Best A2 Leather

[welltailoredsuit]

Very helpful thread -- I'm gearing up for an A-2 purchase. Eastman's Warhorse HH looks great. Anyone here have Havana Brown?

 

[mulceber]

Yep, and it's a gorgeous leather. Here's a picture of it in moderate sunlight, if it helps. What repro makers are on your short list?

 

[welltailoredsuit]

Yep, and it's a gorgeous leather. Here's a picture of it in moderate sunlight, if it helps. What repro makers are on your short list?

Awesome pic -- thanks! I've only considered Eastman or Aero. I already have a Hooch Hauler from Aero and they were really great to deal with.

I bought it in Vicenza HH leather and it's heavy. I was looking for something that's a bit lighter for an A-2 -- this thread's pretty helpful.

 

[mulceber]

I haven’t handled Vicenza myself, but warhorse is lighter than most, so that’ll fit the bill. You might also look at Bill Kelso’s website, though I think their horsehide’s probably more around the weight of Vicenza. Still, worth perusing.

 

[welltailoredsuit]

I haven’t handled Vicenza myself, but warhorse is lighter than most, so that’ll fit the bill. You might also look at Bill Kelso’s website, though I think their horsehide’s probably more around the weight of Vicenza. Still, worth perusing.

Thanks for suggesting Kelso -- have you had experience ordering from them?

 

[mulceber]

Yep - three jackets and waiting on my fourth (so I may be a tad biased ). The quality is comparable with Eastman’s, but for hundreds cheaper. Granted, communication is spotty and the wait times are also much longer than Eastman - about six months at present.

 

[welltailoredsuit]

Yep - three jackets and waiting on my fourth (so I may be a tad biased ). The quality is comparable with Eastman’s, but for hundreds cheaper. Granted, communication is spotty and the wait times are also much longer than Eastman - about six months at present.

I suppose Kelso requires the money upfront and then the jacket is delivered some months later?

 

[mulceber]

Yep. I think everyone's that way (with some variation on the delivery date), except for Goodwear.

 

[welltailoredsuit]

Hi all,

Just ordered an Eastman's RoughWear 1401-P Havana HH from Charles at HPA. Had some great advice from Charles for sizing and he suggested a 40R.

Of course, spending that kind of cash on a jacket you want all the bells and whistles... so i got one:

WW2 ACME Air Ministry 23/230 Brass Whistle New

Reproduction brass WW2 RAF & USAAF Emergency or ditching whistle. These were originally used in WWII and made by the original wartime RAF supplier. It is made with the A.M. (Air Ministry), markings on both sides of the whistle. It also has the Kings Crown stamp, and RAF Stores number 23/230 on...

www.warwhistles.com

 

[B-Man2]

Hi all,

Just ordered an Eastman's RoughWear 1401-P Havana HH from Charles at HPA. Had some great advice from Charles for sizing and he suggested a 40R.

Of course, spending that kind of cash on a jacket you want all the bells and whistles... so i got one:

WW2 ACME Air Ministry 23/230 Brass Whistle New

Reproduction brass WW2 RAF & USAAF Emergency or ditching whistle. These were originally used in WWII and made by the original wartime RAF supplier. It is made with the A.M. (Air Ministry), markings on both sides of the whistle. It also has the Kings Crown stamp, and RAF Stores number 23/230 on...

www.warwhistles.com

Congrats on the new A2 ..... oh .. and whistle
Don’t forget to show us when it arrives .
Cheers

 

[mulceber]

Congrats on the new jacket. You just made a lovely purchase for yourself.

 

[welltailoredsuit]

The whistle was ah, uh... an impulse buy. like the chocolate bars at the checkout counter. You know you shouldn't, but...

 

[mulceber]

Oh, wait until you get deeper into this hobby. You’ll start spending way more than that on impulse buys.

 

[welltailoredsuit]

Thanks guys, I lived in Brum for over a year and didn't once visit the Whistle Museum!