To say I’m pleased with my latest purchase from Bill Kelso (a Star 42-18245-P) would be a gross understatement. I jumped at the offer that BK gave the VLJ forum back the September timeframe. You may remember that I purchased a Bill Kelso AERO 18775 in Russet Antique finished Horsehide with Red knits in May of 2013 while that jacket is good and is getting better (as it gets older and broken in), it just not in the same league when compared to the Star in their Seal Liberty horsehide. So what makes the difference? The Liberty horsehide! In my 40 years of purchasing original and reproduction A-2 flight jackets I have always felt that the reproduction A-2 hides were too heavy and thick. Most did not have the grain or the finish that gave it the look, feel and drape of the originals I had owned or studied and the originals that I have seen in old movies and TV series. It’s hard to put in words but a lot of the reproductions I have owned, the finish did not have a depth to them, almost a vinyl look to them. Not the case for the Liberty Hide. As a matter of fact this is the first A-2 that I didn’t want to give it the HWT or use Steel Wool to give the finish some charter. I realize that original A-2s vary in weight and thickness but for the most part they are not a heavy hide/jacket. With that said I owned an original Bronco and it was a heavy and thick hide on the other end I had a Re-dyed J.A. Dubow that was thin and very lite in weight (also stiff due to the being re-dyed by the AAF in WWll). I took three reproduction jackets and one original (RoughWear 27752) down to our mailing room and put them on the scale and here are the numbers and sizes please note that the 27752 is a size 40.
Good Wear RoughWear… size 42 3.64 Lbs.
BK Aero Antique finish… size 42 3.52 Lbs.
BK Star Liberty hide……. size 44 3.14 Lbs.
Original RoughWear 27752….. Size 40 2.70 Lbs.
Now, you may not think that ½ Lb. in a jacket would make a difference but believe me it does. The way the jacket drapes and lays on the body and the way it feels when you wear it.
Next, the knits have been improved. They are a bit more course in texture when compared to the BK Aero and feel lighter in weight (closer to the originals).
The only item that I do not feel that has been improved and where all reproductions seem to fall short is the lining. I feel that the weave is not tight enough. On the originals the lining seems to be almost water repellent due (IMO) to the tightness of the cotton weave or maybe there was a chemical applied to the cotton lining. When I purchase a new shirt or a pair of pants with wrinkle and stain resistance they have a sheen to them that reminds me of original lining in A-2 jacket.
I can't seem to upload my photos, so if you would like to see the fit email me.
Good Wear RoughWear… size 42 3.64 Lbs.
BK Aero Antique finish… size 42 3.52 Lbs.
BK Star Liberty hide……. size 44 3.14 Lbs.
Original RoughWear 27752….. Size 40 2.70 Lbs.
Now, you may not think that ½ Lb. in a jacket would make a difference but believe me it does. The way the jacket drapes and lays on the body and the way it feels when you wear it.
Next, the knits have been improved. They are a bit more course in texture when compared to the BK Aero and feel lighter in weight (closer to the originals).
The only item that I do not feel that has been improved and where all reproductions seem to fall short is the lining. I feel that the weave is not tight enough. On the originals the lining seems to be almost water repellent due (IMO) to the tightness of the cotton weave or maybe there was a chemical applied to the cotton lining. When I purchase a new shirt or a pair of pants with wrinkle and stain resistance they have a sheen to them that reminds me of original lining in A-2 jacket.
I can't seem to upload my photos, so if you would like to see the fit email me.
