Recent content by Speedbird

Gorgeous! and a great backdrop too .... hard to know it is modern! And for Pip .... another one?

I don't think you have Dave. I think your actual question of what constitutes authentic is spot on. Changing it to "what constitutes an accurate repro A-2?" is a whole other can of worms!

We should have started out this thread by defining authentic: 'Authentic' is an adjective and it means "known to be real; genuine" and therefore precludes repros of any particular contract purporting to be from an historical date. It is not possible to describe a high end named/dated...

^^^^ lol I have changed my mind about coming to visit you - you probably have salad with your steaks ... I am going to hang out with Silver Dollar instead .... more beer and burgers!!!! lol lol lol

For me that seals it ... but it is just me and my thoughts ... match the main zip to the original pocket zip .... if that is Conmar. .. then get Conmar for the main body.... and get it in a colour to match the upper zipper... :) And any time you have to start messing with polish on the zipper...

One of the nicest orphan/civilian/private purchase jackets sold on t'bay recently was a Golden Bear. And it sold for a song.... like $25 ... I meant to bid at least double that but was too busy posting here and missed the auction end! DOH! :eusa_doh: It was a corker ... single piece back...

I honestly couldn't say if one is better than the other .... what is clear is that both were used and both have original functioning survivors today on original jackets, military and civilian alike. I think either will outlive you and I - lol From a purely sentimental and aesthetic point...

I know :o .... I was always a bit shy and wary of painted jackets and/or painting my jacket ... like I said, I wish I had aquired a collection of the early Avirex paints back in the day .... but I should remember back then a new jacket was 2 or 3 weeks wages - they are in real terms cheaper...

hey! I am not old! well, not really...not yet! lol lol lol As for the guys who notice - what they are remembering is the phenomenon we discussed in the cafe racer jacket thread - the late 50's/early 60's bikers would strip their bikes (a Bonneville or Tiger or whatever), put on drop bars...

very wise! :)

Wow Nick ... that's brilliant! I could paint cartoons sort of, and figurative representations - but to get detail like a portrait, I need the camera! The great thing about this particular interest, most of the original jackets painters didn't have talent either - not everyone was as gifted...

This thread sure is inspirational.... I haven't patched or painted anything in more than 15 years ..... and I was never an artist or close to being as good as you guys .... but these last few days I have got out my old tracings and transparencies, and have been digging in the attic for my...

Since the event is giving you a choice between Black Tie or 20's/30's wear I think the world is your oyster .. or something like that ... ;) I think with nice shoes, suit and crisp white shirt you can pretty much take your pick with your other choices ... it's up to you and what suits you...

is this a "live" work in progress 442? have you actually picked up the brushes again or is it an older one and you are showing us the stages through to completion? I like the Bawidamann pin ups; another modern artist is Soroyama - he does stuff that would look good on a range of nose art...

Excellent website - well done Pip for sharing - their prices seem reasonable too! I guess I am just figuring out the US is awash with these types of jacket, much more so than the UK so there is more choice and more avaialable! I like the HH half-belt - but I am particularly taken by the...