Anything and Everything A-1

[deeb7]

Can anyone confirm that the Navy A-1 was olive green in color?
bseal's picture upthread with the baseball type collar looks like it might have had a green tinge, but has anybody seen color photos from the period?
The A-1-like cotton cord model 37J1, from 1932, was green - for what that's worth.

More info from that book you've been getting around to buying ....

The Navy A-1 equivalent, with the high pockets, and shorter knit collar, was the original type 37J1. The 1927 specs called for "best quality chome tanned sheepskin, the color of which shall be chocolate".

The 1930's jungle cloth replacements, with zipper, are also 37J1 (A,B).

Perhaps their green colour, and the retaining of the same type number, contributed to the myth of the olive green hide.

Full Gear: Aota Mituhiro pp 112-114

 

[zoomer]

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou. again.

Is this the book that is currently listed on eBay, by a seller in Hong Kong, with no title?

 

[Doug C]

Has anyone spotted this lising. Supposedly an original, but no lable pictured.. it is interesting tho.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1930s-VINTAGE-A-1-w ... dZViewItem





Sorry I'm not having any luck trying to resize my pics :?

Doug C

 

[Doug C]

OOPs I just realized that you guys were already talking about this one over in the auction section.

Well it reminds me of some stuff that Buzz Rickson has done, like this:



Doug C

 

[deeb7]

Is this the book that is currently listed on eBay, by a seller in Hong Kong, with no title?

No, that would be SUIT UP! THE FLIGHT JACKET edited by Kesaharu Imai.

 

[rick.canavar]

I finally got around to getting a photo of the Goodwear prototype A-1 being worn. This jacket's photos have made the rounds a few times so I'll just add the one. The fit is great, the best of all my jackets. I doubt it could fit much better if it had been tailored to me. Wonderful cape. Before I got the jacket I was a bit worried about the durability of cape sheepskin, but not anymore.

 

[zoomer]

Whoa, that's a keeper. Excellent choice rick.

 

[rick.canavar]

Thanks Zoomer, I was lucky to get it. Just happened to be on the forum at the right time when Greyhound listed it for sale. I don't see myself getting rid of this one ever.

 

[greyhound52]

Rick,
Better fit than it was on me. No worries tho John is making another one for me that will fit just like yours.

 

[Doug C]

Great looking A1 Rick, and hurray.. finally someone posted a wearing picture of a GW A1 - Thanks!! Fabulous.

Now with that said, I have to admit that I'm not totally sold on the color combination used on the GW A1s that I've seen so far. IMHO the light brown of John's cape would go better with a darker knit rather than the tan ones I keep seeing - I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem though. Does anyone know if this is the only color of cape that John can get, or perhaps he's capable of lightly spraying a darker color (actually preferrable) (Heck I could even do that if I had to ) - he does do that on some of his leathers doesn't he? Not that I don't like the look of this aged cape - I do. Now, If one was offered for sale at a second hand price I could certainly overlook my "d-ruthers" because all in all it's certainly a work of art as it is. One day... one day...

Doug C

 

[PADDY_M]

That's an absolute beauty of a jacket Rick and just oozes the feel of golden era flight in the inter-war period! plus you wear it well!

At some stage I will be getting a GW A-1 and will just clear the cupboard of a few jackets that sadly never seem to see the light of day anymore (you know what I mean), as we all seem to drift towards certain favourites.

I actually like the tan/light khaki coloured knits and the 'worn' look of the hide. I tend to like 'alot' of grain on my skins, so these are all little things I'll be discussing with JC when the time eventually comes.

Some lovely jackets in this thread and a fine resource for those 'thinking' about pulling the trigger on an A-1.

 

[airfrogusmc]

Rick thats one SWEET A-1....Congrats on a great looking and fitting jacket.

 

[rick.canavar]

Thanks guys, I'll just say again that its the nicest jacket I've ever had.

Doug, you might want to take a look at the A-1 John has in the photos section on his Web site. It seems to be considerably darker than mine. I think it is probably that same cape, but there looks to be considerable variation in the darkness of the leather. He might be able to put a darker one together by choosing only dark pieces. Mine has quite a bit of color variation (as well as grain and thickness) with some parts being quite dark. It doesn't show well in the photo but that's the light.

 

[bseal]

Here's Rick's stunt double:

 

[Doug C]

Oh yea, your so right - I never noticed how much darker it seems in those pics of John wearing it, the darker knits probably add to that a bit too. Just a great looking A1, done right !!

Doug C

 

[Vcruiser]

Yikes!
I like the darker hide,too!
I want one.
VB

 

[Doug C]

I posted these on the old forum - they are screen caps from the "block buster" movie Pearl Harbor. Figured some of you might not have seen them before :

I think someone mentioned that this is an Eastmens, but it sure reminds me of the weathered cape that GW is currently using.







Doug C

 

[Doug C]

Oh, here are a few more :



...another two piece back


...interesting painted art (naval wings)


...There are actually TWO A1s in the next few pics, can you spot the second one?
hint - look under the yellow jersey.







Doug C

 

[Chandler]

Here it comes, wait for it...

Chandler

 

[Doug C]

Chandler wrote :

Here it comes, wait for it...

:?: I can't figure out what this could mean, and it's making me crazy :x :?

Doug C