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difference between avi and five star ???
- Thread starter A2wander
- Start date
Silver Surfer
Well-Known Member
for the most part, 5* is the better of two weevils ["master and commander]. both are so so in accuracy, but 5* is a notch above. also, 5* has more of a selection of contracts, and hide choices. I know that 5* will customize sizing, and perhaps avi does as well. as of now, 5* is less expensive, at least when shipped to the us. 5* is a Pakistani outfit,, and avi is located in Denmark?, but their jackets are made in Pakistan......best as I understand.
coolhandluke
Well-Known Member
Are you planning to purchase from either manufacturer? If so, I think you'll be sorely disappointed once you've compared the jacket to your BK. I'd personally invest in a higher end pre-owned jacket before buying another Pakistani made piece.
5* definitely has hides that I would consider an improvement over Avi. They also have some hides that are downright atrocious looking, others that are too thick for A-2 use. Their knits (100% wool), spec labels, stamps, etc are more faithful to originals. What I don't like about so many 5* jackets are their patterns. Particularly in the shoulders. Something just ain't right and many look awkwardly square and boxy. I'm not sure if it's due to the sleeve attachment method, the epaulet placement, or a combination of things. This is the one area that I think Avi wins out. Their Bronco and Perry jacket patterns are pretty decent, especially the Bronco. If I were purchasing from 5*, I'd make sure it was a pattern that has been copied from an original jacket that they've had in hand.
FWIW, I think Avi's seal goat is a better hide than their horse. Avi's HH has a nice buttery soft texture, similar to Horween, but that's about the only positive thing that I can say about it. It smells, it squeeks, and it's lifeless and boring as far as grain is concerned.
MauldinFan
Well-Known Member
Headwind is superior to each IMHO and is around the same price range.
A2wander
Well-Known Member
okay, thank you all very much for your information about this.
p.s. is there a website where all contracts for the A2 jackets are listed?
I see certain contracts at Aero Leather with some explanation about how certain contracts are constructed, for example narrower chest, wider shoulders and so on.
p.s. is there a website where all contracts for the A2 jackets are listed?
I see certain contracts at Aero Leather with some explanation about how certain contracts are constructed, for example narrower chest, wider shoulders and so on.
Saint-ex
Well-Known Member
The Mighty A-2: A Guide to the Army Air Forces’ Leather Flying Jacket
Introduction: One of the first things that any newbie stumbling onto vintageleatherjackets.org (VLJ) and looking to buy a flight jacket learns (besides “it costs how much?!”) is that there was not one A-2 jacket, but countless different combinations of patterns, leathers, zippers, thread and...
www.vintageleatherjackets.org
mulceber
Moderator
@A2wander actually raises a good point though - a fit guide would be useful, and the guide doesn’t really have it. Good suggestion for an addition!The Mighty A-2: A Guide to the Army Air Forces’ Leather Flying Jacket
Introduction: One of the first things that any newbie stumbling onto vintageleatherjackets.org (VLJ) and looking to buy a flight jacket learns (besides “it costs how much?!”) is that there was not one A-2 jacket, but countless different combinations of patterns, leathers, zippers, thread and...
coolhandluke
Well-Known Member
@A2wander
A very helpful source for description of fit and fit pics is John Chapman's site. He includes a brief description of the fit of each pattern and photos of him in each jacket, with goat and horsehide options (if available). Far from every contract is listed, but I've had pretty good luck finding additional contacts and sale jackets that were previously offered on Good Wear's site via Google search.
www.goodwearleather.com
A very helpful source for description of fit and fit pics is John Chapman's site. He includes a brief description of the fit of each pattern and photos of him in each jacket, with goat and horsehide options (if available). Far from every contract is listed, but I've had pretty good luck finding additional contacts and sale jackets that were previously offered on Good Wear's site via Google search.
Good Wear Leather Coat Company — Welcome!
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