Eastman best original maker jacket

[Flightengineer]

early to mid 90s ELC.

Somewhat fragile finish -- catches a lot of scratches and the high points (see the epaulette edges).

Also somewhat baggy in the body, but fits perfect (for a modern 44) in the shoulders.

Mine 2015 year version, Warhorse is amazing.

 

[Chandler]

Is it true that ELC cuffs are very bad quality or not?

There was a time, back in the 90s, that ELC was using some weirdly thin knits for their cuffs -- I had them swap out the originals on my 1401 sometime in the mid 2000s and Charles at HPA was surprised at how thin they were.

The new ones added were much better, though the cuffs are still a little short.

As to modern day, I'll leave that to someone with a new jacket.

 

[Chandler]

Mine 2015 year version, Warhorse is amazing.

форматы картинок

Do you have OD stitching on yours?

I bought mine second hand off eBay and the original owner custom ordered OD thread.

 

[Flightengineer]

Do you have OD stitching on yours?

I bought mine second hand off eBay and the original owner custom ordered OD thread.

Havana shade

 

[Nickb123]

Do you have OD stitching on yours?

I bought mine second hand off eBay and the original owner custom ordered OD thread.

Strange. My Star had noticeably strawberry red stitching.

 

[Chandler]

Strange. My Star had noticeably strawberry red stitching.

Yeah, ordered straight from the catalog it came (comes?) with red stitching. As mentioned, mine was a custom order by the first owner.

Doesn't look awful with the OD, but I sort of wish it was red. I'll live.

 

[B-Man2]

My suggestion is to look at photos of original WWII Star A2 jackets and duplicate that color of thread.

 

[ausreenactor]

Same here , the ELC 1729 or the Monarch would be my choices. What’s everyone’s thoughts on an ELC HLB A2?
Is ELC still making those ?

Monarch for what I have owned.

HLB looks awesome. 42 is on the wish list. Need a proxy to save on duties......Tax refund this year maybe ...

 

[fleet16b]

I have an Eastman RE 1401 A2 and a Goodwear SAT A2
Both are very high quality jackets but the Goodwear is clearly the superior product.

 

[bseal]

Off topic, but Lost World’s Dubow is an “original.”

 

[johnwayne]

Never had a Star but those Ive seen whenever I considered one at ELC’s sales marquee at Duxford airshow look really nice but I did have a RW1401 and was never happy as to me, the collar always looked and felt almost oversize and has been described by others as a bit clownish! Just never sat right, studded down or unstudded. This was a few years back so might have changed now although supposedly faithful to the original contract.

 

[ausreenactor]

I have an Eastman RE 1401 A2 and a Goodwear SAT A2
Both are very high quality jackets but the Goodwear is clearly the superior product.

Good to hear... but not really in li with the thread...So you would say the best ELC you have is the 1401?

 

[Pa12]

Bought my elc 1401 in 2014. Same. Never liked the collar. When I had a Platon dubow I put the collars side by side. Different contracts and collars but still, it was almost double the size.

 

[Mr. Mike]

Monarch for what I have owned.

HLB looks awesome. 42 is on the wish list. Need a proxy to save on duties......Tax refund this year maybe ...

ELC ceased the HLB production some years back and as I understood currently not planning to revamp it. The contract from HLB has some very nice and unique details, however, the one #42 size I once owned (Elite Units of the 75th FtrGrp) was very very roomy/bulky so all interesting details somewhat got brushed aside. I could imagine a GW version doing the trick.

 

[ausreenactor]

HPA still have stock!

Leave the 42s alone mofos!

 

[Chandler]

Leave the 42s alone mofos!

Too tiny for me.

 

[Grant]

Is it true that ELC cuffs are very bad quality or not?

Of all my Eastman A-2's over the years I've never had an issue with any of the knits.
Also, one thing never mentioned is how accurate the cotton liner is Gary uses. It's the closest match to originals I've encountered in reproduction A-2's.

 

[warguy]

I agree Grant. I have an Eastman Star and Monarch A2 and I dont know which I like better. Fantastic jackets both. Watching the Star “age” and patina as I wear is pure joy.

 

[johnwayne]

Never liked the collar on my ELC 1401 - just didn’t sit right whether studded or not. Possibly may have been the hide they used at the time which (early 2000’s I think) was quite stiff and shiny and was blotting paper like if you got caught in a shower!