A-2 Flight Jacket Thread

[raf]

In my experience, very decent A-2 Repros can be had on e-bay. Be aware of your personal body measurements and Strongly suggest taking a look at the jacket Mfr's suggested way of taking body measurements; Mfrs can differ in such. Always take chest measurements with fully-inflated lungs--it makes a difference. With A-2 jackets, they seem less "constrictive" when ordering "Up" a chest size.

Sleeve length and body length make a difference, both "kinda" related to chest size, but Tall/Long jackets go a bit further in both dimensions for a given chest size. It's my opinion that a jacket a little bit too large in some dimensions is more comfortable to wear than a jacket that is a little too small. YMMV.

Most vendors on e-bay do not understand how to correctly measure their jackets, so take their supplied measurements with a certain amount of skepticism. You can always ask questions.

Common hand-held de-pilling tools can make woven wrist cuffs and waistband look almost new. Amazon.

Hanging the used jacket, completely turned inside-out, in direct sunlight and with some wind, can work wonders in killing any mildew and smell; it does take some time, though.

"Purists" will claim that "horsehide" is the "Correct" leather for A-2, and they have a point for WW2 Originals/replicas. I prefer more supple goatskin, as it is cheaper/more common than HH, at least as durable, and generally has more water resistance than most other leathers, all things being equal.

Repro jackets being considered, I have no personal problem with such Repros having invisible hand-warmer pockets behind the front patch pockets, nor do I have a problem with an added internal cell phone pocket in upper chest. YMMV.

Also, of value is being able, using appropriate tools to properly set "snap-fasteners" which might be loose. This prevents their premature failure, not being properly clamped to underlying material. Test such fasteners by grasping protruding part of fastener and see if it rotates on its supporting fastener. If so, then buy appropriate snap-setting tools and remediate.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

In my experience, very decent A-2 Repros can be had on e-bay. Be aware of your personal body measurements and Strongly suggest taking a look at the jacket Mfr's suggested way of taking body measurements; Mfrs can differ in such. Always take chest measurements with fully-inflated lungs--it makes a difference. With A-2 jackets, they seem less "constrictive" when ordering "Up" a chest size.

Sleeve length and body length make a difference, both "kinda" related to chest size, but Tall/Long jackets go a bit further in both dimensions for a given chest size. It's my opinion that a jacket a little bit too large in some dimensions is more comfortable to wear than a jacket that is a little too small. YMMV.

Most vendors on e-bay do not understand how to correctly measure their jackets, so take their supplied measurements with a certain amount of skepticism. You can always ask questions.

Common hand-held de-pilling tools can make woven wrist cuffs and waistband look almost new. Amazon.

Hanging the used jacket, completely turned inside-out, in direct sunlight and with some wind, can work wonders in killing any mildew and smell; it does take some time, though.

"Purists" will claim that "horsehide" is the "Correct" leather for A-2, and they have a point for WW2 Originals/replicas. I prefer more supple goatskin, as it is cheaper/more common than HH, at least as durable, and generally has more water resistance than most other leathers, all things being equal.

Repro jackets being considered, I have no personal problem with such Repros having invisible hand-warmer pockets behind the front patch pockets, nor do I have a problem with an added internal cell phone pocket in upper chest. YMMV.

Also, of value is being able, using appropriate tools to properly set "snap-fasteners" which might be loose. This prevents their premature failure, not being properly clamped to underlying material. Test such fasteners by grasping protruding part of fastener and see if it rotates on its supporting fastener. If so, then buy appropriate snap-setting tools and remediate.

I have gotten some cool stuff of eBay, but my main reservation is the return policy. Do not spend serious money on something that cannot be returned, you’ll never know how it fits till you try it on or you might not like the look of it in person.

 

[raf]

I have gotten some cool stuff of eBay, but my main reservation is the return policy. Do not spend serious money on something that cannot be returned, you’ll never know how it fits till you try it on or you might not like the look of it in person.

Understanding one's own body dimensions (mentioned above) is key to buying garments on e-bay.

Definitely "Return Policy" is a concern. Beyond that, if the fundamental item is "sound" then it can be re-sold for scant loss, possibly an increase in price if bought low in price. Caveat Emptor.

Sometimes a dialogue with e-bay can be opened which will persuade vendor to allow return of the item and subsequent refund. Just politely asking the vendor may do the trick.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Understanding one's own body dimensions (mentioned above) is key to buying garments on e-bay.

Definitely "Return Policy" is a concern. Beyond that, if the fundamental item is "sound" then it can be re-sold for scant loss, possibly an increase in price if bought low in price. Caveat Emptor.

Sometimes a dialogue with e-bay can be opened which will persuade vendor to allow return of the item and subsequent refund. Just politely asking the vendor may do the trick.

Idk, I know my bodies dimensions pretty well, usually get the right thing on the first try, but there is always a chance the person selling measures incorrectly. More likely though, is a jacket that amazing in the pictures, looks awful on you even if it fits correctly. I’m sure we have all experienced this at one point or another.

I don’t like the word “vibe,” but sometimes a style just simply does not fit yours, be it the material or the cut of the clothing.

 

[Sterry]

Can anyone provide advice on affordable A2 repro brands and how they stack up in terms of quality and fit? I've seen AVI and Cockpit USA mentioned. I'm based in Australia so I can't walk into a store unfortunately.

 

[TLW '90]

The A2 has always appealed to me, but my budget pretty much just allows for the 90's orange label Coopers that are very affordable on ebay unless I want to buy a cheapo replica.
I'm not going to buy a foreign made replica of anything that was issued to the US military regardless of quality.

Overall I love my Cooper , it's extremely comfortable and fits respectably.

Mine just fits me okay I'd say, but I'm happy with it.
I know they can absolutely fit others better than mine fits me, so don't let my pictures discourage you.

I take these Coopers for what they are, made to post '88 recomission contract specs in the US by one of the main suppliers.
They capture the look well enough to me, but if one wants a true WW2 repro look elsewhere.

 

[Camel24hrs]

I went with all those cheap repo makers was never satisfied. Then my wife bought me two Eastman Rough Wears. One russet and one seal. Only A2s I have been completely satisfied with. All the money I spent on those cheap jackets I could have had bought one of those Eastmans myself. The accuracy is there and oh my god there is no comparison on the leather.
Save your money and only buy once and be satisfied.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I went with all those cheap repo makers was never satisfied. Then my wife bought me two Eastman Rough Wears. One russet and one seal. Only A2s I have been completely satisfied with. All the money I spent on those cheap jackets I could have had bought one of those Eastmans myself. The accuracy is there and oh my god there is no comparison on the leather.
Save your money and only buy once and be satisfied.

I totally agree with this. Buy once, cry once. Quality over quantity. And if you can’t afford it, save your money until you can. That’s what I did, and it made it all that more impactful and enjoyable when I was finally able to buy the jackets I had been wanting. Even still I went with Schott on 50% off before I got a Real McCoys. Loved them both, but I didn’t need two A2’s so I ended up giving the Schott away to a friend. So save the space and wait if you can.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I would rather have one nice A2 than two cheap A2s, or 2A2s.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Because the more money you spend per jacket the more room you’ll have in your closet… which, I’m told is an attractive quality to have in a man.