I do love a nice A-2, though these are well out of my price range. I've tried a few Cooper and similar 80s remakes, but they've never looked right- too baggy. I remember Lloyd Johnson telling me that they best suit those who are lean enough and are actually most comfortable when you're positioned as a pilot would be?

Tom, there's been quite a few reasonably priced old stock A2s on eBay and Etsy lately in your size.

Picked up a Cooper for £70 today, 80s of course. Basic research seems to show it's flight worthy, but its nowehere near the class of this. It is however, higher waisted, better cut and less baggier than the last Cooper and also the Airvex I've tried in a 42.

Done a bit of research and I'm probably looking at around £70 to get it re-cuffed, less if I can source the cuffing material. Cuffs are in reasonable nick but would like something similar to those on yours Oli.

Mine is in the works right now. If folks are interested, I can post some pics as it comes along. Very excited!

Tommy, I've come across some nice vintage on eBay and Etsy. There's a seller on Etsy with a very large inventory of old WWII era military stock flight jackets in various sizes. Not cheap but not bespoke pricing either. These are supposedly the gold standard, although I hear that he's working on approx. two-year turnaround now with his waiting list: http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/index.html

Dave is cutting directly from John's patterns (Goodwear) and he's at about 70 A-2s at this point. He started out about 4 years ago, and he's supposedly surpassed John's own progress in terms of the timeline that he's been at it- from the horse's mouth. His prices are also the most competitive around for what he's doing; one guy in Tulsa, cutting and stitching everything by hand on a mto basis. The patterns all come from vintage jackets that have been dismantled.

Last edited by Oliver (2016-06-11 21:45:47)

Giddy up!

Last edited by Oliver (2016-07-25 11:17:48)

Last edited by Oliver (2016-07-25 11:35:46)

All very nice Oli, a lovely selection and thanks for sharing.

I was quite happy with my wardrobe

Very nice Oli, I tried on a vintage one in superb condition on our trip to Paris, thank god I did as I found it did not suit me at all (though it might have been what I was wearing) - still, i will keep on trying them as I find them and see if I find one that works for me have been after one for a while. Maybe it's just not for me.

Wear in well.

Last edited by Tomiskinky (2016-07-26 12:03:55)

Oli - *applause*

That picture of Ol' Blue Eyes has been in my mind all the time recently. Money is going in the bank as we speak for an Aero A-2... The blend of Ivy and Americana as seen on McQueen, Newman, even James Dean and young Brando, is such a great look. Wear in good health!

I personally prefer the ballcap look with an A-2, or even a tasteful cowboy hat if worn with jeans (beware the cowboy hat if you don't have the balls... ahem, bulls... to back it up... There's an expression, "all hat and no cattle," don't let this be you). If you don't want to go the USAAF cap look, head on over to Ebbets Field Flannels and pick up something period appropriate...

My great-grandfather was in the USAAC/USAAF/USAF from the 1930s, he was stationed in Alabama and Louisiana as well as being part of the occupying forces in Japan after WW2, went from enlisted to officer and retired a major... I have two pairs of his aviators (sweat bar and comfort cable temples) and their original leather cases - if only I had an original A-2 to boot!

Last edited by Berkeley_Breathes (2016-07-26 17:42:55)