Aero A-2 jacket and US authentic G-1 Questions

vernknight · Oct 2, 2006

Hello, Im new to this thread, but I am a big history buff and I want to say that since most jackets are mailorder, its nice to have a website to frankly discuss the fit and quality of most manufacturers. I was just curious on the quality of US authentics G-1 jacket, and what problems with authenticity it has. I read some vauge reports on this website about thier quality, and I just want to confirm that if I order from them, will I get a quality product that will last me, or should I save up some more and get a higher quality jacket.

Second, I wanted to ask about Aero A-2 jackets.
First off, when they say any order over 350 pounds is free, is that really free, or am I still going to have to pay a customs fee? I ask because I was looking at either a Aero "Anniversary" 42-15142-P Type A-2 Russet or the Aero "Real Deal" 42-15142-P Type A-2 Unmatched Horsehide. Now because either is still alot of money, I really wanted to know what sort of quality I can expect on either? Is it worth the extra money to get the Anniversary one, or is the real deal essentially the same thing? Is this better than a US authentic in quality (I know its not in authenticity, but to be honest, If Im going to pay this much for a jacket, then it better be comparable in durability to its authenticity.)
I would really appreciate any feedback I get, and thanks for letting me post on your board.

BigSleep · Oct 2, 2006

I just ordered an Aero 40 a-2.
Been emailing with Amanda. She said the Russet Jerky hides have been coming in pretty evenly grained. (Not too smooth in one area and not too rough in others)
Basically she said the quality on the real deals is more like the anniversary.

Also, go throught the American rep. I hear he pays all shipping and duty.
Hope this helps.

bfrench · Oct 3, 2006

Repro Jacket quality

vernknight said:
Hello, Im new to this thread, but I am a big history buff and I want to say that since most jackets are mailorder, its nice to have a website to frankly discuss the fit and quality of most manufacturers. I was just curious on the quality of US authentics G-1 jacket, and what problems with authenticity it has. I read some vauge reports on this website about thier quality, and I just want to confirm that if I order from them, will I get a quality product that will last me, or should I save up some more and get a higher quality jacket.

Second, I wanted to ask about Aero A-2 jackets.
First off, when they say any order over 350 pounds is free, is that really free, or am I still going to have to pay a customs fee? I ask because I was looking at either a Aero "Anniversary" 42-15142-P Type A-2 Russet or the Aero "Real Deal" 42-15142-P Type A-2 Unmatched Horsehide. Now because either is still alot of money, I really wanted to know what sort of quality I can expect on either? Is it worth the extra money to get the Anniversary one, or is the real deal essentially the same thing? Is this better than a US authentic in quality (I know its not in authenticity, but to be honest, If Im going to pay this much for a jacket, then it better be comparable in durability to its authenticity.)
I would really appreciate any feedback I get, and thanks for letting me post on your board.

Hi, Vern,

US Authentic is an entry level company which does fair quality - Aero - as Paddy, the moderator, can attest is among the world's best.

There is also another company in the US - known mostly as Flight Suits but now called Gibson and Barnes. Their quality is excellent but their authenticity is more related to a generic model of jacket incorporating many facets of originals in a modern sized pattern.

Also on eBay - is a user - buzzthetower - who has produced an USAAC/USN cd describing in pictures and words the attributes of the originals and repros - I think it's about $30.00 and containd 6000+ pics.

He's also a moderator on a forum basically dedicated to these style jackets and is another source of information.

It's the Vintage Leather Jackets forum located at

http://cornellsurgery.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php

All the best

Bill French

greyhound68 · Oct 3, 2006

I would suggest going to Aero's US rep Mark Moye. He is a great guy and can fix you up with the right jacket. His shop so to speak is on ebay and you can see some great photos of all the Aero jackets. The real deal is a great jacket and you will not be disappointed with it. Here is the link to the site
http://stores.ebay.com/Aero-Leather-USA_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm

Raymundo · Oct 3, 2006

I second what Bill said about Gibson & Barnes. Their workmanship and quality is excellent and their jackets are made to fit more modern proportions. For most of us, Mil-Spec jackets do not fit as well so beware before buying, especially overseas. Get all the measurements that you can from a manufacturer before you order a jacket. Many guys on this forum own jackets made by Gibson & Barnes and are happy with them. They no longer do alterations so you have to buy a standard size. Good luck!

Ray

Harp · Oct 3, 2006

A2

I own a Flight Suits A2 which is outstanding in all respects,
and a favorable option to higher cost premium A2 jackets.
You might contact FS and inquire about any available discount
stock, and give this brand a test drive.

Sly · Oct 3, 2006

bfrench said:
It's the Vintage Leather Jackets forum located at

http://cornellsurgery.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php

Sure is!¬¨

Doctor Strange · Oct 3, 2006

A dissenting view...

I have two Flight Suits/Gibson & Barnes jackets - an M-422A and a "Civil" A-2 - and a US Authentic horsehide A-2.

The FS/G&B jackets are quite well made of excellent materials (apart from the crappy synthetic knits on the Civil A-2)... but there is something I can't define about them that I find slightly unsatisfying. They seem somehow like impersonal, mass-produced, souless factory products. There's nothing particular distinguished, or even vaguely vintage-like, about them.

OTOH, my USA A-2 has tons of character, and feels much more like a handmade, old-school item. The hide, knits, and lining all have heft and presence in a way that the FS/G&B jackets just don't.

Now mind you, none of these jackets fit me perfectly (I have different sizing issues with both makers), and none of them has a zipper or other hardware that I'd describe as period-correct. They clearly aren't in the league of the better repros (and of course, the Civil A-2 doesn't claim to be). But somehow, the US A just feels and looks a whole lot more like a product of the 30s/40s than the others...

I know, this is totally subjective - just take it for what it's worth...

The Mad Hatter · Oct 3, 2006

Harp said:
You might contact FS and inquire about any available discount
stock, and give this brand a test drive.

Flight Suits has items on sale that - along with Aero's sale items - constitutes one of the best "bang for the buck" values around:

vernknight · Oct 3, 2006

Aero and US authentic.

Thanks for the feedback. As for sizing I am not worried, I have a 36 chest, 32 waist, and a wiry build. I imagine it should fit like a glove. My current jacket is a US wings A-2, and although a quality jacket, and good for roughing around, I would prefer somthing that fit better and looked a little bit more authentic. I would like it to be in horsehide, and I enjoy the Russet look as well, and this also seems a bit more authentic from the pictures I have seen.

Also, nobody answered my question about the G1, I am still curiouse to anyones knowledge on the US authentic version of this jacket.
Thanks again.

vernknight · Oct 3, 2006

I went to mark Moyes website, And i still have some questions for people who have some knowledge of an aero jacket. The Real deal, compared to the anniversary, is only about 55 dollars difference. What I geuss Im trying to ask, is what is the differences between them? is one more properly match but still jerky than the other?

JWG · Oct 3, 2006

The difference between the "real deal" and the "anniversary" has to do with the way it's matched, not quality of the hide.

Basically the "real deal" has the look of the "time"---the more matched hides is more expensive as they have due to more labor to match them.

Getting a smooth A2 to look the "part" doesn't cut it for me. Look at the photos of originals in any of the Maguire books and you will see the graininess of them. A modernly constructed smooth hide will not achieve this look...it may develop character but not the grain of a WW2 jacket.

greyhound68 · Oct 3, 2006

I would go with the anniversary vs the real deal. Having seen both in person I really liked the anniversary aero. Not to say the real deal isn't bad but I just liked the character of that one. On G1s I owned a couple of originals and find the originals so available why would you want to buy a repro? The cost is about the same or less depending the deal you get on ebay.

vernknight · Oct 4, 2006

Its just interesting. considering its only a fifty dollar difference, ill probably go for a jerky anniversary. I know its not a 100 percent authentic, but I find an upgrade in quality to be a better thing than replicating a condition in manufacturing that was the result of a need for more jackets in less time. If both have the same quality of leather, then thats fine by me.
The reason I would not want to get a G-1 off ebay, is mainly that it is hard for me to find my size, and also that many of the G-1's in the sixties and seventies are of much lower quality than those of the fourties and fifties. And most of the ones from the fifities and fourties look thier age. That Rayon lining doesnt last well over the course of fourty years. So what is the general opinion of a US Authentic G-1 jacket? Cornell surgery doesnt seem to have too high an opinion on them. Id like to go with an Aero M-422, but they are so expensive.

The Mad Hatter · Oct 4, 2006

So what is the general opinion of a US Authentic G-1 jacket? Cornell surgery doesnt seem to have too high an opinion on them. Id like to go with an Aero M-422, but they are so expensive.

I don't know about US Authentic, but Flight Suits offers both G-1's and M-422As. I think the price is about the same as US Authentic or not that much more. I have a FlightSuits M-422A, which I picked up on it's sale page for $250 dollars. ($299 is a more typical sale price at FlightSuits, anymore. ) G-1's often appear on its sale page. My M-422A is veg tanned and - I believe - semi-analine leather with wool cuffs and real mouton collar. It is not quite as elegant as my Aero jackets. Aero also has a sale page, which you could monitor - although M422A's do not, I think, appear there very often.

Doctor Strange · Oct 4, 2006

You should consider the Flight Suits/G&B M-422A - several of us have them, and they are very nice. They cost a bit less than the Aero, especially if you order from their site ($100 less than in their printed catalog)...

Harp · Oct 4, 2006

Subjectivity

Doctor Strange said:
A dissenting view...

I know, this is totally subjective - just take it for what it's worth...

Doc: I always enjoy reading your posts, learning much; took your clue and visited US Authentic's website,and was much impressed by both product and professionalism. I will definitely grab one of their jackets someday.

I believe Flight Suits offer a strong product at reasonable price, though I will
readily admit that I am not an A2 purist of the heart-and-soul type.

greyhound68 · Oct 4, 2006

Agree with above I would go with FS. I have seen in person their M422 jacket and it is excellent. The cost is also good. Customer service is great as well.

vernknight · Oct 5, 2006

How do the flight suits M422a's fit? Im looking for a snug fit like you see in photographs of the originals. How would this compare in quality to an Eastman? How about in authenticity? I appreciate the help.

Doctor Strange · Oct 5, 2006

Others will address authenticity and comparisons - I don't have enough hands-on experience with other M-422A jackets to know.

But as far as fit goes, FS/G&B jackets are definitely sized for modern people: they are bigger in every regard than an old-example of the same size would be, and they run larger than most repro makers' sizing. If you're a trim specimen, I would suggest going *down* a size from your normal suit jacket size.

(In my case - as a widebody - I chose my normal suit jacket size in order to get a wide enough waist... and correspondingly, the chest, shoulders, and sleeve length are all a bit larger than I need.)

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