Aero "Jerky" Horsehide vs. "Smooth" FQHH

[Sloan1874]

It depends what contract you're going with. The earlier ones, Bronco etc, are slimmer fitting, while the 42 conract is a looser, more forgiving fit. I would also recommend the Vicenza for an A-2, here's mine:

 

[Fanch]

What @Sloan1874 just said is very true; it depends on the specific contract, and I was talking in vague generic terms. However, one should never buy based on a labeled size but go by measurements, which Thurston provided that included sleeve and back lengths of ~29" which is a jacket very long in sleeves and body, likely designed for someone over 6'4" with a long torso and long arms. To purchase that particular A-2 in eBay rather than having Thurston send you a test jacket would make no sense. Their protocol of sending a test jacket and then fine tuning a final selection has been a model of incredible accuracy over time.

 

[jeepjeep13]

That's awesome looking! I particularly like how the collar looks when buttoned! Some fall flat and look sloppy, but this one looks crisp! Which contract is this one from Aero? The one that really has my interest peaked is the 42-18875-P.

 

[jeepjeep13]

What @Sloan1874 just said is very true; it depends on the specific contract, and I was talking in vague generic terms. However, one should never buy based on a labeled size but go by measurements, which Thurston provided that included sleeve and back lengths of ~29" which is a jacket very long in sleeves and body, likely designed for someone over 6'4" with a long torso and long arms. To purchase that particular A-2 in eBay rather than having Thurston send you a test jacket would make no sense. Their protocol of sending a test jacket and then fine tuning a final selection has been a model of incredible accuracy over time.

Very cool! I'll see if they will do that for me. That's pretty awesome they offer that service! Yea, I noticed the sleeve length of that particular one was a little hinky.

 

[Sloan1874]

It's a 1576 contract. A slim fitting contract with a collar stand. I would size up to get a good fit on this one. This pic was taken 'straight out of the box', I then used hot water to soak the collar initially, buttoned it down and then shaped it a bit to something more manageable.

 

[Superfluous]

If this is the A-2 you are looking at on E-Bay, the measurements are wacky: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aero-A-2-Mi...769142?hash=item2a6ea27d76:g:lkkAAOSwt7pXOMT-

Back length--29.25 inches (measurement includes knits)
Sleeve length--28.75 inches (measurement includes knits)
Pit-to-pit--23 inches
Shoulder--18.5 inches (top seam of shoulder, across upper back)
Front length--25.75 inches
Waist--21 inches (measured at leather hem)

An A-2 with a 29.25 back and 28.75 sleeve? Might fit Manute Bol.

 

[Brettafett]

Further to all the info before, for anyone new to the thread. I have attached some pics of my ‘old’ Aero 15142 Seal Jerky. These pics were after some months and you can see how it developed some character (creases, grain popping out - really nice - although I did lightly rub some of the edges to give it a more worn effect). It did have some ‘reddy’ undertones.

The pic above was of a new Aero Bronco in smooth Russet HH with mid brown knits. It appears pretty smooth compared to the Russet Jerky swatch (these both appeared too red for my liking). The pic also compares it with Aero’s older smooth mid brown horsehide also which is a spectacular chocolatey colour in my eyes - I wish they would make a ‘jerky’ version of this.
I felt the Russet to be too ‘red’ for my liking, but there are a number of alternatives.

If you are going for an Aero, the ‘Original Maker’ jackets are not much more $ than the Real Deal. Go for an Original Maker jacket? 15142, 3785, 1756, Bronco etc…
And if you can, upgrade to the Vicenza HH.

Perhaps get a standard off the rack Real Deal jacket to try on and then decide. That way you can get the fit spot on first time…. AND compare leather swatches before deciding. Don’t trust pics on the website.
Aero is great with providing leather swatches and knit options… (The Oil Pul HH also looks interesting).

Having gone full circle from Coopers to ELC, Aero, Goodwear and a few mid range jackets in between, (see my post on How may jacket to you own…) I have come to feel that its all relative. I had 3 GWs, sold them off. It took me a number of ELCs to find one I really like. You could do a lot worse than an Aero.

 

[AdeeC]

Further to all the info before, for anyone new to the thread. I have attached some pics of my ‘old’ Aero 15142 Seal Jerky. These pics were after some months and you can see how it developed some character (creases, grain popping out - really nice - although I did lightly rub some of the edges to give it a more worn effect). It did have some ‘reddy’ undertones.

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The pic above was of a new Aero Bronco in smooth Russet HH with mid brown knits. It appears pretty smooth compared to the Russet Jerky swatch (these both appeared too red for my liking). The pic also compares it with Aero’s older smooth mid brown horsehide also which is a spectacular chocolatey colour in my eyes - I wish they would make a ‘jerky’ version of this.
I felt the Russet to be too ‘red’ for my liking, but there are a number of alternatives.

If you are going for an Aero, the ‘Original Maker’ jackets are not much more $ than the Real Deal. Go for an Original Maker jacket? 15142, 3785, 1756, Bronco etc…
And if you can, upgrade to the Vicenza HH.

Perhaps get a standard off the rack Real Deal jacket to try on and then decide. That way you can get the fit spot on first time…. AND compare leather swatches before deciding. Don’t trust pics on the website.
Aero is great with providing leather swatches and knit options… (The Oil Pul HH also looks interesting).

Having gone full circle from Coopers to ELC, Aero, Goodwear and a few mid range jackets in between, (see my post on How may jacket to you own…) I have come to feel that its all relative. I had 3 GWs, sold them off. It took me a number of ELCs to find one I really like. You could do a lot worse than an Aero.

I was under the impression the 'Real Deal' is now an original maker contract jacket. That's what is says on the Aero website. The Aero 15142 but with unmatched hides. Your seal 15142 looks awesome. Colour is matter of taste. I got my Real Deal in russet. It was tough choice but would be happy with both. Not keen on the smooth hide. Looks too plasticky though I expect it to improve with age and wear.

 

[Cocker]

Same here, the smooth hides are great for "non combat" jackets, but I prefer my A-2 or G-1 with more character.

 

[Edward]

I was under the impression the 'Real Deal' is now an original maker contract jacket. That's what is says on the Aero website.

Ken reworked a lot of the patterns (with input from John Goodwear, I believe) when he came back to Aero a couple of years ago. The repros of the Aero contracts, certainly, are bang on now.

 

[Fanch]

For me a seal Vicenza Aero Bronco A-2 in size 44 with 26.5" back and 27.5" sleeves would be perfect if I were currently planning to acquire one.

 

[jeepjeep13]

Same here, the smooth hides are great for "non combat" jackets, but I prefer my A-2 or G-1 with more character.

I just requested some leather samples from Aero and I'm still a little confused about the differences between the Jerky and Vicenza horsehide. Guessing the Vicenza is more of what you're describing as being plasticy and the Jerky is going to be more "time work"?

 

[Carrie @ Thurston Bros.]

I just requested some leather samples from Aero and I'm still a little confused about the differences between the Jerky and Vicenza horsehide. Guessing the Vicenza is more of what you're describing as being plasticy and the Jerky is going to be more "time work"?

Hi jeepjeep13,

The Vicenza is about as far as one can get from a plastic feel. The Vicenza is Veg. Tanned and 100% Aniline, which means that it has a very natural feel to it. Further, the Vicenza is Full Grain Leather, which adds to its natural look and feel... Hope this helps...

 

[jeepjeep13]

Hi jeepjeep13,

The Vicenza is about as far as one can get from a plastic feel. The Vicenza is Veg. Tanned and 100% Aniline, which means that it has a very natural feel to it. Further, the Vicenza is Full Grain Leather, which adds to its natural look and feel... Hope this helps...

Thanks Carrie, Yes it certainly does help! What would the Jerky be then?

 

[Carrie @ Thurston Bros.]

Thanks Carrie, Yes it certainly does help! What would the Jerky be then?

I believe Aero gets the Jerky Horsehide from a UK Tannery. We aren't very familiar with that tannery, so it would be best to ask Aero this question.

 

[Fanch]

IMO the Vicenza horsehide also has a better drape than the jerky. Although my seal jerky HH Mulligan has softened quite a bit with use, it still does not drape as well as either of my two Vicenza jackets, even when they were new. Furthermore, the two Vicenza HH jackets I own do not have a plastic look/feel whatsover. Personally I would choose Vicenza over anything else, including Shinki. Just my point of view that well might differ from others.

 

[regius]

Has anyone had issues with the front length of Aero's A2 style jackets? Other than the soft drapey goatskin A2 I have now, all the horsehide ones, including my custom ordered 50s flight jacket, tends to have really short front and back, the back is short that's ok, it's cool looking and period correct, but when the front is short, it doesn't even cover my belly button....???, i find myself pulling by the zipper area downwards just to cover my stomach.

 

[regius]

I personally am a big fan of the jerky HH, but, I noticed that the hide has changed so much recently that it's a different animal now! lol.

I have an older Aero A2 seal jerky from 2010 2009, it's thick, shiny, slippery and jerky, but the latest jacket from 2016 looks and feels more like the HH that Eastman uses on the current Luftwaffe, it's softer, more lines and lighter. Could be just a variation, it's still good and I love but the weight/density seem to have changed.

 

[kronos77]

I recently got some samples from Aero, including two Jerky samples. They looked tough in that I don't think they show age easily. They actually remind me of goat skin. I beat both samples up pretty bad and they show nothing. I can't figure how some of the members on this thread got their jackets to look the way they did.

I think Aero's oil pull might make a nice A2. It will probably be my choice for my next jacket. It is matte, shows wear in a good way and looks fantastic.

 

[regius]

Aero's seal jerky HH will rub off and show the teacore color underneath. I have a jerky A2 and on the neck i see red coming out. However, not sure if this is with all their jerky, or that particular one was overdyed.