another original bronco a-2

[Silver Surfer]

I believe that the bronco a-2s shown recently were in a thread about 5star repros. anyhoo, I just thought to add yet another original bronco

View attachment 44247View attachment 44247

to the pile.

 

[mulceber]

That ones in stellar condition, Vic. Have the knits been replaced?

 

[Silver Surfer]

yes they have. it was kinda mind blowing to come across an original in such super shape, with totally moth eaten knit elements. probably stowed for many years with the moth larvae in the knit ware.

 

[mulceber]

Looks like the liner's original though, based on the writing on it. And it seems like it's in pretty good shape. Strange that the moths had a feeding frenzy with the knits and didn't touch the cotton. I guess they were picky eaters.

 

[Silver Surfer]

That is often the case. Moths don’t eat tuna sandwiches or cotton, but the sure as shit eat wool......and plenty of it, given the chance.

 

[Jorgeenriqueaguilera]

Nice one, Vic! Gosh, I wish they like tuna, that would be cheaper than replacing knits!!

 

[ausreenactor]

Beautiful Bronco.....

 

[blackrat2]

Nice looking jacket Vic
Thanks for posting up, don’t hear much about Bronco on the forum, seems Aero n RW get the lions share of vintage postings

 

[Silver Surfer]

interesting, in that you would think that broncos would be a go to a-2 for todays modern mens proportions, either original or repro [not including 5*], as they were made with a flattering design,, ie: slightly narrower bodies, accommodating arm holes, and wide shoulders. I get it though, about aeros and rws, since they have that iconic blousy body shape, and have name recognition.

 

[Pilot]

Bronco A-2 originals... my all times favored... and no real historically correct repro on the market.
( hanger, pattern, epaulets, hides, collar etc..)
Just compare...

 

[Grant]

Pilot, couldn't agree with you more!

 

[blackrat2]

Very true Vic reference the comfort/style factors, I haven’t got my Eastman book to hand so don’t know the quantities of Broncos turned out but certainly most of the postings, with the exception of the recent USL have favoured Aero n RW, possibly Cooper being one of the least posted about also

 

[mulceber]

@blackrat2, that doesn't surprise me, since Aero and Rough Wear were the first and second most prolific A-2 contractors. Together, they represent almost a third of all A-2 jackets made.

 

[B-Man2]

Sitting home with a bit of pandemic boredom, so I hope you guys don’t mind if I throw in a couple of photos of my original Bronco for your review.

 

[Silver Surfer]

yet another round of bronco knock outs. so, you guys reckon that the nice original broncos are owned by guys here? off the bat, I can think of 6 maybe 8 killer broncos owned by vli. members.

 

[B-Man2]

Vic
I’m pretty sure there’s at least one more in the hands of a VLJ guy, and I know that Andrew Swatland had one or two as well.

 

[SuinBruin]

Bronco A-2 originals... my all times favored... and no real historically correct repro on the market.
( hanger, pattern, epaulets, hides, collar etc..)
Just compare...

Curious to know where you think the Good Wear Bronco gets these details wrong. Thanks.

 

[Pilot]

Ple

Curious to know where you think the Good Wear Bronco gets these details wrong. Thanks.

Please feel free to compare with photos posted ( collar folding, and epaulets stitching pe). GW gets very close to my originals, but a few little things are still „missing“
with all due respect...(plus I am one of the greatest GW fan...)

 

[SuinBruin]

Ple

Please feel free to compare with photos posted ( collar folding, and epaulets stitching pe). GW gets very close to my originals, but a few little things are still „missing“
with all due respect...(plus I am one of the greatest GW fan...)

Interesting, my GW Bronco in horse looks very close to the photos of your jacket (with the exception of hide, which is the hardest to match). The epaulet stitching is a little different, but if you look at the epaulets on Burt's Bronco posted above, the stitching is different from yours as well. My understanding is that John took apart an actual Bronco for his updated pattern and so I would be very, very surprised if it were materially different from his model. And, given the size of the Bronco contract and the variety we see in the hides, colors, zips, etc., of originals, I think it's one of the harder contracts to have a single repro represent the entire run.

 

[Pilot]

Agree...and like you said a few times...a little different...and thats OK and great....
Plus John’s repro is still the best and finest of all others available.