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

[Thuggee]

Charles would you consider this a lighter jacket compared against say the Eastman House A2 in regard to warmth it provides, I’m from Brisbane Australia, out of all my jackets my Eastman A2 gets worn probably the most as it’s great for our weather conditions being very lightweight


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[bn1966]

I wear an A-1 when an A-2 would be too warm (ELC RW A-2 in HH).
A-1 feels like a lightweight leather cardigan to me

 

[Big J]

I really like this style. It's an AAF jacket, but because it's pre-war, it doesn't have any of the baggage image-wise that an A-2 has. I've always just thought of it more as a 'classic golden era' jacket.
I like Eastman's distressing effect, they are about the only people to make it look authentic IMHO. I don't have any ore-distressed jackets, but I think a lot of people must have more jackets than they can wear regularly, so getting 'the flavor' to come out naturally is something that would take them too many years.
This isn't a style I think I could wear because I always seem to tear buttons off leather jackets, I'm too clumsy.
I wanted to ask about the cape skin though. I have never handled an original or repro of this style, and capeskin is something I only have gloves made out of, so I was wondering about how robust these hides are? I imagine they are pretty light and flexible, soft, is that right?

 

[Worf]

To clear up any confusion this is the jacket HD and Butte are referring to. 3rd hand to me but I'll never part with her...

The leather is like nothing I've ever seen before or since. Maybe I'll do some close-ups of the amazing grain if this thread moves forward. JC is the man!

Worf

 

[mr_lits]

To clear up any confusion this is the jacket HD and Butte are referring to. 3rd hand to me but I'll never part with her...

I compare every A1 jacket to this specific jacket. The grain on the back it out of control. Hands down the holy grail of A1s, and you wear it well Worf (said very jealously).

 

[Big J]

@Worf, that is a great looking jacket. And you got that awesome Barnstormer too! Sorted.

But someone's gonna have to put me straight, coz I don't understand how this 'holy grail of A-1s' has been passed on through 3 owners. Why didn't either of the first two owners keep it?

 

[Worf]

@Worf, that is a great looking jacket. And you got that awesome Barnstormer too! Sorted.

But someone's gonna have to put me straight, coz I don't understand how this 'holy grail of A-1s' has been passed on through 3 owners. Why didn't either of the first two owners keep it?

Don't ask me... ask Butte and ah ain't sellin'! 50 pounds lighter and it fits even better. Sleeves were always a little short but she's still my baby.

Worf

 

[HoosierDaddy]

YES Worf. We need some close up photos of that fab cape..!!

 

[Big J]

@Worf, ha ha! You and me both! All jackets look better minus pounds! Well done! I'll ask Butte.

@Butte, I don't want to derail this Eastman thread, but why did you decide to move on this GW jacket, and why did the previous owner decide to move it on to you?

 

[ButteMT61]

I sold for one simple reason - it didn't fit me right. @Worf is a big guy - so am I - but in a different way. the waist/torso is too large, and the guy who had it before me is a Marine built more like Worf. Add to that I lost 30 pounds which made it a done deal.
I hated selling it but I never felt right in it. I have pics somewhere of me wearing it. The guy I bought from was simply selling off many of his jackets. Wondering how many others you're going to ask this question @Big J ? I've sold others too - some even fit me well (thanks again, @Fanch).

Last time I engage, but here's the pics of the best looking Repop A-1 I've seen.

 

[Worf]

Better than I could've done. THAT my friends is grain!

Worf

 

[HPA Rep]

Charles would you consider this a lighter jacket compared against say the Eastman House A2 in regard to warmth it provides, I’m from Brisbane Australia, out of all my jackets my Eastman A2 gets worn probably the most as it’s great for our weather conditions being very lightweight


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Thanks for the inquiry, Thuggee! Yes, this is certainly lighter in weight than any ELC A-2 due to the inherent properties of capeskin and how ELC specifies their cape to be. As I have stated, vintage issue-type A-1's are so supremely rare that infinitely few have ever handled one, but I've handled three and Gary Eastman does own one and he copied the weight, look, detailing, and fit precisely. This ELC capeskin makes one feel as if one is wearing a cardigan or chamois shirt - it can be worn like a blazer indoors!

Making repro garments heavier (or lighter) than the vintage counterpart is something I'm quite sensitive to; its all part of getting the details and the essence banged out correctly. There is an unexplained propensity in the repro market to go heavier when it comes to leather jackets and I just don't understand this, with the A-2 really punctuating this point because it was designated a "summer flying jacket" and the vintage examples in a correctly cut size 40 (my size) weigh in at about 2 lbs. 10 ounces, with some being a couple ounces heavier, but 3 lbs. would be the absolute accepted ceiling for this size, and I haven't weighed any vintage jackets yet in size 40 that were 3 lbs. Even ELC comes in heavy in this regard at 3 lbs., though they offer the lightest-weight A-2's of the higher-end makers I have handled in the last few years (it's possible recent A-2's from some higher-end makers have addressed this issue and I acknowledge my ignorance if this is so)

The ELC A-1 in size 40R weighs in at about 2 lbs. 4 ounces, which is smack in the zone of authenticity for this style. I think somewhere along the way people got the twisted idea that vintage flying jackets were supposed to be suits or armor, yet the experimental test evaluations, specs., and feedback at the time were continually all pointing toward developing gear that was lighter in weight, more flexible, and yielding more insulation - they were seeking the best balance of warmth-to-weight ratio. The A-1 and A-2 were supposed to be nothing more than windbreakers that protected against water, oil, grease, gasoline, and some rough edges and pointed objects that could be encountered in the aircraft, but this criteria was always to be balanced against the need to provide flexibility and light weight (each increment of excess weight yields a lighter payload, decreased distance, airspeed, increased fuel consumption, and reduction in overall performance of the aircraft).

Bottom line, the A-1 would be an ideal jacket for you based on what you have stated. Please let me know if I may assist in any other way. Thank you!

 

[ButteMT61]

This sorta shows why It was too large for me. I hated selling it - but knowing it went to Worf made it easier.
I asked JC about getting it tailored and he didn't recommend it, so it was better to pass on to a good fella.

 

[CBI]

I owned John's very first or second A-1 he ever made. Loved the jacket but the fit was off for me. LOVE the former BUTTE jacket made by John. John can't even get that sort of cape anymore. BUTTE the pic of you wearing the A-1......totally fits you!!!!!!! gave you some room to layer as well.

 

[CBI]

Congrats to ELC for the 50. Cal A-1

 

[handymike]

To clear up any confusion this is the jacket HD and Butte are referring to.

The leather is like nothing I've ever seen before or since. Maybe I'll do some close-ups of the amazing grain if this thread moves forward. JC is the man!

Worf

This is the most amazing jacket!!!!

 

[handymike]

I

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Incredible!!!!

 

[ProteinNerd]

No offence Butte but it does look better on Worf

 

[ButteMT61]

No offence Butte but it does look better on Worf

Of course it does - it's his size and cut.
Hence the flip. Like the 12-15 other flips in my past. If one comes here and sees the perfect jacket/owner pics, why would one keep a jacket that doesn't make the cut?
I miss it but it's got a good home with Isaac Hayes.

 

[CBI]

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.