Looking for an A-2 (Help)

Technonut · May 20, 2018

Harris HTM said:
I thought that the Legendary USA leather jackets were made by Schott, probably I got it wrong?

Some, but not all are made by Schott.. The manager at Legendary USA would not disclose where in the USA the other jackets are made, other than 'somewhere on the East Coast'... Here's a bad pic of me when I was there once:

Seb Lucas · May 21, 2018

kliffjumper123 said:
I for some reason always thought Cooper was sold to Avirex (Cockpit USA). Just a quick question in regards to Cooper and US Wings, I have a jacket that is tagged as a US Wings with the Coopers Sportswear tag right underneath (this is the Flying Tigers Commemorative one). I was wondering when that jacket would have been made as it was purchased on Ebay a few months ago. The cut itself of the jacket is similar to the re-introduction cut of the A2.

US Wings used old Cooper tags for a while until the mid 2000's from memory. I'm sure Sergeant Hack owner of US Wings would tell you the year if you emailed him.

Neil Cooper actually had a bit of a come back at US Wings and in around 2009 designed the Legend version of the Indiana Jones jacket for US Wings. US Wings have maintained that the original movie jacket was designed by Cooper and not Wested.

There was a factory in New Jersey that made A2's for at least 3 companies. I don't think this was Schott's factory - it may have been Cooper's production base. Not sure what happend to that factory.

Drewdog2323 · Jul 24, 2018

I know some people knock the Cockpit current USAF A-2 Jacket with being roomier and not true to the WWII design, 3 piece sleeve, with handwarmer and inside pockets. However I was lucky to come across one in a size 40 last week on Amazon for about 40% off retail and one on eBay in size 42 for 60% off. I got both to try on.

My chest measures 42" but am broad shouldered. The size 42 jacket more than fits in the shoulders but is pretty baggy around the waist. However, the size 40 fits pretty darn good! The shoulders and chest still fit well and the waist is neither trim nor overly baggy. I actually think it is quite a handsome jacket. I have an Eastman Monarch in horsehide which I love, but it is nice to have a solid dark brown goatskin A-2.

Is it perfect? No, but it is nothing to sneer at as Cockpit makes great offerings. I think the size 40 is the better of the two and would assume that's what most of you will think. So I recommend going down one size if you are looking to make this A-2 work.

The G-1's from Cockpit run much slimmer. I would recommend going up one size from your chest size in the G-1's if you are athletic/broad, unless you are lanky and don't mind a truly trim fit.

Pics and measurements of each:

Size 40:

Armpit: 24"
Back Length: 26.5"
Shoulder Width: 20.5"
Sleeve Length: 26.5"

Size 42:

Armpit: 25"
Back Length: 27"
Shoulder Width: 21-21.5"
Sleeve Length: 26.5"

Seb Lucas · Jul 24, 2018

That 40 fits like a 42 - nice to see 20 inch shoulders instead of the usual 22 inches.

One thing about Cockpit that I have learned is the sizes vary. I have seen 2 size 40's with differet chests; 22 and 24 inches. Cripes!

Strangely in your photo, the 40 seems to fit bigger.

Drewdog2323 · Jul 24, 2018

Seb Lucas said:
That 40 fits like a 42 - nice to see 20 inch shoulders instead of the usual 22 inches.

One thing about Cockpit that I have learned is the sizes vary. I have seen 2 size 40's with differet chests; 22 and 24 inches. Cripes!

Strangely in your photo, the 40 seems to fit bigger.

It is quite frustrating isn't it? I ordered two size 40s from Amazon and they fit differently. Not to the extent you described, but one was a little longer in the body and a bit narrower in the shoulders than the other one. I have also seen greater variations on their milspec G-1s - some have roomier sleeves than their same size counterparts.

I think the solution is to order at least two of the same size jacket and try both on and pick the one that's best for you. I know that isn't cost-effective for those overseas though...

The 40 may look bigger in a couple of the photos because of the wrinkling from having just sat down or possibly I pushed the waistband a bit further up the waist than I did on the 42. But it definitely fits smaller and the body length is better.

Seb Lucas · Jul 24, 2018

I'd like to buy a G1 with removable mouton collar (I hate furry collars, but I like the jacket). What's stopping me now is the price and sizing. Knit style jackets are less versatile because you have to tuck your shirt in - I haven't done this for 30 plus years. And if the jackets are too short they look really bad.

I bought a very nice LL Bean A2 USA made 1990's, one piece back, in mint condition the other day. Size 42, but it is so short I can't keep it. It's 27 inches in back but it stops well above my belt which looks terrible. I have had shorter A2 styles which fit longer. Not sure how this all works.

It costs me around $60 US just to have a jacket posted here so I am not keen on getting it wrong. I may have to stick with half-belts, etc.

Drewdog2323 · Jul 24, 2018

Seb Lucas said:
I'd like to buy a G1 with removable mouton collar (I hate furry collars, but I like the jacket). What's stopping me now is the price and sizing. Knit style jackets are less versatile because you have to tuck your shirt in - I haven't done this for 30 plus years. And if the jackets are too short they look really bad.

I bought a very nice LL Bean A2 USA made 1990's, one piece back, in mint condition the other day. Size 42, but it is so short I can't keep it. It's 27 inches in back but it stops well above my belt which looks terrible. I have had shorter A2 styles which fit longer. Not sure how this all works.

It costs me around $60 US just to have a jacket posted here so I am not keen on getting it wrong. I may have to stick with half-belts, etc.

Wow, a 27 inch back length still too short? I wonder if it is because the waist knit is really tight? Only reason I could see for that.

$60 posting one-way is a bit rough, especially if you have to send something back. The best advice I can give is keep an eye out on eBay in your area or classifieds in case someone lists a G-1 with the removable mouton collar. Maybe if you are keen on it, give Cockpit a call and ask if they are willing to measure a couple of those G-1's for you or give them the range of measurements you are looking for and see if they find one in your size that they can pick out and send to you?

If body length is an issue, then you might want to get a long size and just have the sleeves shortened by a tailor. My mom did this on a vintage men's G-1 we found for her and it turned out great.

I can tell you that you should be good ordering one up from your chest size in the Cockpit G-1's. It's not a perfect trim fit, but I can live with a bit more room in the body for more comfortable shoulders.

Seb Lucas · Jul 24, 2018

A2's are rare down here. I have seen only one or two men wearing one in the last 20 years. And they were terrible repros in pre distressed lambskin.

There's no tradition of A2's here so finding a local A2 for a good price is almost impossible.

Nevertheless I did buy a mint American Airlines crew issued goatskin flying jacket by Gibson and Barnes, an F-82 they call it, that has a 26 inch back and fits longer. The knits are just as tight. The back is like a G1 the front is more like an A2. It cost me $115 plus $55 shipping which is fine given the low cost of the jacket so I'm happy. It's VERY well made, as all G&B jackets are, and I love their goat.

kliffjumper123 · Aug 1, 2018

Drewdog2323 said:
I know some people knock the Cockpit current USAF A-2 Jacket with being roomier and not true to the WWII design, 3 piece sleeve, with handwarmer and inside pockets. However I was lucky to come across one in a size 40 last week on Amazon for about 40% off retail and one on eBay in size 42 for 60% off. I got both to try on.

My chest measures 42" but am broad shouldered. The size 42 jacket more than fits in the shoulders but is pretty baggy around the waist. However, the size 40 fits pretty darn good! The shoulders and chest still fit well and the waist is neither trim nor overly baggy. I actually think it is quite a handsome jacket. I have an Eastman Monarch in horsehide which I love, but it is nice to have a solid dark brown goatskin A-2.

Is it perfect? No, but it is nothing to sneer at as Cockpit makes great offerings. I think the size 40 is the better of the two and would assume that's what most of you will think. So I recommend going down one size if you are looking to make this A-2 work.

The G-1's from Cockpit run much slimmer. I would recommend going up one size from your chest size in the G-1's if you are athletic/broad, unless you are lanky and don't mind a truly trim fit.

Pics and measurements of each:

Size 40:

Armpit: 24"
Back Length: 26.5"
Shoulder Width: 20.5"
Sleeve Length: 26.5"

View attachment 128188 View attachment 128189 View attachment 128190 View attachment 128191

Size 42:

Armpit: 25"
Back Length: 27"
Shoulder Width: 21-21.5"
Sleeve Length: 26.5"

View attachment 128192 View attachment 128193 View attachment 128194 View attachment 128195

In regards to the pretty heavily discounted Cockpit jackets on Amazon, are there any sort of production errors? I've seen them before but was never sure because they were a lot cheaper than on their website.

Looking for an A-2 (Help)

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