fishmeok
Vendor
- Messages
- 759
- Location
- minneapolis
I posted this a while back on the VLJ list- if it's a little too in-depth jacket nerd (as my wife calls us) for the lounge please feel free to tell me...
This is a review of the Aero “Indian” made cowhide A-2, Russet color size 44. I bought this jacket used off e-bay with some horrendous hand-painted “art” on the back (but that’s another story). I was unaware of the Indian made Aero’s until after my purchase but I have not been disappointed. The contract number on the label is 42-11018P, AeroFlightManfinc. The jacket has the AAF insignia and an inspector’s stamp on the lining.
The leather used on this jacket is very thick, twice the thickness of my Avirex A-2 and approaching what I have on my motorcycle jackets. It is buttery smooth however, and the russet shade is almost perfect to my untrained eye (see the pictures of the jacket outdoors for some true color shots). There are numerous imperfections in the hide, both front and back, which in my opinion add character. The leather has creased very naturally in the arms and some nice grain is popping out in and around the wrinkles. My jacket had a heavy smokers odor when I received it, but a run through the rinse cycle and some good airing out has taken care of that. The russet outer color has worn through in several places showing the lighter color underneath, again enhancing the character of the jacket. There is a nice “aged” effect, making the A-2 look older than it really is. In some of the other posts (on the VLJ list) Jerome has mentioned that the finish on the Indian made jackets tend to come off easily, even bleeding into other colors when the jacket has art painted and then clear coated. This is even worse on the seal versions. The finish on mine does come off fairly easily- I can scrub it off with a fingernail without too much effort. The "art" on the back of my jacket did not bleed through, but the finish did come off as I removed the "art".
Olive drab thread is used in this jacket, making an appealing contrast to the russet on the heavily sewn seams. There is no wear or pulling in the seams, and even some flexing and stretching while wearing it wet had no effect on their integrity (once again in contrast to my Avirex, which popped a few threads and tore the liner In the arms while attempting the same exercise). The stitches butt up against one another, and show some real-world irregularities in following a straight line, but nothing noticeable to the average Joe.
The pockets are square and well placed, with some nice scalloping of the pocket flap. The hardware and construction are rugged, with a leather reinforcing tab on the inside snap. The pockets measure 6” wide by 7” tall (including flap).
The zipper pull on my jacket has been replaced with some sort of vintage or pseudo vintage Crown, but other than that it’s a generic zipper, reasonably sturdy, and it works well.
There is no tag telling me what the liner is made out of, but it feels more “natural” and smoother than the liners on my other jackets and is well constructed with nice coloration. The collar snap heads are covered with liner fabric.
Wool waist knits in a complementary brown shade are used, once again very well constructed and comfortable. The waist knit has completely lost its elasticity and will have to be replaced at some point. The waist knit seems shorter to me than on other Aero’s and A-2’s I’ve seen. Both the waist and cuff knits measure 2 1/4” long. They looked a little odd to me at first, but I’ve gotten used to it.
The fit on this jacket is an interesting combination of modern size and Aero peculiarities. It fits as a modern size 44. I’m 6’ 190 lbs and the arm length and chest size are good (though I did do a little custom fitting when the jacket was wet). The waist is typical Aero high, with the knits ending 1/2” past my hipbone (heading south) with the jacket zipped up. To me this looks more authentic, but I’ve seen many period pictures with different A-2 waist lengths depending on who was wearing them. When seated the jacket sits perfectly at my waist, with the bottom edge of the leather body at about the level of my hipbones. I can comfortably reach up and to the opposite shoulder without the jacket rising excessively, running out of travel about when my hand is level with to the top of my shoulders (arm straight). The shoulder seams extend about 1” past my shoulder, and the epaulets exhibit the typical “Aero lift” in the front middle- they could probably stand to be about 1/2” shorter. The jacket drapes nicely, sitting comfortably on my shoulders with just a little tightness in the front. The jacket is big enough in the shoulders and body to fit a light sweater underneath, but not so big that I have unsightly “1988 Avirex Authentic Aged A-2” bagginess.
I am very impressed with this jacket. The fit and finish are excellent and I think it is a fantastic deal for the money. Even though this is from Aero’s “bargain” line, the quality and value are worlds above the A-2’s offered by other lower end makers (I own both a Cooper and an Avirex).
Cheers
Mark
This is a review of the Aero “Indian” made cowhide A-2, Russet color size 44. I bought this jacket used off e-bay with some horrendous hand-painted “art” on the back (but that’s another story). I was unaware of the Indian made Aero’s until after my purchase but I have not been disappointed. The contract number on the label is 42-11018P, AeroFlightManfinc. The jacket has the AAF insignia and an inspector’s stamp on the lining.
The leather used on this jacket is very thick, twice the thickness of my Avirex A-2 and approaching what I have on my motorcycle jackets. It is buttery smooth however, and the russet shade is almost perfect to my untrained eye (see the pictures of the jacket outdoors for some true color shots). There are numerous imperfections in the hide, both front and back, which in my opinion add character. The leather has creased very naturally in the arms and some nice grain is popping out in and around the wrinkles. My jacket had a heavy smokers odor when I received it, but a run through the rinse cycle and some good airing out has taken care of that. The russet outer color has worn through in several places showing the lighter color underneath, again enhancing the character of the jacket. There is a nice “aged” effect, making the A-2 look older than it really is. In some of the other posts (on the VLJ list) Jerome has mentioned that the finish on the Indian made jackets tend to come off easily, even bleeding into other colors when the jacket has art painted and then clear coated. This is even worse on the seal versions. The finish on mine does come off fairly easily- I can scrub it off with a fingernail without too much effort. The "art" on the back of my jacket did not bleed through, but the finish did come off as I removed the "art".
Olive drab thread is used in this jacket, making an appealing contrast to the russet on the heavily sewn seams. There is no wear or pulling in the seams, and even some flexing and stretching while wearing it wet had no effect on their integrity (once again in contrast to my Avirex, which popped a few threads and tore the liner In the arms while attempting the same exercise). The stitches butt up against one another, and show some real-world irregularities in following a straight line, but nothing noticeable to the average Joe.
The pockets are square and well placed, with some nice scalloping of the pocket flap. The hardware and construction are rugged, with a leather reinforcing tab on the inside snap. The pockets measure 6” wide by 7” tall (including flap).
The zipper pull on my jacket has been replaced with some sort of vintage or pseudo vintage Crown, but other than that it’s a generic zipper, reasonably sturdy, and it works well.
There is no tag telling me what the liner is made out of, but it feels more “natural” and smoother than the liners on my other jackets and is well constructed with nice coloration. The collar snap heads are covered with liner fabric.
Wool waist knits in a complementary brown shade are used, once again very well constructed and comfortable. The waist knit has completely lost its elasticity and will have to be replaced at some point. The waist knit seems shorter to me than on other Aero’s and A-2’s I’ve seen. Both the waist and cuff knits measure 2 1/4” long. They looked a little odd to me at first, but I’ve gotten used to it.
The fit on this jacket is an interesting combination of modern size and Aero peculiarities. It fits as a modern size 44. I’m 6’ 190 lbs and the arm length and chest size are good (though I did do a little custom fitting when the jacket was wet). The waist is typical Aero high, with the knits ending 1/2” past my hipbone (heading south) with the jacket zipped up. To me this looks more authentic, but I’ve seen many period pictures with different A-2 waist lengths depending on who was wearing them. When seated the jacket sits perfectly at my waist, with the bottom edge of the leather body at about the level of my hipbones. I can comfortably reach up and to the opposite shoulder without the jacket rising excessively, running out of travel about when my hand is level with to the top of my shoulders (arm straight). The shoulder seams extend about 1” past my shoulder, and the epaulets exhibit the typical “Aero lift” in the front middle- they could probably stand to be about 1/2” shorter. The jacket drapes nicely, sitting comfortably on my shoulders with just a little tightness in the front. The jacket is big enough in the shoulders and body to fit a light sweater underneath, but not so big that I have unsightly “1988 Avirex Authentic Aged A-2” bagginess.
I am very impressed with this jacket. The fit and finish are excellent and I think it is a fantastic deal for the money. Even though this is from Aero’s “bargain” line, the quality and value are worlds above the A-2’s offered by other lower end makers (I own both a Cooper and an Avirex).
Cheers
Mark
K THX !
