Bill Kelso Aeronaut A-1 or Aero Aeromarine

[rus1980]

All,

I am smitten with the idea of purchasing this type of jacket. Both of these jackets cost approximately the same. I'm looking for opinions on which I should go with. Please educate me on the positives and negatives (if any) for choosing one over the other.

The aero looks much heavier. Is this the case? I don't particularly need a heavy jacket. Choices of leather always perplex me. I don't know the difference between any of them. I think I would rather a very dark brown in colour or black leather. I would like a plaid lining. Not sure which one, as this is another aspect where I find there are so many options that it makes my head spin. Obviously I would like a lining that contrasts (pops out) nicely with the leather.

Any help (including pictures to help me figure this out would be nice).

Rus

 

[Jeff M]

The BK A1 is a different design than the BK Aeronaut, which is basically the same as the Aero Aeromarine.
A1's are generally made from capeskin, a soft relatively light sheep hide traditionally from the Cape of Good Hope, traditionally used as glove leather.
Aero's "Aeromarine", and I believe BK's version, the "Aeronaut", are made out of medium weight hides. In the case of Aero's jacket, medium weight Full Quarter Horse Hide (FQHH), though I believe they also have steer hide options such as Badalassi hides.

I own versions of both designs, various leathers.
None of these would be "really cold weather" jackets. For that you are talking something with a shearling lining, like the Aero "Thunder Bay
The FQHH/Steer hide jackets I find comfortable down to around 50- 55 degrees F.
I generally think of an A1 as a "leather jumper" (sweater) in terms of fit, use and amount of warmth. Comfortable down to around low 60's.


The only "positives" or "negatives" I see have to do with which maker you go with. For me, that is as important a factor as what design/hides.
I've had more experience with Aero....and am a fan of their work and their leathers.

 

[coloradorider]

I think I would rather a very dark brown in colour or black leather. I would like a plaid lining. Not sure which one, as this is another aspect where I find there are so many options that it makes my head spin. Obviously I would like a lining that contrasts (pops out) nicely with the leather.

I think you'd be very happy with jackets from either Bill Kelso or Aero and it will really come down to what leather you prefer.

I think the Aeronaut in a brown Badalassi leather with dark red stitching would look pretty amazing - check out this color combination in a Goodwear A-2 HERE.

There are some great pictures of the Aeromarine on the Aero site and also the Thurston Brothers thread on this site.

 

[Sloan1874]

Aero have also recently introduced a design called the Aeronautical which is essentially the Aeromarine with the patch pockets replaced with handwarmers. Major Major owns one:

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Man...that's a sweet jacket,Sloan..!!
HD

 

[rus1980]

What about leather options? I'm looking for something dark. Either dark brown or black.

 

[Jeff M]

Aero has dark brown and black leathers, both in FQHH and steer.
Have you been to their web site?
Their leather section;

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1295

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1296

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/product-detail.php?id=1297

Plus others they don't show on the site, such as the blue leather above.
Peruse the "Insurrection/Thruston" thread here.;

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...ction-Thurston-Bros-Official-Affiliate-Thread

119 pages and counting with many many photos of different Aero jackets made from many different leathers.

Re; lining options....Aero offers more linings than any other leather jacket manufacturer I've dealt with. In addition to standard cotton drill, sateen, alpaca, the offer Locharran Tartan linings. over 700 to chose from;

http://www.lochcarron.com/

 

[Sloan1874]

The seal jerky they've made Aeromarine in is fantastic, but one made of a mid-weight dark brown horse hide would be a bit of gem - you could stare into Aero's brown FQHH for ages, the depth of colour is amazing.

 

[Fanch]

I agree completely with Sloan's assessment of Aero's brown FQHH, specifically used on my Teamster and Sloan's Long Half Belt. However, for the jacket that you have in mind, I would go with one of Aero's MWHH, either russet jerky or seal (jerky or smooth).

 

[Jeff M]

One more maker to toss into the mix just for the he*l of it. Mark Fisher, "NorShor Leather";

 

[Fanch]

Jeff, that is one helluva cool looking jacket! :thumb:

 

[Smithy]

Jeff, that is one helluva cool looking jacket! :thumb:

I'm with Fanch, that is a stunner Jeff!

Mark is also one of the best guys to deal with, I bought a jacket off him a few months ago and he was so helpful. He's a top bloke.

 

[Jeff M]

Thanks.
Mark did a fantastic job on it. the 3rd jacket he's made for me...all great.
Based it on the more "blue collar" Cossack originals he has. Tried to make it look as much as possible as an original would. Mixed smooth and grainy hides...very subtle.
Oil pull steer hide that he added a bit of analine dye to, very subtle two tone affect at the collar and cuffs.
Vintage buttons I had not seen before.
Fits like the proverbial glove.

Can't say enough good things about Mark and his jackets.

 

[Fanch]

Jeff, do you have his website?

 

[Jeff M]

http://norshorleather.blogspot.com/

He doesn't have much of a web site, and it doesn't show what all (or much) of what he does.
He is changing the name of his company from "Superior Flight Apparel" to "Norshor".
Here is the link to the "Superior Flight Apparel" site. Shows a bit more of what he offers;

http://superiorjackets.com/

He posts here on occasion.
His email is;

fishmeok@gmail.com

One of my favorite jackets he made is this zippered leather version of a M1941;

View attachment 2710

View attachment 2711

View attachment 2713

Not currently offering it.
I'll keep hounding him till he does again.

Here is a post from not all that long ago about NorShor leathers;

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?72474-Norshor-Leather&highlight=Fisher

 

[HoosierDaddy]

One more maker to toss into the mix just for the he*l of it. Mark Fisher, "NorShor Leather";

Love the features on this jacket. Especially the collar..and the hide looks superb..!!
HD

 

[rus1980]

I communicated very briefly with Mark at Norshor, and he never replied to my last email asking about sizes through FB. Not sure why. I will try and write him again.. Here is what he wrote me:

"dear R***** no website rolling for now .we are currently offering some test /sample jackets:the NS2 and NS3 on our facebook page at a very attractive price . these are the only jackets along the NS1,that will be manufactured for now...thx for your interest and stay put, as every news will be featured on our page .....cheers NS"

I like the jacket that you posted. Which NS model is it? NS1? NS2?

Cheers.

 

[rus1980]

In other words.. I got the impression that he doesn't make the above jacket right now... Otherwise, I would be very interested.

 

[Jeff M]

He may not be offering the Cossack at the moment. I believe mine ended up being more work than he anticipated.

 

[Grayland]

He may not be offering the Cossack at the moment. I believe mine ended up being more work than he anticipated.

Thanks a lot, Jeff! That's why we can't have nice things.