Calling on all AERO "Happy Days" Jacket owners...

[pawineguy]

I would go with the straight ahead classic FQHH brown, DD. The depth of colour is amazing, and the patina and grading it develops over time is fantastic. I've never read anyone who's been disappointed by it. Seal for your next one!

+1, it's the iconic Aero leather for a reason. The aniline dye and glazing give an amazing color depth that is not done justice by a computer screen.

 

[Rudie]

Do you want your jacket to develop a patina quickly or would you prefer it to look new as long as possible? Chromexcel will get that faded worn in look much faster than most other leathers. If you like the look and the weight it is awesome. If you like a jacket that ages slowly the seal HH is probably a better choice. Personally, I find the smooth HH a bit bland, though.

 

[Sloan1874]

Rudie's right. If you're looking for something to hold it's newness, then you might also want to consider goat.

 

[Edward]

I'd also suggest the goat in this one. For my money, this type of jacket with knits works better in the lighter hides, but that's personal choice. Aero's seal goat ages beautifully while kerping that "new and fresh" look longer than other hides. At least the older goat does, worth asking them about the new stuff to confirm it's the same.

My Highwayman is a midweight steer which would also be excellent for a jacket in this style.

 

[Rudie]

I have two russet goat jackets, one old, one new. The old goat has aged beautifully. It has no color loss but the grain has become very pronounced in wear areas. I can't say for sure, as I haven't had the new one long enough, but my impression is that it will age slower and keep its newness longer. The new goat is more supple and doesn't have such a dry hand as the old one. Also, the new one is dyed all the way through while the old one is dyed russet with a top coat in either russet or seal. So with wear some russet will show through the seal top. You won't get that with the new goat, it stays seal.

 

[Rudie]

Ask for leather samples. No picture or review beats handling it in person.

 

[Superfluous]

Now that I have decided on the AERO "Happy Days", what leather do you suggest?

I really love this - SEAL BROWN SMOOTHE HORSEHIDE with the same colour wool as depicted in the picture:

Or BROWN HEAVY FRONT QUARTER CHROMEXCEL HORSEHIDE:

I strongly suggest that you try on a jacket made out of these leathers before you pull the trigger. Heavy FQHH is not for everyone and, if you are unfamiliar with the weight and rigidity of a jacket made from heavy FQHH, you may be surprised/displeased. Many here love heavy FQHH; many here dislike heavy FQHH.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Dave think carefully about the leather. I've owned 3oz FQHH (which is popular here) and I find it lacking in versatility for Australian conditions. It's thick and cumbersome and I found it wearable only on days around 15 degrees. I also have soft, pliable 3oz cowhide in a half-belt but wear it rarely as I find it's also overkill for our climate.

Goat is better (and it does develop a patina swiftly if you get the veg tanned stuff) but I personally would go with a mid weight horse hide. You'll get more wear out of it.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Dave, where are you in Oz? If you are in Sydney and want to feel the weight etc of some jackets send me a PM, happy for you to come over and get a feel for them, although I'm guessing mine will be a touch to small for you to try on.

I agree with Seb to a degree re FQHH and the Aussie climate, although my Bootlegger in Tumbled FQHH does seem a little thinner than the regular FQHH. Have you thought about going through insurrection? They are happy to send a fit jacket here and that then opens you up to their slightly lighter weight vegetable tanned HH.

Also don't think for a second that Aero's mid weight HH isn't substantial, its still much heavier than anything you will buy in a brick and mortar store, the only issue I see is they don't have a brown only a much darker seal.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Dave think carefully about the leather. I've owned 3oz FQHH (which is popular here) and I find it lacking in versatility for Australian conditions. It's thick and cumbersome and I found it wearable only on days around 15 degrees. I also have soft, pliable 3oz cowhide in a half-belt but wear it rarely as I find it's also overkill for our climate.

Goat is better (and it does develop a patina swiftly if you get the veg tanned stuff) but I personally would go with a mid weight horse hide. You'll get more wear out of it.

Hi Seb,

So you think the SEAL BROWN SMOOTHE HORSEHIDE is a good choice then, as I believe it is a mid weight horse hide:



I do like this jacket on this Aero customer:



And then SEAL knit?



Cheers,
Dave

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Do you want your jacket to develop a patina quickly or would you prefer it to look new as long as possible? Chromexcel will get that faded worn in look much faster than most other leathers. If you like the look and the weight it is awesome. If you like a jacket that ages slowly the seal HH is probably a better choice. Personally, I find the smooth HH a bit bland, though.

Thanks Rudie,

I probably want it to look new for as long as possible, and I am concerned about what Seb said about the weight of the FQHH brown for our not so cold Australian climate. I want to get maximum use out of this jacket.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Rudie's right. If you're looking for something to hold it's newness, then you might also want to consider goat.

I'd also suggest the goat in this one. For my money, this type of jacket with knits works better in the lighter hides, but that's personal choice. Aero's seal goat ages beautifully while kerping that "new and fresh" look longer than other hides. At least the older goat does, worth asking them about the new stuff to confirm it's the same.

My Highwayman is a midweight steer which would also be excellent for a jacket in this style.

I have two russet goat jackets, one old, one new. The old goat has aged beautifully. It has no color loss but the grain has become very pronounced in wear areas. I can't say for sure, as I haven't had the new one long enough, but my impression is that it will age slower and keep its newness longer. The new goat is more supple and doesn't have such a dry hand as the old one. Also, the new one is dyed all the way through while the old one is dyed russet with a top coat in either russet or seal. So with wear some russet will show through the seal top. You won't get that with the new goat, it stays seal.

What type of leather would be most period correct for a jacket in the very early 50s? And what colour?

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Dave, where are you in Oz? If you are in Sydney and want to feel the weight etc of some jackets send me a PM, happy for you to come over and get a feel for them, although I'm guessing mine will be a touch to small for you to try on.

I agree with Seb to a degree re FQHH and the Aussie climate, although my Bootlegger in Tumbled FQHH does seem a little thinner than the regular FQHH. Have you thought about going through insurrection? They are happy to send a fit jacket here and that then opens you up to their slightly lighter weight vegetable tanned HH.

Also don't think for a second that Aero's mid weight HH isn't substantial, its still much heavier than anything you will buy in a brick and mortar store, the only issue I see is they don't have a brown only a much darker seal.

Thanks for the kind offer ProteinNerd, but I'm down south in Geelong.

I do like the idea of a brown jacket!

But according to Denny at Aero, this is a seal brown jacket, and I think it looks amazing:

 

[Sloan1874]

What type of leather would be most period correct for a jacket in the very early 50s? And what colour?

View attachment 21175

View attachment 21174

I think it tends to be the mid-weight hides that are period correct. Not sure about the colour, though from the bomber jacket thread on the Lounge, they tend to be browns and russets.

 

[nick123]

Yeah, the experts here claim to have never seen anything as thick as FQHH in the heyday, with exception to some European bullhide? jackets.

 

[Fanch]

Seal goatskin would also be a great choice.

 

[Fanch]

Or black goatskin.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Which zip?

I now need to choose a zip colour – Brass , Nickle or Antique Brass.

What zip is the most appropriate/period correct if this jacket was purchased in 1952?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Dinerman]

All are correct.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

I think it tends to be the mid-weight hides that are period correct. Not sure about the colour, though from the bomber jacket thread on the Lounge, they tend to be browns and russets.

So would SEAL BROWN SMOOTHE HORSEHIDE have been around in the very early 50s?



And is it considered a true BROWN?