King of Cool A2 (Hilts, McQueen)

[regius]

Anyone actually bought one of these? I remember some threads talking about it but no one seemed to have handled one, it's quite expensive, for not knowing where it's made and any additional photos.

 

[rocketeer]

A few companies make them, look for the most recent thread, being 'Escape A2' I think.

 

[aswatland]

I bought an unworn example second hand of the ELC Hilts A-2 and am delighted with it.

 

[Cocker]

The ranks are both on the shoulders and under the collar?

 

[aswatland]

Correct.

 

[regius]

Sorry folks, this is not what I meant. I literally meant the "King of Cool" Escape A2. Marketed by the company, King of Cool.

 

[regius]

King of Cool customer service has confirmed that their Hilt jacket is made in Scotland. SB????


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[ButteMT61]

King of Cool customer service has confirmed that their Hilt jacket is made in Scotland. SB????

Only if Aero made one...

 

[regius]

I email SB, let's see, will email Holly too

 

[regius]

Ken confirmed Aero made their A2!

 

[ButteMT61]

Ken confirmed Aero made their A2!

Was there any doubt?

 

[regius]

Was there any doubt?

Well, I thought we don't know right? nobody said it's made by Aero... not me.

 

[Sloan1874]

If it was an SB A-2, it would have looked pretty rum as their standard pattern is just a rough approximation of an A-2, rather than an actual contract.

 

[Gav]

It even mentions aero on the king of cool website...

"...Not for comfort. We could have sourced and used the exact same leather, in fact, Aero Leathers use it in many of their jackets and, for 100% authenticity, this is what we should have gone with..."

 

[regius]

Yea, noticed that. But still good to obtain first hand proof. Surprisingly no one did a review here. Ken said it's their 40s collar stand model, I think he meant the 1711, a '38 model with collar stand as the 3785 has no collar stand anymore.


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[Edward]

Worth double checking with Aero. The only place I've seen KoC stuff on sale only at Motolegends, who also have the Aero 59er Highwayman in stock (they have a contract with Aero for a set number of those per week). They've also sold the ELC jacket in the past, and I'm sure I did see an Aero A2 on their site at a time, but can't swear to it. If they say Scotland, Aero seems the most likely, given all that. The sb A2 looks, to my eye, much more like one of those later 50s civilian approximations with a different fit, but to be fair I've never seen one on the wild.

 

[regius]

Thanks! Good news, I have photo confirmation that the current KoC A2 is the Aero 3785, will upload photos soon. I also just bought one so will review!!!
Ken also confirmed.

I had a goatskin SB A2 before, it's pretty fat, so yea, more like a civilian jacket, also, had a loose ring snap, pretty pissed. otherwise the construction was solid.

 

[regius]

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[Edward]

If memory serves, the original Hilts jacket was a later issue (1942 or thereabouts), and they tended to have a boxier fit.

Colour looks good - I always was struck by how the Hilts jacket looks almost black on some scenes in the film.

 

[regius]

Although it's a well established consensus that the actual Escape jacket was a RW, re-dyed, i often wonder it must have been a large size for McQueen, looking at the way the whole back and sleeves and shoulder drape on him. Interestingly, I could only re-create the feel by wearing a two size larger Eastman RW, or, an Aero! The Aero pattern just lends that look even if it's the wrong mfg


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