A2 Repros,an opinion.

[Flightnut]

First post on this excellent site.Over last two years have extended my interest in flying to aviation militaria.Initially I bought the Eastman marketing hype.I then started collecting original jackets and was shocked at how badly the Eastman leather wears compared to originals.Amazingly the Eastman brochure says their jackets wear and distress just like originals.Well originals are nothing like as prone to "sueding" nor does the surface finish soak up water like an Eastman.Their jackets are excellent pieces of clothing with some fine attention to detail,although fit is not authentic in my opinion,but they just aren't robust like the originals.My Aeros have been better from a wear perspective,but still too fragile and they have some really poor detail finishing.My Lost Worlds although too heavy replicates the wear and robustness of the originals much better,but has some pretty poor attention to detail in some areas.Finally,RMNZ A2 seems to be excellent on wear/toughness and with excellent fit and attention to detail.What do you guys think?....PS I have an Eastman Cable goat and Aero real deal to get rid of...any idea what they might be worth...about 6mths old..?

 

[PADDY]

Feedback, an opinion on A2 repros thread..

A2 Repros,an opinion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the Fedora Lounge! hope you have many hours of fun and learning here!
First post on this excellent site.Glad you like it!Over last two years have extended my interest in flying to aviation militaria.Initially I bought the Eastman marketing hype Which is done very well, especially through the brochure, can't knock it..I then started collecting original jackets and was shocked at how badly the Eastman leather wears compared to originals.Bear in mind that originals are 60+ years old, which have been in different theatres of operations (pacific will have different weather effects than ETO..etc) which will determine their wear, also some have been worn by admin staff, some by aircrew, which will take different tolls, and therer was such a mish-mash/grades/types of leather being used too during the warAmazingly the Eastman brochure says their jackets wear and distress just like originals.Well originals are nothing like as prone to "sueding" Mmmm, actually I have seen some well sueded originals [and I've handled 100's], still solid leather, just have sueded with usage and stress/usage pointsnor does the surface finish soak up water like an Eastman Old veg dye/tan methods will make the leather more prone to water retention than chrome dying.Their jackets are excellent pieces of clothing with some fine attention to detail,although fit is not authentic in my opinion,The company has noted that and are trying to make amends, I believe, making the cut less full and less modernbut they just aren't robust like the originalsAgain, bear in mind that with originals you are looking at a hotch-potch of leather, some thick, some thin, some grainy and jerky, some smooth as a baby's wotsit! plus it is 60 years of weathering, even sitting in an old box. How do you measure robustness of a new repro A2 against a 60-year-old jacket?.My Aeros have been better from a wear perspective,but still too fragile Never heard Aero being called Fragile, quite the opposite when talking of their hides, most would say their leather is good WWII 3oz weight on the A-2 and pretty robust actually!and they have some really poor detail finishing.My Lost Worlds although too heavy replicates the wear and robustness of the originals much better,but has some pretty poor attention to detail in some areasthat has been said, allegedly!.Finally,RMNZ A2 seems to be excellent on wear/toughness and with excellent fit and attention to detail I've seen RMNZ that has thinnish hide that doesn't make the mark too, sadly. But overall, the feedback on them is good. Also look at other manufacturers out there such as The Few and Buzz Rickson. (check our reference library at the top of the pages on the WW2 forum).What do you guys think?....PS I have an Eastman Cable goat and Aero real deal to get rid of...any idea what they might be worth...about 6mths old..?Pop them on the classifieds board with all the details, measurements asking for offers and I'm sure they will clear. Also try Vintage Leather Jackets website, which specialise in original and repro flight jackets http://cornellsurgery.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/
PS: If I could suggest, if you are thinking of selling your jackets, you maybe will be doing yourself a dis-service by saying how badly they have worn, or how fragile they are (you will immediately be docking money off them in a re-sale!). If you want them valued, try VLJ-III (Link above), as the boys will have the re-sale market value down to a tee.

 

[greyhound68]

Concur with Paddy on his comments. Buzz Rickson is the best repro A2 going and I have had them all and still have some of them (Aero, rMNZ and ELC). You are going to pay for it but the BR has the best leather I have every seen on a repro and I have originals too. Also posting on the other site under the Buy/Sell catagory may get you some offers. I am listed on that site and you could PM me I could give you an idea of what they are worth since I have been selling a few jackets lately and have a feel for the market right now. ELC and aero do sell well depending on the size. Hope this helps.

 

[scotrace]

Welcome!

...was shocked at how badly the Eastman leather wears compared to originals... ...My Aeros... ...too fragile and they have some really poor detail finishing....Lost Worlds ...too heavy...pretty poor attention to detail in some areas.
PS I have an Eastman Cable goat and Aero real deal to get rid of...any idea what they might be worth...about 6mths old..?

Welcome to the lounge.
You are one tough customer. You have an Eastman goatskin jacket that is showing severe wear after 6 months? Perhaps a call to Eastman would be in order. If there's a severe problem, I'm betting they'd like a fair shake at finding a remedy.
What are your jackets worth? Well, in that sorry shape, if my size, I say, $50US!

Scott

 

[Flightnut]

Guys,
Thanks for the comments.Accept the fact that original A2's vary hugely,manufacturing flaws,usage,storage etc.BUT I have one original that I wear regularly.This jacket was handed down to me by my father who obtained it during the war in unissued condition,so it's as close as possible to a fresh original A2 as you can get.This jacket shows NO sign of sueding or soaking up water despite the original finish and is therefore as close as you can get to comparing an original with a repro in the durability stakes,and an Eastman does not compare.I have returned an Eastman and got a replacement (my current Cable) and although not wearing as badly as the first is NOT wearing like an original,although some may say it's acquiring character,Eastman say it's normal and all A2's (because of aniline and veg tanning) wear this way.A leather manufacturer I've spoken to says this is nonsense...they're designed to break in rapidly,which I appreciate some people want,but in my opinion is NOT indicative of the originals.I'll take your advice on the VLJ valuation,thanks!