GW Aero 16160 in size 44

[Roughwear]

I am delighted with this GW Aero 16160 A2, which I recently bought from John in very lightly used condition. The original contract was awarded to Aero on 1st November 1940 for 4,500 jackets. It is made from Italian horsehide, the same leather which BK call Victory hide. It is the first A2 contract to use an auto-lock zip. Some originals had Talon zips with a rectangular puller and others like this one had the bell shaped puller. It was also the first contract to use large United Carr ring snaps and this jacket has NOS United Carr ones for the collar and pockets. It was the also the first contract to use the double-barrel eyelet for attaching the collar hook and the last Aero contract with a collar stand. John has replicated all these and other details perfectly. In short this was quite an innovative design with features found on many Wartime-produced jackets. It is extremely well made and comfortable to wear. The leather is thinner than the horsehide seen on many earlier GW jackets and it weighs much the same as my two original Aero 21996 jackets. The leather has smooth areas and also sections with much grain. All in all I could not be more happy with this magnificent work of art from the master jacket maker!

 

[CBI]

typical GW perfection. I hope you keep this one and wear it often!!!! the Aero family of A-2's are my favorite. Yet another example of why repro makers just need to copy originals in every way. They look so much better!!!!

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks John for your positive comment here and on TFL where the jacket has been very well received being an "Aero"! John has perfected the 16160 pattern by examining a nice example lent to him by Vic.

 

[stevetfire]

Very very nice indeed Andrew , a particularly nice colour to it too

 

[bretron]

Andrew, just wonderful!! What are your thoughts on this hide compared to the dull russet Shinki?

 

[zhz44]

Really nice jacket. Need to choose between this and Monarch for my GW order.
Also, Andrew, you said this is the same leather as Victory from BK, but as far as I know, Victory is slightly distressed to give it a as worn look. So, does this leather distressed as well? Or we are just talking about the thickness, tanning method, colour etc?

 

[CBI]

Yes, I am interested to hear about this new hide as well. I own a number of Shinki GW's which I love. This new hide looks super but I have not been tempted to yet get another GW with this hide. In no way am I being critical as new hide selections are meant to increase the options. John's jackets continue to impress on every level.

 

[watchmanjimg]

Andrew, the jacket looks fantastic. Unfortunately the narrow upper-back panel of this contract didn't work for me in the early GW example I once owned, but it looks great on you. Enjoy!

 

[Roughwear]

Really nice jacket. Need to choose between this and Monarch for my GW order.
Also, Andrew, you said this is the same leather as Victory from BK, but as far as I know, Victory is slightly distressed to give it a as worn look. So, does this leather distressed as well? Or we are just talking about the thickness, tanning method, colour etc?

I suggest you email John Chapman as he is very familiar with this leather and I am not.

 

[foster]

Looks excellent, thank you for sharing!

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks guys. It's become one of my favourite GWs and is very comfortable to wear.

 

[mindful]

Fit looks perfect on you