Nominate a classic repro jacket

[Peter Graham]

I can only give an honest opinion of jackets that I've had experience of so I nominate Buzz's tanker jacket. ELC's goatskin Cable A-2 is a bit special too.

 

[bseal]

 

[Clark J]

I'll go with my 6 year old with my GW Dubow with a NOS Crown,,,the goat just gets better looking !!!

 

[ButteMT61]

Generically speaking, the A-2, G-1, and B-3 are likely the most important designs in leather jackets ever - at least in the cultures mainly represented here. Not dissing the Irvin and others, just thinking of the impact, influence and still-viable nature of those designs.
Spectacular thread - I like hearing other's favorites the most. Good idea sir!

 

[JDAM]

[T]he A-2, G-1, and B-3 are likely the most important designs in leather jackets ever - at least in the cultures mainly represented here. Not dissing the Irvin...

I'm an A-2 fan but over here (the UK) the Irvin is without doubt the most well-known and important flying jacket. It is a historical and cultural reference point in the UK. I would bet 9 out of 10 folk on the street would be able to ID an Irvin, though they might call it a 'bomber' or 'RAF' or 'pilots' jacket. 1 out of 10 would be able to ID an A-2. Perhaps half might ID a G-1 as a 'top gun' jacket.

As for classic repros: I've only owned a handful but I'll go with the herd and nominate my Good Wear A-2.

 

[ButteMT61]

@JDAM: Yeah, I really meant no disrespect to the Irvin. But my take was based on so many UK'ers that I know with B-3's.
Of course when I say "G-1" I also include similarly styled jackets such as M422/444...

 

[John Lever]

Another jacket I wish I had not sold....
Eastman RW B3 good choice. They always do well on eBay.

 

[ButteMT61]

@John: I don't know how you even sold that jacket. It even makes me sad...

 

[John Lever]

To buy the Perry.
The problem I have with Eastman B3's is that I can't lift my arms up to fasten the collar straps. A 42 is too small a 44 too big around the waist.
RM have a better fit for me. The SFAD is softer so not so much of an issue.

 

[CBI]

there's no way I could pick just one.

I would say a Good Wear A-2 but narrowing down my "top" 300 choices from the GW canon is too much for me!!!!!

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Wouldn't this be limited to a long standing example of reproduction jacket as per the definition of Classic? Like pre 2000? No doubt JC is top dog these days but repops have been around a while.

 

[ButteMT61]

Wouldn't this be limited to a long standing example of reproduction jacket as per the definition of Classic? Like pre 2000? No doubt JC is top dog these days but repops have been around a while.

I'm not sure that's what John meant when he posted this.
To me, what does it matter how long something has been repopped? Leaving out modern makers would not be fair - it's only in the last maybe 10 years that smaller guys could compete with the big guys I'd think.

My take is it's any repop of a classic jacket, regardless of when it was made...could be wrong tho.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

Wouldn't this be limited to a long standing example of reproduction jacket as per the definition of Classic? Like pre 2000? No doubt JC is top dog these days but repops have been around a while.

I'm not sure that's what John meant when he posted this.
To me, what does it matter how long something has been repopped? Leaving out modern makers would not be fair - it's only in the last maybe 10 years that smaller guys could compete with the big guys I'd think.

My take is it's any repop of a classic jacket, regardless of when it was made...could be wrong tho.

Sounds good to me, all of the designs are classic.

 

[bseal]

 

[ausreenactor]

Bill Kelso's Relic Hunter appears to be popular. Out of the 20 or so BKs shipping in time for Christmas there are five Relic Hunters. Old Indy must still be in the hearts of many... Only 8 A-2s in that lot. Military jackets are the minority? Aaaargh.

 

[John Lever]

My thoughts were for decades old repros that are still in production, but it doesn't matter if we drift.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

My thoughts were for decades old repros that are still in production, but it doesn't matter if we drift.

Thought so.

 

[derleicaman]

The A-2 has always been "the jacket" for me. It always looks sharp and can be worn with both jeans and a nice shirt and slacks for a classic look. Not overtly military like a lot of other jackets I've acquired.Started out with a Schott steer hide "A-2" jacket which was a loose interpretation of same way back in high school some 40 years ago. Picked it up in a "surplus" store in Evanston, IL. Wore the hell out of it.

In the meantime, I have owned and sold on virtually every make of repro known to man. After all of them, my GW Dubow 1755 has to be the most comfortable, best fitting of all. Like a second skin or as I had heard the A-2 once described as a "leather shirt". My GW Monarch A-2 is very close to the 1755 in how well it fits.

I would also nominate my recently acquired GW Monarch M-422. It is a virtuoso performance in John's execution and incredible attention to detail. Very trim, yet offering incredible freedom of movement for your arms and shoulders. Everytime I put it on I am impressed.

 

[devilish]

Of the ones I own. The leather flight jacket would be the GW Dubow 20960. The nylon would be the Buzz B-15C Modified in blue with the olive knits.
Ones I don't own but would love to, the ELC Devon Fleece Irvin and the GW California Ventura. With an honorable mention to a seal goat GW Doniger.

 

[Phantomfixer]

1985, I was 19 years old in Germany...bought my first A-2,, a W&G when they were made decent...I wore that jacket everyday for 6 years ...well almost//// was a great jacket...fell in love with it as I removed it from the box...shipped from CA by Lee and Diane of Aviators World Mojave CA
excellent leather excellent fit a sz 40.....Damn it was a nice jacket