A2 US Authentic photos?

PLATON · Dec 18, 2006

Here is a photo of my horsehide russet A2 from US Authentic. Please ignore the fact that I look drunk in them (I wasn't!) The second shot appears a bit dark - these were taken outside, at night. I would say the first photo is more true to the actual color of the jacket. It appears darker than it really is in the second photo.

fortworthgal · Dec 18, 2006

Here is a photo of my horsehide russet A2 from US Authentic. Please ignore the fact that I look drunk in them (I wasn't!) The second shot appears a bit dark - these were taken outside, at night. I would say the first photo is more true to the actual color of the jacket. It appears darker than it really is in the second photo.

kojax · Dec 18, 2006

a2 horsehide

i just bought a A2 seal brown horsehide from u.s. mfg nice jacket got it in 2 days.........good luck buddy.....

Swoosed · Dec 18, 2006

I just got a russet horsehide last week from US authentic. It's a realy nice piece. I have had several people, mostly ladies, ask about it. That's always a plus. The collar did seem a little stiff when I first got it, but just un snap it and it's fine. The lining is very nice cotton, not too tightly woven. It seems more authentic that way. the sleeves are a LITTLE long, but when driving or extending your arm they are fine. The leather is wrinkling up realy nice now and it will look great in a few months time. The russet color on mine is a little darker than the photo sent by fortwothgal, more like the bottom photo, but not quite as dark. Hope this helps. I live in NY and got the jacket in 2 days, it was a 46R.

fortworthgal · Dec 18, 2006

Swoosed - Yes, I would say that my top photo is actually a little light. The jacket is probably a couple shades darker than that. I also didn't notice near as much contrast between the jacket and the wool knit on the cuffs/waist as it appears in the top photo.

Swoosed · Dec 18, 2006

the color in the top pic is what it should be. I would have liked a lighter color for a russet. Thats the deal with the not so top of the line repro's. It is a beauty if your not too hung up on the whole reproduction authenticity stuff. I know i'm not. I just like the style.

fortworthgal · Dec 18, 2006

Hmmm... I'm a reenactor and I don't have any authenticity issues with my jacket. It compares very favorably with many original WWII models I've encountered.

The Wingnut · Dec 18, 2006

U.S. Authentic is a pretty nice jacket for the price. I find myself wishing I'd saved up for a Real McCoy at the time (they were only around $600), but I'm happy with it all the same. The knits are too dark and the dye lot of my particular jacket is a bit dark as well. The points on the collar aren't as sharp as they should be.

The biggest difference I've noticed on US A's A-2s is that the horsehide is VERY heavy. Compared to original jackets and other repros, it's nearly twice as thick. It'll last forever, but it will also wear differently and be a bit warmer than most A-2s.

That's a Mc Coy's on the left and my U.S. A on the right.

fortworthgal · Dec 18, 2006

I agree - US Authentic's horsehide is very heavy and stiff.

kojax · Dec 18, 2006

A-2 HORSEHIDE

i bought a a2 horsehide jacket size 36r not that heavy. my 38 r i returned was real still and heavy......i guess it depends on the hides.......nice pictures..

PLATON · Dec 19, 2006

Hi all and thanks for the photos.
The one with the Real McCoy is a very nice one.

I need a little more help though.
US Authentic on their site
http://www.flightjacket.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1
show 2 different configurations on their jackets.

The jacket shown here
http://www.flightjacket.com/store/images/A2russetF.jpg
has the hanger loop sewn where the collar stand is supposed to be while the lining goes all the way to the top.

On the contrary, in the picture shown here
http://www.flightjacket.com/images/a2FrontOpen.jpg
the hanger loop is sewn significantly lower while the lining does not go all the way up.

The second configuration is the one I like.
Can you please show photos of your jackets making the collar/hanger loop area visible so that I can see what is really going on?

2 questions more:

A.Their Horsehide seal brown (http://www.flightjacket.com/store/images/A2sealF.jpg) appears to be black. Anybody has any advice on that?

I like the color of their seal brown goatskin shown in their G1 jacket (http://www.flightjacket.com/store/images/g1.jpg).

B. Anybody has any photo of the 'Goatskin Medium Brown' ? I kinda prefer brown color over russet but thie goatskin medium brown on their website looks like #%$#.

To Wingnut: What is the color of the jacket you wear in the photo on the plane's wing?

The Wingnut · Dec 19, 2006

I'm wearing the same jacket in all of the photos. Lighting is different in them...the photo with the P-40 has poorly adjusted contrast, and the jacket looks most like the studio portrait.

My hanging loop is like the second pattern. U.S. Authentic has revised thier patterns a few times over the years to suit customer feedback and be closer to originals.

PLATON · Dec 19, 2006

To Wingnut: Hi and thanks for your reply.

I suppose you got the second pattern without specifically asking for it, right?
It's their current standard, right?

Also, where can I get tie you wear in the photo where you are in the car?

Maj.Nick Danger · Dec 19, 2006

Ebay.

You can find original army issue ties in both war time colors on ebay Platon.
(Also, my US Authentic horsehide is stiff too! Even after a year.)

fortworthgal · Dec 19, 2006

PLATON said:
A.Their Horsehide seal brown (http://www.flightjacket.com/store/images/A2sealF.jpg) appears to be black. Anybody has any advice on that?

I probably shouldn't be posting this here, but I just bought my husband a US Authentic horsehide seal brown A2 for Christmas. It arrived today via UPS (and I placed the order last Thursday!) It is dark brown, but definitely not black. I haven't unwrapped it fully, but it looks nice from what I can see. I'm not sure if it feels quite as heavy as my russet or not, I'll have a better idea after he opens it on Christmas Day. I would say it is pretty close in color to a Cooper, since those are the only dark/seal ones I have available for comparison. Like I said, it is definitely brown though. I hope this helps!

The Wingnut · Dec 19, 2006

PLATON said:
To Wingnut: Hi and thanks for your reply.

I suppose you got the second pattern without specifically asking for it, right?
It's their current standard, right?

Also, where can I get tie you wear in the photo where you are in the car?

Yes, the hanging loop came that way without asking for anything specific. I assume it's their current pattern, but you may want to ask before ordering.

As for the tie, it's a tan worsted wool U.S. Army officer's tie. You can find them on eBay as Nick pointed out, but there are plenty of reproductions to choose from, as well. I got mine at the WWII Weekend in Reading, PA at the 'flea market' they have set up every year. It's so big and varied that I managed to completely deck out a friend head to toe as an Air Corps Colonel in Class As, all for less than $200!

RedShoesGirl · Dec 19, 2006

The Wingnut said:
That's a Mc Coy's on the left and my U.S. A on the right.

these are great shots! i thought the first two were vintage. well done, the look, everything.

lara

bfrench · Dec 19, 2006

The Wingnut said:
U.S. Authentic is a pretty nice jacket for the price. I find myself wishing I'd saved up for a Real McCoy at the time (they were only around $600), but I'm happy with it all the same. The knits are too dark and the dye lot of my particular jacket is a bit dark as well. The points on the collar aren't as sharp as they should be.

The biggest difference I've noticed on US A's A-2s is that the horsehide is VERY heavy. Compared to original jackets and other repros, it's nearly twice as thick. It'll last forever, but it will also wear differently and be a bit warmer than most A-2s.

That's a Mc Coy's on the left and my U.S. A on the right.

Hi, The Wingnut,

When you give your second pic a quick glance it shows two WWII airmen wearing identical uniforms.

It's only when you start a close examination that the differences start to appear. The average person coming to a re-enactors outing isn't going to get close enough to tell the difference or if they do they won't be aware enough to tell the minute details which separate them.

The RMNZ is undoubtedly a superior jacket when comparing details such as a correct label, proper repro or NOS Talon zipper, full knitted cuffs and exact thickness leather.

But the RMNZ also doesn't have all the details correct - none of the repros do.

So is the value in a RMNZ worth twice the price of a US A jacket? It's doubtful when you're trying to create an impression that is seen from a few feet away or by someone who deosn't know al the tiny details.

I think that US A is an often overlooked option when considering an A-2 jacket. With a little prompting I'm sure US A will address the cuff length - they've made other changes.

As to the leather thickness maybe that's the big money difference but from a few feet away who knows.

Bill French

SPAD · Dec 19, 2006

Big thanks for posting those pictures of the US Authentic A-2. Been wanting to see some pictures of US Auth on people. They seem a better fit on ther shoulders then others. I've looked at and tried Avirex and Cockpit, US Wings, they seem to have the droop in the shoulders. I had one Cooper that fit across the shoulders fine but was short and I gave it to my son. Wrote US Authentic and asked for some measurements for a 48 tall, but he seems reluctant to give them to me. Want to get the measurements across the back from shoulder to shoulder. Thanks again, SPAD

Doctor Strange · Dec 19, 2006

Wow, it's nice to see US A getting some *respect* for a change!

I have been defending their jackets for years as being outstanding values for the price, both here and on the VLJ forum, and I usually find that I am harshly shouted down by the hardcore jacketeers with the multiple Eastmans, Aeros, McCoys, Lost Worlds, Ricksons, etc.

But for those of us who can't easily drop $500, $600 - or more - for an A-2, they represent a great option. They are well-made, extremely tough, fairly "accurate" jackets for their low prices!

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