Gibson & Barnes Civil A-2

[TXFlyGuy]

Have had my G&B A-2 (cowhide) now for about two weeks. It's a size 42R, which is my normal uniform size and coat size. The fit through the shoulders and chest area is spot on. The fit around the waist area is good, but perhaps just a tad on the generous side. I do not have a "gut", and at 5' 11" and 174 lbs would be pretty average, I think.

The overall quality of the coat is nothing short of stunning! From the finish of the leather down to the stitching detail. Would highly recommend the folks at G&B!

Ordered a Signature Series USCG G-1 from the US Wings people. It should be here by the end of the week. Looking forward to comparing these jackets as the USW is made by Schott.

 

[Fanch]

Given your size, I suspect that you might have been able to fit inside a G&B size 40R since G&B seems to size their jackets big. I am 6'2" and weigh ~180 lbs. I normally wear a 44 long suit or sports coat jacket but found that 40T in G&B is optimal for me, at least for their A-2 jackets. Would love to see pics of you wearing your new G&B A-2 though.

I forgot to say: Welcome to the FL!!

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Thanks for the welcome! I actually bought two jackets from G&B, a 42 and a 44. A friend ended up buying the 44 from me as it was definitely too large. But the 42 is a perfect fit across my shoulders, so a 40 would probably be a bit tight.

The G-1 was ordered from US Wings as it is a "military" fit...they told me to get it in a 44. Had two conversations with them before ordering to ensure that this would be the correct size. Will know on Wednesday afternoon. It can always be exchanged if needed. So far their customer service has been good.

Again, I am really impressed with G&B.

 

[Vespizzare]

I have a size 40 G and B Civil A2 that I got on ebay. It's a nice jacket but if I had to say one thing about it, I'd say that it runs LAARGE. Sometimes I take a 40 and sometimes a 42. Anyway this jacket came with a zip-out thinsulate liner which I thought I might use sometimes, but really figured that the jacket was to wear without it. Long story short: the G and B 40 (with no liner) is gobs too big. It fits nicely with the liner though so I wear it on colder days than I might have otherwise. The story ends okay because for less cold I got a great Lost Worlds A1 on ebay for a great price. BTW that's a 42 and it fits A-OK.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I wear a 42 suit and a 42t in the G&B's I have owned and all 3 fit well. I would be interested to see if a 40 still fit me but I'm happy enough with the fit of the ones I have.

 

[bn1966]

My experience of G&B is that they run LARGE

 

[TXFlyGuy]

My experience of G&B is that they run LARGE

Interesting as mine is a 42R, my normal suitcoat and pilot uniform coats are 42R. All with perfect fit. The G&B as stated above is a tad roomy through the waist / stomach area...not too much, just a bit. Makes a sweater fit without any issues. The G&B fits like a glove in the shoulder chest area.

 

[W4ASZ]

I obtained a near-mint black G&B Civil A-2 on the Famous Auction Site for an obscenely low tariff. It, like my other G&B A-2s, seems true to size. I wear a 46R in a suit coat, and the fit is nice for both of my 46R G&Bs. The 48R traditional G&B A-2 I have is fine with a sweatshirt or sweater thereunder.

I think the results may vary. I'm content.

 

[Tinytim]

I have a Gibson & Barnes A2 flying tiger size 40, I think they are cut abit on the large size, the pit to pit on my jacket is 24.5 inch. But other than that the quality of the jacket is very good, material, cut & finishing, all first rate.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

A fellow pilot friend of mine has just ordered a G&B Civil A-2 based on my recommendation. He had them send a jacket for "sizing only", and he has returned the coat and is waiting on his brown goatskin jacket to be made. The folks at G&B are very helpful in this regard!

Like he said, it is not a correct repro, but he likes the side pockets. He intends to sew on his fathers US AAF patches.