Avirex A2 infos

[alex-cooper]

Hi Gentlemen,

I'm looking forward buying my first A2.
As a painful process, I've been trough some deceptions.
Thus, I've slowly decided to go for a " safe "bet by purchasing an avi leather bronco A2.

But wait a minute, I've stumble into that jacket on the 2nd hand market.
Would you have any info on that avirex jacket? type of letaher, quality ?
Any else I should be aware or be taught by true "knowing" gents ?

Cheers

 

[Saint-ex]

Hello,

I know it's complicated.

Honestly Avirex or CockpitUSA doesn't propose realistic pattern but leather of this one doesn't look bad.
How is the back, single panel ?

So depend you level of exigence in term of accuracy, could be a good jacket.

 

[alex-cooper]

Hello,

I know it's complicated.

Honestly Avirex or CockpitUSA doesn't propose realistic pattern but leather of this one doesn't look bad.
How is the back, single panel ?

So depend you level of exigence in term of accuracy, could be a good jacket.

Here's a picture of the back, single panel. Does it give a better opinion on this jacket ?

 

[flyincowboy]

Had the same jacket years ago my 1st A2 in HH leather Got it from the flea market it was a nice mall jacket .. Not many A2 availiable in the 1998 years... It was a good jacket that i loved.

 

[Saint-ex]

Here's a picture of the back, single panel. Does it give a better opinion on this jacket ?

Yes, because Avirex is capable of both the best and the worst.
But seriously, there are models with the back made of several pieces, etc. Overall, I find it a shame.
This one, if you can get it at a good price, could be a nice jacket as long as you're not looking for exact period contract accuracy.

 

[alex-cooper]

Thanks a lot for your swift answers.

I could get it for 190 euros
According to you gents, the bottom line woulb be ?
Go for it you dummy or give a hug avi's bronco A2 ?

 

[Saint-ex]

Never had an AVI Horshide, but this Avirex's hide is nice looking.

An AVI will be more accurate to the pattern (in theory) and could be nice too. Depend you budget and priority.

 

[flyincowboy]

Beware of the trap! When affording a military jacket repro SUDDENDLY you might need another one! too late you ve been addicted like most of us!

 

[Saint-ex]

Second !

I arrived here for Fivestar feedback and I now have spent 10 times the budget I define for my first A-2 !

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Thanks a lot for your swift answers.

I could get it for 190 euros
According to you gents, the bottom line woulb be ?
Go for it you dummy or give a hug avi's bronco A2 ?

Like some other people already pointed out:

AVIREX jackets are usually "mall jackets" to be sold to the "avergae" coz the lack of authenticy. On first sight the jacket on the pics doesn't look that bad. One characteristic of an A2 is eg the backpiece made out of 1 single patch of leather rather than multiple pieces and the lack of handwarmer pockets (i know they are conveniant but had never existed on "real" A2).

Also they usually use very colorfull material for the liner like maps, some text or so.

Based on those facts the particular jacket you're asking for could be a pretty early AVIREX production run.

I know there is a AVIREX-collector community out there but i'd rate 190 bucks for the jacket off your photos too high.

As for a kind of "beginner" jacket i'd go from 120 to 140 but not higher.

If the vendor doesn't agree i’d try either AVI or FIVESTAR.

I personally - based on what i learned on this forum - would go straight to one of the 2 mentioned repro manufacturers rather than to AVIREX:

- you get a brandnew jacket that specifically "molds" to your bodyshape and it will stay like yours and that fit the WW2 specs

Those approx 150 bucks you'd have to pay on top would be worth for me the arguments i just mentioned

Cheers
Thomas

 

[Southoftheborder]

I would ask for the measurements because these sorts of jackets varied wildly from decade to decade. If this is a nineties one then it’s probably pretty big reflecting the fashiion trends of the time.

 

[flyincowboy]

Like some other people already pointed out:

AVIREX jackets are usually "mall jackets" to be sold to the "avergae" coz the lack of authenticy. On first sight the jacket doesn't look that bad. One characteristic of an A2 is eg the backpiece made out of 1 single patch of leather rather than multiple pieces and the lack of handwarmer pockets (i know they are conveniant but had never existed on "real" A2).

Also they usually use very colorfull material for the liner like maps, some text or so.

Based on those facts the particular jacket you're asking for could be a pretty early AVIREX production run.

I know there is a AVIREX-collector community out there but i'd rate 190 bucks for the jacket off your photos too high.

As for a kind of "beginner" jacket i'd go to 120 to 140 but not higher.

If the vendor doesn't agree id try either AVI or FIVESTAR.

I personally - based on what i learned on this forum - would go straight to one of the 2 mentioned repro manufacturers rather than to AVIREX:

- you get a brandnew jacket that specifically "molds" to your bodyshape and it will stay like yours and that fit the WW2 specs

Those approx 150 bucks you'd have to pay on top would be worth for me the arguments i just mentioned

Cheers
Thomas

AGREE i will second that!

 

[B-Man2]

AGREE i will second that!

These gentlemen are giving you good information. You should consider their suggestions before you make a purchase .

 

[ZuZu]

Hi Gentlemen,

I'm looking forward buying my first A2.
As a painful process, I've been trough some deceptions.
Thus, I've slowly decided to go for a " safe "bet by purchasing an avi leather bronco A2.

But wait a minute, I've stumble into that jacket on the 2nd hand market.
Would you have any info on that avirex jacket? type of letaher, quality ?
Any else I should be aware or be taught by true "knowing" gents ?

Cheers

You don't want this POS. There are so many better options. AVI maybe- but iffy. 5 Star no- too inconsistent and weird IMO. What WILL happen if you buy a crappy jacket is you'll buy another to "fix" that mistake and soon you'll end up spending more than on a good used Eastman or Good Wear or Aero of Scotland or Bill Kelso or Gibson & Barnes. Lurk on eBay or this forum or wherever and get a quality repro- don't go down Cheaper Is Better Road.

This incredibly stupid and bizarre label tells you everything you need to know about Avirex and The Cockpit and anything Jeff Cyman ever touched:

 

[Chandler]

I see a 1992 copyright on the white tag making my 1990 two years older and different in a few ways.

The tags are all different than mine and I don't have that white "limited version" tag or the little seam tag.

I guess Avirex/Cockpit started making some subtle changes after I bought mine. The scalloped pocket flaps and pocket placement are different from mine -- even better. And my knits might have more cotton than wool in them, unlike how the '92 knits look. And the epaulettes look more authentic (wider) than my '90. But the hide on the '92 looks a little skimpy compared to my '90.

Also, my '90 is tagged as a 44, but fits closer to a modern 42, so not really the "fashion," mall jacket Avirex started producing -- as the '92 doesn't look to be either.

My 2¢ and advice; this could be a nice starter jacket for someone wanting a cheaper A-2, but I'd definitely want to try it on. I was never happy with mine being tagged a 44 -- back when I wore a true 44. But I will say, my Avirex is still hanging in my closet and will probably hold up forever.

 

[Thomas Koehle]

You don't want this POS. There are so many better options. AVI maybe- but iffy. 5 Star no- too inconsistent and weird IMO. What WILL happen if you buy a crappy jacket is you'll buy another to "fix" that mistake and soon you'll end up spending more than on a good used Eastman or Good Wear or Aero of Scotland or Bill Kelso or Gibson & Barnes. Lurk on eBay or this forum or wherever and get a quality repro- don't go down Cheaper Is Better Road.

This incredibly stupid and bizarre label tells you everything you need to know about Avirex and The Cockpit and anything Jeff Cyman ever touched:

View attachment 179239

I didn’t mention the more pricey options that @ZuZu listed coz I had a new jacket in mind rather than a used one.

There are more accurate reproductions on the market like from “Goodwear” - “AERO Leather” or “Eastman Leather” - additional to that there is some Japanese manufacturers like “Toys McCoy” also available which start in a price range of about 700.- USD when new

If you manage to grab such a jacket on the used market would be for sure an even better option than a new AVI, COCKPIT, 5* aso

 

[alex-cooper]

Beware of the trap! When affording a military jacket repro SUDDENDLY you might need another one! too late you ve been addicted like most of us!

I start to feel the "madness" of it and I'm scared to fall into it so deep that I'll never get over it !

 

[alex-cooper]

Dear Gents,

I greatly appreciate your input, surely helping me to make the right choice.

I had bad luck starting with a HH Gibson & Barnes A2 mk43.
The seller did not mention it was a 40S. As I wore it, I immediatly turned into a not so magic mushroom. Funny how ? right ?

The frustration took me in the arms of this Avirex A2 or Avi leather BRONCO, but I start to understand...
I need to be patient a get the right one.

Just sold a kidney, and I could get an extra 150 € out of it, for final total budget of 500 €.
So here it is, with that amount of money I've stumble into an eastman leather Clothing Dwg No 30-1415 Contract number 42-058361.
Shall I pass, negotiate, pay the price ?

Cheers

 

[B-Man2]

Always try to negotiate BUT … if the seller takes a hard line… then I’d say buy it. The damages you showed in the photos are very fixable and for 500€ the jacket looks sound in the rest of your photos. If you tire of the Eastman it will always sell for close to what you paid for it .

 

[Saint-ex]

An Eastman House contract, like this one, is no more authentic than an Avirex compared to an original contract.
However, as Burt mentioned, the good thing is that you’ll be able to sell it at the same price if you choose to.