Chest size suggestions for a civilian A-2 from the ealy 50s?

[Dagenham Dave]

Here's a nice example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201238260251

Beautiful jacket!



Do you think the Aerial Star would be more like this jacket:



Or the one I'm looking at getting made through Aero: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...n-all-AERO-quot-Happy-Days-quot-Jacket-owners

 

[Fanch]

If I were getting one of those jackets, it would be the Aero Fonzie "Happy Days" jacket hands down. In fact, my next jacket would be the Happy Days with MWHH lined with cotton drill throughout as I live in the Sun Belt of N Central Texas. HOWEVER, right now I have probably reached my limit with what I already have, and then some. Too bad the earlier thread on the Happy Days was locked down as I think that particular jacket along with the Board Racer are the bees knees.

 

[handymike]

I think you are right on track either way Dave!
Cotton lining will be good as well, although many originals had satin/rayon as well.

 

[Dinerman]

For this jacket style and era, most originals had quilted rayon or nylon linings.

 

[thor]

I like the Aero Happy Days but I'm a sucker for grainy leather so I'd go with jerky HH or steer, maybe that new Vincenza HH?
The Arial Star steerhide would probably break in over time with a nicer, more vintage (grainier) patina.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I'd choose the Ariel Star jacket out of those two. There's something slightly sleeker about the pattern and the price is terrific.

 

[nick123]

I think that Norshor you originally posted looks the most elegant. I owned the Aerial Star, and like Seb said, you can't beat the price. There were some 50s flight jacket ads posted here (Dinerman?) where the Aerial Star looks literally out of the ads. Even the cut of the jacket is spot on. The Aero just has the unique Aero spirit that's really appealing as well. Any one of the bunch are really nice jackets IMO.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

I'd choose the Ariel Star jacket out of those two. There's something slightly sleeker about the pattern and the price is terrific.

I'm just a bit concerned that I can't convince Chris to extend the sleeves of the 44 Aerial Star by 1".

At 27" and with a 19-19.5" shoulder, they just may come up too short. Then any money spent (no matter how much cheaper than the Aero Happy Days) will be wasted.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

I think that Norshor you originally posted looks the most elegant.

After discussions with NorShor, the owner has suggested I not pursue his jacket. He said that his patterns are of the more slimmer 30s/40s patterns and won't take well to the changes I've requested. He recommended Aero.

 

[nick123]

I'm just a bit concerned that I can't convince Chris to extend the sleeves of the 44 Aerial Star by 1".

At 27" and with a 19-19.5" shoulder, they just may come up too short. Then any money spent (no matter how much cheaper than the Aero Happy Days) will be wasted.

Is Chris not doing custom lengths anymore?
I don't think 27" sleeves will be an issue. I think you can get away with slightly shorter sleeves in knitted jackets. I had 27.5" sleeves (my arms are very long) and I wish I'd had them an inch shorter. They tunneled so much that had I kept it, I would have had them taken in.

 

[nick123]

After discussions with NorShor, the owner has suggested I not pursue his jacket. He said that his patterns are of the more slimmer 30s/40s patterns and won't take well to the changes I've requested. He recommended Aero.

Fair enough. That's a kind gesture on his part to recommend another maker. Pretty humble.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

I like the Aero Happy Days but I'm a sucker for grainy leather so I'd go with jerky HH or steer, maybe that new Vincenza HH?
The Arial Star steerhide would probably break in over time with a nicer, more vintage (grainier) patina.

Just my 2 cents.

I do love the Aero "Happy Days" too. I just don't really like the grainy leather. Do you think the SMOOTH SEAL HH is an authentic looking leather if it was produced in the very early 50s?

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Is Chris not doing custom lengths anymore?
I don't think 27" sleeves will be an issue. I think you can get away with slightly shorter sleeves in knitted jackets. I had 27.5" sleeves (my arms are very long) and I wish I'd had them an inch shorter. They tunneled so much that had I kept it, I would have had them taken in.

No more custom lengths from Chris. Just regular or long.

Regarding sleeve length, 27" may be ok, but it may not. And I'd rather be looking AT the extra leather than FOR it! I can always have then taken in.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Fair enough. That's a kind gesture on his part to recommend another maker. Pretty humble.

Agreed.

 

[nick123]

No more custom lengths from Chris. Just regular or long.

Regarding sleeve length, 27" may be ok, but it may not. And I'd rather be looking AT the extra leather than FOR it! I can always have then taken in.

That's fair. But if you can only get 27" I'd still go for it if it was me. If they're a little short, it really isn't a deal killer in that jacket. I haven't checked, but like WWII, I'm sure you'll find wearers from that time period with sleeve lengths ranging from short to long. And they still look good.
It's personal though, I understand.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

That's fair. But if you can only get 27" I'd still go for it if it was me. If they're a little short, it really isn't a deal killer in that jacket. I haven't checked, but like WWII, I'm sure you'll find wearers from that time period with sleeve lengths ranging from short to long. And they still look good.
It's personal though, I understand.

Hmmm...

 

[thor]

To me, smooth seal HH reminds me of the 1970's Sears Leather Shop bomber jackets that were/are a dime a dozen. I think the grainier hides show a better patina and have that nice burnished finish so reminiscent of older 1950's vintage jackets.

 

[Dagenham Dave]

I do love the Aero "Happy Days" too. I just don't really like the grainy leather. Do you think the SMOOTH SEAL HH is an authentic looking leather if it was produced in the very early 50s?

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To me, smooth seal HH reminds me of the 1970's Sears Leather Shop bomber jackets that were/are a dime a dozen. I think the grainier hides show a better patina and have that nice burnished finish so reminiscent of older 1950's vintage jackets.

Damn! Now that has me rethinking smooth seal HH.

 

[handymike]

Back in the 50's, they used the chrome tanned solid pigment dark brown stuff. If you want period look, you are fine. Aero's FQHH is pretty, but not really period accurate. Don't hurt yourself over thinking to death.....

 

[Dagenham Dave]

Back in the 50's, they used the chrome tanned solid pigment dark brown stuff. If you want period look, you are fine. Aero's FQHH is pretty, but not really period accurate. Don't hurt yourself over thinking to death.....

I definitely want very early 50s period look. So you think SMOOTH SEAL HH is a good choice?

Would more of a BROWN be a better choice?

TUMBLED BROWN HORSEHIDE:



BROWN 4OZ CHROME TANNED STEERHIDE: