A2's, Aerial Star Vs Flightjacket.com

[Lord Flashheart]

Hello all,

Once again I am getting itchy for more leather and this time I'm looking at an A2 and I'm hoping you fellas can give a bit of guidance again.

Im looking for either russet or medium brown in eitehr horse or steer. Will steer will crease and show grain quicker than horse and is it easier to wear "out the box? I have a FQHH Teamster which, while breaking in nicely, is still a bit of a challenge to wear.

Do any of you have any experience with Flight jacket and Aerial Star? If so, are their jackets a good fit and finish and how do you feel their sizes run? At 6'3 and 43inch chest I am consious of an A2 being too short or blousy. I'm also on a bit of a budget and cant affored the top end Aero/Eastman/Goodwear option which is whay I have come up with Aerial Star and Flightjacket.

I also like the slash pocket A2 which AS offer, does anyone have one and what do you think?

Many thanks

GP

 

[Sloan1874]

Big fan of AS, but you might want to consider Headwinds A-1 - very affordable and from what we've seen so far, v good quality.

 

[nick123]

I have an Aerial Star (see my avatar photo) and am roughly the same height as you. I'd say it doesn't age or crease rapidly, I haven't worn my jackets much this year, but there is a photo of someone's jacket on here that looked like it aged pretty well in a short period of time. However, I was rollling on the cement with the cat yesterday so it picked up some light wear.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Sloan, I had a look at the A1 on a previous FL thread but I'm not too keen on the collar and buttons.

Nick, your the man I hoped would respond to this message. What legnth is yours and what height are you?

Regards

GP

 

[nick123]

6'2" and it has a 25.5" back length. I'd be happier with 26.5" though.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Hi Flash - you're after a flight jacket with zips not necessarily an A2. I'm almost as tall, I'd need around a 27 back length.

The U.S. Authentic A2 42 is 26.5. I've been considering it as it's a slim cut. Just not keen on knits.

The G&B Raider ( note not an Indy) is nice. I have a black one in goat I'd consider selling. It's a 42 tall 24 pit to pit.

 

[Big J]

I really like the AS A-2. I'd love to see one in seal goat.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Hi Seb, thanks for the response. I think I read somewhere on another post that you were thinking of getting a US-A A2 and I was hoping you might have taken the plunge already. I read somewhere that US-A A2's are long and slim but good quality, would you know what length they come in at?

Your raider looks pretty good but it's the simplicity of the A2 and especially the SA slash pocket A2 that draws me.

What's your issue with knits? I have a G & B G1 and have had no issue with them.

Regards

Garry

 

[Seb Lucas]

Yep, the US Authentic 42 comes in at 26.5 inches. 2 inches longer in the tall size. I've avoided knits because they catch on things, tear, get eaten by moths and need replacing before the rest of the jacket is even broken in. They also get dirty while you can whipe the rest of the jacket off with a wet cloth.

I wouldn't say the A2 is simple; with the epaulets, wind-flap and cargo pockets it's a farily busy design compared to, say, a civilian Fonzie-style flight jacket. I like the Aerial Star 1950's civilian slash pocket jobbie. You should get one.

 

[Edward]

If I was looking for another A2 type jacket and not worried about it being an accurate repro, I'd start by looking at the Aeriel Star with the slash pockets. It's an incredibly stylish jacket, imo, and much closer to what a civilian might have worn in the era in which the 'flying jacket' became fashionable. It's a really nice take on that style.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

H