Goodwear A-2 vs. Californian Ventura

[Dr H]

Certainly all russet - the seal tones on the GW site are markedly different.

 

[ButteMT61]

Russet. But remember, photos are weird and he has had many batches of hides. It's all variable. I know JC doesn't like hides with too much red tones, so I'd expect maybe more of a brown tint. Also, if you're actually going to order one, get samples. It's the only way to get close to reality.

 

[Grayland]

I might dip my toe into the A-2 world, but I'll start with Bill Kelso. His russet seems more like Lost Worlds russet and if that is the case, I'll go with the seal brown.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

So far as I know, the reddish russet aniline HH from Japan is no longer stocked. He only carries the seal, a dark seal and a waxy seal. I had the plain seal and it was fabulous.

 

[ButteMT61]

BTW, the statement on the short body of the Aero's is a myth according to a knowledgable fellow I spoke with. Every sport has 'em lol
I'm glad. I would be bummed if my final choices got nixed due to my height! Finally lost the weight, and I'm not getting my legs chopped

 

[HoosierDaddy]

BTW, the statement on the short body of the Aero's is a myth according to a knowledgable fellow I spoke with. Every sport has 'em lol
I'm glad. I would be bummed if my final choices got nixed due to my height! Finally lost the weight, and I'm not getting my legs chopped

Well..a custom made to measure jacket can solve all problems...even myths...!

 

[ButteMT61]

Well..a custom made to measure jacket can solve all problems...even myths...!

True dat!

 

[Don Tomaso]

The third and the fourth pic make me re-thinking my non-liking of A2s... But I'l wait for delivery of my LHB first. That has been announced for last week, then changed to this week.:eusa_doh: I hope they don't delay it past the cool weather...:eeek:

 

[bretron]

The third and the fourth pic make me re-thinking my non-liking of A2s... But I'l wait for delivery of my LHB first. That has been announced for last week, then changed to this week.:eusa_doh: I hope they don't delay it past the cool weather...:eeek:

Don't get too excited about those pics if it's the color of the hide that strikes you cos JC doesn't offer that red russet anymore. Too bad... I may get burned for saying this but to me JC's dull russet is too boring and the light russet is (well) too light; like the Three Bears, the red russet was "just right"

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Don't get too excited about those pics if it's the color of the hide that strikes you cos JC doesn't offer that red russet anymore. Too bad... I may get burned for saying this but to me JC's dull russet is too boring and the light russet is (well) too light; like the Three Bears, the red russet was "just right"

Agree 100%. The seal Japanese HH is the only one I'd consider for an A-2. For me.

 

[Edward]

If I was going to have one leather jacket and one only it would absolutely be the Ventura of those two, without a second thought. I don't own any Goodwears, but with a couple of A2s (one Aero, one ELC) ans a couple of Aero's civilian jackets, I have the equivalent. The civilian jackets do get much more wear, especially if I am shooting for a specifically vintage look (I'm not sure many civilians would have been wearing an accurate A2 -issue style jacket back in the day). That said, it's all a matter of personal preference - if you think you'd wear the A2 more and would be happier with an A2 being your only leather, then go for it. On the other hand, if it is merely a question of when rather than which, I would opt for the A2. John is, of course, best known for the quality and accuracy of his A2 jackets. The sort of hyper-accuracy that really matters with an A2 is less significant for a civilian jacket, IMO: the much greater variety of civilian designs means you're less looking at the issue of "stitch for stitch accuracy" and more which of the very many civilian designs do you happen to prefer. If you absolutely have to have the most stitch for stitch accurate A2 on the market but are less full-on when it comes to the very tiny details of the civilian jacket, it makes sense to prefer the A2 in this instance. Given relative volumes of production, you're much more likely to find a used Aero halfbelt at a great price on eBay or the classifieds here than you are a Goodwear A2.

 

[bretron]

Agree 100%. The seal Japanese HH is the only one I'd consider for an A-2. For me.

That JP seal hh is amazing stuff. Unfortunately for me, its just a tad too similar to the seal hh on my Bill Kelso a2, so I'm electing to go for the hand applied finish seal hh (any idea if that hide is JP tanned or not??).

 

[Deleted member 16736]

If I was going to have one leather jacket and one only it would absolutely be the Ventura of those two, without a second thought. I don't own any Goodwears, but with a couple of A2s (one Aero, one ELC) ans a couple of Aero's civilian jackets, I have the equivalent. The civilian jackets do get much more wear, especially if I am shooting for a specifically vintage look (I'm not sure many civilians would have been wearing an accurate A2 -issue style jacket back in the day). That said, it's all a matter of personal preference - if you think you'd wear the A2 more and would be happier with an A2 being your only leather, then go for it. On the other hand, if it is merely a question of when rather than which, I would opt for the A2. John is, of course, best known for the quality and accuracy of his A2 jackets. The sort of hyper-accuracy that really matters with an A2 is less significant for a civilian jacket, IMO: the much greater variety of civilian designs means you're less looking at the issue of "stitch for stitch accuracy" and more which of the very many civilian designs do you happen to prefer. If you absolutely have to have the most stitch for stitch accurate A2 on the market but are less full-on when it comes to the very tiny details of the civilian jacket, it makes sense to prefer the A2 in this instance. Given relative volumes of production, you're much more likely to find a used Aero halfbelt at a great price on eBay or the classifieds here than you are a Goodwear A2.

Your post raises a question I've always wondered about: did former pilots wear their jackets or just hang them in the closet?

 

[Edward]

Your post raises a question I've always wondered about: did former pilots wear their jackets or just hang them in the closet?

I'm not enough of an expert to know - I'm sure someone here does, though. I'm sure I read that (as with many uniform and other issues bits, even today) they were supposed to hand in their A2s when they retired from service or when they were replaced by a new uniform issue, but most likely many didn't. Whether they wore it out, though... that's another thing. With rare exception for very specific (non-obvious) items among certain individuals, all the ex-forces boys I've known wouldn't be viewed in the morgue wearing something they'd been "made" to wear for their "job"... [huh]

 

[767fo]

Joel, You cannot go wrong with any style of jacket that John offers. I wear my GW A2's more often than the Ventura but when I do wear the Ventura it never gets old

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Joel, You cannot go wrong with any style of jacket that John offers. I wear my GW A2's more often than the Ventura but when I do wear the Ventura it never gets old

Thanks. I'm definitely going for the 39 Werber A-2 in seal. John confirmed for me that they made it in seal. I can't wait. I wore my Dubow all the time too, especially indoors. That's the other thing: an A-2 can double as a sweater. This thing is going to be my second skin.

 

[ButteMT61]

Part of me is bummed I can't get the redder hides. I don't know why, but they grab me. Luckily, I've got a few more weeks to worry about it

 

[Don Tomaso]

Don't get too excited about those pics if it's the color of the hide that strikes you cos JC doesn't offer that red russet anymore. Too bad... I may get burned for saying this but to me JC's dull russet is too boring and the light russet is (well) too light; like the Three Bears, the red russet was "just right"

Well, lucky me, then. Aeroleather just took the money for the LHB, so another jacket now would not only lunacy - and as such quite ok -, but also bankruptcy...

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Part of me is bummed I can't get the redder hides. I don't know why, but they grab me. Luckily, I've got a few more weeks to worry about it

Agreed. The reddish russet was a great color.

 

[Jeff M]

Well, just purchased my 2nd Ventura.
"Sealish" color, Italian leather.
Great looking jacket.
I still recommend a GW A2 if you are only going to have one GW and want more of an "all around" jacket...but if thinking getting a second GW, consider a Ventura.