roomier, so there is a margin for error.
Make your best choice based on the available measurements, with a possible exchange as your contingency plan.

Since you have the measurements of your dad's old jacket, I would ask Wings to physically measure a jacket they have in stock. They can do that while you're on the phone. If their measurements add up to yours (or near enough) have them send you that very same jacket. In my personal experience, that was the only way I eventually got a Wings jacket (a G-2) that fit my body type right. I wear a size 40, and the jacket I got ended up being an extra-small! (The previous medium and small jackets were absolutely huge on me.) Granted, it was when they were clearing out old stock a few years ago, but this "XS" fits like a very roomy large. Wings' civilian A-2 patterns are roomy, so I agree with those who say you should be able to get one from Wings that fits your father.

"Oh, those kids are after my frosted Lucky Charms! I'll make myself an uzi and blow them all away!"

ANYONE next to you is "little people," _! Yep, I stand 5" 5' on a good day, but I can typically wear most any 40 regular jacket just fine. When you get into letter sizing (S-M-L) that definition seems to change from one manufacturer to the next. Sometimes that means a large fits me right, while other times it's labeled a small. It makes off-the-rack shopping a pain, that's for sure. That said, I expect some play in fit with letter sizing, but not to extremes. Again, my first experience was with getting a jacket from a Wings clearance sale. I told them my basic measurements, they recommended a large, but I opted for a medium. What they sent me fit like an extra large jacket.



I exchanged it for a small, and got a jacket that was still big on me. By that point, they no longer had any Indy clearance jackets in XS, so I opted for the G-2. I had them physically measure that XS jacket on hand, and upon the actual numbers, I had them send me that very same jacket. It's still quite roomy, but at least I don't swim in it.

When I tried to order a Hero Cow over the summer, I talked with Sarge about my previous experience and discussed my measurements. I got a medium, but while it fit my shoulders perfectly, the jacket was long in the body on me, but too small to zip up. (I could stand to trim up a bit, but I am not fat. To go thin enough to zip it would put me in the hospital!) Going up to a large from that point would've meant I could have zipped it up, but everything else would've been off. With that, I concluded that my body type will never perfectly fit a Wings letter-sized jacket. It's a pity, because the jacket I had in my hands was a nice jacket. (It's also why I wish Wings would've gone with the number sizing suggestion a number of folks wanted when they were polled.)

That said, your mileage may vary. Since their A-2 patterns are roomier than historical jackets, it's also why I think you'll be able to get a jacket that fits your dad. But it's also why I recommend getting physical jacket measurements from them if they'll give them to you. Just my two cents worth. I'll go back to hoarding my gold now.

Nick, I just reread though your posts and saw that you did, apparently, get jacket measurements from Wings on their A-2. I missed that the first time. If you manage to find a WIngs jacket that is closest to the specs of your dad's old jacket, I'd try that one first and then worry about exchanges if necessary. Just curious, which A-2 are you looking at?

Thanks everyone for your responses!

I know what you're talking about when you say that the historical A-2's are different from modern A-2's (made by US Wings, Wilsons, etc...). My Dad's old jacket that he got at a Wilsons has what I think is a really roomy chest area in relation to the body length. But it seems to fit him well and that's all that matters!

Based on the measurements I received from US Wings and knowing what my fathers jacket is like and what he wants in a jacket... I think I am going to go for the US Wings Current Issue A-2 in a XXXL.

http://www.uswings.com/ta2.asp#A2GCI

I hope that I get this right the first time! It's getting cooler out now and it would be nice for my Dad to wear a jacket that isn't ready to spontaneously rip itself apart!

I think you made a good choice Nick and hope the jacket fits your father well.

Keep us posted, Nick!

I hope it fits well. When you get it, please post it measures. I'm 6' 4" tall and been looking for an A2 for some months, but they are always too short. I was told at US Wings that I should order any of the custom Longs jackets, as any other could be short.
So, I've been looking in eBay since than, but Long jackets are hard to find.

Odo, how short do you mean? ANd in the body or the sleeves? The traditional A-2 is a waist-length jacket, shorter than an Indy jacket.

I've already have a Cooper A2 size 48 (I wear 48 in Wested Indy Jackets) and it is quite small, and 2" short in the body than it should (It hardly reaches my belt).
So What I'd need would be a 50L, but was told by Wings that no XL, XXL or XXXL would be long enough for me...

Gotcha. If you're after a custom A-2, there are some great options that should work for you. They're a little more expensive, though.

I was told Alpha's A2 are bigger than others and might work on me. I'm also watching at eBay all the time, trying to caught a Long one...

What kind of A-2 are you after? Historical? Modern, with hand warmer pockets?

One that fit me!
But I guess one with side entry pockets would be fine.
My favs are Coopers or Alphas, but Coopers are hard to find in that size.

Historically, the original A-2 jackets only had the front patch pockets—no hand warmer or inside pockets. The modern A-2 has those features nowadays. If you were after a more historical based jacket, there may be a couple reasonably priced alternatives to the Eastmans, Aeros, and Good Wears. But I've seen plenty of Alphas and Coopers on eBay, so if that's where you're searching, I'm sure one will come along.

I have a new Gibson & Barnes due to arrive next week. It's a Type A-2 Mark 41. I ordered a 48 and I'll be happy to take measurements if you'd like. Everything I've read on multiple forums say they run a bit bigger.

That'd be awsome if you could provide measurements of your G&B, cause I'm interested.

Eastman jackets are awsome too, but realy too expensive I think. Thanks a lot for your help anway, Bink!

Gibson & Barnes also has long sizes. I'll take some measurements next week.

Thanks in advance!

Another option: The Cockpit (old Avirex) A-2. Good prices and good selections (goat, HH, modern with handwarmers and legacy WW 2 models). These are built to last a lifetime. I've had one since about 1985 and have dragged it all over the world while in the army. It's been dragged around China so many times...

The only problem is that after 26-plus years the waist got a little snug. I am SURE it is the jacket and not me. Cant be me! Could it? Gotta be the jacket.

another good repo is us authentic I have an A-2 horsehide and it is awesome and well made,not baggy or roomy. Very trim and historically close. not bad in price either.

Lao Feng wrote:The only problem is that after 26-plus years the waist got a little snug. I am SURE it is the jacket and not me. Cant be me! Could it? Gotta be the jacket.

Gotta be. I've experienced the same thing, and KNOW it's not me OR my waistline. Nope. Never.

Regards! Michaelson

Hey everyone! I just got back from my father's birthday party... and I gave him the US Wings Current Issue A-2 in 3XL that I ordered him. First off, I must say this is one well-built jacket! I am not a huge fan of A-2s, but if I were to ever get on this would have been it.

When it first arrived I tried it on to get an idea of how well it was going to fit my dad. I got worried when the body and sleeve length did not seem as long as they needed to be (my dad is roughly 4-5 inches taller than me). When I gave the jacket to him his face lite up! I think he was stunned and my new step-mom looked more surprised than he did! He tried it on right away and guess what? It fit! It fit him almost just like his old jacket that I was replacing! It just needs a little breaking in!

I could tell by his face that he couldn't have asked for a better present! I am just really glad that it fit him so well! Thank you all for your help in finding a great jacket for my Dad!

Thanks!
Nick

Well done! I'm glad it worked out!

Don't you love it when a plan comes together!!???

Thanks guys! My Dad sent me an e-mail saying that he wore the jacket to work today... and he just loves it! I am so glad that this worked out! He deserves it!

Nothing better than giving a gift that is just perfect for a person. Congrats to you and your dad.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Thanks for the update! Congratulations.

Great news! So, is it appropriate to try this?

;0

LJ

jnicktem wrote: Front length (measured by the storm flap): 25"
Shoulder: 9"
Waist: 23"
Sleeve (from shoulder seam): 26"
Chest (pit to pit): 24"
Back (from base of collar stand): 28 3/4"

Congrats!
My father hates leather jackets, but once he was cold I gave him my old Wested and we both went somwhere wearing Indy jackets and I really enjoyed that moment, so in some way, I understand what you feel when you give something to your father, fits, and even better: he likes it.

I was just wondering about the lenght of the XXXL since you started telling your father was pretty tall. If you ever had the chance to measure it, I'd be interested. Thanks in advance!

Thanks again guys!

My Dad avoids cameras at all costs... so getting a picture taken will be difficult. Unless my step-mom manages to get one.

I wasn't able to take pictures. As it worked out the package arrived the day of my Dad's birthday. So I just had time to try it on myself to get an idea and then wrap it up and leave. If I do get the chance though I can take a few measurements.

Don't worry about getting a photo with him wearing the jacket. We respect his privacy, as the last thing we want to do is insist on a photo being posted on the world wide web of an unwilling participant.

We TOTALLY understand that.

HIGH regards! Michaelson

Thanks Michaelson! My father is a very private person when it comes to the internet. In fact, his Facebook page has a fake birthdate and his profile picture is the Gorn from the original Star Trek.

Well done!

jnicktem wrote:Thanks everyone for your responses!

I know what you're talking about when you say that the historical A-2's are different from modern A-2's (made by US Wings, Wilsons, etc...). My Dad's old jacket that he got at a Wilsons has what I think is a really roomy chest area in relation to the body length. But it seems to fit him well and that's all that matters!

Based on the measurements I received from US Wings and knowing what my fathers jacket is like and what he wants in a jacket... I think I am going to go for the US Wings Current Issue A-2 in a XXXL.

http://www.uswings.com/ta2.asp#A2GCI

I hope that I get this right the first time! It's getting cooler out now and it would be nice for my Dad to wear a jacket that isn't ready to spontaneously rip itself apart!

Nice choice Nick! That current issue A2 is real sharp! I've been looking to get one of these myself for awhile. I'm still on the fence because the selection is a tough choice. They are all so fine!
I'm thinking maybe old school with horse hide, USAAF Specs (DWC 30-1415 of Sept. 1930) .
The jury still out though...