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

[majormajor]

My first A-1. Used GoodWear in Capeskin. I think some of you regulars may recognize it.

An excellent jacket. Congrats on a great aquisition,man

 

[Stearmen]

My first A-1. Used GoodWear in Capeskin. I think some of you regulars may recognize it.

Worf

Wow, Worf, a T Bird and a cool A1, your living large these days!

 

[Ishmael]

Nice jacket!!!

 

[Worf]

Thanks for the love folks. I don't consider myself as "owning" this jacket, I'm more in stewardship of it. I'm the third Lounger to "own" it and I might not be the last. It's fit, finish, grain and quality is so far above anything else I've owned I sometimes worry wearing it. It's been featured in pics on here before but they don't do it justice. I'll keep it and WEAR it as long as I can. When it no longer resonably fits.. I'll find the next steward and pass it on.

Worf

 

[John Lever]

My first A-1. Used GoodWear in Capeskin. I think some of you regulars may recognize it.

Worf

If that's a 42, then I used to own it.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Different A-1 John.
Allen(VLJ)ordered it from JC before you ordered yours.
I think it is a size 50 (?).
HD

 

[CBI]

Looks great - John's early cape. I owned one very similar.

 

[Worf]

Different A-1 John.
Allen(VLJ)ordered it from JC before you ordered yours.
I think it is a size 50 (?).
HD

Actually I think it says 48 truth be told. Can't wear it after meals!!!! LOL!

Worf

 

[John Lever]

Different A-1 John.
Allen(VLJ)ordered it from JC before you ordered yours.
I think it is a size 50 (?).
HD

I think my jacket was one of the first he made. It was the slightly pre distressed skins.Not everyone's favourite.
From July 2008 I think.

 

[Dr H]

My GW A-1, same vintage (jacket number 2, tagged 46 but a 44) from CBI has the same cape.
It's now painted (by CBI) as a jacket from the USAAC 8th Attack Squadron using very convincing aged paint.
It has an American bald eagle perched on the Liberty Bell on the chest, a 'USAAC' on the yoke, and an A-12 Shrike on the back which the squadron flew in 1935.

 

[majormajor]

My GW A-1, same vintage (jacket number 2, tagged 46 but a 44) from CBI has the same cape.
It's now painted (by CBI) as a jacket from the USAAC 8th Attack Squadron using very convincing aged paint.
It has an American bald eagle perched on the Liberty Bell on the chest, a 'USAAC' on the yoke, and an A-12 Shrike on the back which the squadron flew in 1935.

Pics??

 

[Worf]

My GW A-1, same vintage (jacket number 2, tagged 46 but a 44) from CBI has the same cape.
It's now painted (by CBI) as a jacket from the USAAC 8th Attack Squadron using very convincing aged paint.
It has an American bald eagle perched on the Liberty Bell on the chest, a 'USAAC' on the yoke, and an A-12 Shrike on the back which the squadron flew in 1935.

What the last guy said... Pics please. Sounds sweet!

Worf

 

[feltfan]

I think my jacket was one of the first he made. It was the slightly pre distressed skins.Not everyone's favourite.
From July 2008 I think.

How does it look now, John?

 

[John Lever]

How does it look now, John?

Long gone I am afraid, it went first to Germany then to the US.

 

[CBI]

here are some pics of Dr. H's painted A-1

 

[Dr H]

Thanks John, better images than I have to hand. I've now fixed the button holes so that they look close to machine stitched examples.

 

[Capesofwrath]

Old threads never die.

Having resurrected this one can anyone help me with the measurements of a 44 Eastman A 1 please? The cape version and maybe the earlier one too if anyone happens to know.

Was the earlier steer one a bit baggier than the current one? I saw a picture of someone wearing one which seemed slightly large on him.

 

[Dr H]

I'll dig out my measurements tomorrow.
Can't help you with the steer version though, I've never handled this version. However, it was baggier and less true to pattern.

 

[Capesofwrath]

Many thanks Dr H that would be appreciated.

 

[Fletch]

I own a 46 in steer and another in cape. I can measure those if it's any use to you.

FWIW, the fit on the steer jacket is baggier over all. The pockets are also bigger (good or bad, depending on you).

The leather is thick enough that the leather-faced front seam stays straight while the cloth-lined side flops over. (Lost Worlds corrected this on their A-1 by leather-facing both sides.)