My last A-2 (hopefully) - Good Wear

[mulceber]

My current list of considered options encompass either: Monarch/Seal; Aero/Seal; RW 1401-P/Russet (which is probably the most desirable GW but I unfortunately already hold that model from ELC). Generally I find the russet finish provides more character, however, if it comes to combat clones I feel like they could come out more complex and profound in seal. Happy to get your view as well.

My vote would be get the 1401-p, in this hide: https://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_rw23380_0001.html

A 1401-p in that cowhide is on my bucket list.

(Can you tell I’ve been ogling GW RW’s lately?)

Maybe sell the Eastman? Masters of the Air is coming out soon, so that should drive up the price, between increasing demand and ELC’s predictable price hike.

Finally - did anyone of you ever set sails on a Combat Clone from John and can share his/her experience?

Yes and no: I’ve asked for combat cloning on the stitching in order to create the effect of an original fresh out of the box, but never tried full on combat clone aging. I don’t have any objections to it; many of us have too big a collection and aren’t active enough to realistically give these jackets the kind of wear that would really make them look like originals. Nothing wrong with creating that effect.

 

[Pa12]

I’m sure you remember the pictures I posted of my elc 1401. 6 years old with massive colour loss. And on this side of the pond it would cost as much as a gw anyway. Possibly more , with duty etc.

 

[Mr. Mike]

My vote would be get the 1401-p, in this hide: https://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_rw23380_0001.html

A 1401-p in that cowhide is on my bucket list.

(Can you tell I’ve been ogling GW RW’s lately?)

Maybe sell the Eastman? Masters of the Air is coming out soon, so that should drive up the price, between increasing demand and ELC’s predictable price hike.



Yes and no: I’ve asked for combat cloning on the stitching in order to create the effect of an original fresh out of the box, but never tried full on combat clone aging. I don’t have any objections to it; many of us have too big a collection and aren’t active enough to realistically give these jackets the kind of wear that would really make them look like originals. Nothing wrong with creating that effect.

Hey Jan!
yeah that is a good choice and without the ELC on board I would probably already have placed the order. The ELC RW 1401-P is the 23rd FtrGrp Elite version I acquired purely as collectible (patched jackets are difficult to wear in my area). This model recently had an insane price increase. While in fact actually new I recognize that such treasures are very very hard to sell for a reasonable price. I hope that Masters of the Air will pave that path a bit. Probably I will put it on store to see how it resonates
(& to all: in case you have been on a long-term search for this model don't hesitate to PM me, it is a 44R size).

cheers

M

 

[Wz1999]

My vote would be get the 1401-p, in this hide: https://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_rw23380_0001.html

A 1401-p in that cowhide is on my bucket list.

(Can you tell I’ve been ogling GW RW’s lately?)

Maybe sell the Eastman? Masters of the Air is coming out soon, so that should drive up the price, between increasing demand and ELC’s predictable price hike.

My vote would be get the 1401-p, in this hide: https://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_rw23380_0001.html

A 1401-p in that cowhide is on my bucket list.

(Can you tell I’ve been ogling GW RW’s lately?)

Maybe sell the Eastman? Masters of the Air is coming out soon, so that should drive up the price, between increasing demand and ELC’s predictable price hike.



Yes and no: I’ve asked for combat cloning on the stitching in order to create the effect of an original fresh out of the box, but never tried full on combat clone aging. I don’t have any objections to it; many of us have too big a collection and aren’t active enough to realistically give these jackets the kind of wear that would really make them look like originals. Nothing wrong with creating that effect.

That cowhide is amazing! Saw it in person when I visited JC at his workshop a couple days ago.

 

[mulceber]

Saw it in person when I visited JC at his workshop a couple days ago.

Glad to hear it - JC’s told me it’s one he doesn’t have a steady supply of, so I’m hoping he’ll continue to be able to acquire it.

One of these days I’d love to hang out with JC. He’s one of those “friends I haven’t met yet,” to quote @B-Man2.

 

[Nickb123]

I’m still fixated by this thing!

 

[mulceber]

I’m still fixated by this thing!

View attachment 80928

You should put in an order for one.

 

[blackrat2]

Mr Mike I did the semi combat clone on my Aero..as in wonky stitching , off placed pocket and couple of other features, as for artificial ageing I prefer to wear it and wait for it to happen
Any of johns leathers are sterling and it would be worth asking him what leather he’d use for what contract…not sure if that helps you or not

 

[entertainment]

I’m still fixated by this thing!

View attachment 80928

Intriguing jacket! Wonder who ended up with that one.

 

[B-Man2]

Intriguing jacket! Wonder who ended up with that one.

Hi E
You may already know this and if you do my apologies. The jacket is a repro of Pancho Barnes’ flight jacket .

 

[Mr. Mike]

Mr Mike I did the semi combat clone on my Aero..as in wonky stitching , off placed pocket and couple of other features, as for artificial ageing I prefer to wear it and wait for it to happen
Any of johns leathers are sterling and it would be worth asking him what leather he’d use for what contract…not sure if that helps you or not

Thanks blackrat2! I recall that you recently posted about it and yours was stunning already half way through (without artificial aging)!

 

[Kermit3D]

That cowhide is amazing! Saw it in person when I visited JC at his workshop a couple days ago.

If I were waiting for an A-2, this would clearly be my choice too. This skin is an absolute beauty !

 

[Kermit3D]

Personally I am still waiting for news about the B-6 I ordered from John on April 20, 2021.
I guess everything is normal .

 

[blackrat2]

For sure I had a cowhide A2 from
John sometime ago and the leather was really nice, knowing John he will probably have improved on “it”…gotta say if ya get a good bit of Shinki or his incredible Horween you won’t be disappointed
The only thing I haven’t handled is johns goat but recent posts from Jan kinda look like he has that dialled also

 

[Kermit3D]

I still haven't heard from my B-6... and now I'm about to give John $200 for a new A-2.

...that's not sensible. I don't expect any help from you to dissuade me.

 

[Saint-ex]

Sorry for that @Kermit3D

 

[Kermit3D]

Sorry for that @Kermit3D

Ahahah ! yes Saint ex you are partly responsible ! because of our conversation in PM I spent part of the morning comparing the A-2 contracts that GW offers... and here I am now !

 

[Brettafett]

Well, its almost inevitable. You have a 'grail' seal A-2, now you need a russet, no?
Although another seal, different contract would not hurt either.
Drop a deposit and then put money aside for almost 2 years and hey presto, a top-of-the-line A-2 is yours!
So... Kermit's top contenders?

 

[mulceber]

Beat me to the punch, Brett. What contracts are you considering, Kermit? And congrats! I've no doubt that you'll love the jacket you get. And since you're the same size as Brett, sizing will be a slam dunk!

 

[Kermit3D]

Well... I have to learn first.
I don't know much about the different A-2 contracts.

Indeed the idea is to get something different than my BK Dubow which I love.
I know that the Dubow is quite particular, mainly because of the shape of its collar.
The Rough Wear contracts seem to be the rage. And from what I understand, the collar is radically different from the Dubow, so it could be a good alternative for something different.

I'm tall and thin... I kind of like the way James Stewart wears his Rough Wear. I don't want a jacket that's too small but I don't really like very roomy "big jackets".
But I'm willing to learn and I'm actually open to any contract.

Beyond the choice of the contract, what is very important to me is the choice of the leather. I am watching clips from "Fighter Squadron", the 1948 movie. We can reasonably consider that the A-2s seen in this movie are all originals, right?
I'm really struck by the drape, thinness and suppleness of the leather. Their jackets move over the body like silk shirts and I think it's great! That's what I'd like to get.