Next Jacket, M422a?

[Brettafett]

Are they still making it ?

Don't know... I enquired last year sometime and was told that they were sourcing a new supplier of goatskin.

 

[Royalcrown32]

Funny, I just received my BK RW23380, and once again, I am very impressed.
So, I am now thinking their W&G M422 for my next jacket...

I once had a BK Willis & Geiger M-422a. It was my worst fitting jacket ever. It was shaped like a drainpipe with a piece of wool dangling at the bottom. It had absolutely no shape or form.

 

[rob20uk]

I recently posted some photos of mine in the repro forum to get fit advice. Can’t say I’m happy with the fit, personally. The shoulders are very boxy and where the sleeves attach in the front is unlike any other USN jacket I’ve seen, which causes the chest to bind more than it probably should. I’ll probably be looking to sell it shortly if I’m satisfied with the Five Star I ordered. I will say however that the goat skin looks fantastic, and the knits are proper rib-rack. Materials & build quality seem top-notch to me, the pattern is just weird. But that jacket is 10yrs old, so maybe they’ve corrected that since.

Heres an album of mine: https://www.flickr.com/gp/88005189@N05/6JE9bP

Thanks for your thoughts. I did look at your pics and the boxy look from your aero jacket did concern me a little. I have ordered a size 44 that was on the sale page as a sizing jacket. I'll be getting it tomorrow so assuming it fits OK I will let you know they have sorted this.

I am also looking at the ELC G-1, that looks like it has some very favourable reviews.

By the way congratulations on losing the weight (you mentioned it in your post).

 

[Brettafett]

Just curious, all you guys seem to be talking about many different makers but not much about Aero.

I have never seen an Aero M422a that looks right. I guess it depends on your body-type, build and what you're looking for. Be careful judging other jackets by this.

After doing a bit more research its looking like a G-1 might be the right way to go.

Depending on size, there are some great original G-1s to be found. Just tread carefully, and check everything. Bad smalls and stains... Replacing knit, liner or mouton can be a costly and aggravating exercise, unless you have the right contacts.

On a serious budget, but want a nice little G-1, check AVI LTHR (better mouton than ELC! - if they still have stock, or Five Star).
Top quality repro? Do not disregard Headwind's M422a's or other jackets. Incredible quality and materials. Top quality for the price. Have you seen Nahua (nkang's) W&G M422? Crazy good. My HL Block was like 1940 in-a-box, but was one size too big on me.
ELC's G-1 and M422a, if you have the cash, then you can't go wrong with these. You can order a standard size and I am sure you can return if it doesn't fit. Then you know!
Ebay for Cockpit's 100 Missions G-1, or Military G-1 (trimmer). Great jackets, well-made.

 

[Griffon_301]

I just can speak for Eastman jackets but the M-422a feels a little bit more relaxed compared to the G-1 which fits a little more trim IMHO. So if you plan on wearing sweaters of pullovers underneath on a regular basis that might be a thing to consider as well...

 

[adfrost]

Thanks for your thoughts. I did look at your pics and the boxy look from your aero jacket did concern me a little. I have ordered a size 44 that was on the sale page as a sizing jacket. I'll be getting it tomorrow so assuming it fits OK I will let you know they have sorted this.

Please do...I’m curious if the newer jackets have addressed the issues I had, because other than fit, it’s a fantastic jacket.

 

[Brettafett]

Grif, can you post pics of your ELC G-1 some time again.
I made the error of trying one of these on at the last pop-up and did not want to take it off. It was one size too big, so couldn't gauge the size correctly, but 'ell, lovely jacket. Pretty pricey nowadays.

 

[Griffon_301]

Sure...that's a quick one from a month ago...please ignore the badly done scarf

If you want any special pics, just let me know

 

[B-Man2]

A few posts back someone suggested getting a G1 rather than an M-422. Not a bad suggestion as you can pick up an original G-1 for a lot less money than an ELC or Aero repro. I understand the desire to have a M-422 repro however . Good luck with your search.

 

[rob20uk]

Thanks for all the feedback. Honestly it's a lot more complex buying a jacket than I would have first thought. It's all a bit of a rabbit hole this military jacket thing.

Anyway decision made. I have decided to go with an ELC G-1 size 44. The measurements seem perfect when I compare them to other jackets I have and the ability to send it back if I have fit issues is a big plus. Also the fact the knit is double thick rather than the single thickness on the M-422s was the clincher for me.

@adfrost the aero M-422a fits really good and they don't have the boxy shoulders now. Honestly it is a really nice jacket and its only the fact the knit around the hem is single thickness that made me go with the G-1.

 

[Griffon_301]

if it is for the knits only, you wont like the ELC G-1 with some weartime on ... IMHO the knits are very weak and a sure downpoint on an otherwise just perfect jacket...granted, it may give some wear and tear to the jacket, and as the sleeves minus knits are rather long on a standard sized ELC G-1, you will not see the knits very often as they fold underneath the sleeves, but then again be prepared that you might tear them rather soon...
my jacket is 4 years old now and the knit on the right hand side sleeve as well as the the knit on the waist had to undergo some beauty surgery by my appointed knit repair master aka girlfriend...
if some people consider the knits on the ELC A-2 jackets already rather weak, the ones on the G-1s easily are worse...

 

[Griffon_301]

oh and forgot to add...jacket buying is not that complex
its like flirting with a beautiful lady - you see her, get in touch with her, talk to her a little and then you see how you get along with her and if she is a keeper...
for jackets that means, if you have set your eyes on a certain style, try that jacket and then if you like it immediately (fit, looks, style), its a keeper (bank account and spouse permitting)
I have never bought a jacket I did not at least like very much on first try...

 

[Southoftheborder]

 

[B-Man2]

Thanks for all the feedback. Honestly it's a lot more complex buying a jacket than I would have first thought. It's all a bit of a rabbit hole this military jacket thing.

Anyway decision made. I have decided to go with an ELC G-1 size 44. The measurements seem perfect when I compare them to other jackets I have and the ability to send it back if I have fit issues is a big plus. Also the fact the knit is double thick rather than the single thickness on the M-422s was the clincher for me.

@adfrost the aero M-422a fits really good and they don't have the boxy shoulders now. Honestly it is a really nice jacket and its only the fact the knit around the hem is single thickness that made me go with the G-1.

Hi
It’s your decision , but let me suggest that you’re wasting your money buying an ELC repro of a G-1 jacket when you can buy an original USN issued G-1 for far less.You’ll pay $1300. US for the ELC repro but an issued original can be had for $250-400 depending on maker and age and condition. It doesn’t make sense to do a repro at those prices But like I said it’s your money and your choice.

 

[Lorenzo_l]

Hi
It’s your decision , but let me suggest that you’re wasting your money buying an ELC repro of a G-1 jacket when you can buy an original USN issued G-1 for far less. But like I said it’s your money and your choice.

I complete agree with the above!

 

[Griffon_301]

What is the opinion of you knowledgeable people about the quality of later model G-1s?
The ELC represents a Korean era 55J14 model or so I was told and these models should be the top notch G-1 quality wise but what about Vietnam era G-1s?

 

[B-Man2]

What is the opinion of you knowledgeable people about the quality of later model G-1s?
The ELC represents a Korean era 55J14 model or so I was told and these models should be the top notch G-1 quality wise but what about Vietnam era G-1s?

ELC s weak point has always been its knits. USN issued G-1 jackets of any year have substantially better knits than any ELC. I don’t know if I answered your question but I think that’s what you were asking.

 

[Griffon_301]

My question was more general concerning the jackets as a whole...did leather quality or construction suffer over the years and if so, which original G-1s of later years and contracts are more desirable than others...and which makers are better? I heard Martin Lane G-1s are quite good...?

 

[Lorenzo_l]

What is the opinion of you knowledgeable people about the quality of later model G-1s?

I would not count myself as a knowledgeable person on this matter, but I'd say go for a black-label C-series or earlier G-1. Quality and materials started to drop in the D-series G-1s - pressed cowhide and synthetic collar material started to be used on the D series from about the mid 1960s. Good, wearable C-series and earlier J-7823s and even 55J14s keep popping up on Ebay and even on this forum from time to time. I recently got a 55J14 from Jay here...

 

[Griffon_301]

Thanks a lot! That answers my question quite nicely...