WOW!!! Cockpit Re-Issue A-2 Part 2 WOW!!!

OK...all of you doubters gather round! Just got my Cockpit Reissue A-2 back from Don at Minsky's Tailor Shop. He worked a miracle on my jacket. Where the original shoulder measured 21", Don did exactly what I wanted and took it in to 19".
Remember, this is a size 42R. It now fits perfectly. But alas, I have lost 20 pounds! I could have had it taken in another 1/2 inch.

Very happy with Minsky. And, a big shout out to "Fanch" for providing the positive feedback on Don.

I just love this A-2. It is perfect, even in temps up to 68-70 degrees. A classic leather windbreaker.

 

Yes. I can highly recommend him. And Fanch (a contributor here) has had very good luck with Don. He told me that this is a common alteration. Don alters full leather racing suits, plus real (real!) WWII A-2's, G-1's, etc. Most often he does the knits, cuffs, liners, plus sleeve shortening, etc. He has the right equipment to do the job. He has done a number of heritage type jackets for those who actually served during the war.

His price was a paltry $70!

Minsky Tailors/Cleaners
819 West Arapaho Road
Suite 28
Richardson, Texas 75080
(972-783-0307)

 

To be honest, I was nervous. Real nervous! What a pleasant surprise when I slipped the jacket on, and it fit! Just like I wanted! Yes, call me a Happy Camper.

 

A side benefit, the sleeves are about 3/4 inch shorter now. They actually fit better than before. More like a size 42R should fit.
Funny, you wonder why Cockpit does not make them like this in the first place? These are supposedly Issue A-2's.

 

Here are some photos in bright sunlight, so you can see the color, as well as the shoulder cut.

 

Yes, I do remember. Lost a little sleep over this one, thinking that maybe a custom jacket should have been ordered. But in the end, it was a pleasant surprise for us!

Thanks for the compliments.

 

As you know, I'm a big fan of Cockpit U.S.A. We have purchased no less than 5 of their jackets. Jacky Clyman has always been responsive in the past with answering my email questions. But no response when I inquired about the sizing on the Reissue A-2. I did get a response from a representative on this forum, stating that the 21" shoulder span was their spec. As we all know, that is simply too large for a size 42R. Jacky did advise ordering this size, as the 21st Century A-2, in size 40R, fit like a glove. It actually was a better overall fit than this A-2.

Minsky's Tailor shop is truly a good place to go if you need leather jackets altered. As Don said, he has done many WWII vintage jacket restorations. Not only is his work good, and fairly quick, but he is very reasonable on the charges. Check out the link below.

I will use him again, perhaps soon. I need to sew on a cloth 5th Air Force patch on my Alpha Vintage B-15.

http://www.minskytux.com/cleaners/leatheralterations.htm