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  1. thor

    Diamond Dave J-100 Buco

    His USAAF crusher caps are awesome! I have a Luxenberg in khaki and a Flighter in OD; superb!
  2. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    Aye aye Deacon, totally understand. Standing by.
  3. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    Hey Deacon, if you're getting an m-422 from JC and its not the Monarch, what is it? On the GW website I only see an AN-6552 Bogen listed. Unless its something new or custom? Just wondering...
  4. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    It could be like the long-rumored and just recently proven original A-2 makers using steerhide instead of the mil-spec horsehide (later goatskin). Perhaps the M-422/a leather jackets were supposed to be chrome-tanned and utilize nylon thread but manufacturers used whatever was on hand? The first...
  5. thor

    This or That: Eastman or Rainbow Country

    From "The People History": How Much things cost in 1937: Average Cost of new house $4,100.00. Average wages per year $1,780.00. Cost of a gallon of Gas 10 cents. Average Cost for house rent $26.00 per month. A loaf of Bread 9 cents. A LB of Hamburger Meat 12 cents. Average Price for new car...
  7. thor

    L. L. Bean A-2 history time line?

    I have an old LL Bean A-2 with one-piece back in a size 44 Long which fits me perfectly and gets worn as often as any of my more expensive custom leather jackets. Great details, very good construction, grainy goatskin leather, an overall fantastic bargain off the 'Bay (only cost me $70). I've...
  8. thor

    cockpit usa or us authentic

    The US Authentic is a very thick leather and the one I bought had the zipper break after 3 months (I had it repaired with a new zipper at a local tailor and it was fine after that).It was a very nice jacket and had heavy duty horsehide. I also had a Cockpit USA jacket that was ok quality. The...
  9. thor

    Sourcing your own leather

    Perhaps it's the same mindset that prompts some people to go to a tailor with some unique fabric for a hand-made fully customized suit? Personally for me, there are so many options in leather from many different makers that sourcing my own leather just doesn't make sense, but to each his own.
  10. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    Let's forget dog breeds, wine and Italian suits for a moment and get back to the original topic: leather! I've learned alot from the all the knowledgable people on TFL and Andy has put out some good general info on leather (sourcing hides, tanning, etc). If the premier leather jacket makers like...
  11. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    It wasn't just in India or third world countries where animal carcasses were rendered for industrial use; NYC had the infamous (and aptly named) Dead Horse Bay in Brooklyn: "Dead Horse Bay sits at the western edge of a marshland once dotted by more than two dozen horse-rendering plants, fish...
  13. thor

    Which A2 would fit me best?

    One big advantage to chrome-tanned horsehide in general (and LW in particular) is that rain just beads right off. I've had my LW A-2 out in torrential rain and was as dry as if wearing Gore-Tex. Not sure about the vegetable-tanned hides though; I've heard mixed reviews about their water resistance.
  14. thor

    Rules of sizing and A-2 ?

    Careful with the US Authentic zipper; with a snug fit and that thick horsehide, the lightweight Talon repro zip that they use might malfunction (I had a nice trim fitting US A HH A-2 but the zipper puller popped off it's track after 3 months of normal wear).
  15. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    "The Berry Amendment (USC, Title 10, Section 2533a), requires the Department of Defense to give preference in procurement to domestically produced, manufactured, or home-grown products, most notably food, clothing, fabrics, and specialty metals. Congress originally passed domestic source...
  16. thor

    Sporty's Horsehide A-2s

    I think all horsehide jackets have increased in price lately. The Cockpit HH A-2 is near $500, as is US Authentic. Gibson & Barnes are a step up in quality and authenticity so they are priced higher. When you consider that the top makers of premium A-2 jackets are charging $1,500-$2,000, a...
  17. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    Hi hpalapdog; are you certain that WWII USN goatskin was sourced from India? I would imagine that back then, the military would be especially keen to keep all facets of military clothing procurement and manufacturing domestic. Just wondering....
  19. thor

    Veg v. Chrome Tanning

    On the LW website, Stu has posted a copy of the 1958 G-1 spec sheet for the J-7823-B series jacket and it specifies "goatskin, chrome-tanned". Not sure if WWII jackets were veg-tanned but the later G-1 jackets apparently were chrome-tanned.
  20. thor

    How an A-2 should fit - Original 1756 no name, and no balloons in sight...

    There was a glycol heating system that provided very minimal heat to the cockpit, nose and radio compartment but heavy clothing and electric-heated suits were still worn by most of the crew. The pilots actually worked very hard flying a 4-engine bomber in tight formation so they were usually...
  21. thor

    Another day, another Bill Kelso Dubow 1755

    "Some may find it a bit 'restrictive' when the jacket is new as the leather is quite thick and heavy." I was curious about the thickness of the BK A-2 HH. I've read that a 3-ounce weight is "correct" as per WWII jackets. LW usually had a slightly heavier weight HH in their A-2's (maybe 3.5...
  22. thor

    How an A-2 should fit - Original 1756 no name, and no balloons in sight...

    When it comes to aircrew wearing their A-2's there seems to be more of a focus on B-17 and B-24 bomber crews in the ETO. Not all USAAF aircrew flew the heavies at 20,000 feet; the medium bomber crews at lower altitudes or in milder climates and fighter pilots doing low-level sorties probably got...
  23. thor

    Tough jeans

    I own several pairs and they are indeed TOUGH!

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