Aero to make jackets for new Hollywood WW2 Film, "The Monuments Men"

[thor]

Wow, that is cool. So is the idea of Aeros in Bladerunner. It couldn't be remade; that would be sacrilege. I'm prepared to give a sequel a chance.

+1

 

[Dickie Teenie]

i think its time they got out more,,,,[huh]

maybe not...

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Are we really to believe that people will be going to see this movie @ have their night ruined because a jacket isnt considered completely accurate,,,if so, i think its time they got out more,,,,[huh]

Exactly!...but a few think that it's foolish that all members here on the FL just don't feel the same way...so then must be subject to ridicule if not enthusiastic about their accuracy desires.
HD

 

[Peter Mackin]

Just to be on the safe side im gonna take my elc,my goodwear @ my aero a2,,that way im sorted,,,,,oh god but what do i do if its pointed out to me that they aint originals,,,,,,you know what,,,im just gonna get the dvd,,,,,ps,my aero is just as nice as the other two,,,,

 

[Edward]

I know many Fedora outsiders chunkle when they see this Aero religion on this forum as a sort of brainwashed cult. They can do no wrong etc.

If that's what they think, they're clearly reading a different forum than this one.

Anyone want to get back to the points I was making that why Aero would be selected for a studio production with their current military jackets output instead of other better quality manufacturers at the moment.

Quality =/= accuracy. Nobody would argue that Aero are the most accurate, and obviously if that is the most important thing, or one of the most important things, to you when buying a jacket, I would absolutely agree that Aero are not the ideal choice. That's a very different thing from quality of hides, stitching, manufacturing, etc. Your argument is not far off saying a B15 is rubbish because it's not an A2, rather than assessing it in and of itself. I think that's where the crux of it is. People who don't like Aero's product do seem often to want to portray them as having a fanatical following, which isn't entirely fair or accurate. In any case, 99% of the high praise they get is for their civilian designs, and in the context of this debate it would be rather a distortion to apply that as if it was about their A2s.

Is it just a budgetary thing

I'm far from convinced by that. They're not the cheapest around, and there isn't that big a jump up in price to the Eastman from Aero.... if price was the only factor, surely they'd be looking to one of the cheaper suppliers, like Cockpit or any one of a range of others who are markedly cheaper than Aero. Even the Bill Kelso house jacket is markedly cheaper. Or.... they could have put them in current issue A2s. I'd say it's more likely to be practicalities like how quickly they can deliver, how easy the company is to deal with (can you imagine a big film studio putting up with the eccentricities of, eh, some providers ), and so on.

and I still feel its a shame that some more accuracy and better quality jackets could not be shown on air.

It'd be nice if everyone could have a Goodwear, but that's simply not always practical....

No one needs to see stitch by stitch perfection but surely its good to make it the best possible especially when other options are available now ?

Absent BD / DVD freezeframing, who is really going to notice? Honestly, the differences are subtle enough that it's got to be a rare person in enthusiast circles that can actually spot them while watching the film (not looking at production stills), let alone the average punter who wouldn't even spot things that would be glaring to us, like a two piece back. You're absolutely right, there are more accurate repros out there, but the difference is not so great that it would be as obvious as that. Frankly, with Hollywood you're lucky they're not all wearing B15Cs (which they probably would have been had Steve Macqueen also been put in one in The Great Escape.

Tell you what, wouldn't it be hilarious if after al this the film came out and they were seen once, for about two minutes, in A2s.... in a night scene? lol

It's a sequel rather than remake, and it's Ridley Scott at the helm, so hopefully it'll be something different rather than trying to do the same thing again. And just to keep it on an Aero film track: Ken and Ridley were mates during the 1960s, and played on the same football team together!

As I heard it, it's a prequel set some decades earlier, dealing with the setting up of the Blade Runners... I'll definitely give it a chance at last, but it's going to be tough to try to follow something so iconic all these years later. Mind you, it's all gone very quiet on that front since the critical drubbing Prometheus took...

Are we really to believe that people will be going to see this movie @ have their night ruined because a jacket isn't considered completely accurate,,,if so, i think its time they got out more,,,,[huh]

Within reason, you've got to be realistic about it. If they're all wearing denim A2s or black ones with a two piece back or something, that would be glaring, but absent something so ridiculous, if the viewer is so affected by the jackets being less than the very most accurate available today, it would end to suggest to me that the overall production is lacking in a lot more than just the jackets...

And hey, it's not as if anyone has died or - worse - they've got JayZee on board to do the soundtrack, right?

 

[Edward]

Just to be on the safe side im gonna take my elc,my goodwear @ my aero a2,,that way im sorted,,,,,oh god but what do i do if its pointed out to me that they aint originals,,,,,,you know what,,,im just gonna get the dvd,,,,,ps,my aero is just as nice as the other two,,,,

Heh.... what was that forumite called.... remember the guy that used to pop up in discussion on A2s to shout down anyone who suggested buying any reproduction as opposed to an original? Irritating back then, but funny in retrospect.

 

[thor]

At the end of the day, it's only a movie and everything in it is "make-believe". It'll be George Clooney in a repro Aero on the big screen, not WWII-vet Jimmy Stewart in his original, combat-worn Roughwear A-2.
Sit back, eat some popcorn and enjoy the show

 

[Kt Templar]

Are we really to believe that people will be going to see this movie @ have their night ruined because a jacket isnt considered completely accurate,,,if so, i think its time they got out more,,,,[huh]

Weeeellll, there were quite a few who were disappointed with how Indy's gear looked in Crystal Skull, but the styling was due to Bernie Pollack using the wrong jacket as a template. (He used an after market Lucasfilm licensed jacket and not one of the real film jackets as a starting point.)

But that film had a lot of it's own problems!

 

[Edward]

Weeeellll, there were quite a few who were disappointed with how Indy's gear looked in Crystal Skull, but the styling was due to Bernie Pollack using the wrong jacket as a template. (He used an after market Lucasfilm licensed jacket and not one of the real film jackets as a starting point.)

But that film had a lot of it's own problems!

Heh, well.... hardly like for like, though? I mean, with this new Clooney flick, the jacket is going to be incidental wardrobe, without the iconic status that the Jones jacket had after Raiders.

 

[SGB]

This is just one of the VLJ members that continue to lead the charge on that forum that anything Aero is surely crap. Anything Fedora lounge (Hat Club)generally falls into that same category as well(as far as they are concerned). The enjoyment of a few to foster resentment with an upper crust elite haughtiness of insults and 'all knowing'. A stitch Nazi attitude that includes insults from the obvious high and mighty. It has taken over the VLJ and occassionally attempts to feed it's pompousness here. Read post #22 carefully and the belittling with extra unneeded contempt is glaring. Tells anyone all they need to know about this mindset. Gets old on the VLJ..but always a delightful performance for some.
HD

Well said, I agree with you completely.

Skip

 

[Edward]

No chance to get perhaps newer better quality jackets now that Ken has returned to the fold.

Ah, well... again, you are entitled to that opinion, even if few around here will share it. Indeed, this last statement probably more than anything explains the vitriol you deliver above.

Hang on..... I've misread that last statement, haven't I? I think on rereading you're actually saying that Ken will bring an improvement in the accuracy rather than damn them to their current state? It'll be interesting to see how it pans out. They obviously have a bunch of other things to sort first, but it is possible that Aero might seek to make their military jackets a higher priority again. I know the Highwayman is their biggest seller. Not sure how big a part of their business the military styles are: I would have the instinct that they sell far more in the way of civilian jackets, but I could well be wrong. The market has certainly changed over the past decade. It's really not all that long since there only were Aero and ELC in the 'high end repro' game, and they started off with only house jackets rather than aiming after particular contracts. Much more competition now. Aero have a firm following for their civilian designs, and I could understand them concentrating on those. On the other hand, Ken being a fan of the A2, they might revise their designs. Personally, I'd love to see them revise their Irvin patterns (something about the shape of the sleeves looks a touch off to my eye).

 

[Sloan1874]

Ken is definitely overhauling the Irvins. The sale page has a few prototypes with the deeper sleeves, and I've seen the 1945 multi-panel model that's on the slate that makes me really want one. I know Andrew S is a bit sceptical about these developments, but from talking to him, Ken is intent on taking Aero back to its roots and re-establishing Aero jackets on its original premise of historically accurate jackets.

 

[MJCR]

I'm no expert, far from it, but I recently bought the Quartermaster A2 from Aero. It's seal brown Steerhide, mid brown cuffs (at my request) and one of the nicest jackets I've bought (and I've bought a fair few!). Sadly I'm not the right shape for the jacket, so it's going back, but to say their A2 jackets are poor quality (or words to that effect) just seems a bit odd to me. I only have a flightjacket.com horsehide A2 to compare it to for this style, but the Aero is superior leather and attention to detail (IMO) in almost every way, and compares very well with Aero's civilian jackets (I have two).

Are they the best reproductions? Maybe not, I honestly wouldn't know, I have no specialist knowledge in this area, although I did just treat myself to the Eastman book which is fascinating, but I bet they're at least as good as the mass produced jackets in WW2. I'd be genuinely interested to know how many of the current top end jackets are really equatable with the originals, or if the modern reproductions are more idealised 'perfect' versions compared to an issue jacket? I'd love to know what people think.

Personally I can't wait for this film, and I'll be going partly for the cast, partly for the story, and partly for the jacket porn!

 

[Jeff M]

..... I'd be genuinely interested to know how many of the current top end jackets are really equatable with the originals, or if the modern reproductions are more idealised 'perfect' versions compared to an issue jacket? I'd love to know what people think.

....!

Then here you go;

http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/

The Vintage Leather Jacket Forum.
Populated by a bunch of hard core A2 collectors, jacket manufacturers, and fans who will be happy to give you their opinion. Whether you want it or not. . (I love the place, so don't anybody jump on me!)

For my experience, I definitely have noticed the difference between Aero A2's and those by some of the other "higher end" manufacturers.
I'm a HUGE Aero fan when it comes to their civilian jackets. Not so much for their A2's.
HAVING SAID THAT.....Aero makes quality jackets, INCLUDING their A2's.
I'm glad they got asked to make the jackets for this movie, and know they will do a great job. I seriously doubt most folks...even many of those who are "addicted" to A2's, will notice whatever subtle differences there may be between jackets used in the movie and jackets from that era.

 

[Foster]

Personally, I find the Goodwear A2's to be magnificent. I was able to examine about half a dozen of theirs (different contracts) recently.

That said, the Aero ones I find do have merit. They are about $400 less expensive, with excellent leather hides used. The Aero ones have one less stitch per inch in the seams, and use better knits than the originals used (originals stretched out quickly and most other high end makers copy this). For something I would wear frequently I would not be as concerned wearing an Aero, as the one I have has proven to be durable and resilient. I'm not going to wear my Goodwear as often, as I want to keep it for more special occasions and not risk any damage or excessive wear and tear to it.

 

[Boyo]

Anyone care to rank accuracy of the manufacturers of A-2's for those of us less informed?
do all agree on Goodwear being in the top spot?
1. Goodwear
2.
3.
4.
5.

 

[MJCR]

Then here you go;

http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/

The Vintage Leather Jacket Forum.
Populated by a bunch of hard core A2 collectors, jacket manufacturers, and fans who will be happy to give you their opinion. Whether you want it or not. . (I love the place, so don't anybody jump on me!)

For my experience, I definitely have noticed the difference between Aero A2's and those by some of the other "higher end" manufacturers.
I'm a HUGE Aero fan when it comes to their civilian jackets. Not so much for their A2's.
HAVING SAID THAT.....Aero makes quality jackets, INCLUDING their A2's.
I'm glad they got asked to make the jackets for this movie, and know they will do a great job. I seriously doubt most folks...even many of those who are "addicted" to A2's, will notice whatever subtle differences there may be between jackets used in the movie and jackets from that era.

Cheers Jeff!

 

[Sloan1874]

Anyone care to rank accuracy of the manufacturers of A-2's for those of us less informed?
do all agree on Goodwear being in the top spot?
1. Goodwear
2.
3.
4.
5.

And show your working, please.

 

[Sir Jacket]

I'm concerned about accuracy but I'm equally concerned about how the jackets look. In fact, I wear them for that reason: that they evoke a certain period that I find appealing. And because (to the discerning eye) they can look damn good.

SJ

 

[majormajor]

The Aero ones have one less stitch per inch in the seams.

Priceless:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap