The Goldsmith A-2 By Headwind Mfg Co

[2BM2K]

As to thinness/softness, I speculated earlier that these might have been as likely cape as horse, but was dismissed with certitude.

I don't dismiss your idea that this jacket could possibly be Capeskin.

As the prototype jacket had a one-piece back would this make it unlikely to be cape?

 

[Brettafett]

It is fascinating reading this though, how passionate you guys are to try and get as close as possible to 'accuracy'. Probably end up with a better jacket than any original.

 

[zoomer]

I mean that there maybe more to the number than just a drawing. There is at least a specification with this number. Could there be a contract
with this number used to build the prototype A2?

Any contract would have had a different number, called an order number.

Now the spec number is yet a third number. Specification 94-3040 would be a written document describing the jacket in detail. (Presumably it wasn't written in 1894, so 94- must have stood for something other than the fiscal year.)

As you can see, the paper shufflers were ready for the next war long before the combat arms!

 

[Skyhawk]

As the prototype jacket had a one-piece back would this make it unlikely to be cape?

No. Cape sheep are big enough to get an A-2 one piece back out of a hide.

 

[Skyhawk]

I have a few sneak peeks of our first test jacket. I will have this jacket in hand by the end of the week. As with any test jacket, there will be tweaks to be done to the details to make them more exact. I have already identified some changes to be made. I just wanted to post a few pics for now but I will have more detailed photos next week when I get the jacket in hand. The new horse hide is looking good so I am excited to get the jacket and see how it feels and drapes in person.

Here are a few shots from the guys in production. They are flash photos but the color, graining, and matte finish is looking good so far.

Regards,
Jay

 

[silvio76]

I have a few sneak peeks of our first test jacket. I will have this jacket in hand by the end of the week. As with any test jacket, there will be tweaks to be done to the details to make them more exact. I have already identified some changes to be made. I just wanted to post a few pics for now but I will have more detailed photos next week when I get the jacket in hand. The new horse hide is looking good so I am excited to get the jacket and see how it feels and drapes in person.

Here are a few shots from the guys in production. They are flash photos but the color, graining, and matte finish is looking good so far.
View attachment 10521
View attachment 10523

View attachment 10522

Regards,
Jay

Leather looks very nice.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Now ours are virtually sold out, I'll lend a hand with yours
Why did you make the pocket flap BEFORE constructing the buttonhole? That's like puting your trousers on followed by trying to put on your pants (Shorts to you guys in USA). Can be done but with great difficulty
Check the original pics, horizontal top stitch on the pocket flap, there is no second row on the top edge (We got that wrong on the test jackets too)

 

[B-Man2]

Jay
This is an exciting time for most of us out here. Two well known quality manufactures releasing a new little know A2 design. Cant wait to see the end result of both manufacturers.
Your leather choice is awesome.

 

[Skyhawk]

Now ours are virtually sold out, I'll lend a hand with yours
Why did you make the pocket BEFORE constructing the buttonhole? That's like puting your trousers on followed by trying to put on your pants (Shorts to you guys in USA)
Check the original pics, horizontal top stitch on the pocket, there is no second row on the top edge

Hey Ken, thanks for the input. It is truly appreciated.

Yes that extra stitch line. I noticed that right away too. A small error that is an easy fix.

With the pocket flaps, I'm not sure if that pocket flap was used. We were experimenting with different shapes and that one was the final version.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

You need to hide those vertical stiches on the buttonhole welts

 

[Skyhawk]

You need to hide those vertical stiches on the buttonhole welts

Thanks. Yes I will have they guys change that. We have done those type in the past so no worries there.

 

[Skyhawk]

Jay
This is an exciting time for most of us out here. Two well known quality manufactures releasing a new little know A2 design. Cant wait to see the end result of both manufacturers.
Your leather choice is awesome.

Thanks! It is exciting for me too. We had that Horsehide specially tanned for us to our specifications for this jacket. It took a little time, but it appears to be exactly what I had in mind for the project. I am excited to get my hands on it this week!

Regards,
Jay

 

[2BM2K]

Good to see some photo updates.

The pocket width looks too narrow to me.

Reexamining the period photo's I am thinking that the pockets
are of different widths. That is to say the width of the pencil slot has
been added to the right-side-pocket width.

 

[Skyhawk]

Good to see some photo updates.

The pocket width looks too narrow to me.

Reexamining the period photo's I am thinking that the pockets
are of different widths. That is to say the width of the pencil slot has
been added to the right-side-pocket width.

I think this is a good width for the left pocket without the pencil slot.

Different widths are definitely a possibility. I see what you mean when comparing different photos of the different sides of the jacket. I have not found any images that show the whole front at one time so it is hard for a positive ID comparison. If you look at the shape of the two pockets though, they do appear to possibly have different shapes. The one below on the left being more rectangular and the one on the right more square.

Thanks!
-Jay

 

[Skyhawk]

Another interesting possibility. Was the pocket intentionally hidden in this photo because it differed so much from the other jackets? Also the pocket that is showing is unbuttoned which does hide the button down feature a bit.

-Jay

 

[Tommy]

Not sure the pilot's would have been quite so concerned themselves?

 

[Skyhawk]

Not sure the pilot's would have been quite so concerned themselves?

I don't think they would have cared. But the photographer, the newspaper that printed the image, and the US Government may have been very concerned. You are talking about the Army who wanted to promote a Air Corps that is superior and "more together" than the rival USN Aviation program at the time.

They were no doubt "posed" for this shot.

Choosing between a photo that shows vastly different pockets and this photo would seem an obvious choice.

Just conjecture but an interesting possibility to me.

 

[2BM2K]

The difficulties in mass producing different size pockets could explain why the pencil slot was dropped.

Another thing to consider is whether or not the V505 design was copied from the Goldsmith jacket.

It does have wide pockets for an A2 and these do look a bit like the Goldsmith right side pocket.

Nere is a nice comparison shot.

 

[Skyhawk]

To me it looks like the wider pocket on the Goldsmith is not bigger than a standard A-2 pocket. However that other pocket is definitely more narrow than standard. Look at the photo below, if you put the circled pockets on the same jacket I think it would be a match. I think the V-505 pocket is a tad too wide.

 

[B-Man2]

Jay;
It may be a little pre-mature to ask this however, do you have an idea what the measurements of a standard size 46 Goldsmith will be.
P2P
Shoulders
Back length
Sleeves?????