How Popular is the Aero A1..??

[KentH]

Hey guys and gals..

This is my first post, I probably should not announce that, but anyway.. Say a person has two or three A2's and has a little more money in their slush fund.. Is an A1 a good selection..?? This may sound dumb, but how many A2's can you have really, I have one in russet & one seal jerky HH, I also have an actual G1 from my time in the service in 1974.. I am only interested in military style jackets.. The B3's seem too bulky although a beautiful jacket, I like the lighter style of the A2's and their notoriety.. The A1 caught my eye on the Aero site and looks like a good alternative, but I was wondering how other people thought about it and is it really a popular jacket or is it too obscure seeing how it was out of production in the early 30's..

Thanks in advance for your feedback.. Kent

 

[Guppy]

It's a lot less common, so I'd have to say it is less popular. But don't let that dissuade you. It's a good looking jacket.

 

[KentH]

It's a lot less common, so I'd have to say it is less popular. But don't let that dissuade you. It's a good looking jacket.

Thanks Guppy..

 

[jonesy86]

I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.

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[ton312]

I think our friend @nick123 had one in Olive green vic? It's a cool design and I say that despite really disliking jackets with knits.

 

[KentH]

I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.

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Nice jackets Jonesy... is that first one an A1..??

I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.

I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice jackets Jonesy..

 

[jonesy86]

Yes, the first is a repro. A-1, the second is a Heron-A-1, aka a civilian cossack-shawl collar.

 

[Seb Lucas]

The A1 is a fairly common period jacket style amongst jacket enthusiasts. Actually, I noticed in Italy that the A1 style s a common civilian pattern for leather jackets. Or was a few years back. The Aero version hasn't caught on as much here as the (edit) Eastman and Goodwear versions. Authentic USA do one too.

As already indicated by Jonesy, I think the reason they are not as popular in general is that they tend to me made from sheep - capeskin - which is no where near as cultish as the far more durable FQHH. I am also not sure that buttons are as popular. People who dig the style tend to go with a shawl collar jacket like the Himmel Heron.

The A1 is a nice light weight windbreaker jacket alternative.

 

[Dav]

Anything around here is obscure if it ain't from a mall. I have an Eastman A-1 which I think is a great alternative to the A-2 that I also have, I do prefer the A-2s though.

 

[robrinay]

Having previously bought (cheap on eBay), an RRL version in a 42 and a suede Italian version in a 46 I’ve now got an A1 in my own size 44 long and it’s my most comfortable leather jacket, very easy to wear and looks great. I think of it as my Goldilocks A1

 

[Boyo]

The A1 is a very light jacket in both weight and its ability to keep you warm, the two front pockets are very small and are fairly useless. I had one for a while and I had no issues with the lightness of the capeskin as it is pretty durable in general.

 

[Lebowski]

Anything around here is obscure if it ain't from a mall. I have an Eastman A-1 which I think is a great alternative to the A-2 that I also have, I do prefer the A-2s though.
View attachment 147581

Nick, you definitely should think about a model career in hi-end leather jackets' business, seriously.
I mean, looks like almost every good jacket not only fits you perfect but tempts somebody to buy the same one for themselves!))
P.S. This Eastman A-1 you're wearing looks absolutely fantastic!

 

[Lebowski]

I don’t think any originals survived as many were made out of Capeskin. I like the A-1.

I also like the civilian Cossack-shawl collar from the same period.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

David, this GW A-1 looks very cool on you, it's possibly the best your jacket. At least, one of the best of your top-3 chart) Respect and congrats, it's superb!

 

[bn1966]

I own an ELC A-1, lovely and light for the warmer weather, like a leather cardigan & with a less obvious military vibe than an A-2. I have found Cape hide to be tougher than expected and super comfortable

 

[handymike]

I think the lighter hides are better for the A-1. My favorite is still the Real McCoys dark seal with olive knits version...

But the Shinki hide is a bit heavy. @Worf has the most fabulous looking capeskin one.

 

[Bfd70]

I think if you already own a few A2 i’d go in a completely different direction.

 

[KentH]

I own an ELC A-1, lovely and light for the warmer weather, like a leather cardigan & with a less obvious military vibe than an A-2. I have found Cape hide to be tougher than expected and super comfortable

Thanks for the input bn1966..

 

[nick123]

I think our friend @nick123 had one in Olive green vic? It's a cool design and I say that despite really disliking jackets with knits.

It was certainly a cool jacket. Pretty true to size. A size 40 fit like a size 40.5-41. I would have prefered a collar knit that laid more flat, but chalk it up to learning. If I was to order again, I'd go brown lol.

 

[bn1966]

Thanks for the input bn1966..

You are most welcome

First time I ever came face to face with an A-1 (at ELC) I couldn't get my head around it..Cape!!..Buttons!! A seed was planted though.

Second time I met one (ELC again) I ended up cancelling a planned A-2 order & went for the A-1 instead.

 

[KentH]

The A1 is a fairly common period jacket style amongst jacket enthusiasts. Actually, I noticed in Italy that the A1 style s a common civilian pattern for leather jackets. Or was a few years back. The Aero version hasn't caught on as much here as the (edit) Eastman and Goodwear versions. Authentic USA do one too.

As already indicated by Jonesy, I think the reason they are not as popular in general is that they tend to me made from sheep - capeskin - which is no where near as cultish as the far more durable FQHH. I am also not sure that buttons are as popular. People who dig the style tend to go with a shawl collar jacket like the Himmel Heron.

The A1 is a nice light weight windbreaker jacket alternative.

If I were to order one I was leaning towards the Aero russet Vicenza....

Kent