A-2 at lower price point?

[Benzadmiral]

There are a couple of clearance jackets at Taylor's that might suffice. Some of them aren't quite on-spec A-2s... but I don't know how much that matters to the OP:

http://taylorsleatherwear.com/buy-online.php#!/Flight-Jackets/c/16174712/offset=0&sort=normal

Those Taylor "Commercial Pilot" jackets look good.

 

[lkalliance]

Your biggest problem will not be finding an A-2 at a reasonable price but finding an A-2 that fits properly no matter what the price is.

True dat.

 

[lkalliance]

What size are you looking for and what's your budget??

The budget: I would like to keep it under $300. $250 is my sweet spot.

The size is a tougher question. I got measured at a men's store and later realized that the common things I see on eBay were not included in those measurements. A challenge is: I don't have any jackets that fit me well any more in my possession. They all hang on me now. So though it's not a crapshoot, I don't have reliable pit-to-pit or sleeve length numbers, measured off of a trusted jacket. In the meantime I'm estimating either 38R or 40R.

That's the crux of why I'm hesitant to go the second-hand route. I will be shocked--SHOCKED, I tell you--if I get the size right on the first try.

 

[lkalliance]

I could be wrong and USWings might be changing around their stock somewhat, but it isn't uncommon for a company to sell out around Christmas and then replenish their stock in the following months.

For instance, LL Bean and Danner are both pretty big companies where I've seen this happen.

Did you say that USW had said that they were discontinuing their lower priced line? Or did they use some vague language about not having any resupply information at this time?

Danner gave me that line. What it meant in their case was that they were most likely going to have something exactly like what I had been looking for, but the Customer Service person didn't have info on exactly when that would be. Not quite the same as them having no intention of ever making the item again.

I only dip my toe into the second hand trade, but I wouldn't fear it overmuch. Just find a jacket that you think fits well and take some measurements. There's a how-to somewhere here and you can use these numbers as a guide to compare the sales jackets to.

Occasionally you might need to ask the seller for the numbers, but it shouldn't take a minute of their time.


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USW told me in December that they expected to have new stock in in the new year; when I reached out to them last week they said, yes, they have new jackets in now! But it was their more expensive Signature Series. I followed up by asking them directly if they were going to get another Modern A-2 at that price point, and she responded, "To the best of my knowledge, there are not any plans to make an A-2 with that price point." So I'm taking that as a likely no.

My concern with going secondhand is that I frankly do not know my measurements with any degree of certainty. Things like pit-to-pit and sleeve length as I understand it aren't really pulled off of a body measurement, but measuring a jacket that fits you well already, is that right? If so, I have no such jacket right now.

 

[Doctor Damage]

There are a couple of clearance jackets at Taylor's that might suffice. Some of them aren't quite on-spec A-2s... but I don't know how much that matters to the OP:

http://taylorsleatherwear.com/buy-online.php#!/Flight-Jackets/c/16174712/offset=0&sort=normal

Taylor's "USAF" jacket is a proper modern issue A-2, even if the USAF doesn't actually source from them. They can be ordered via a variety of police/ems supply companies (since Taylors mostly does police jackets). They only do letter sizing, but if you're a 38 or 42 or 46 or 50 then those sizes correspond with the letters, and they have longs.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

One time when placing an order, I simply ordered two A-2's, a 40 and a 38. Tried them both on. Kept the one that fit. The shipping to me was free anyway, and then returned the other jacket.

 

[Deacon211]

One time when placing an order, I simply ordered two A-2's, a 40 and a 38. Tried them both on. Kept the one that fit. The shipping to me was free anyway, and then returned the other jacket.

Same with me. I think that is how most people get their start. Understanding that you don't have a jacket to get measurements from, you can certainly get an idea with any windbreaker type jacket I think.

Find a jacket that fits you, get some measurements for an idea, and go from there.

Understand also that we are a fussy bunch here. We treat sleeve tunneling like it was a case of Cholera! So, while it invariably takes a long search to find a jacket that makes you look like Gregory Peck in 12 O'clock High, a jacket that fits you like some supply sergeant just handed it to you will probably be much easier.

Except in weird cases or old jackets, the tag size is about(ish) the actual size. If you find a maker that you want to try, ask what their return policy is and give one a shot. You can always return it.




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[TXFlyGuy]

Understand also that we are a fussy bunch here. We treat sleeve tunneling like it was a case of Cholera! So, while it invariably takes a long search to find a jacket that makes you look like Gregory Peck in 12 O'clock High, a jacket that fits you like some supply sergeant just handed it to you will probably be much easier.

Speaking of 12 O'Clock High, I watched a re-run of the TV series this morning. Could not help but notice how short the body of the jackets were. Looks like the waistband hit right at the beltline. Maybe this is the correct fit?

 

[Doctor Damage]

Speaking of 12 O'Clock High, I watched a re-run of the TV series this morning. Could not help but notice how short the body of the jackets were. Looks like the waistband hit right at the beltline. Maybe this is the correct fit?

It's the correct fit if this was the 1940s and men still wore pants which high waistlines (i.e. around your belly button or higher). But times have changed, which is why the USAF issues A-2 jackets with a longer, more generous torso.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Except in weird cases or old jackets, the tag size is about(ish) the actual size. If you find a maker that you want to try, ask what their return policy is and give one a shot. You can always return it.

This is a good point. Anyone looking at a mil-spec jacket should just get their normal size. It's an "internet thing" to start having seizures if a jacket measurement is off by 1/8"...

 

[TPD166]

I got one recently - very happy with it.

Those Taylor "Commercial Pilot" jackets look good.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's another relatively inexpensive A-2, although I suspect the velcro is standard.

http://www.mcssl.com/store/brandedleather/a2-jacket

 

[Benzadmiral]

Looking at other things on the website, I see they're all pretty reasonably priced.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Branded was discussed here as a source for less expensive spec flight jackets a few years ago... along with Excelled. I forgot about 'em!

 

[lkalliance]

Hey, all, thanks for helping me out. I've checked the measurements I had done a couple of months ago, and it seems with the leads you guys have provided my strategy should be to order a 38 and a 40 and return the one that fits least well (hopefully at least one of them does!).

What strikes me as funny is how much I hope US Wings has a sale, and I believe that is because they do the best presentation of the bunch, to my eye. Their artwork is top notch, their descriptions are very straightforward and complete. They tell their story very well. As much as I like to believe that advertising "doesn't work on me," in this case it clearly does, lol.

I think, though, I'm going to start down two paths:
(1) Try to find any jacket, of any type, that I've got here that fits me the way I'd like this one to fit me, and take those measurements so I can look on eBay with more confidence. I think the main reason this is a challenge is that I've been wearing my clothes so baggy for so long, to hide my excess weight, that I've got nothing here that achieves that fit. Perhaps I go to Kohls and find one there, and sneakily take those measurements.
(2) Look at the offerings of some of the vendors you guys have mentioned, pick out the ones that seem to have the features I think I want, contact them so I'm confident in the return policies, and go from there.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

If you have not done so, you may want to visit a well respected men's clothing store and get a good measurement.

Understand that U.S. Wings is a retailer, not a manufacturer. I believe that their USA made jackets actually come from Schott. I have their G-1, and it is superb from the standpoint of material and construction.

But others to give serious consideration to:
Cockpit USA
U.S. Authentic

I have personal experience with both of the above.

Also, there are a great number of online pilot supply stores that retail A-2's, G-1's, etc., at discounted prices. Just type in "A-2 Jacket" and do a Google search.

I am cautious about Ebay for one reason. Dishonesty, and deceit. People will advertise a jacket as "New Without Tags". If it were really new, in most cases the original tags would be included. The other term is "barely worn", "lightly used". Sure, I always believe that. I might have been born at night, but I was not born last night!

Good luck to you!

 

[Brettafett]

Cockpit USA has a sale on a couple of A-2s...

 

[Republic_Flier]

Some member posted here earlier about AVI Leather. They are at your price point and something he recommended.
The review is somewhere in this forum, just search "AVI Leather."
http://www.avilthr.com/product/a2-flight-jacket/

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Some member posted here earlier about AVI Leather. They are at your price point and something he recommended.
The review is somewhere in this forum, just search "AVI Leather."
http://www.avilthr.com/product/a2-flight-jacket/

Price looks good, and the jacket looks good also. I would be tempted. Free shipping / free returns. Plus 20% discount for non EU orders! Awesome.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

But for $217 (on sale), free shipping, USA made, the Excelled A-2 is hard to beat. It is made from heavy cowhide, and pound for pound is a pretty good deal. As well made as my G&B A-2. No, it's not an exact WWII copy, but it is a very respectable jacket, indeed. There is another Lounger that bought this the same time I did. This is the size 40 that I sent back for a 38.