Eastman Leather Clothing A-1 Jacket .50 Cal. Collection - NEW Capeskin

[Big J]

I don't know.
Maybe there are some people who often buy jackets and then decide to sell them on. But maybe there are those who don't. I've never bought a jacket only to sell it on. I gave away a jacket to my brother-in-law.
If you lose weight, I get it, but otherwise I can't see why someone would sell on a jacket that they had really wanted.

 

[ButteMT61]

One of the strange things with this hobby is the moving on of so many "grail" jackets. I don't know how may times I have purchased the "perfect" jacket only to put it up for sale in no time. A stupid behavior and habit but its there.

Yep. Two I regret today - esp after looking at pics. One was a second GW Ventura in black Shinki. The other, an Aero A-2 from @Fanch. The rest I felt good passing on, and many I donated (new) which was a good feeling. Now, my closet is the skinniest it's ever been for leather jackets. This being said, I have more non-leather jackets and lots of boots now. So I just shifted a bit.

I'd actually try one of these A-1's out just to see if the cut is more appropriate for me. That and the lighter hide are a plus for SoCal...good firefighting jackets.

 

[ButteMT61]

I don't know.
Maybe there are some people who often buy jackets and then decide to sell them on. But maybe there are those who don't. I've never bought a jacket only to sell it on. I gave away a jacket to my brother-in-law.
If you lose weight, I get it, but otherwise I can't see why someone would sell on a jacket that they had really wanted.

Plenty of us buy jackets that we "really want" and find that:
Design just doesn't look good on me.
Numbers seller gave for size were wrong.
Jacket too heavy/light
Jacket color not what it looked like in pics.

Who cares why? Is there some cultism to this as well J? LOL

 

[Big J]

I don't know Butte, is there?

BTW;

Last time I engage,

Just can't seem to help yourself from coming back to this Eastman thread.

 

[CBI]

with high end repros, its an issue not being able to try on a jacket before a purchase. Not an option with a forum/used sale for sure.

 

[ButteMT61]

I don't know Butte, is there?

BTW;

Just can't seem to help yourself from coming back to this Eastman thread.

I can't. I like bumping it for the OP. I get commission for everyone I "turn". LOL

 

[Big J]

@CBI, that's a fair comment. I've never checked about Aero's return policy (for example), I'd guess it's the same as ELC's; if you order a UN-customized jacket in a standard size, you can return for a refund? I don't know.
I guess GW/DD isn't giving refunds since all jackets are custom made based on customers individual measurements? Or are their military repros made in issue standard sizes (oops!).
If they are made to measure, why don't they fit?
If they are made to contract spec standard sizes, why aren't they return and refundable?
Maybe we need to be careful with the way we use words without paying attention to what those words actually mean. Instead of 'high-end repros' maybe we should just be saying 'high-cost repros'.

 

[CBI]

I think dealing with "vintage" patterns is a real challenge even with the "correct" custom measurements. I have worn so many jackets that are right on the money measurements that just don't drape well. I know lots of folks here have had that experience. If you get a custom job done, no returns.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I don't know.
Maybe there are some people who often buy jackets and then decide to sell them on. But maybe there are those who don't. I've never bought a jacket only to sell it on. I gave away a jacket to my brother-in-law.
If you lose weight, I get it, but otherwise I can't see why someone would sell on a jacket that they had really wanted.

I get it. I have sold off or given away many leather jackets. Many of them I got for little money, some I paid good money for. I tend to buy a jacket in an effort to find myself. I don't realise it's not for me until I have tried to live with the jacket for a while. I admit that I am fickle. I have sold some jackets I should have kept. But I don't regret anything.

I have to admit that the high price repro pathway has never appealed to me. It's not what I got interested in jackets for. I can easily afford a $1500 jacket but I personally don't value this expression of the hobby for my own use. I enjoy looking however.

 

[nick123]

One of the strange things with this hobby is the moving on of so many "grail" jackets. I don't know how may times I have purchased the "perfect" jacket only to put it up for sale in no time. A stupid behavior and habit but its there.

A lesson in humility.

 

[ButteMT61]

Bump so the good man can sell some of these beauties!

 

[HPA Rep]

with high end repros, its an issue not being able to try on a jacket before a purchase. Not an option with a forum/used sale for sure.

But you can return them after trying on, CBI. At least you should be able to when buying new, and if I was the seller of something used, you'd also have a return option. It just doesn't seem at all professional to not offer returns when you cannot see the item in person.

 

[El Marro]

But you can return them after trying on, CBI. At least you should be able to when buying new, and if I was the seller of something used, you'd also have a return option. It just doesn't seem at all professional to not offer returns when you cannot see the item in person.

I have very recent experience along these lines and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Charles and HPA for their stellar customer service.
Last week I ordered a Buzz Rickson L2-A experimental test sample jacket but I was unsure of which size to get because my measurements fell right between the 42 and 44. I called HPA and spoke to Charles to review my options and get his opinion. He and I agreed that I should try the size 42 since I wanted a trim fit, and he graciously offered to put a size 44 on hold for me in case the 42 was too small. When the jacket arrived it was a bit too trim for my liking so I called Charles again and arranged to send the jacket back in exchange for the larger size.
Thanks again for the top notch customer service!

 

[Stand By]

Hey Charles,
Any chance of a review of this rare and unusual beauty?
https://www.historypreservation.com/products-page/usaf/buzz-rickson-ma-1-flying-jacket-blazing-red/
I originally saw it in an old Buzz catalogue (2007?) that you kindly sent me a few years ago - and now it's back! Would love to see more of it and see that red nylon on a real person ...
Thanks!

 

[ButteMT61]

Hey there Big J, maybe this page will help you with your questions on the sizing concerns over the DD jackets.
Seems to me it's not exact, and even the guys here will have some deviations. Imagine?
This sounds like a pretty nice jacket. And look at that price - inline with other's non-leather pieces too!

https://www.historypreservation.com/products-page/usaf/buzz-rickson-ma-1-flying-jacket-blazing-red/

Read the sizing tips and measurements. That should offer some help. Never heard of this jacket, but I dig the story of it. tough choice here...

 

[ButteMT61]

@HPA Rep - can you give me more guidance on the red MA-1? I'm a 47/48 and tall. Would you recommend a 2XL or XL?
Are there other MA-1 or similar variants available in this size? I'd like to compare to some others...I dig the red and the story.

 

[CBI]

Returns or exchanges are good/professional.

I am not going to go down that road anymore than that.

Typical how these threads can go in different directions.

I think the 50 Cal A-1 is a very unique option and there is a lot of enthusiasm for the jacket so I DO hope you sell MANY of them.

 

[ButteMT61]

I'm really looking forward to more on this MA-1 that @Stand By posted. Wish I could get some feedback on it.

 

[Big J]

@Stand By, Charles,
I'm loving that red MA-1! I think it looks great! I can picture Santa wearing one on his sleigh during high altitude trans-Atlantic runs!
I couldn't wear it because it would clash with my bright red cheeks from years of alcohol abuse, but this could be a good MA-1 for @Edward to consider because he's always put off by the links to right-wing groups the style has in the U.K. but I think this color would be a good option.

@Butte, why would I want to refer to BR's MA-1 sizing information for help with DD's jacket sizes? There's no connection. DD doesn't know, understand, what he's making. He's the monkey, JC is the organ grinder. JC looks at the contract specs, makes up graded patterns based on them, gives them to DD, and says "This is a size 36. This is a size 38", and so on.
I know DD is clueless because he keeps BSing to cover the gaps in his knowledge, and then contradicting himself after JC gets in touch privately to set him straight. Case in point, his L-2A is 'cut longer for a modern look' one day, and a couple of days later it 'made to the specs in the contract'. He hasn't got a clue, he's all over the place. I'd be better off asking JC directly.
Now, I'm gonna say this one last time, I have every right and entitlement as a potential customer to ask questions about GW/DD products. I have every right and entitlement as a potential customer to criticize their products, and their customer relations (i.e. DD calling me mentally ill for asking questions).
What's YOUR angle? Who's made it your job to run around TFL defending GW/DD? I reckon you aren't getting paid to do it, so why bother? Why do you care what I think?

 

[ProteinNerd]

Why are we talking about JC/DD an Eastman Leather specific thread anyway?

Why not start specific thread on DD and have at it and not bog down HPA’s thread, he’s an affiliate and keeps this place paid for, I think we should show him a little more respect.