Why is it seemingly impossible to reproduce an A2 that behaves like vintage jackets like this one Christopher Reeve wears?

[Pilot]

Check out the draping of these repro A-2’s...

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[Cocker]

As I've said before, I somewhat feel my Aero jerky HH A-2 is behaving in the same way. It drapes wonderfuly and can be bunched in a ball without issue.

I may not be partial, seen it's MY A-2, though...

 

[busdrivermike]

Interesting question, I gotta wonder I if it’s just daily no care wearing
Does anyone know how vintage jackets behaved when brand new ?
I used to wonder how come new motorcycle jackets don’t look as cool as vintage used ones
Then I saw if you wear a new jacket daily past the point thinking about being careful with it soon draped differently
Especially after months in the wind sun, rain and snow thrown on the floor, the dirt, used as a pillow
Seat cushion blanket for you or the girl friend or boy friend to be inclusive
Loading unloading a truck, fixing your car, playing football in the fall ect..... it had that look
I remember my aviation leathercraft RAF jacket started looking/moving just like a vintage
One after wearing it tobogganing, on and off road motorcycling and for everything I mentioned above
It looked like one I was looking at in a museum in Moosejaw or in the movie hell drivers
My thoughts are it can’t reproduced, it’s Just wearing it everyday like it’s a thing
My guess is vintage jackets look/move better for this reason they were worn daily in all conditions not
Part of a rotation of jackets it was the only jacket.
My thoughts as the new guy still wet behind the ears in the vintage jacket world.

 

[gunnarthefeisty]

I’ll also add that in 1985 “mall jackets” were closer in tannage with vintage flight jackets than most repros are today, hence the similarities and point of my creation of this thread.

jacket from Hogan’s Hero’s does the same too.

My personal take is the ones that react like this could have been goat skin originals. My money is on Reeves jacket being Goat. It might be lambskin though. Just no good way of knowing for sure. Chrome tanned leather makes even the toughest Of hides much more pliable.

Hogan's Heroes jackets are near identical repros. One came up for sale on auction a few years back and it looks real good. I'm no expert, though.

 

[Saint-ex]

There is not a single detail that is correct...

 

[gunnarthefeisty]

View attachment 182797

There is not a single detail that is correct...

My mistake, I hadn't looked too close at it. But it sure looks a lot better than some of the Avirex jackets I have seen.

 

[redbikejohn]

So were the original jackets made from chrome tan or veg tan leather? They behave completely differently.

 

[Southoftheborder]

So were the original jackets made from chrome tan or veg tan leather? They behave completely differently.

Plenty of info here on this subject. Chrome was specified.

 

[entertainment]

Frank Sinatra in Von Ryan's Express

 

[B-Man2]

Frank Sinatra in Von Ryan's Express

View attachment 182957

John
Didn’t we find out that this was a “Hollywood Made” A2 made for Bob Crane and then
re used by Sinatra for Von Ryan’s ExPress?

 

[mulceber]

John
Didn’t we find out that this was a “Hollywood Made” A2 made for Bob Crane and then
re used by Sinatra for Von Ryan’s ExPress?

Other way around I think.

 

[B-Man2]

Thanks Jan
I knew there was a connection there .