STF Aero Bootlegger Loadsa Pics (inc's new sneak preview of new designs and a mug!)

Well... I took a visit over to Aero yesterday, ostensibly to set down the details for my jacket. I was kvetching over whether or not to go with the Letterman or go all in on a Royale - Denny and Murray were very patient and tolerant (they did minimum amount of eye-rolling, for I was very grateful).
And, well, you know how it is, I did what anyone from here does when they're at the factory and started raking through the sale racks - there's a lot of heavy leather there, so it's a workout as well! Anyway, just I was about to knuckle down to the business of making my mind up, I happened upon a beaut of a Bootlegger in gorgeous cordovan FQHH with brown drill lining The label said 38 but it looked about right, and given that I've always loved this design, how could it hurt to try it on? Turns out this is what Thurston call the premiere pattern (or super tight fit as it's known in Japan): slimmed down body and sleeves, lifted arm holes, no storm cuffs and the zip removed from the breast pocket. It's a really comfortable fit, I couldn't have modded it better myself - the lighter lining and lack of storm cuffs mean its just a little bit lighter and flexible, so I can use it on cooler summer evenings (we get a lot of those) and into autumn.
So, after much to-ing and fro-ing between the Royale and the Bootlegger - the Letterman is absolutely top-hole, btw, the shawl collar and folded knits really set it apart but y'know, I had to try make my choice a bit easier - I decided that sometimes when you're offered a thoroughbred horse, you really shouldn't insist on examining its molars! Still very keen on the Royale, but it'll need to wait til next (and there's always a next time!).
Anyway, enough of my burbling, here's the slide show you've patiently been waiting for...























Right! That's enough of that great looking Bootlegger, here's a couple of sneak previews of forthcoming designs.
The top one is based on a jacket belonging to Ken: it's a very accurate repro (though in mid-weight leather rather than suede) with the knit collar backed with leather and can be zipped to the top. The second pic is a repro of Amelia Earhart's famous jacket. Both are still test jackets, but are looking good. Incidentally, in the first pic below, you can see the new goat Aero's just got in - very soft with a lot of character. Oh and you can see one of the very cool Aero enamel mugs, of which I am drinking tea from just now.

 

Hopefully, they should be fixed now!

 

Look forward to seeing it, Benny. I think you can expect to see the Bootlegger with D-pocket appearing as a standard design later in the year. As you say, while it's great to visit the factory in person, it's not good for your bank balance!

 

One of the mugs:


And jacket interior:

 

Thanks everyone, it's not often I get lucky this way, though I'm still very much up for the Royale even if my bank manager isn't!
I think a light skin would be key to the Earhart pattern - the mid-brown horse is proving to be a really flexible skin for Aero. It's a really nice design, and I was sorely tempted by it, but this version was shading on to the too short for me.
Suspect I will have to wait for a couple of cold mornings at this time of year to justify throwing it on to soften it up a little (it's current sitting up bolt straight in the living room).