Looking for a "buy it for life" A2

[CBI]

it is true that if you like dark seal hide for an A-2, some of your options are limited. The only Eastman that offers that color is their 50.cal A-2.

 

[Edward]

Having owned both Aero and Eastman, both bought used, I found both to be great, though once I picked up the Aero I found I wore it to the exclusion of the Eastman. My Eastman is a midweight horse, while the Aero is seal goat. If I were to buy another A2 again in future, I'd be looking at an Aero goat. At a time ELC and Aero were neck and neck price wise, but the former were considered more historically correct. Since Ken returned to Aero in 2012, however, a lot of revamping was done, and the patterns Aero are now using (especially - obviously - for the 'Aero' contracts) are as on the button as anyone. ELC are not a brand I would consider these days myself for the simple reason that they have priced themselves out of my market, though if you're considering paying the price of a Japanese label, that might bother you less.

Definitely worth checking out fit of the various contract patterns first, see what works best. The one word of warning I have about the Japanese makers is that they do seem sometimes to slim down the original patterns for a domestic market which wants a neater fit (and typically features a lot of men who might be somewhat slighter than the average Western build). This doesn't compromise quality, but if you're looking for slavish-to-the-original accuracy, that's not necessarily what they offer.

 

[jonesy86]

That GW Werber went back on the block.

Dimensions-
Pit-Pit 23"
Shoulder-Shoulder 18.5"
Collar-Base 26.5"
Shoulder-Sleeve 24"


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Goodwear-W...020965?hash=item3431d01965:g:EK0AAOSwn0xfbwIL

 

[CBI]

over on VLJ, a post of a confirmation from John Chapman at Good Wear that he did not make this jacket. Just FYI

 

[jonesy86]

over on VLJ, a post of a confirmation from John Chapman at Good Wear that he did not make this jacket. Just FYI

Good to know. Is it an Eastman?

 

[MichaelRhB]

I've been wearing my issued Cooper A-2 for over 30 years. It has served me well. Not high-end, not a reproduction, but an Air Force issued jacket. You could do worse.

 

[rockandrollrabbit]

over on VLJ, a post of a confirmation from John Chapman at Good Wear that he did not make this jacket. Just FYI

I'm confused. Does JC have an apprentice or something?

 

[belopsky]

https://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/goodwear-werber-a-2-in-44”.25138/page-2

No, the claim is that it's a Eastman

 

[jonesy86]

Learned something about labels and attention to detail in the A-2 market.
GW Werber has a Newburgh N.Y. label and clean stitching around collar and hanger:

 

[Will Zach]

Plenty of A-2 repros at Five Star Leather for under $200. Not bad quality at all...

https://www.fivestarleather.us

 

[belopsky]

Welp, here is what I ended up with

 

[El Marro]

Welp, here is what I ended up with

What a beauty, congratulations!

 

[Psant25]

Welp, here is what I ended up with

Looks great ! I must have missed it what did you end up going with? Brand and contract ?

 

[belopsky]

Ended up paying the premium for real Mccoy
https://www.supplyandadvise.com/pro...light-jacket-seal-brown?variant=5456136732710

 

[AIRCRAFTMECH]

What size did you go with? It looks like a great fit.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Great choice and fit..!!

 

[belopsky]

It is a 42. I was between this and a 44 but I think the 44 would have been too long in the body, this feels like a great fit

This is dangerous because now I am looking at a G-1 or a B-6.

 

[jonesy86]

Welp, here is what I ended up with

Nicely done, great fit.

 

[rockandrollrabbit]

Looks very good! As it breaks in it'll look even better.

 

[AIRCRAFTMECH]

It is a 42. I was between this and a 44 but I think the 44 would have been too long in the body, this feels like a great fit

This is dangerous because now I am looking at a G-1 or a B-6.

Good call on the 42, I bought a 44, 3 years later, I bought a 42, I’m hoping it fits a little tighter, the 44 bunched up around my chest, which is a 42. A-2’s aren’t forgiving if too big! Looks great. I’ll post mine when it shows up on the big brown truck Monday. My Perry mixes hide B-2 should be here by then too, YES, this IS a dangerous game!