Bfd70
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 4,331
- Location
- Traverse city
I just received this jacket. I’ve had a thing for A2’s for a while. I picked up a nice LW here a while back for a great deal but unfortunately a moment of jacket ADD struck and i moved it on. Two things have kept me from jumping into the deep end of the A2 pool:
1. It basically has no useable pockets.
2. It’s hard to get the fit right. Yes, I realize during the war you got what they gave you and made it work, but I’m a soccer dad not an airman. I really think when an A2 fits right it’s great but when the fit is off it can really be awful.
I was pretty determined to go with an Eastman. I’ve never owned one and wanted to check them out with my next purchase. Also, as I have mentioned before, I really prefer to go OTR whenever possible. This may be particularly important with A2s as there are so many contracts all of which fit differently. I really don’t like the idea of spec, pay, wait, sell because the fit is wrong (the is particularly hard for us few 36’s. If i were in the 42-44 club It would be easier to move on). I originally purchased a 50 cal. I like the 50 cal treatment and really like the contrasting knits. Unfortunately the numbers were a little of for me. I would have needed to order a long. Lead time on that due to supply chain issues was sept-nov. if it arrived in Nov I wouldn’t be able to wear it until April of 22. Patience is at the top of a long list of virtues I lack. I purchased through hpa and it was a great experience. The proprietor promptly answered emails and offered guidance. I strongly recommend looking at them.
The Jacket. I won’t discuss anything about accuracy as first I’m far from an expert and second that information is readily available currently. The stitching seems very good. I’m not obsessive about this. The rough wear hide is super. Deep and rich with a lovely grain. The smell is....well, someone should figure out how to make it into a candle or cologne.
1. It basically has no useable pockets.
2. It’s hard to get the fit right. Yes, I realize during the war you got what they gave you and made it work, but I’m a soccer dad not an airman. I really think when an A2 fits right it’s great but when the fit is off it can really be awful.
I was pretty determined to go with an Eastman. I’ve never owned one and wanted to check them out with my next purchase. Also, as I have mentioned before, I really prefer to go OTR whenever possible. This may be particularly important with A2s as there are so many contracts all of which fit differently. I really don’t like the idea of spec, pay, wait, sell because the fit is wrong (the is particularly hard for us few 36’s. If i were in the 42-44 club It would be easier to move on). I originally purchased a 50 cal. I like the 50 cal treatment and really like the contrasting knits. Unfortunately the numbers were a little of for me. I would have needed to order a long. Lead time on that due to supply chain issues was sept-nov. if it arrived in Nov I wouldn’t be able to wear it until April of 22. Patience is at the top of a long list of virtues I lack. I purchased through hpa and it was a great experience. The proprietor promptly answered emails and offered guidance. I strongly recommend looking at them.
The Jacket. I won’t discuss anything about accuracy as first I’m far from an expert and second that information is readily available currently. The stitching seems very good. I’m not obsessive about this. The rough wear hide is super. Deep and rich with a lovely grain. The smell is....well, someone should figure out how to make it into a candle or cologne.