A2 for graduation

[Happy Hooligan]

So I'm thinking of getting my son an A2 for HS graduation. He's been wearing mine but wishes he had his own. The last A2 I bought him was when he was 3 from Aero and he grew out of that about 14 years ago.

It's been a while since I bought a new A2. I know the prices have tripled since that time and a few manufacturers have come out also during that time. So, who, what is out there today to buy a jacket from?

Also I don't have 6 months to wait for one to be made so it would have to be soon

 

[Skip]

Depends how much you wish to spend and how accurate you want it to be.

Diamond Clothing Co, aero leather and Bill Kelso would be my pick if you want s suburb accurate well made jacket for a "reasonable price" the price being relative to your views on that subject. And I think the wait is between 2-3 months

 

[CBI]

what size do you need? maybe someone has a lightly used one here they can sell.

 

[dujardin]

that's a cool idea


good luck with your hunt

 

[Brettafett]

Hi Hooligan,
As Skip said, but also consider AVI LTHR. I stumbled onto these guys a year ago and have since bought a few of their jackets. Pretty good.
I have owned jackets from almost everybody and am also struggling with the current prices of the top tier jackets.
Anyway, AVI have a Bronco A-2 in seal and now also russet goatskin, which was copied off their original. The russet jacket just landed and I should be receiving mine this week.
These are the only guys I know of producing a decent repro copied off an original WW2 jacket, for under $400.
The details are pretty much there and its a pretty good jacket, certainly looks the part. Its not an Eastman or Goodwear, but only in that the leather used is not of the calibre of Warhorse, Vicenza, Shinki or Liberty hides etc... and the minutest of details that only a collector will notice.
I did a review of my seal Bronco on the other lounge, but do a search online and you will find the info.
I guess you don't want a secondhand jacket? Aero has a sale section for new jackets, sometimes get a decent jacket for a decent price, with no wait.

 

[Happy Hooligan]

He's currently wearing my Aero Anniversary in a 46 but it's too big on him so he probably needs a 44. With the prices today on new jackets I would be open to getting a lightly used one.

 

[ButteMT61]

Check out the Aero Leather sale page too.
http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com

 

[Smithy]

SM Wholesale look to do a very nice steerhide repro as well and it's not stupid money like the usual suspects:

http://www.smwholesaleusa.com/ww2-us/army-air-corps

 

[Brettafett]

SMW, had one. After many emails regs sizing it still arrived too big. Not a bad jacket for the buck, if you can get the size right.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Hi Hooligan,
As Skip said, but also consider AVI LTHR. I stumbled onto these guys a year ago and have since bought a few of their jackets. Pretty good.
I have owned jackets from almost everybody and am also struggling with the current prices of the top tier jackets.
Anyway, AVI have a Bronco A-2 in seal and now also russet goatskin, which was copied off their original. The russet jacket just landed and I should be receiving mine this week.
These are the only guys I know of producing a decent repro copied off an original WW2 jacket, for under $400.
The details are pretty much there and its a pretty good jacket, certainly looks the part. Its not an Eastman or Goodwear, but only in that the leather used is not of the calibre of Warhorse, Vicenza, Shinki or Liberty hides etc... and the minutest of details that only a collector will notice.
I did a review of my seal Bronco on the other lounge, but do a search online and you will find the info.
I guess you don't want a secondhand jacket? Aero has a sale section for new jackets, sometimes get a decent jacket for a decent price, with no wait.

You didn't mention where these are made?

 

[Brettafett]

https://avilthr.com
Where they are actually made? I do not know...

 

[Steve27752]

You didn't mention where these are made?

I believe they are made in Denmark.

 

[Brettafett]

I doubt they are made there, then they would be double the price When I receive the jacket, I will look inside for a label.

 

[Smithy]

I'm quite interested in one of these AVI LTHR jobs now, they look excellent and a fair price to boot.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

I doubt they are made there, then they would be double the price When I receive the jacket, I will look inside for a label.

Hasn't the one you got last year got a label in it? I noticed your rave review on FL

 

[Brettafett]

It does have a label in the inside, but tbh, I never actually read it.... I'm curious, so will have a look later...

 

[CBI]

isn't the AVI actually made in Pakistan?

 

[Brettafett]

It could very well be.

 

[Smithy]

The photos of your seal one really are lovely Brett and the goatskin looks excellent.

Nice to see someone offering a direct copy of an original pattern A-2 and for a very decent price, roughly 300 GBP or $US400.

For those like me who now baulk at paying silly money for what is basically a very simply patterned leather windbreaker, this crowd is a very welcome addition to the fray. I'm usually a 42L now so just trying to work out what size would suit me best, perhaps a 46 judging by their site's size guide.

Problem is I just spent an arm and a leg on a new hacking jacket so might have to slip this one under the old radar if you get my drift!

 

[Brettafett]

Haha Smithy, yes I know.
Smithy, a guy on the other lounge just posted measurement for a 46, he is 6.2 and 87 kg.
Chest: 58cm
Back shoulders: 48cm
Back length: 69cm
Sleeves: 69cm