Anything and Everything A-1

[airfrogusmc]

NO actually your starting to get it. I've been saying that all along.

Yes sir senator: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=575&start=70

Chandler

Move along, nothing to see here, back to your regular A-1 discussion...

:? :? :lol: :lol: :lol:

AAHHH the few, the crazy, the Eastmanites...

 

[Doug C]

Here's a couple of pics of originals, though the second may or may not be issue..



I think this one as already posted..


Doug C

 

[bseal]

And their respective backs:

 

[Miles_Archer]

^
Excellent examples of both an issued A-1 and a typical civilian sport jacket of the era.

 

[airfrogusmc]

And you know FOR SURE the one piece is a civilian sports jacket?

 

[Miles_Archer]

And you know FOR SURE the one piece is a civilian sports jacket?

Only god knows for sure. And of course The Shadow knows
Very cool jacket but it probably never saw the inside of an airplane until the eBay seller shipped it Priority Mail.
Even just referring to these jackets as A-1 style is a bit unfair to the sport jackets. They existed for at least 10 years before Uncle Sam slapped the moniker on them, the A-1 is a copy of them!

 

[Doug C]

So is it my understanding (from how Bseal presented the pictures earlier in this thread) that Eastman sells a dark and light version of the Capeskin jacket? Or maybe I just misunderstood and the pictures are what's light and dark.. :? I like those ELC A1s but I think they could use some contrasting knits or maybe buttons, they seem slightly monochromatic with the matching brown knits and leather.

Doug C

 

[deeb7]

So is it my understanding (from how Bseal presented the pictures earlier in this thread) that Eastman sells a dark and light version of the Capeskin jacket? Or maybe I just misunderstood and the pictures are what's light and dark.. :? I like those ELC A1s but I think they could use some contrasting knits or maybe buttons, they seem slightly monochromatic with the matching brown knits and leather.

Doug C

Eastman made up a few jackets in lighter sample hides, before selecting the final production colour.

These then went on their sale page, and from memory, were snapped up by Johnny English, and then forum member, Senicko. I actually prefer them to the darker, final selection.

Any other variation will be down to the lighting.

 

[bseal]

Doug C,

Give J. Chapman a shout out and he'll offer to make you up a custom A-1 in whatever hide/knit, and pocket configuration combo your heart desires.

 

[Doug C]

Just checked under the sofa cushions - nothin' doin' :cry:
must find a job first .

Doug C

 

[John Lever]

This Gary Eastman's answer to my question regarding civilian and military A1's -
Dear John,

Civilian versions in my opinion cannot really be called A-1s. If generically referred to as A-1 at the time, then obvioulsy they can only have come after the military version was released, because 'A-1' is a military designation, and no one could have known that until after it was given the title.

Civilian made jackets that look very similar to A-1s that were made before or after the official A-1 may well have ended up getting referred to as A-1 after the fact, purely because of the similarity. A true A-1 really can only be one that was manufacturered for the military under contract - all the others are simiply similar and have acquired the title in conversation simply to identify it's general design.

On the question of the back panel. It is true to say various configurations of military A-1s can be observed, but all the ones I have seen - which is few - (wilth contract labels) have a two-piece back. It is the sleeve arrangement and pocket placement that have the differences. But this is all based on very limited observation, as there are so few original, intact examples available to examine - so there may well have been more differences.

Hope that helps.

Best regards,
Gary

 

[Doug C]

That seems pretty logical to me John, thanks for posting it.

Hey I was wondering if this Eastman A1 has an Olive Drab colored lining, I'm not sure who it belongs to..maybe someone here? I like this feature especially with the russet of the leather.



Doug C

 

[Simon Debrux]

The lining of my Eastman A-1 is a tightly-woven dark brown cotton with an attractive sheen to it. I also think it would look good with tan or od knits and a similar lining however I don't think that is an option unless Eastman can do it as a special order.

 

[zoomer]

I can see the early pilots choosing an OD lining to go with the uniform shirt typically worn in that era.

 

[Miles_Archer]

Thank you Mr. Eastman.

 

[zoomer]

No trouble at all Mr. What'sittoyou.

 

[Miles_Archer]

No trouble at all Mr. What'sittoyou.

Is your name Eastman?

 

[zoomer]

Pardon...I thought you were addressing me. For daydreaming/blowing smoke about the color of the liner, I mean.

 

[Doug C]

A-1 wearers are a touchy lot. :lol:

Doug C

 

[zoomer]

Don't I know it. :?