Greg Gale
Well-Known Member
Hi all. First of all thank you for all the help you gave me in my G-1 patching help thread. I first thought I'd post this there to avoid opening new threads unnecessarily. Then I thought the information I'm about to post may be useful for future buyers, and it's much easier to find like this than burying it in that other thread.
So I got a big package from Denmark today. First thought: it was HEAVY! These jackets weigh much more than an A-2. The goatskin is beautiful, the jacket is very well put together, holding them in my hand I was happy with the craftsmanship. They scream "STURDY", it feels like you could be dragged behind an F-14 Tomcat along the highway to the danger zone, and your jacket still wouldn't be damaged I remember trying a size 40 Cockpit 100 mission G-1, and it was much lighter/thinner. I love the color of the collar, not black, but not the yellowish shade of the Cockpit 100 mission G-1 either that reminds me of my childhood teddy bear. Beautiful dark russet color. The only downside are the knits - they are nothing like the knits on my ELC A-2, but like a double-layered knit. Albeit inaccurate, I'm not so sure it's a bad thing though. I might look into replacing them, but the way they are constructed they look indestructible. Still, not too thick so as to be too stiff. The zipper is a bit "meh", hard to operate, but I guess it will improve over time, especially after some graphite/soap treatment.
Let's try them on! I think both fit well, both were comfy even sitting down & reaching forward. The torso is quite trim, there isn't more room in the torso of the 42 than in my size 40 ELC Star Sportswear A-2. The torso of the 40 was a bit too much on the tight side. Far from uncomfortable, but nothing else could fit under it apart from my T-shirt (even though I'm not much of a layering guy). A bit like a wetsuit The sleeves are long enough, the torso too, but the snug fit didn't allow for any, what's the word for it, when the leather bulges over the waist knit? IMO there should be a little, not much, but some at least. Also, there were some unwelcome stress wrinkles on the upper side of the back when fully zipped.
The 42 is roomier, more relaxed, the waist looks fine, still doesn't fit like a tent. My only problem is that the sleeves are a tad on the baggy side, not as nicely tapered as the 40, but overall I think it's a much nicer and more comfortable fit, without looking like a bag of potatoes. That's what I think anyway, but see for yourself:
40:
42:
40:
42:
Conclusion: Beautiful jacket, especially for the price. Well built, extremely rugged. A real beater. Wide shoulders, very snug torso, might wanna size up. I'll sleep on it, then probably send back the 40 on Monday. Then it's time for the patches. I'm one happy AVI customer!
PS: I never understood why some people post fit pics with their hands on their hips, because it makes it impossible to see the sleeve length - so I only did it when I turned around
So I got a big package from Denmark today. First thought: it was HEAVY! These jackets weigh much more than an A-2. The goatskin is beautiful, the jacket is very well put together, holding them in my hand I was happy with the craftsmanship. They scream "STURDY", it feels like you could be dragged behind an F-14 Tomcat along the highway to the danger zone, and your jacket still wouldn't be damaged I remember trying a size 40 Cockpit 100 mission G-1, and it was much lighter/thinner. I love the color of the collar, not black, but not the yellowish shade of the Cockpit 100 mission G-1 either that reminds me of my childhood teddy bear. Beautiful dark russet color. The only downside are the knits - they are nothing like the knits on my ELC A-2, but like a double-layered knit. Albeit inaccurate, I'm not so sure it's a bad thing though. I might look into replacing them, but the way they are constructed they look indestructible. Still, not too thick so as to be too stiff. The zipper is a bit "meh", hard to operate, but I guess it will improve over time, especially after some graphite/soap treatment.
Let's try them on! I think both fit well, both were comfy even sitting down & reaching forward. The torso is quite trim, there isn't more room in the torso of the 42 than in my size 40 ELC Star Sportswear A-2. The torso of the 40 was a bit too much on the tight side. Far from uncomfortable, but nothing else could fit under it apart from my T-shirt (even though I'm not much of a layering guy). A bit like a wetsuit The sleeves are long enough, the torso too, but the snug fit didn't allow for any, what's the word for it, when the leather bulges over the waist knit? IMO there should be a little, not much, but some at least. Also, there were some unwelcome stress wrinkles on the upper side of the back when fully zipped.
The 42 is roomier, more relaxed, the waist looks fine, still doesn't fit like a tent. My only problem is that the sleeves are a tad on the baggy side, not as nicely tapered as the 40, but overall I think it's a much nicer and more comfortable fit, without looking like a bag of potatoes. That's what I think anyway, but see for yourself:
40:
42:
40:
42:
Conclusion: Beautiful jacket, especially for the price. Well built, extremely rugged. A real beater. Wide shoulders, very snug torso, might wanna size up. I'll sleep on it, then probably send back the 40 on Monday. Then it's time for the patches. I'm one happy AVI customer!
PS: I never understood why some people post fit pics with their hands on their hips, because it makes it impossible to see the sleeve length - so I only did it when I turned around
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