Bill Kelso A2 Jacket

[blethook]

Nice colour! It looks better than the russet in my opinion...

 

[nogbat]

when are they going to update the website???

 

[Ziplight]

I recently bought an A-2 from Bill Kelso mfg and am very happy with both the jacket and the communications with this manufacturer. They took the time to answer all of my questions and helped me decide which size to order. I usually wear a size 38 but in this case ordered a 40 which fits great. It took less than two weeks after I made the payment for the jacket to arrive at my house. I chose the seal brown version as I already have a russet A-2 from a different manufacturer. At this price (410 Euro) I think this jacket is outstanding. The leather used is of nice quality as is the cotton lining. The o.d. threads contrast nicely with the seal bown leather. To me (never having owned a real A-2) this jacket looks like a good repro and worth every penny.

 

[nogbat]

thank you zip

 

[Kt Templar]

I got one recently too. Been busy scrunching and kneading it to soften it. VERY nice jacket.

 

[Edward]

I do fancy one of their russett models if the exchange rate swings in my favour.

 

[Justhandguns]

I do fancy one of their russett models if the exchange rate swings in my favour.

Same as me. Pounds is a bit rubbish at the moment, when are they going to increase the interest rate?

 

[Kt Templar]

Finally took some pics with it on. Possibly ordered slightly too short... by an inch or so?

 

[too much coffee]

Kt, you wear your new A-2 very well; jacket is sufficiently below the belt, good shoulder and chest fit and the sleeve length looks good as well. Great color.
Looks that it's a keeper! Congratulations.

Regards,
too much coffee

 

[bentusian]

Finally took some pics with it on. Possibly ordered slightly too short... by an inch or so?

I agree with "too much coffee" that the jacket fits you very well.
By my standard it even looks a tad (maybe by a half inch) too long!

 

[CBI]

Looks really nice. Best sales pitch for a Kelso I have seen thus far. Looks like the best A-2 option (purchased new) in its price category and below. Excellent fit, now wear the hell out of it. Enjoy!

 

[bretron]

Damn, I'm starting a major selloff to pick on of these up (about 3/4 of the way there)! Anyone selling a 38 or 40 lemme know

 

[Jaguar66]

Finally took some pics with it on. Possibly ordered slightly too short... by an inch or so?

This is definately NOT too short. I agree, that any longer than this is too long.

Look at the guys in this vintage photo.

http://www.goodwearleather.com/photos/Proper_A2_Fit.jpg

 

[Edward]

Finally took some pics with it on. Possibly ordered slightly too short... by an inch or so?

Looks spot on to me. The A2 is a short jacket. Both my ELC and Aero are just long enough than the waistband covers my beltline. (Maybe yours 'feels' short on you cause you're used to thinking of the leather bit being where the jacket stops, rather than including the knits? If you've not worn an A2 before but are used to Indy jackets, I mean? FWIW, from memory (not got either just to hand right now) the Indy jacket for all it looks like an A2 without knits is that little bit longer, especially in Temple configuration.

I was humming and hawing over one of these or the Aero Real Deal for a russet A2, but with the recent price increase meaning there is now about GBP100 of a difference (instead of little more than the additional shipping cost from Greece as opposed to within the UK), once I have the cash together I'm going to take a punt on one of these - russet, with OD thread, and a Talon zip. I like the look of their seal too.... gahh(!) Don't have a russet yet, though, only two seals, so that's an easy decision....

 

[bretron]

Debating on what A-2 to pick up now. I am going between cheaper and new (and now!) with a Bill Kelso or holding out (with fingers crossed) for a used by the likes of Aero or ELC... I'm between sizes (40 and 42), and do not have John Chapman et al size money to work with.

Any recent experience with Kelso to share?

Cheers

 

[cuthbert]

I'm waiting for an A-2 and a M-422. Unfortunately at the moment Kelso has problems procuring horsehide but they have goatskin, so I changed the order to get a goat A-2. Hopefully the jackets will be ready soon.

I know that BK had great plans and wanted to add many jackets to their line (the jacket they're making is aRoughwear). They want to make an Aero, a Dubow, a Monarch and a Werber and they are working on two M-422 contracts but due to these problems with suppliers they've delayed the introduction of these jackets, if they overcome these problem the brand is risking to become a sort of european equivalent to Goodwear.

 

[Jwag]

Wow...those Bill Kelso jackets look real sharp! I have never heard of them before until maybe a few weeks ago. I guess they are much like U.S. Authentic...a good A-2 without the details of an exact war time contract?

 

[Edward]

Wow...those Bill Kelso jackets look real sharp! I have never heard of them before until maybe a few weeks ago. I guess they are much like U.S. Authentic...a good A-2 without the details of an exact war time contract?

That was my impression yes. Interesting they're looking at expanding beyond a house style to a specific contract repro: I am given to understand that's how Aero and ELC got started.

 

[cuthbert]

Wow...those Bill Kelso jackets look real sharp! I have never heard of them before until maybe a few weeks ago. I guess they are much like U.S. Authentic...a good A-2 without the details of an exact war time contract?

\

My understanding is that the original Bill Kelso model was a sort of "fictional" WWII military contract they created mixing different particulars from various historical contracts (actually the Kelso looks to me like a more styled version of Roughwears) but it was meant to be a true WWII A-2 unlike US Authentic, very fit, even fitter than the original A-2s.

Now it seems that the company is heading to make replica of original contracts because it's what the market asks them at the moment...

 

[Justhandguns]

I would think that Bill Kelso can steal a lot of A-2 businesses from Aero if they can keep their price down. Aero, since earlier on this year, have increased their price by nearly 20%, and that is a lot. I am also pretty sure that the cost of manufacturing and tailoring in Spain will be cheaper than in the UK.