Aero A2 42-18775-P contract

[aswatland]

This A2 is from the 42-18775-P contract which was awarded to Aero on 25th May 1942. It may well be an early production jacket in this last Aero contract because the hh is seal spray finished over a russet aniline base as were most of the jackets from the two preceding contracts, AC 21996 and 42-15142 -P. It also has most of the same features of these two contracts, including the square cornered pockets (most of the 18775-P jackets had slightly rounded pocket corners).

The jacket originally had brown knits which had provided a hearty supper for a family of moths! The wristlets are reclaimed WW2 ones in perfect condition and the waistband is the best match I could find.

The leather is excellent throughout with no rot or repairs and it has a lovely vintage patina, which can't be replicated today. The triple-marked Talon zip works flawlessly. The inspector's stamp is still quite distinct.

As a size 44 it fits exactly the same as the 21996 which I photographed in this section of the forum earlier in 2011.

 

[aswatland]

 

[Peter Mackin]

Beautifull jacket,,@ great job done with the knits,,peter

 

[Theo J.]

That's a really nice restoration! Helps when the original garment's fairly intact (one of my A-2s had apparently been through a fire of some sort---yet it still came out nicely, albeit with a hint of 'character'). Cheers!

 

[ButteMT61]

That's fantastic Andrew! You indeed seem to be lucky in that your size is quite common which gives you access to such great treasures. Congrat's on another great addition, and thanks for string it here.
Did you ever consider putting "berry" knits on it? It looks great, just curious.

 

[aswatland]

Size 44 original A2s are not at all easy to find as most guys during the War wore jackets from 36-40. The smaller sized ones are always the most frequent ones found on Ebay. All of the size 44 ones that I have acquired in 2011 took six years to find!

 

[ButteMT61]

OK, I should have said more common than a 48/50!

 

[aswatland]

Absolutely. Size 48/50 A2s are extremely rare. They tended to be worn by guys who flew desks in the War.

 

[ButteMT61]

Absolutely. Size 48/50 A2s are extremely rare. They tended to be worn by guys who flew desks in the War.

Just like me today! You saying us bigger guys are lazy??? lol

 

[aswatland]

and me this evening!

 

[Peacoat]

Excellent job.

 

[Corky]

Truly amazing!

 

[Treetopflyer]

Wow! Just looking at the photos, I would have guessed this jacket to be only a few years old. It is in great shape.

 

[thor]

Amazing that you can date an A-2 contract to the day and month of a certain year! Any idea to what month of 1942 the earlier Aero 42-15142-P contract dates? Thanks!

 

[aswatland]

I can only date this last Aero contract because the issue documentation has survived. The previous Aero contract judging from where is comes in the series of contract numbers for the 1942 fiscal year would be Jan/Feb 1942. The previous 21996 contract which dates to 27th October 1941 (Poughkeepsie New Yorker), was an extremely large contract to the value of $223,000 which would equate to 20,000 A2s.

 

[thor]

I can only date this last Aero contract because the issue documentation has survived. The previous Aero contract judging from where is comes in the series of contract numbers for the 1942 fiscal year would be Jan/Feb 1942. The previous 21996 contract which dates to 27th October 1941 (Poughkeepsie New Yorker), was an extremely large contract to the value of $223,000 which would equate to 20,000 A2s.

Thank you Andrew. I appreciate the info!