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Anything and Everything A-1
- Thread starter bseal
- Start date
zoomer
Well-Known Member
Any idea why my ELC A-1 has developed a darkish splotch or two - like grease or oil, neither of which I would let anywhere near it?
The edges of said splotches are not well-defined (blurry) and they're not all that dark, so the look of the jacket isn't badly harmed. Just wondering what might have caused it - the main substances it's exposed to are perspiration and rain.
The edges of said splotches are not well-defined (blurry) and they're not all that dark, so the look of the jacket isn't badly harmed. Just wondering what might have caused it - the main substances it's exposed to are perspiration and rain.
John Lever
Moderator
I unwisely wore mine at a meal on holiday. Pumpkin seed oil spotted on the front.
I tried whiskey and vodka to remove it without success. Only dry cleaning fluid got it out, but it left a dry pale patch.This I buffed in by hand.
I tried whiskey and vodka to remove it without success. Only dry cleaning fluid got it out, but it left a dry pale patch.This I buffed in by hand.
John Lever
Moderator
They probably had other things on their minds like burning to death in the cockpit ...
bristolherc
Member
Few A-1, in natural finish, 9 months wear.......
Bevan
Bevan
John Lever
Moderator
I like it, the new camera ?
It's very good for colour in low light levels.
It's very good for colour in low light levels.
bristolherc
Member
John Lever said:
Yup, the 7D, I thought I took one or two with the pocket flap lifted to show how much it had darkened, the hide when new is really like a babies bum, this jacket looks the biz,
Bevan.
Here's a strange thing, my new Eastman A-1 has the sleeve seam matching up to the yoke seam across the back, on my FEW A-1, and most others the seam meets the shoulder seam.
Which one is correct, Eastman right, they copied an original? Turns out they both are ... the pictures in Suit Up show a jacket with the same contract label as the Eastman, but with the sleeve seam meeting the shoulder seam.
So ... sleeve attachment was either random, or the pattern was changed during the contract.
Which one is correct, Eastman right, they copied an original? Turns out they both are ... the pictures in Suit Up show a jacket with the same contract label as the Eastman, but with the sleeve seam meeting the shoulder seam.
So ... sleeve attachment was either random, or the pattern was changed during the contract.
Damd Bevan, just saw your latest A-1.... nice! Is it made with olive colored thread, I can't quite tell ? Either way, it does "look tha biz".
Deeb7 that's interesting about the seam linening up... the other option could be that the whole contract label could be a bunch of marketing crap
. I don't mean to incinuate that the modern mfg's are not sticking to the contract deigns but more so that maybe those contract numbers mean more to us than they did the sewers that were making them back in the 20s and 30s, and perhaps the quality controll was lax during that time too, who knows. I wonder now about the ELC I used to have, will have to check some old photos when I get a chance.
Doug C
Deeb7 that's interesting about the seam linening up... the other option could be that the whole contract label could be a bunch of marketing crap
. I don't mean to incinuate that the modern mfg's are not sticking to the contract deigns but more so that maybe those contract numbers mean more to us than they did the sewers that were making them back in the 20s and 30s, and perhaps the quality controll was lax during that time too, who knows. I wonder now about the ELC I used to have, will have to check some old photos when I get a chance. Doug C
Falcon_52
Active Member
That's interesting about the outer sleeve seam. The way that The Few's A-1 is put together would probably be more comfortable since the seam wouldn't be right on the elbow. Maybe certain manufacturers made them this way?
Actually, have there ever been any manufacturers identified for the original A-1s? You always see the famous label with the drawing number and order number but never a manufacturer label. I always figured maybe Security Aviation Togs or Werber (or Schott) but that's just a wild guess.
Noel
Actually, have there ever been any manufacturers identified for the original A-1s? You always see the famous label with the drawing number and order number but never a manufacturer label. I always figured maybe Security Aviation Togs or Werber (or Schott
) but that's just a wild guess.Noel
John Lever
Moderator
Recently I saw several original A-1 type jackets. They were 1930's, British and made from capeskin.
Some had elasticated waists some were all leather.
I think the design may have been taken to the US by Jewish migrant tailors from Europe.
Some had elasticated waists some were all leather.
I think the design may have been taken to the US by Jewish migrant tailors from Europe.
Falcon_52 said:
Actually, have there ever been any manufacturers identified for the original A-1s? You always see the famous label with the drawing number and order number but never a manufacturer label. I always figured maybe Security Aviation Togs or Werber (or Schott
The only known maker identified in Full Gear, is Order No. W535 AC2486, DWG No. 074734 MIRABELLI BROS. CO. circa 1928.
31-800 P AN-6501 remains unknown ... yes, Security, and Werber would be contenders, Switlik another.
Civilian makers include Knopf with the leather collar, copied by THE FEW in 2005, and Gordon & Ferguson, makers of the jackets offered in the Karl Ort catalogues. Nicholas-Beazley Airplane Co. offered a version Made in Accordance with Government Specification AN6501 ... but again the maker is unknown.
I had read somewhere that Werber made A-1s back in the late 1920s? Maybe wrong. As to its origin IMO it is European influenced.
The early days of flight and motoring were closely linked and I know the italians had a jacket known as the ‘Mille Miglia' which has been much copied in reverse suede. I have also seen early British jackets that are very similar in terms of knits and small patch pockets from the thirties.
Also, many of the AAF contractor companies originally had European roots – Roughwear, Doniger, Fried Ostermann, Dubow, Werber – just a wild supposition on my part?
The early days of flight and motoring were closely linked and I know the italians had a jacket known as the ‘Mille Miglia' which has been much copied in reverse suede. I have also seen early British jackets that are very similar in terms of knits and small patch pockets from the thirties.
Also, many of the AAF contractor companies originally had European roots – Roughwear, Doniger, Fried Ostermann, Dubow, Werber – just a wild supposition on my part?
