Cockpit A-2 Goat

• Oct 14, 2010

• #21

C

captaincaveman1

A-List Customer

Messages

361

Location

--------------------------------

reflected said:

Thanks for the review. Might I enquire about your measurements? My chest size is 39, I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 154 lbs. Size 40 is supposed to be my size, but I'd like a tighter fit than yours. What size do you think I should go for?
Thanks!

Click to expand...

I'm 5'9" 180 or so pounds at time of picture.

I think I'm between sizes with the Cockpit - their 42 was definitely too big and their 40 fits a tad on the tight side - especially after break-in.

Here's a somewhat recent shot showing the jacket fully broken in. As you can see, the sleeves have really pulled up a bit due to wrinkling. Lately, I've been wearing a cheapo LL Bean A-2 instead of this one since its a tad tight.

Seems like thier jackets are cut stocky. There's a bit of shoulder droop on both the 40 and 42 - I have kinda wide shoulders and the seam still falls off my shoulder. You're going to have a tricky time finding the right fit given your height/weight. Might be a gamble to order all the way from where you are. In my case, I was able to walk into their Manhattan store on my lunch break to exchange a 42 for a 40...

 

• Oct 14, 2010

• #22

Justhandguns

Practically Family

Messages

779

Location

London

reflected said:

Thanks for the review. Might I enquire about your measurements? My chest size is 39, I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 154 lbs. Size 40 is supposed to be my size, but I'd like a tighter fit than yours. What size do you think I should go for?
Thanks!

Click to expand...

Just off the topics slightly about the Cockpit sizes.
I have almost the exact dimension as yours, chest 39", 5'11", 158lb. I am now wearing a size 40 Eastman .50Cal A-2. The shoulder and the chest fit perfectly but the belly looks a bit baggy if I just wear a T-shirt in there. I have just won a bid on a size 38 Aero 38-1711-P which is on its way to me. Judging from the measurements that the seller gave me, only the shoulder width is different from my size 40 Eastman, including the length of sleeves and the back, which is interesting. I can post the dimensions next week when I have both of the jackets in hand. Hope this helps.

 

• Oct 15, 2010

• #23

442RCT

One of the Regulars

Messages

261

Location

California, USA

I have several different Avirex A-2 "style" jackets and none of them have any consistency in sizing between them. I have a sz 40 that feels too narrow in the shoulders and chest, but the arm length and body length are fine. I have a sz 42 Avirex that fits just fine. I have a horsehide Avirex sz 42 that fits like a tent...it's more like a sz 44.[huh]

As far as basing sz on measurements, your mileage may vary, that sz 40 Avirex is 18.5 inches across the shoulders and it's too tight for me, I have another manufacturer's A-2 that's 17.75 inches across the shoulder and that jacket fits spot on. Even saying YMMV, based on my experience, 80-90% of the time, measurements will be very helpful.

I own 3 Eastmans , depending on the 'contract' I'm either a sz 38 or sz 40. I have 3 or 4 Aeros, I'm pretty much a sz 40. One of the Aeros I own is a sz 44, it's too big for me, I bought it because Jerome Urbaniak painted the back.:eusa_clap. I planned on putting it in a display case so the size didn't matter, when I did wear it, it fit like a roomy mall jacket. It was the first Aero I owned and based on that jacket I thought I was a sz 42 in Aero jackets. It wasn't until I got the sz 40's did that I found my proper size.

 

• Oct 15, 2010

• #24

reflected

New in Town

Messages

21

Location

Budapest, HU

Thanks for your reply!
My old Avirex is size 40 and fits me like yours fits you - that's exactly what I need, I like tight jackets. I've also sent my measurements to Stanley from Cockpit USA and he also told me that I should go for a size 40. I'm slightly taller than you, but I guess I'm thinner too - but also with a wide shoulder.

I wish I could just walk in the store like you But I guess I'll have to take my chances and order a size 40, I'm fairly certain that it's the one I need.

Thanks again.

 

• Oct 15, 2010

• #25

C

captaincaveman1

A-List Customer

Messages

361

Location

--------------------------------

OK good luck. They make tall sizes too. I think their 40 is a bit shorter than other A-2's I've tried on. Look how it stops just below my beltline. Might want to keep that in mind when ordering especially since you are taller. How much is shipping back from HU? I ask cuz you could order three jackets (perhaps 40R, 40L, 42R, etc...) and keep the one that fits best and return other two.

reflected said:

Thanks for your reply!
My old Avirex is size 40 and fits me like yours fits you - that's exactly what I need, I like tight jackets. I've also sent my measurements to Stanley from Cockpit USA and he also told me that I should go for a size 40. I'm slightly taller than you, but I guess I'm thinner too - but also with a wide shoulder.

I wish I could just walk in the store like you But I guess I'll have to take my chances and order a size 40, I'm fairly certain that it's the one I need.

Thanks again.

Click to expand...

 

• Oct 15, 2010

• #26

reflected

New in Town

Messages

21

Location

Budapest, HU

That would have made sense, but I've already ordered mine. From ebay that is - the shipping was "only" 50 beans instead of 80-90 from the official site. I don't mind shorter jackets, but if it doesn't fit I can always send it back. Fingers crossed...

 

• Oct 15, 2010

• #27

Rawky

One of the Regulars

Messages

153

Location

Plymouth, UK

Thats a gorgeous looking jacket......can I have it?

 

• Oct 15, 2010

• #28

kojax

Practically Family

Messages

937

Location

haverhill

i just got my farther a a2 horsehide from gibson barnes size 36 fits him well. gibson barnes jackets run big

 

• Oct 16, 2010

• #29

Rawky

One of the Regulars

Messages

153

Location

Plymouth, UK

Caveman, where did you get this jacket from?

 

• Nov 11, 2010

• #30

reflected

New in Town

Messages

21

Location

Budapest, HU

I've got my Cockpit Z2107G yesterday. It's the same size as yours, 40R that is. Here are my impressions:

The quality of the leather is remarkable, although it's quite stiff! It will take some time to break it in. I've read that one should sleep in his jacket in order to break it in, so I acted accordingly last night

The color is very dark indeed, but still brown and not black. I like it. The cuffs are not wool like on my old Avirex A2, but oh well. It's still good quality so I don't mind. (It also makes it easier to check my watch )

The quality of the zipper leaves a lot to be desired though. I had to fiddle with it before I could pull it up.

The fit is just perfect. I'm 184 cm tall and I weigh 72kg. My old, size 40 Avirex A2 was a tad on the short side (length & sleeves) but this one is spot on.

I can only recommend this jacket for those who can't afford an original contract A-2.

 

• Nov 11, 2010

• #31

Edward

Bartender

Messages

24,789

Location

London, UK

captaincaveman1 said:

Click to expand...

Is that Steve Macqueen, though.... or Donald Sutherland? The jacket does indeed remind me of that one. The really striking thing about Macqueen's Escape A2 was how dark it was - almost black looking in some scenes. I think the post 87 spec jackets were definitely among the darkest of A2s. Weren't they all seal after the reintroduction?

 

• Jul 15, 2011

• #32

reflected

New in Town

Messages

21

Location

Budapest, HU

I recently bought a Size 40R cockpit goatskin A-2 jacket. IN short: I'm very happy with it!
I'm 6 foot 1", and around 72 kg. I found that the jacket was a bit large, that is, too baggy. The length was spot on for my liking. So I took it to a taylor who made the chest and the sleeves a bit more "close fitting". It might not be historically accurate, but looking good is above historical accuracy on my list Here's the result:

 

• Jul 15, 2011

• #33

53Effie

A-List Customer

Messages

420

Location

Orygun

Looks very good. I really like the pictures as well. Cool setting. Enjoy the jacket!

 

• Jul 15, 2011

• #34

ButteMT61

Messages

10,181

Location

Pasadena, CA

@ reflected: looks great! Well done.

 

• Jul 22, 2011

• #35

garzo

One of the Regulars

Messages

259

Location

Berlin

Jacket looks great. I have a Cockpit A-2 1987 Reissue that I really like and has become my regular jacket, especially in the spring and cooler summer nights. I really like those pictures of that air show. Where was that? Great looking planes.

 

• Jul 22, 2011

• #36

Justhandguns

Practically Family

Messages

779

Location

London

It looks really cool, especially with the up close and personal planes........!

 

• Jul 23, 2011

• #37

overlord4215

New in Town

Messages

34

Location

Staten Island NY

I have an A-2 from flight jacket.com it fits great and i am big enough not to want to post my dimentions . I think the jacket i got was worth more than the money i paid for it.I found it acurate enough for the ww2 buff that i am. I would put the quality and workmanship up against any of the other companies mentioned .

 

• Jul 26, 2011

• #38

reflected

New in Town

Messages

21

Location

Budapest, HU

Thanks everyone! The pictures were taken at the Shuttleworth Airshow and Duxford. It was quite an experience, especially that I got to fly in a Tiger Moth and even do some aerobatics