Air Associates 1930's Civilian Flight Jacket C-1 Now Available On The Site

[Skyhawk]

We are pleased to present our reproduction of a 1930's civilian flight jacket made by Air Associates Inc. The C-1. This jacket was also worn by actor Ernest Borgnine in the 1950's Hollywood production "Torpedo Run" .

The project was discussed recently on the forum:
http://vintageleatherjackets.org/th...orpedo-run-air-associates-reproduction.20620/

This reproduction jacket is now available on the website for purchase:
http://www.headwindmfg.com/

 

[bseal]

Not too shabby. Where is the required country of origin label?

 

[Steve27752]

I like it.

 

[Skyhawk]

Not too shabby. Where is the required country of origin label?

Thanks! Required tags? Funny I haven't seen them on the other high end reproduction jackets.. I'm sure we would all agree that it would look pretty crappy to have a "Made in" label sewn onto a carefully reproduced, period correct label. Should I also sew on some care instructions? How about a materials content label?

That would be a complicated origin label. Partially made in the USA, Partially made in India with parts originating in the USA, Italy, Japan, and India. I guess I could put the flag tags all over the inside of the jacket, but then it wouldn't be like the original jacket I am reproducing.

If some government official contacted me and said I need to put certain labels on it, then I would probably put them somewhere inside a pocket. Until that time, I will stick to making the jackets as close to the original jackets as possible.

Regards,
Jay

 

[seres]

Not too shabby. Where is the required country of origin label?

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen that "country of origin" label in a Goodwear, Aero, or even a Bill Kelso jacket. But I have seen it in a Cockpit jacket...

 

[bseal]

Thanks! Required tags? Funny I haven't seen them on the other high end reproduction jackets...



If some government official contacted me and said I need to put certain labels on it, then I would probably put them somewhere inside a pocket.

Regards,
Jay

Material omissions can and often are perceived as deceptive. Why would you want to jeopardize the integrity and good will of your new startup company?

It is a well known fact they are conspicuously stitched onto products from Buzz Rickson, Lost Worlds, Real McCoy, Eastman, etc.

Don’t be embarrassed that yours are made in India. They look alright. Just put a label in and move on.

Here’s some free legal advice.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...origin-marking-on-goods-imported-into-the-u.s.

 

[Skyhawk]

Material omissions can and often are perceived as deceptive. Why would you want to jeopardize the integrity and good will of your new startup company?

It is a well known fact they are conspicuously stitched onto products from Buzz Rickson, Lost Worlds, Real McCoy, Eastman, etc.

Don’t be embarrassed that yours are made in India. They look alright. Just put a label in and move on.

Here’s some free legal advice.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...origin-marking-on-goods-imported-into-the-u.s.

Thanks for your concern. I have always been transparent about the production of my jackets. I'm in no way embarrassed about the fact that they are partially assembled in India. Everyone already knows that from my very first post years back about Headwind. My crew in India is a great small group of leather crafters, it is not a huge sweat shop factory. They do outstanding work! I'm am glad I found them.

My jackets are designed by me here in the USA. Using carefully selected parts from the US, Italy, Japan, and India. They do not arrive here in the US as finished jackets. They are completed in Portland OR by a small crew of machinists and tailors. I actually do some of the work on a lot of the jackets we sell, so I am very connected to the whole process.

I have thoroughly beta tested them for durability as well.
Here is one of our first test jackets after 3 hot water treatments with 3 trips through the clothes dryer on high heat, plus a few years of wear:

It shrunk a lot but no damage and the 100% cotton stitching held strong. I am proud of the jackets we make. I feel confident that the customer will be happy with the quality of our jackets.

 

[tjoenn]

Here's my A-1 I bought from you in 2016. I got a good deal because of some cosmetic issues with the knits which I still haven't noticed. It's a great jacket and it's developing some very nice shades of brown which this picture really don't show. My favorite summer jacket. Even wore it while cruising in a dakota in the skies over Stavanger.

 

[Skyhawk]

Yes I remember that jacket well. I am glad to hear you are getting some good use out of it and it's even getting some flight time!
Thanks for posting a picture. Always good to see how our jackets are looking after some wear. The jacket is looking great! That's our Antique Mahogany Capeskin.

Regards,
Jay