A-2 repro... You get one choice... Everyone encouraged to comment!

[Brettafett]

Anyone care to stick their neck out? Don't be shy...
Most of us have gone through many of the top name repros.
If you could consolidate all the info you've gleaned and the experiences you have had buying high end repros and could pick one A-2 repro of whats currently available, which jacket/ maker would you go for? (ok, pick two if you have too
(hypothetically $$$ is not an option)
((apologies if you think this is a time waster it may in fact, help many in the decision process, myself included)) Thanks...

 

[andyfalzon]

If I may intrude, I think that anyone who is seriously thinking to buy an good quality repro should look for 3 things"

1. Correct pattern (includes fit) and details of the original jacket reproduced.
2. Quality of construction
3. Leather quality

Any vendor who can offer this should qualify. This is my consolidated info.
The question, "which one is better?", can only be answered by those who have seen recent examples from all vendors and have enough experience to tell.

 

[bretron]

Ahhh the great question. And all too familiar to me as I went through this same process.

I must have changed my mind 25 times on which GW to order. I am totally pleased with my final decision, and like you alluded, the collective input I got from you guys here (and on VLJ) was invaluable.

Start with a GW. Other makers do excellent work, but after speaking with John, it's clear to me none are as careful with their attention to details. Next, decide on what you value in the A2, and pick your contract accordingly. Eg collar stand or no, crescent or pointed collar, inset sleeves or not, HH/steer or goatskin, russet or seal, zipper brand and type, knit color.

My decision process lead me to a Monarch, but it could have easily been a Doniger if I didn't want HH so much, or a dubow 27798 if I was in more of a purple mood

 

[andyfalzon]

Forgot to talk about choice of a contract, but this has to do with personal taste, not the vendor (unless e.g. if the contact you want is offered by one vendor). Also, like I said, you may hear many opinions; however, only someone who has handled recent examples from all vendors can have a valid opinion regarding who does it better. He has to be unbiased too.

 

[simonc]

Bronco smooth horse rust knits

 

[rocketeer]

I would buy an A2 on probably reasons others may find laughable.
1/ First it must follow the original patten and details should be reasonably accurate.(pretty obvious really)
2/ The shape of the jacket and details would have to look good to the eye. (First impressions are everything)
3/ A quality made garment made from quality materials. (If I'm paying decent money..........)
4/ Possibly the most important, I must look good wearing it.

I'm not really into posing around as in reenacting, I am more the 'get under the car' in the jacket type, or walk around with a bottle of beer stuffed in the pocket. My old Aero Battersea jacket did these things perfectly as well as kept girlfriends warm while I shivered on a frosty November day.

I do discount Mall jackets from my criteria but the most expensive accurate replica is a non starter if I look s**t wearing it.

One maker I do not like though are probably well made are the modern Coopers froma few years back. Awful pocket flap shape! i saw that but did not bother to look at the other details.
Johnny Tee

 

[chamboid]

I am in the wait list for a GW and think I have my choice down, so think I would have to say that's my choice, before things get messy.

Monarch, fallen in love with the design, collar, cut, and construction, but having said that, I am looking for it to compliment my BK RW 23380 by being as different as possible, but still think I'd come back to this design.

But personal taste is such a strong thing, and totally idiosyncratic. For example, I don't like ring snaps, I know where this comes from it's the LW Dubow I bought very cheap a few years back, which came with incorrect ring snaps, and this bugged the hell out of me, so much one of the main things I look for is bull studs.

As for leather, there are so many options, and as for maker, how can you tell unless you've handled them all... oh ask me again in 7 months

 

[archbury918]

Rocketeer....then this may well appeal to you! Just posted on the GW site:

http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_monarch_0004.html

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I like the looks of the ELC Werber...and GoodWear's Monarch..!!

HD

 

[handymike]

Is that the one Bretron is wearing inthe photo with JC???
Sweet!

 

[rocketeer]

Rocketeer....then this may well appeal to you! Just posted on the GW site:

http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/sale_monarch_0004.html

Well as I posted, the initial impression is good, the design is there, the details appear to be fine[In my opinion]. Made by Good Wear it must be quality made.
But would I buy it? No. I dont really like the diagonal graining to the leather even though it is probably natural.
Nice price though
J

 

[Brettafett]

I like the looks of the ELC Werber...and GoodWear's Monarch..!!
HD

+ 1
Perhaps add BK's Star to that list to round it out (although have not had experience with such... as yet).

 

[bretron]

Is that the one Bretron is wearing inthe photo with JC???
Sweet!

That's gotta be it!

 

[wild_balls]

I love my old battered rmnz dubow, formerly owned by fellow members paddy and persimmon ! Especially Like the collar and pocket flaps!


Cheers Joakim

 

[Meerkat]

If my time machine had mileage I'd wear my cooper and merino wool underwear and try to not release the bombs over an EU country....

 

[Stand By]

That's gotta be it!

This is a great photo, here!
Y'know, I don't know about you blokes here, but I'm becoming increasingly aware that time's marching on (am now 46 ... as daft as it looks to me to see that written down) and I'm well aware that these jackets were primarily designed for, and worn by, young guys ... and I occasionally wonder: will mine still suit me when I'm older?
And then I see this - and recently, Worf posted his A2 too - and I see that these jackets can - and absolutely do ! - still suit fellas of an older demographic than they were intended for ... it gives me hope and fills me with gladness.
Thanks very much indeed for posting! Truly.

PS. Awesome A2s BTW ! Perfecto.

PPS. I'm referring to the man on the right! ;-)

 

[Jeff M]

I've owned jackets by Good Wear, Eastman, Aero, Gibson and Barnes, Superior Flight Apparel and BK.
Of the manufacturers I'd deal with again, I'd put GW at the top of the list, followed by Superior Flight Apparel, Eastman, Aero, Gibson and Barnes.

GW has it all. Custom made to your size, accurate reproductions, top notch material, a pleasure to deal with.

Superior Flight Apparel has fewer options...not as "historically spot on" design wise, but great custom made jackets, great material (often gets the same hides as GW) and also great to deal with.

Eastman...not as big of a fan of some of their hides at least in the past. I like their recent "Warhorse" hide. Custom made jackets offered...but no return option. If I fit their "off the rack" jackets, I'd own more of them. Good to deal with.

Aero....I'm a fan of Aero...own several of their designs. Just have experience with one of their A2's. Had to initially return it for a re-do. To snug/short. F/U jacket much better. Hide good, and they have always been very good to deal with. If I am going to spend money on an Aero, I prefer to spend it on their civilian designs and spend my "A2 money" with another manufacturer. That's just me.

Gibson and Barnes....don't get a lot of talk here. Well made jackets, good hide. Priced much lower than the others.
Not as "historically accurate" as some of the others, "custom made" same issue as with Eastman, and a bit of a shot in the dark from my experience with them.

 

[Justhandguns]

If money is not the matter, I would certainly go for Goodwear no matter what. I myself have no experience with the American makers as I reside in the UK. I have tried and own Eastman, Aero and BK jackets. I have also handled Real McCoys Japan jackets in a shop in Hong Kong as well.

As for which contract or cutting, it is really al down to personal taste and how the jacket fits on to your body. There are people who look better with the older type of contracts, which are generally slimmer. If you have broad shoulder and bigger arms, the later contracts may actually fit better on you. I am currently quite happy with the Dubow 1755 from BK. In the beginning, I mistakenly thought that early contract 38-1711-P would look excellent on me, but in fact, it looked a bit too tubular (I still have the jacket though). Then I tried out some Eastman jackets at Duxford airshow, the problem for some of their jackets is that the hides are relatively thin. Most of them are off the rack jackets there even though you can ask for minor customisations such as sleeve and jacket lengths. I do like their Star A-2 as it has a smart suit like cutting. I still own the .50Cal A-2 as I like the colour so much even though it is one size too large for me. Good for wearing a thick sweater underneath though.

Then I gave BK a try before they started offering the victory HH in their range, the craftsmanship is as good as Eastman and probably better than my Aero's, although, I do not know how close their jackets are to the originals. I remember that when they started up their business, they were sourcing quite a few originals on the VLJ forum. In terms of accuracy, nobody can beat GW, but I think Eastman would come in second, certainly. As for the Japanese jackets, they are indeed top quality, but I don't think they are really true to the originals as they tweak their jackets to fit better on Asian builds. The leathers they (RM Japan, Toy, The Few etc) use sometimes are just to darn good, almost unrealistic, which for some, may not have that 'war time' look.

I absolutely agree with Jeff about Aero, I would always consider getting their civilian jackets but for A-2? Especially with their price hike from last year, their offerings are just not as attractive as before.

 

[Dr H]

My A-2 is a Good Wear Doniger (ultra vintage goatskin).

 

[CBI]

Good Wear - no question about it.

My 18th GW just arrived today!!!!!