In pictures: Aero 38-1711-P Type A-2

[Sir Jacket]

Here you go, Loungers. My long-awaited Aero 38-1711-P Type A-2 in seal jerky with rust knits, size 40, 2 inches added to sleeve and body length. I think this one's a keeper but let me know your thoughts. SJ

 

[schitzo]

'Oop there it is' (Ricki Lake)

 

[Dr H]

Good colour combo SJ, your call of course, but to my eye the sleeves are too long (easily remedied) and the torso still a bit short. If those are the trousers that you'd normally wear with the jacket.

 

[ButteMT61]

Jacket length and details I like a lot. Sleeves are very long. Might be ok with wear and some water. Or, you could have them dropped an inch or so. That hide is tough to get to shrink, but not impossible. Nice looking jacket otherwise.Dig the pants and boots too.

 

[schitzo]

I didn't notice the sleevs till they brought it up. I'm no A2 expert, far from it, but on the one I had my sleeves were like this too - I liked em like that.

But, if in the final analysis they are deemed too long then at least this is the best fit problem to have. From the pic with it done up I like that length. Just think, if you'd have called them earlier you'd now have a jacket that's too short! You were lucky

 

[Sir Jacket]

Actually, guys, I agree with schitzo: the sleeve length is a lot more comfortable like that. It gives you plenty of flexibility and will in any case shorten by an inch or so with wear. SJ

 

[schitzo]

I bet you felt like a right ponce while you stood there instructing Mrs SJ on how to get the right shots. I know I definitely do but at the end of the day it has to be done!

I dunno about this type of leather, but an inch's worth of loss sounds like a bit much. How long are they exactly? You're 2 inches shorter than me and mine were 27.5. My (amateur and uninformed) reasoning at the time was that I wanted the leather to the end of my wrist and the cuff to bunch over my hands. I think probably a lifetime of off the rack induced irritation with sleeves that weren't quite long enough swayed my thinking

 

[ButteMT61]

Bottom line: you like the sleeves, so that's what counts. Some like lomger sleeves. Some like shorter - way shorter sleeves these days as it's "in fashion". This hide is not a "shrinker" in my experience. I've had two or three made with what looks like that particular hide. It's tough as nails. And the colors rock.

 

[Sloan1874]

Sleeve and length look absolutely fine to me - given the choice, I'd rather not have storm cuffs riding up constantly. Colour combination is peachy.

 

[Cooperson]

Here you go, Loungers. My long-awaited Aero 38-1711-P Type A-2 in seal jerky with rust knits, size 40, 2 inches added to sleeve and body length. I think this one's a keeper but let me know your thoughts. SJ

The jacket looks good to me, but I’m not an A-2 owner. I have seen comments about tunnelling, when the knits disappear up the sleeve like this - apparently it isn't considered ideal. If you like the feel of longer sleeves I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[bretron]

If you were looking for ideal fit I'd say take the sleeves up an inch. Otherwise I'd say you totally nailed it!

 

[ButteMT61]

Oh, and another red building! lol

 

[pauleway]

Love the rust knits. Beautiful jacket!!!

 

[nick123]

Very envious of that jacket! Looks great!...The rust knits go well with the red paint!

 

[Brettafett]

I prefer slightly longer sleeves than too short, after some wear and creasing they may actually ride up a touch anyway.
Personal preference. Jacket looks good.

 

[Cole]

Very nice jacket. Looks more fited then my 38-1711-P. Damn, I wish I went with the 42 and added length instead of the 44.

 

[Sir Jacket]

Thanks for all comments, fellas.

Well, for people who haven't been reading another recent thread, I actually went to Galashiels to have this fitted around September last year -- by Will. I tried on all sorts of A2s, in all sorts of sizes, to determine, I gather, which bit would fit which part of me best. The instructions Will left the machinist, though, were rather odd, about making a standard A2 look like a "38", with 2 inches extra arm and body length. I actually asked him whether the jacket and sleeves would be too long like that and he said, no, they'd ride up with wear. It's true: I find it awkward when the knit is tugging at the wrist too much.

When Ken called me to discuss, months later, he ended up disregarding the more complicated instructions and just going for a 38 with 2 inches extra on sleeve and torso. And voila!

I'm getting a lot of admiring female glances, which is to me an important determinant of jacket fit, although I concede I'm probably imagining them all.

SJ

 

[rocketeer]

I'm also a 'slouchy' cuffs guy, I dont like them tight even when new.
Boots look cool also, what make please?
J
Ps. Photo advice: I never feel comfortable posing without a prop, ie: Beer bottle, large dog on lead, hat in hand etc or even leaning on something.
Just my ideas.

 

[Sir Jacket]

Rocketeer, they're Redwings, the Chelsea boot version thereof.

Thanks for photo advice. Yes, beer bottle would have been good.

And I did feel like a berk posing for Ms SJ but, c'mon!, I was bringing vital intelligence to the forum.

SJ

 

[majormajor]

Excellent jacket. Congrats on the buy. The 38-1711-P is in my sights to replace my current A2.

As others have said, the sleeves thing is down to where you are on "tunnelling". The purists tend to go for shorter sleeves. Others go for a more comfortable length. Longer ones are certainly better for driving and such.

The colour looks really dark in the pics. Is it as dark as that in the flesh?