Pilot Report: De Brabander A-2

[herk115]

I see after a quick search on this list that these guys have been around for a while, but I'd never heard of them until I saw their wares on eBay a few months ago. Anyway, they sold me two A-2 HH size 46s for $175 USD each! That's dirt cheap here! And surprise, they look pretty good and fit pretty well! Anyway, I put one on and took some photos and will give my report here. I'll assume both jackets are identical.

Manufacturer: De Brabander Mfg Co.
Size: Tagged 46
Pit-to-pit: 24 1/2 inches/62 cm
Shoulder-to-shoulder at back of epaulets: 20 1/2 inches/52 cm
Shoulder Seam to end of cuff: 27 inches/68.5 cm
Neck seam to bottom of rear waistband: 26.5 inches/67.3 cm
Hide: Horse (they say, anyway)
Zipper: looks like a generic Talon, reasonably heavy duty
Turnaround time: two weeks, if that

Stitching and knits appear pretty good. Time will tell. I like the lighter tan knits for some reason. But no matter how you slice it, the price is fantastic, considering what I got. My only complaint, a small one, is that the hide is stiff and will require some break-in, but it's not as stiff as, say, a Lost Worlds. I included a couple of closeups to show stitching and hide texture.

Please don't use these photos as a judge of fit. I'm 65 years old and starting to pack more weight in my upper body (all the men in my family are cursed with this malady). I have to consider comfort as well as fit. But you can get an idea of quality from the photos. Anyway, here you go:

 

[ZuZu]

Wow- really a kind of cool jacket- especially considering the price. It actually looks a bit like a WW2 Star- in fact I'd say it captures the Star collar better than most really expensive repros out there! Also- the really thin epaulets are reminiscent of Star. The eps are put on over the shoulder seam but that's OK- this isn't supposed to be an exact repro. I'd say this is a much better deal than some of the $450 jackets people are buying and gushing about. Look at the stitching- it's pretty tight- again better than some more famous makers.

 

[ZuZu]

Here's a WW2 Star- see the similarity?

 

[B-Man2]

Jacket looks good on you.
Wear the piss out of it .
Nice patch !

 

[flyincowboy]

Look like a pretty nice jacket in need of serious wear! like it

 

[saucerfiend]

That does look like a Star A-2. Is this a custom made or off the rack?

 

[B-Man2]

Herk
Who made your Wright Field patch ?

 

[busdrivermike]

Wow that’s a great looking jacket

 

[herk115]

Here's a WW2 Star- see the similarity?

View attachment 93957

Yes I do. I wonder if a Star was the jacket they used for a model. And I hadn't even noticed the epaulets being over the seam until you pointed it out. Good catch.

 

[herk115]

That does look like a Star A-2. Is this a custom made or off the rack?

Straight off the rack. I think he was clearing out old stock. He promised better things to come, but I haven't seen anything yet.

 

[herk115]

Herk
Who made your Wright Field patch ?

I believe it was a2jacketpatches.com. Their version is the best I've seen. Somewhere around here I've got a picture of Glen Edwards' original Wright patch which is on display at Edwards AFB, and this looks like a carbon copy.

 

[WingAndaPrayer]

It’s patterned off a monarch. Peter at QMI said so.

 

[herk115]

Okay, here's a couple of shots indoors with the flash. Much better rendition of the color and fit.

 

[Blackboxr1200S]

Great jacket!
Here's my QMI, you gotta start somewhere and for that money, you're good.
I drag the thing everywhere, It'll get supple.
My phone doesn't seem to like the low light, sorry bout the crappy shot.

 

[WingAndaPrayer]

Those are definitely slim fitting jackets

 

[Cimmerian]

I see after a quick search on this list that these guys have been around for a while, but I'd never heard of them until I saw their wares on eBay a few months ago. Anyway, they sold me two A-2 HH size 46s for $175 USD each! That's dirt cheap here! And surprise, they look pretty good and fit pretty well! Anyway, I put one on and took some photos and will give my report here. I'll assume both jackets are identical.

Manufacturer: De Brabander Mfg Co.
Size: Tagged 46
Pit-to-pit: 24 1/2 inches/62 cm
Shoulder-to-shoulder at back of epaulets: 20 1/2 inches/52 cm
Shoulder Seam to end of cuff: 27 inches/68.5 cm
Neck seam to bottom of rear waistband: 26.5 inches/67.3 cm
Hide: Horse (they say, anyway)
Zipper: looks like a generic Talon, reasonably heavy duty
Turnaround time: two weeks, if that

Stitching and knits appear pretty good. Time will tell. I like the lighter tan knits for some reason. But no matter how you slice it, the price is fantastic, considering what I got. My only complaint, a small one, is that the hide is stiff and will require some break-in, but it's not as stiff as, say, a Lost Worlds. I included a couple of closeups to show stitching and hide texture.

Please don't use these photos as a judge of fit. I'm 65 years old and starting to pack more weight in my upper body (all the men in my family are cursed with this malady). I have to consider comfort as well as fit. But you can get an idea of quality from the photos. Anyway, here you go:

View attachment 93927View attachment 93929View attachment 93931View attachment 93933View attachment 93935View attachment 93937View attachment 93939

How are you getting on with the jacket?

 

[Silver Surfer]

don't look slim to me. at $175 I think ya dun gud real gud. looks like a duck, walks like a duck, then its more like a star then a monarch to my eyes. within a years time of constant wearing, your jackets will look and feel every bit as good as any made today. no, not clone accurate, but convincing enough. after a couple wears in the rain, they will really begin to get the "look".

 

[B-Man2]

Unfortunately I don’t think you can find these jackets for $175.00 any longer .. but I’d be happy to be proven wrong so if anybody finds a link please post it .

 

[ludospeed]

for europe : https://qmi.be/fr/a2-flight-jacket-horsehide-leather.html

 

[Cimmerian]

Unfortunately I don’t think you can find these jackets for $175.00 any longer .. but I’d be happy to be proven wrong so if anybody finds a link please post it .

I put what I thought was a holding bid on one on Ebay and ending up winning it today which is why I was curious for more info. Paid £65 + delivery but mine appears to be the cowhide version. Wondering if it was a good deal..