1980’s Aero Highwayman

[Chris Tubman]

Here’s a few photographs of an Aero Highwayman that I recently acquired.
I’m guessing by the label and big “A” zip that it would be ‘86-‘87?
It seems to have stood it’s near forty years very well and the leather, lining and zips are all fine.
And I’m guessing that it’s made with Connolly hide which is very easy to wear without the weight and stiffness of some other hides.
The strange thing about this jacket is the sizing, it’s labelled as a 42 and yet it is 21.5" P to P, 17.5" across the shoulders, 25" from the collar seam to the lower hem and 23" from the shoulder seam to the cuff, so significantly different to a modern Highwayman.

 

[Monitor]

I just recently landed one from the same or perhaps earlier era. Curiously enough, the zipper on my jacket is also large (no. 8 or no.10), something they must have dropped very early in favour of the no. 5 on as prior to now twice in one week, I had never seen a Highwayman with such a heavy zipper.

I'm not certain your jacket is made with Connolly's steer, though, but it might be best to confirm with Aero. In my experience, Connolly's had always been very consistent in appearance - Much more (large) grain & less sheen to it - which differentiates from what I'm seeing here but I could be wrong.

I think I had two or three jackets in this leather, though. Brilliant hide! Late 80's was, if I recall correctly, the time when they were trying to find a stable source of quality leather, once Connolly's dropped off. None of the pre-Horween temporary alternatives were anything short of stellar which is why I cannot understand why they stuck with what they use now. . .

Could I ask of you, would you please check for me if your jacket has underarm vent holes and if so, how many?

 

[Chris Tubman]

I just recently landed one from the same or perhaps earlier era. Curiously enough, the zipper on my jacket is also large (no. 8 or no.10), something they must have dropped very early in favour of the no. 5 on as prior to now twice in one week, I had never seen a Highwayman with such a heavy zipper.

I'm not certain your jacket is made with Connolly's steer, though, but it might be best to confirm with Aero. In my experience, Connolly's had always been very consistent in appearance - Much more (large) grain & less sheen to it - which differentiates from what I'm seeing here but I could be wrong.

I think I had two or three jackets in this leather, though. Brilliant hide! Late 80's was, if I recall correctly, the time when they were trying to find a stable source of quality leather, once Connolly's dropped off. None of the pre-Horween temporary alternatives were anything short of stellar which is why I cannot understand why they stuck with what they use now. . .

Could I ask of you, would you please check for me if your jacket has underarm vent holes and if so, how many?

Yes, underarm vents, three each side.
No storm cuffs.
I’ve just conditioned the leather so that might explain the sheen but as to what it is I have no idea.

 

[RDS]

Here’s a few photographs of an Aero Highwayman that I recently acquired.
I’m guessing by the label and big “A” zip that it would be ‘86-‘87?
It seems to have stood it’s near forty years very well and the leather, lining and zips are all fine.
And I’m guessing that it’s made with Connolly hide which is very easy to wear without the weight and stiffness of some other hides.
The strange thing about this jacket is the sizing, it’s labelled as a 42 and yet it is 21.5" P to P, 17.5" across the shoulders, 25" from the collar seam to the lower hem and 23" from the shoulder seam to the cuff, so significantly different to a modern Highwayman.

It’s not easy to say for sure based on just a few photos but I’d agree with Monitor and I don’t think your jacket is made from Connolly steerhide.
To date, I’ve now owned 5 Aero Connolly jackets, Highwayman’s and Zip Sleeve Highwayman’s, all of which dated from the mid-‘80 to early ‘90’s. The grain on all these was all a lot more pronounced and quite distinctive, whereas the steerhide on this jacket appears to be a lot finer and nothing like any of the panels on my jackets.
As for dimensions those do seem small for a 42 Highwayman, and possibly more appropriate for something like a 38. Altnough I have found that early Aero Leather jackets do seem to come up smaller than those made later. For example: I had a size 44 Connolly leather Highwayman Deluxe, from 86-87, and the measurements of this were the same as the couple of Highwaymans from the 2000’s I had which were tagged as 42.
Also, the jacket in unlikely to be any earlier than 1987 as the ‘Car, Bike & Plane’ label was only introduced in that year.

 

[Chris Tubman]

It’s not easy to say for sure based on just a few photos but I’d agree with Monitor and I don’t think your jacket is made from Connolly steerhide.
To date, I’ve now owned 5 Aero Connolly jackets, Highwayman’s and Zip Sleeve Highwayman’s, all of which dated from the mid-‘80 to early ‘90’s. The grain on all these was all a lot more pronounced and quite distinctive, whereas the steerhide on this jacket appears to be a lot finer and nothing like any of the panels on my jackets.
As for dimensions those do seem small for a 42 Highwayman, and possibly more appropriate for something like a 38. Altnough I have found that early Aero Leather jackets do seem to come up smaller than those made later. For example: I had a size 44 Connolly leather Highwayman Deluxe, from 86-87, and the measurements of this were the same as the couple of Highwaymans from the 2000’s I had which were tagged as 42.
Also, the jacket in unlikely to be any earlier than 1987 as the ‘Car, Bike & Plane’ label was only introduced in that year.

I almost didn’t buy this jacket as it was sized as a 42 which would have been too big for me, especially considering the measurements of a modern Highwayman.
But then I saw the actual measurements and I then realised that it would fit me.
As for the mystery leather, well that might remain a mystery..

 

[RDS]

Even though

I almost didn’t buy this jacket as it was sized as a 42 which would have been too big for me, especially considering the measurements of a modern Highwayman.
But then I saw the actual measurements and I then realised that it would fit me.
As for the mystery leather, well that might remain a mystery..

Even though probably not Connolly steerhide I’m sure it’s still a good jacket.
It also goes to show that measurements are far more important than whatever is on the size tag. And if possible, I also prefer to actually see some photos of how a jacket has been measured because different people have different methods of measuring. An inch here or there can make all the difference between a good fit or not.

 

[Tom71]

Spectacular find!

As @Monitor has suggested, it may be fruitful to check with Aerto themselves if they have any intel on the details of age and hide. They have an account here under @Hide'n'seek.

 

[Worf]

Wow!!!!! Ah'm officially a VERY Jealous man. I've a Highwayman of unknown vintage in steer as well but I believe mine is newer. I had to get the zipper replaced so mine was definitely NOT sporting as heavier zip as yours. Bravo!

Worf

 

[Monitor]

Yes, underarm vents, three each side.
No storm cuffs.
I’ve just conditioned the leather so that might explain the sheen but as to what it is I have no idea. View attachment 735569 View attachment 735573

Thank you very much.

 

[Professor100]

I agree with all that whatever the hide, this is an excellent jacket. Congratulations. Regarding the Aero sizing, it seems to me that there was a period when Aero's numbered sizes reflected the standards of the eras when the styles of jackets were originally worn. So for instance a size 40 for a 1930's half belt would have significantly different measurements, especially for the P2P, than, say, a 1950's half belt. Adhering to their commitment to authenticity. That is only my impression, however, and could be entirely unfounded.

 

[RDS]

I agree with all that whatever the hide, this is an excellent jacket. Congratulations. Regarding the Aero sizing, it seems to me that there was a period when Aero's numbered sizes reflected the standards of the eras when the styles of jackets were originally worn. So for instance a size 40 for a 1930's half belt would have significantly different measurements, especially for the P2P, than, say, a 1950's half belt. Adhering to their commitment to authenticity. That is only my impression, however, and could be entirely unfounded.

That’s still the case and nothing has really changed regarding Aero Leather’s authentic sizing and fit. For example: their 1930’s Half Belt still has a slimmer fit and the 1950’s Half Belt has a relaxed fit.

 

[Chris Tubman]

I’ve just received an email from Aero with a reply to a question about the leather my Highwayman is made from and they do actually believe that it would be made from Connolly leather with an outside chance of Alaskan Steerhide.
And it would be a late 80’s jacket.
It is way lighter and easier to wear than a modern heavy steerhide Highwayman that I have just acquired, that one is a beast.

 

[RDS]

I’ve just received an email from Aero with a reply to a question about the leather my Highwayman is made from and they do actually believe that it would be made from Connolly leather with an outside chance of Alaskan Steerhide.
And it would be a late 80’s jacket.
It is way lighter and easier to wear than a modern heavy steerhide Highwayman that I have just acquired, that one is a beast.

It’s good you managed to follow this up with Aero Leather.
And, although there’s still a chance the jacket may turn out to be Alaskan steerhide it just goes to show how difficult it can be to make a judgement without being able to physically handle something.

 

[RDS]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26744223...cQjbU2ZbL4chkapJKdcVUOQg==|tkp:Bk9SR57Wzd-_Zg