A-1 Jacket / A1 Flying Jacket - The ultimate Golden Era flying accessory!

[2jakes]

Really?

Even better than the Aero A1s? I have to say I have not seen the GWs but I love my Aero - its exactly as I wanted it - which is that it be the same as the one worn by Alain De Cadanet on Victory by Design.

GWs are one man production from the get go. If you appreciate not only high quality but superb details in a leather jacket , this is the man. I have
seen his work ! I don't mind the wait at all.

 

[Dr H]

Really?

Even better than the Aero A1s? I have to say I have not seen the GWs but I love my Aero - its exactly as I wanted it - which is that it be the same as the one worn by Alain De Cadanet on Victory by Design.

Really...

 

[Persimmon]

I like Alain de Cadeanet.
Very good driver.
Excellent presenter

But knows damn all about A1 jackets.
If that's your benchmark think again
Aero A1's are just OK .

Eastman and Goodwear are so far ahead in design, quality and accuracy.
In racing car talk these two have just lapped Aero once more

Alan

 

[Flashman]

Well, I would say its all very 'subjective' and I do now recall looking at the GW version - as per link - http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/gwa1_images3.html and recall deciding against the GW and the Eastman http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=162 because BOTH had the pockets set lower and BOTH were not the same as ADCs version. So I note that the Aero A1s are not the biggest fave here - but still love my A1 and look forward to wearing today - 3rd day on the trot of a 3-day bank holiday weekend! Ding-dong!!!

 

[Flashman]

Oh well.
You are the experts - so I will have to accept what you are saying. I guess I made a REALLY, REALLY bad choice/buy - but I still absolutely love and will just live with it! Still could be worse - I could be smiling less!!!

I like Alain de Cadeanet.
Very good driver.
Excellent presenter

But knows damn all about A1 jackets.
If that's your benchmark think again
Aero A1's are just OK .

Eastman and Goodwear are so far ahead in design, quality and accuracy.
In racing car talk these two have just lapped Aero once more

Alan

 

[2jakes]

Oh well.
You are the experts - so I will have to accept what you are saying. I guess I made a REALLY, REALLY bad choice/buy - but I still absolutely love and will just live with it! Still could be worse - I could be smiling less!!!

Don't know if you're kidding or not , but if you really love the jacket you bought , then that was a good choice .

 

[ButteMT61]

See, this is where the "fun" gets sucked from jackets and discussing jackets. Your A-1 is one you love. OK, we all know it's not "accurate". Some folks live and die by "accuracy". Some don't care and want a jacket they like. Some are in between. For me, it depends on the jacket and it's purpose. If YOU like the jacket, who gives a rat's arse if it's "accurate", right? If you wanted/expected "accurate" and didn't get it, then that's a problem. Most here know who to go to for accuracy on jackets. Some will argue "who's more accurate" or who's model they like more, but that last bit is personal and subjective. I simply can't get into the "stitch for stitch" arguments over a bloody jacket. Arguing over a WWI commodity piece and our ability to replicate it ~70 years later is not what "I" want to spend my life doing. I love hearing from those that know all the grotty details, and I have the desire to own a legit jacket or two. However, I'm not going to ruin my fun with this type of banter. I suggest deciding where "you" fall in this whole part of the hobby and being comfortable with it. There's a place for all of us here, so don't think any jacket you like is a mistake. Even cheapo beaters have their place, and if all this place was about were perfect repro's, it would get boring fast (IMHO). Enjoy, keep smiling, and have a nice day.

 

[too much coffee]

Well stated Scott and I know the majority of us agree with you.

Thanks and best regards,
coffee

 

[Atticus Finch]

I agree, Scott. I have a Goodwear A-1 that is very nice. It isn't an exact copy of a particular original jacket, but it is a pretty accurate approximation of an original A-1. And it gets a lot of compliments. I also have a Spearhead wool A-1. It isn't very accurate...in fact, the late David Brown believed that there never was an original wool A-1...but the Spearhead cost me less than one tenth the price I paid for my Goodwear. So far, my humble Spearhead hasn’t scored many compliments…but I’ve yet to wear it much. In its own way, it is still a useful jacket. If nothing else, its warmer than my Goodwear.

If you're happy with what you buy...its money well spent.

AF

 

[2jakes]

My wife's father was a pilot/instructor @ Stinson Field in Texas in the 1920's. He had among other things a wool jacket in "army" green &
a leather jacket in brown. Both jackets only had buttons , no zippers. Two front pockets . Real soft leather like a sweater . My wife remembers
the jackets & although there was no color snapshots , if I find some even in b&w , I'll try & post them.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Yes...as much as i respected David's opinions about jackets, I'm afraid he was wrong about there never being a wool A-1 like jacket. There was, indeed. But it may have not been called an A-1 and it may have not been intended only as a flight jacket.

There are photos of pilots wearing cloth, A-1 like jackets in Maguire's American Flight Jackets...

AF

 

[Flashman]

Well said there Bute.
I don't really mind about Alan'scomments. I took it for what it is, someones personal view, it makes no odds to me.

I was a bit tongue 'n cheek with my reply, cos I did not want to offend anyone as I am a new A1 wearer and many of you here are aficionados and all with very interesting views.

I don't mind someone calling my A1 a 3rd class replica.
I did my research and saw the GW and EL ones BUT preferred the Aero.
Why? cos it was closest to ADCs one as he wore on VBD.

I liked the A1 cos the first time I noticed the A1 was when I watched VBD and ADC was wearing his and I was NOT looking to replicate the WW1 wearers or THEIR look.
So for ME, i got EXACTLY the jacket I wanted and absolutely and delighted with it and LOVE LOVE LOVE wearing it!!!

Fact is until I saw ADC wearing the A1 I was planning to buy the A2. So I am really pleased.

I don't know if anyone else can confirm, but would it be fair to say that ADC is indeed wearing what appears to be an Aero A1?


I know that in such forums there is sometimes a bit of (dare I say) "snobbery" but again I don't mind - I would not say I am that much of an anorak in that way.

So happy A1 wearing to you all.

See, this is where the "fun" gets sucked from jackets and discussing jackets. Your A-1 is one you love. OK, we all know it's not "accurate". Some folks live and die by "accuracy". Some don't care and want a jacket they like. Some are in between. For me, it depends on the jacket and it's purpose. If YOU like the jacket, who gives a rat's arse if it's "accurate", right? If you wanted/expected "accurate" and didn't get it, then that's a problem. Most here know who to go to for accuracy on jackets. Some will argue "who's more accurate" or who's model they like more, but that last bit is personal and subjective. I simply can't get into the "stitch for stitch" arguments over a bloody jacket. Arguing over a WWI commodity piece and our ability to replicate it ~70 years later is not what "I" want to spend my life doing. I love hearing from those that know all the grotty details, and I have the desire to own a legit jacket or two. However, I'm not going to ruin my fun with this type of banter. I suggest deciding where "you" fall in this whole part of the hobby and being comfortable with it. There's a place for all of us here, so don't think any jacket you like is a mistake. Even cheapo beaters have their place, and if all this place was about were perfect repro's, it would get boring fast (IMHO). Enjoy, keep smiling, and have a nice day.

 

[ButteMT61]

If you buy a jacket someone else likes you won't wear it - simple as that. Take the advice and commentary for what it's worth - which is often times a lot. But even after a few years of reading, posting, watching, buying and selling, I don't know diddly. Or, I know enough to have fun and hopefully not get ripped off, but I'm learning more all the time and try to keep it in perspective. Any hobby can be ruined by a few jackasses. I've experienced it with motorcycles, computers, coins, etc. etc. Aero makes great jackets. And lots of folks have bastardized the A-2 by ordering in FQHH, which was never done in WWII. Know what - they turned out great. I was even skeptical, but once I saw the pics, I was not only sold on the idea, I wanted one (someday).
I know that AF loves his Cooper A-2s, and honestly, there aren't lots of folks that do. He doesn't care one bit and I like that about a fella. Be your own man and life will be better.

 

[Atticus Finch]

I know that AF loves his Cooper A-2s, and honestly, there aren't lots of folks that do. He doesn't care one bit and I like that about a fella. Be your own man and life will be better.

Thanks, but AF likes his issued Saddlerys. Coopers, he's only luke warm about.

AF

 

[Dr H]

'I don't know if anyone else can confirm, but would it be fair to say that ADC is indeed wearing what appears to be an Aero A1?'

It's been identified as a Lost Worlds on VLJF if I remember correctly.

 

[ButteMT61]

Thanks, but AF likes his issued Saddlerys. Coopers, he's only luke warm about. AF

Point taken, accepted, and tail firmly planted (that said, they all look the same to me lol )

 

[Flashman]

Quite poss...http://www.lostworldsinc.com/A-1_Flight_Jacket_Horsehide.htm
The pocket is similar to ADC's but that is also the same as Aero pocket placing.

'I don't know if anyone else can confirm, but would it be fair to say that ADC is indeed wearing what appears to be an Aero A1?'

It's been identified as a Lost Worlds on VLJF if I remember correctly.

 

[Dr H]

Several manufacturers offer patterns with higher pockets. Looking back at the thread the ID was based on the combination of pattern and thicker hide.

 

[Stearmen]

Just tell them, it's the Navy version! Then let them go crazy trying to count threads.

 

[ButteMT61]

From the limited number of pics I've seen on "A-1" type jackets, there appears to be a lot of range on the designs. That being the case, I'm inclined to be a lot less worried over the "accuracy" of one I'm wearing. The A-2 certainly is more well-documented, and with guys here knowing a ton on those, I'd say I'm less inclined to play with that design. But one thing is consistently inconsistent across models and years - there is NO correct fit lol