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All A2's are the same....

Smithy

Smithy

Well-Known Member
I'll play John.

If we're brutally honest, A-2s are actually bloody hopeless. The range of movement is terrible. The design is rubbish - it's basically a leather shirt with knits. All contracts make you look pear-shaped so your waist looks wider than your shoulders, mmmmm attractive ;)

We aviation history lovers love them because WWII aviators wore them, and therein is the primary reason why we love them, it's not because of the design it's because of the history and those who wore them.

If the A-2 had only been designed and worn by rubbish-collectors they would have been lost to time.
 
Skyranger

Skyranger

Well-Known Member
It must also be said that they do not look alike because at the time most were personalized by their user with unit badges or paintings. In short, it told the life or hopes of the person wearing it, it gave a soul to the jacket.
Otherwise it is true that in modern times it is an impractical jacket and often very expensive, you really have to like honoring those who wore them to spend so much money on it and your friends laugh because you don't even have an inside pocket (an A-2 was worth $15 at the time, right?)
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Skyranger said:
It must also be said that they do not look alike because at the time most were personalized by their user with unit badges or paintings. In short, it told the life or hopes of the person wearing it, it gave a soul to the jacket.
Otherwise it is true that in modern times it is an impractical jacket and often very expensive, you really have to like honoring those who wore them to spend so much money on it and your friends laugh because you don't even have an inside pocket (an A-2 was worth $15 at the time, right?)
Click to expand...
The reality here is that the only reason these jackets are as expensive as they are is because we as a group are an obsessed bunch of people who demand stitch for stitch repros that have to have $200 zippers, hides processed to the closest degree that original hides were processed and knits and linings that replicate originals . Otherwise you can pick up a very nice A2 repro that won’t be detailed period authentic but very nice for between $150.00 and $250.
 
John Lever

John Lever

Moderator
Brettafett said:
John,
I'd say pop in to Eastman, have a chat with the chaps. Try on any number of A-2s on the rack.
(Although you're likely to walk out with another sheepskin).
Jokes aside, if you can, it's a good call. If not, Eastman does returns.
Click to expand...
I was thinking about buying one that is very worn, then get the knits replaced. I nearly bought one last month it was an old Eastman than had been worn out almost. Cuffs were tatty and it had stich holes from removed patches. The leather looked fabulous. Only 250 gbp, gone now of course.
Both my favourite jackets, an A1 and a B3 are very very worn soft like old crumpled paper bags.
 
CBI

CBI

Well-Known Member
wow-if you have the option to visit ELC to try them on, I would do it - that would be so much fun and you could get the EXACT jacket you want or...........you try on every contract they have maybe even in your size and decide that you just aren't an A-2 guy, Can't loose either way . Hey, I am a total GW fan but ELC do make some great A-2's that you would be perfectly happy with! I love my ELC's as well!!!
 
Pa12

Pa12

Well-Known Member
John Lever said:
I was thinking about buying one that is very worn, then get the knits replaced. I nearly bought one last month it was an old Eastman than had been worn out almost. Cuffs were tatty and it had stich holes from removed patches. The leather looked fabulous. Only 250 gbp, gone now of course.
Both my favourite jackets, an A1 and a B3 are very very worn soft like old crumpled paper bags.
Click to expand...
If you’re looking for soft , may I suggest something in horween ;)
 
ZuZu

ZuZu

Well-Known Member
John Lever said:
I was thinking about buying one that is very worn, then get the knits replaced. I nearly bought one last month it was an old Eastman than had been worn out almost. Cuffs were tatty and it had stich holes from removed patches. The leather looked fabulous. Only 250 gbp, gone now of course.
Both my favourite jackets, an A1 and a B3 are very very worn soft like old crumpled paper bags.
Click to expand...
My advice? Stay away from Eastman- their A-2s have a uni-pattern- wedge body, skinny forearms, odd collars. They always look like Eastmans. I'd say get an original- you're the right size for one and it sounds like you won't wear it much.
 
blackrat2

blackrat2

Well-Known Member
Whilst Eastman aren’t a million miles away it’s a ballache to get down to them from this part of the UK , so unless you happen to be in that part of the world it’s a bit of a drive out just to try some jackets on, perhaps a Christmas meet could be on the cards?!
 
John Lever

John Lever

Moderator
If I buy an A2 it would be a very worn used one. I like my cars with full service history and one previous owner but I like jackets to be well worn and shabby.
 
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