A-2 27752 Which One?

[RayR]

Greetings, I'm looking for a great A-2 22752 and need your suggestions and expertise, please.

It seems Goodwear Leather http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/a2_rw27752.html and Eastman Leather Co. http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=167 both have what they claim to be exact replicas that you can not tell from the original. Eastman even has a "Time Worn" option to make it look more authentic. Finally, there is a cool looking jacket made by Eastman for Japan based on the darker McQueen version seen in The Great Escape. All seem to be priced within a few hundred dollars of each other.

I would really appreciate your advice on which is better made, more authentic, anything on quality. And size tips, too. This will be a big expense and I can't afford to mess it up.

BTW, I really like the look of the Eastman Great Escape model, but can't get past the Japanese web page to know much about it. http://www.mash-japan.co.jp/eastman-web/flight_jacket/a-2_great-escape/index.html
I usually wear a 40R suit jacket, and I want the authentic trim cut... so that's what I'm working with.

Thanks

 

[Foster]

I own an Eastman 27752. It is a nice jacket, but not a perfect copy. Some minor details differ from originals (modern seam allowances and pocket placement).

I find the Good Wear copies to be more accurate. I do not own a Good Wear 27752, but I do own jackets of other Rough Wear contracts they make.

 

[Jeff M]

I own A2's by both makers.
I can't remember the last time I grabbed one of my Eastman's heading out the door.
Good Wear (John Chapman) custom makes each jacket to the customers specs. If something is off, you can return it.
For me, this is key. I am by no means at the end of the bell curve when it comes to jacket size, but do need a bit shorter sleeves and wider chest/back and arm size than the "standard" WW2 A2 fit.
Eastman sells "off the rack" sized jackets. You can ask for size modifications....such as longer/shorter sleeves, but "customized" jackets are non-returnable.
Good Wear is basically a one man operation....John researches each contract, selects the leather/lining/hardwear, sews each jacket.
Sometime back, another forum member made the analogy between John and a master Japanese custom knife maker. I would agree.
In my experience, John knows how to adapt each A2 design to the specs of the customer. Leather, linings, knits, hardware, all top grade.
I am definitely biased towards GW, but the "bias" is based on a lot of costly experience with other A2 makers that, for me, just didn't work out as well as GW.

 

[Marv]

I have the RW 27752 A2 contract from both Eastman and Good Wear, I have to agree with Jeff's comments above - GW hands down in all aspects.

Here are two old photos of each jacket......

Eastman RW 27752



Good Wear RW 27752



Not great pics but all have got at present.....hope that helps in you choice.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Notice the big difference in collar shapes. Never did like the way ELC does their RW collar.
HD

 

[Marv]

I agree, the collar shapes differ on both jackets with the GW being accurate and correct compared to the ELC version, however as mentioned these are old photos and I have re-worked the ELC collar something resembling the GW collar shape.

Here is a close of pic of the GW collar shape, to me a thing of beauty