Aged/Broken FlightJacket A-2 Photos?

Fardad · Mar 16, 2009

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could supply any images of their broken-in FlightJacket (US Authentic) A-2s. Perhaps after 2+ years of use?

Horsehide or Goatskin (either).

I'd like to get an idea of what this particular mfg's jacket starts to look like (patina, creases, neck-sweat stains - lol, etc) with prolonged use as it will decide the type (leather and colour) of jacket I get from them.

If it's not too much trouble of course. Thanks.

(P.s. It's just after doing some reading, the census seems to be that FJ's jackets are trimmer-fitted than the FS jackets so that's the reason why I'm going with them, but I don't mind seeing aged/broken FS jackets either)

Wil Tam · Mar 16, 2009

do a search on A2 leather jackets in advanced .. I remember seeing plenty of pics on them... & they all age & look differently [huh]

----------------
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Fardad · Mar 16, 2009

Wil Tam said:
do a search on A2 leather jackets in advanced .. I remember seeing plenty of pics on them... & they all age & look differently [huh]

Thanks but I would not have posted if I didn't already do your suggestion. Especially pertaining to that particular mfg.

SamReu · Mar 18, 2009

Spokes Man

Well, hell, I happen to have just the thing in my closet. I bought this US A russet HH jacket nearly three years ago, and gave it two years of pretty hard wear before getting another jacket. As you may know, Fardad, these jackets (the horsehide, anyway) aren't flimsy. If someone was going to shoot me, I would want to be wearing this jacket.

PS: It's a 40, cut long. Interested in buying? I am thinking of selling.

See the pix:

Front:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=1.jpg

Rear:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=3.jpg

Cuff:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=6.jpg

Collar:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=2.jpg

Fardad · Mar 18, 2009

Oh that's beautiful SamReu. Exactly what I wanted to see. You've just confirmed my purchase of this lovely jacket.

Wow I love that colour. Thanks again.

Doctor Strange · Mar 18, 2009

I don't have any recent pics of mine, but I've had a seal HH since 2002. I wore it alot for the first couple of years, but a bit less in recent years as there have been more jackets added to the rotation.

Anyway, it very quickly developed deep graining and creases on several panels, especially on the arms, back, and collar. But some panels have hardly changed at all. It would seem that not every horse who contributed to this jacket had exactly the same quality of leather (though it all matched fine in terms of being an even thickness and color).

And although Shaul claimed that the seal pigment would quickly wear away, that hasn't happened at all. Not even on the edges of the epaulets or windflap. And this jacket has been through plenty of rain and snow. (In comparison, a goatskin A-2 from Flight Suits that I got a year earlier and have worn a similar amount is now showing its under-color on nearly all edges.)

So in my experience, while US A's heavy horsehide shows typical graining/creasing and molding to your shape, the pigment is very resistant to wear and fading. At least, the seal does on mine - maybe the russet and medium brown goatskin are different. (And of course, it may be that their 2009 jackets use differently sourced and processed horsehide than my old one.)

SamReu · Mar 18, 2009

Spokes Man

Fardad, you are welcome. Happy to help!

And, as usual, the good Doc Strange is right: Not all horses (or jackets made from them) are created equally. Some of the leather on my US A has grained up quite nicely, but other segments are as smooth as my 5-year-old's fanny.

Fletch · Mar 18, 2009

IIRC, these are chrome-tanned, aka "painted." The finish is all but impervious unless you take sandpaper to it.
Mine's chocolate brown goat; got it secondhand 2yrs ago, and it still looks brand spankin'.

US-A competes on price, and that's what the market wants most in leather - brand spankin' or artifically distressed - and shaul don't mess with distressed.

Fardad · Mar 18, 2009

Thanks for all your replies! I love the jacket and I'm about to place my order.
I only have one more inquiry. I came across a thread (can't find it now) where a user had a US Authentic horsehide jacket that apparently didn't have any finish (seemed naked) and it had some nice shades of brown here and there.

Is this something I could request? Because I don't see it on their site.

Oh and also, about their sizing, from what I've read they run long. Is this something that has been... umm.. corrected or should I order the size based on my suit/blazer size? Or should I order a 44 if I'm a 46?

SamReu · Mar 19, 2009

Spokes Man

They do run long. Mine is a 40, and is longer than a 42 I own made by another manufacturer. If you are kind of stringy, with a long torso and ape arms -- these descriptions apply to me -- they offer a good fit.

If I keep my US A, it probably will end up belonging to my smooth-fannied 5-year-old when he is no longer 5, or smooth. I own nothing sturdier than that jacket.

WhiskeyTangoFox · Mar 19, 2009

Fardad said:
Thanks for all your replies! I love the jacket and I'm about to place my order.
I only have one more inquiry. I came across a thread (can't find it now) where a user had a US Authentic horsehide jacket that apparently didn't have any finish (seemed naked) and it had some nice shades of brown here and there.

They have a "vintage" horsehide, which I believe you can order by request. This is an aniline finished horsehide instead of the heavy spray topcoat on their regular horsehide.

You may want to ask to try on a stock jacket for size though - custom orders are not returnable.

Noel

Doctor Strange · Mar 19, 2009

Yeah, but if I am reading the US A Custom A-2 page right, that gets the price up to $543. Once you hit that level, you can also consider a FlightSuits/Gibson&Barnes Historical model, and - with current exchange rates - some jackets from Aero, and maybe Eastman. These are all considerably "better" repros than a US Authentic.

Don't get me wrong: I love my US A jacket. But if I were going to spend nearly $600 on an A-2 now, I'd go with one of these other makers... and also ask John at GoodWear if he has anything in my size on his clearance rack!

(But at a lower price point, I still think that US A's standard $314 goatskin model is a solid bargain for a decent A-2 repro.)

Fardad · Mar 21, 2009

I guess I'm just after an A-2 style with a certain hide that will develop plenty of character (fades, cracks, stains, etc) as years go by. I'm not too concerned with historical accuracy as I am with getting a jacket where I'm not swimming in it (like my current, modern-cut, Schott 184SM).

For some reason, HH appeals to me more than any other hide (probably cause I've never seen it before in person and its reputation, as well as sheer curiousity, appeals to me).

I really plan on telling a 'story' with this jacket (where its character develops through my many travels and in different climates, etc) so I like hearing how tough the US.A-HH jacket is but I do hope it has a weakness (like water, or snow, friction or excessive heat) in allowing it to form some beautiful textures. From some of the images I've seen, it looks like the finish of this jacket chips off rather than fades away. Is this jacket's finish 'fade-able' at all ? (Doc or Sam?)

Thanks again.

SamReu · Mar 23, 2009

Spokes Man

Well, Fardaddyo, I think the jacket will fade and distress with time. I don't see its finish chipping off. By this point, I would have noticed that in mine, and I have worn that coat in the rain, chopping wood and wrasslin' with boys.

If your jacket is like mine, it will mature reluctantly. Sort of like a man.

Fardad · Mar 25, 2009

SamReu said:
Well, Fardaddyo, I think the jacket will fade and distress with time. I don't see its finish chipping off. By this point, I would have noticed that in mine, and I have worn that coat in the rain, chopping wood and wrasslin' with boys.

If your jacket is like mine, it will mature reluctantly. Sort of like a man.

Great! Just what I wanted to hear.

atkins · Apr 5, 2009

SamReu said:
Well, hell, I happen to have just the thing in my closet. I bought this US A russet HH jacket nearly three years ago, and gave it two years of pretty hard wear before getting another jacket. As you may know, Fardad, these jackets (the horsehide, anyway) aren't flimsy. If someone was going to shoot me, I would want to be wearing this jacket.

PS: It's a 40, cut long. Interested in buying? I am thinking of selling.

See the pix:

Front:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=1.jpg

Rear:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=3.jpg

Cuff:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=6.jpg

Collar:
http://s456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/mrdavis113/?action=view&current=2.jpg

Mr samReu, please check your PM .

Thanks ,
Atkins

Lt GUSTL · Apr 19, 2009

Servus from Vienna,

here are a few photos of my ELC Monarch MFG in size 42.
I got this jacket in the late summer last year.

In autumn i was caught by a heavy rain shower for more then 3 hours with my jacket on.
After 3 days of drying the jacket (where my living room was lingered with an interesting odour), the leather got some folding.
It also became very smooth.

kindest regards

Here the pics:

Front:

Left arm:

Collar:

Aged/Broken FlightJacket A-2 Photos?

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