That’s very unfortunate that you had these issues and I agree that you should probably send it back.
I understand some people’s hate for the Cockpit, but IMO it has (and particularly
had) a time and place.
Back when the Cockpit first started making jackets, there wasn’t the wealth of hyper accurate jacket sources that there are today. The Cockpit business really took off on the leading edge of the leather jacket wave of the ‘80s. Most people didn’t care (or most likely know) what a proper A-2 or G-1 looked like and Mr Clyman produced jackets more
inspired by these jackets than copied from them. So they were often oversized and sueded and given modern conveniences like side pockets and silk linings.
Making and selling these in the New York garment district, he also had access to the usual talented coterie of “Mad Men” to fill his glossy catalogs.
So, G-1s with side entry pockets and removed collars, which would sell to the “eww fur collar?” and, “what, no pockets?” crowd became, “just like those modified by airmen in the hot south Pacific climate”.
The claims that are more egregious are those using “mil-spec” and “official” titles liberally to imply that they are the real deal.
And of course retailers, who don’t necessarily know either history or detail, are rarely eager to point out flaws or inconsistencies…if they are even aware of them.
That’s just bad business. So, you should always take any claims by ANY seller with a grain of salt.
So it sort of is what it is, though I have often lamented the hyperbole of those ads. I have and still happily wear my Cockpit 100 Mission G-1. I just accept it for what it is.
To be fair, even the top tier makers staunchly defend their style choices as being historically based.
And yet, if you read far enough back, you’ll see those choices changed. Which sort of makes you wonder a bit…
So, my opinion is that sometimes you just need to make a choice. If you want “original” you need to buy one, with all the consequences thereof. If you choose a repro, regardless of who makes it, you are accepting their
interpretation of it.
Some are more accurate than others.
And you’ve come to a great place to start. Not only do you have access to people who really know their jackets, you have people who have
owned, collectively, about a thousand of them.
Just remember what opinions are like
. Learn as much as you can, decide what you want (and are willing to pay for), and be happy with it. No one should tell you what you should like.
That said, I think Avi or 5* makes a much more authentic jacket and will sew any of those patches on for you…
or, you know, real ones that an actual pilot would wear
Sorry, super long.