Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

How Popular is the Aero A1..??

KentH

Familiar Face
Messages
56
Location
New England
Hey guys and gals..

This is my first post, I probably should not announce that, but anyway.. Say a person has two or three A2's and has a little more money in their slush fund.. Is an A1 a good selection..?? This may sound dumb, but how many A2's can you have really, I have one in russet & one seal jerky HH, I also have an actual G1 from my time in the service in 1974.. I am only interested in military style jackets.. The B3's seem too bulky although a beautiful jacket, I like the lighter style of the A2's and their notoriety.. The A1 caught my eye on the Aero site and looks like a good alternative, but I was wondering how other people thought about it and is it really a popular jacket or is it too obscure seeing how it was out of production in the early 30's..

Thanks in advance for your feedback.. Kent
 

Guppy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,282
Location
Cleveland, OH
It's a lot less common, so I'd have to say it is less popular. But don't let that dissuade you. It's a good looking jacket.
 

jonesy86

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,610
Location
Kauai
I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.
2d52978c46ca755c4915e239977f233e.jpg

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.
c31af059fb11cf11f1e35de9b33489f7.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

KentH

Familiar Face
Messages
56
Location
New England
I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.
2d52978c46ca755c4915e239977f233e.jpg

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.
c31af059fb11cf11f1e35de9b33489f7.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice jackets Jonesy... is that first one an A1..??

I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.
2d52978c46ca755c4915e239977f233e.jpg

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.
c31af059fb11cf11f1e35de9b33489f7.jpg
I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.
2d52978c46ca755c4915e239977f233e.jpg

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.
c31af059fb11cf11f1e35de9b33489f7.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice jackets Jonesy..
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
The A1 is a fairly common period jacket style amongst jacket enthusiasts. Actually, I noticed in Italy that the A1 style s a common civilian pattern for leather jackets. Or was a few years back. The Aero version hasn't caught on as much here as the (edit) Eastman and Goodwear versions. Authentic USA do one too.

As already indicated by Jonesy, I think the reason they are not as popular in general is that they tend to me made from sheep - capeskin - which is no where near as cultish as the far more durable FQHH. I am also not sure that buttons are as popular. People who dig the style tend to go with a shawl collar jacket like the Himmel Heron.

The A1 is a nice light weight windbreaker jacket alternative.
 
Last edited:

robrinay

One Too Many
Messages
1,489
Location
Sheffield UK
:)Having previously bought (cheap on eBay), an RRL version in a 42 and a suede Italian version in a 46 I’ve now got an A1 in my own size 44 long and it’s my most comfortable leather jacket, very easy to wear and looks great. I think of it as my Goldilocks A1
 

Boyo

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,213
Location
Long Island NY
The A1 is a very light jacket in both weight and its ability to keep you warm, the two front pockets are very small and are fairly useless. I had one for a while and I had no issues with the lightness of the capeskin as it is pretty durable in general.
 

Lebowski

This guy has numerous complaints from sellers.
Messages
1,137
Anything around here is obscure if it ain't from a mall. I have an Eastman A-1 which I think is a great alternative to the A-2 that I also have, I do prefer the A-2s though.
View attachment 147581
Nick, you definitely should think about a model career in hi-end leather jackets' business, seriously.
I mean, looks like almost every good jacket not only fits you perfect but tempts somebody to buy the same one for themselves!))
P.S. This Eastman A-1 you're wearing looks absolutely fantastic!
 
Last edited:

Lebowski

This guy has numerous complaints from sellers.
Messages
1,137
I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.
2d52978c46ca755c4915e239977f233e.jpg

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.
c31af059fb11cf11f1e35de9b33489f7.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
David, this GW A-1 looks very cool on you, it's possibly the best your jacket. At least, one of the best of your top-3 chart) Respect and congrats, it's superb!
 
Last edited:

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,087
Location
UK
I own an ELC A-1, lovely and light for the warmer weather, like a leather cardigan & with a less obvious military vibe than an A-2. I have found Cape hide to be tougher than expected and super comfortable :)
 
Messages
10,977
Location
SoCal
I think the lighter hides are better for the A-1. My favorite is still the Real McCoys dark seal with olive knits version...
IMG_6767.JPG
But the Shinki hide is a bit heavy. @Worf has the most fabulous looking capeskin one.
 
Last edited:

KentH

Familiar Face
Messages
56
Location
New England
I own an ELC A-1, lovely and light for the warmer weather, like a leather cardigan & with a less obvious military vibe than an A-2. I have found Cape hide to be tougher than expected and super comfortable :)
Thanks for the input bn1966..
 

nick123

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,362
Location
California
I think our friend @nick123 had one in Olive green vic? It's a cool design and I say that despite really disliking jackets with knits.

It was certainly a cool jacket. Pretty true to size. A size 40 fit like a size 40.5-41. I would have prefered a collar knit that laid more flat, but chalk it up to learning. If I was to order again, I'd go brown lol.
 

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,087
Location
UK
Thanks for the input bn1966..

You are most welcome :)

First time I ever came face to face with an A-1 (at ELC) I couldn't get my head around it..Cape!!..Buttons!! A seed was planted though.

Second time I met one (ELC again) I ended up cancelling a planned A-2 order & went for the A-1 instead.
 

KentH

Familiar Face
Messages
56
Location
New England
The A1 is a fairly common period jacket style amongst jacket enthusiasts. Actually, I noticed in Italy that the A1 style s a common civilian pattern for leather jackets. Or was a few years back. The Aero version hasn't caught on as much here as the (edit) Eastman and Goodwear versions. Authentic USA do one too.

As already indicated by Jonesy, I think the reason they are not as popular in general is that they tend to me made from sheep - capeskin - which is no where near as cultish as the far more durable FQHH. I am also not sure that buttons are as popular. People who dig the style tend to go with a shawl collar jacket like the Himmel Heron.

The A1 is a nice light weight windbreaker jacket alternative.
If I were to order one I was leaning towards the Aero russet Vicenza....

Kent
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,025
Messages
3,026,634
Members
52,528
Latest member
Zonko
Top