The ultimate A-1?

[RJR]

My experience says that handymike is spot on.

 

[Superfluous]

If you've been back more than once to try it on, then you've been bitten.
Nothing else will do. If you compromise, you will always be haunted by the jacket that "got away".
Find the best price and buy the one you dream of. Save yourself the pain.

Sage advice!

 

[Sloan1874]

In particular the "best price" bit!

 

[Blackadder]

+1 If you're willing to throw that sort of money at a jacket, go with GW or an Aero and luxuriate in the knowledge of the craftsmanship that's gone into something made just for you, rather than off-the-rack. If you're fixed on getting a similar A-1, Aero's current seal Vicenza is stunning, the equal to Shinki, and they also stock olive green knits.

For Real McCoy's these days, you would want to get them off the rack. Their QC is getting worse and worse.
As for custom made jackets and suits, it is difficult to get it "right" the first time. Also I have seen custom makers making mistakes, so many pros and cons.

 

[bn1966]

Happy with my ELC A-1 purchased earlier this year

 

[Sir Jacket]

Thought I'd post pics of each of the major brands for comparison. I def want the green knits; have too many all brown jackets at mo.

McCoy:

Aero:

Eastman 50cal:

Eastman standard:

\

Goodwear:

Bill Kelso:

It's really all about the leather with these jackets, isn't it? It has to look beautiful, have an irresistible patina and get better with age. Aero's standard non-FQHH doesn't fit those criteria, really, and not sure all these jackets here do, either.

 

[Sir Jacket]

I'm thinking the russet Vicenza and the olive knits could be nice....

 

[ButteMT61]

My Dark Seal LW "A-1" with olive knits gets lots of compliments. See below. Knits a bit darker in real life...

 

[ButteMT61]

And, while I LOVE that jacket above, an A-1 to me should have a lighter hide that drapes nicely. Since it's not a proper A-1, I don't mind the heavy hide. The A-1 needs to have that "look" and that to me is a light/med hide.
Most of the other examples above are good - really good!

 

[CBI]

If you are doing a photo spread of all of the contenders, might as well include Bill Kelso.

 

[AdeeC]

My NORSHOR A1 variation 1930's flight jacket in seal goat. I also have another similar one in capeskin.

 

[Sir Jacket]

CBI, thanks for the tip. Kelso duly added. It's rather nice. And capeskin. And slim-fitting: don't like the bagginess of some of the others.

Kelso have spruced up their website, I notice.

 

[Sir Jacket]

Wow, more jackets to covet from Bill Kelso...

Is there a Betty Ford Clinic for jacket-heads?

 

[nick123]

The NorShor rocks, with the Aero a close second. The McCoy didn't hit me the same way it initially did. There are some crazy gnarly photos of it somewhere on here.

 

[A-1]

This was the jacket that got me started:
https://www.classic-kontor.com/Bran....html?MODsid=57539609a5cc0a4e31db56be6bb2a039
If I see it and read all the specs... damn it!

 

[A-1]

Here comes a photo:

 

[devilish]

Here's my GW in a specially 'washed' cape skin. No olive knits, I know, but it drapes nicely.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I 'settled' for lesser jackets until buying my RMC jacket and have not looked back since. Now, the other brands you mentioned are amazing. However, if the RMC is EXACTLY what you want and really just feels right while wearing it, then it is absolutely worth it! Ultimately, we cannot see in your mind and figure out just how much you love that jacket. If you can find it cheaper in Japan however, I would go that route. That's what I did.

 

[devilish]

Gratuitous fit pic.

 

[Sir Jacket]

Here's my GW in a specially 'washed' cape skin. No olive knits, I know, but it drapes nicely.

That's a beauty, Devilish! Is that the more recent cape from GW? (Dig the hat, too.)