Looking for an A-2 (Help)

[kliffjumper123]

Hello all,
I'm somewhat new to the whole leather jacket and flight jacket world and subsequently need some help. I currently own a Cooper/US Wings Flying Tigers commemorative jacket in Seal Brown. What I'm looking for is a lighter shade, not necessarily a Russet but more of a ww2 coloration in an A2. Not necessarily too light but something like the pictures below. At the moment cost is a factor (I'm a high school student), so I'm primarily looking at something used and relatively cheap (100-250-300 USD range). If you all could point me in the right direction it would really be helpful. (I'm looking for a 36r)

Below are some links from the Cockpit USA website of jackets that I really like, but as I said, are out of my price range. I'd really like to something similar. Also, if anyone is getting rid of any A2s here on this site, I might be interested in buying some.

Thank you

https://www.cockpitusa.com/men/a-2-flight-jackets/40th-anniversary-a-2-flight-jacket

https://www.cockpitusa.com/men/a-2-flight-jackets/40th-anniversary-bottoms-up-a-2-pinup-jacket

 

[Doctor Strange]

These don't look like russet, and may be too dark for you, but they're the least expensive A-2 model I can semi-recommend:

http://onlinemilitaria.com/products/6787-US-A-2-LEATHER-FLIGHT-JACKET-2018-RUN/

http://onlinemilitaria.com/products/5467-US-A-2-Leather-Flight-Jacket/

And by semi-recommend, I mean that I've never seen one of these in person, but I have some other What Price Glory jackets that are excellent repros for the price.

 

[kliffjumper123]

These don't look like russet, and may be too dark for you, but they're the least expensive A-2 model I can semi-recommend:

http://onlinemilitaria.com/products/6787-US-A-2-LEATHER-FLIGHT-JACKET-2018-RUN/

http://onlinemilitaria.com/products/5467-US-A-2-Leather-Flight-Jacket/

And by semi-recommend, I mean that I've never seen one of these in person, but I have some other What Price Glory jackets that are excellent repros for the price.

Thank you for your help Doctor Strange, much appreciated.

 

[Brettafett]

I actually have a Cockpit Government Issue WW2 A-2 in seal (darkish). Have also had a number of Coopers a few years back.
Try AVI LTHR's seal Bronco jacket. Its a very nice mid brown shade of Seal... At a very good price.
https://avilthr.com/product/a2-flight-jacket-seal-brown-bronco/
Have a look at my recent review.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/avi-lthr-bronco-a-2-jacket-review-pics.92117/page-10

 

[kliffjumper123]

I actually have a Cockpit Government Issue WW2 A-2 in seal (darkish). Have also had a number of Coopers a few years back.
Try AVI LTHR's seal Bronco jacket. Its a very nice mid brown shade of Seal... At a very good price.
https://avilthr.com/product/a2-flight-jacket-seal-brown-bronco/
Have a look at my recent review.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/avi-lthr-bronco-a-2-jacket-review-pics.92117/page-10

Thanks for your help.

 

[Big J]

You know, if you're a small, medium, or large size (say, anything under 44 inch chest) I reckon you should hunt the Japanese internet for a used Buzz Rickson's A-2.
You could pick up something for 200 USD or less used. And it doesn't really matter with a leather jacket, because it just adds character. And for that kind of money, a used BR is way much better quality in terms of materials, construction and fit than any new jacket you could buy in the same price range.

 

[kliffjumper123]

You know, if you're a small, medium, or large size (say, anything under 44 inch chest) I reckon you should hunt the Japanese internet for a used Buzz Rickson's A-2.
You could pick up something for 200 USD or less used. And it doesn't really matter with a leather jacket, because it just adds character. And for that kind of money, a used BR is way much better quality in terms of materials, construction and fit than any new jacket you could buy in the same price range.

Thanks for your help. My preference for buying another jacket is used, because as you said, it adds character. Plus I may end up outgrowing it so I'd rather not get something new. But thanks for pointing me in that direction.

 

[Doctor Strange]

If you can push your budget a bit, a couple of more choices in a new jacket would be:

$399 and russet; folks here have been impressed with their jackets:

https://www.smwholesaleusa.com/shop-hollywood/a-2-us-aviator-flight-jacket

$429. I had one of US A's horsehide A-2s for a while. Their trim-but-long sizing was wrong for my shape, but it was a solid generic WWII repro.

https://www.usauthentic.com/a2-jacket.html

 

[Fadetoblack88]

I have a US authentic in russet HH. Its built to last and a nice accurate shade of brown. You can find them in eBay pretty cheap. Also the early cooper/saddlery A-2s are a nice mid brown and plentiful on eBay. I have an SM Wholesale A-2 arriving today in seal brown. I will post pics of both when I get home from work.

 

[Fanch]

Since you are still in high school, my input would be to wear what you now have and hold off until your growth has more or less stabilized, and then get something really nice then. But not now ...

 

[kliffjumper123]

I have a US authentic in russet HH. Its built to last and a nice accurate shade of brown. You can find them in eBay pretty cheap. Also the early cooper/saddlery A-2s are a nice mid brown and plentiful on eBay. I have an SM Wholesale A-2 arriving today in seal brown. I will post pics of both when I get home from work.

Thank you. Pictures would be much appreciated.

 

[kliffjumper123]

Since you are still in high school, my input would be to wear what you now have and hold off until your growth has more or less stabilized, and then get something really nice then. But not now ...

Thanks for your help. Yeah, I completely agree with that. Right now I'm about 5'8 140 and relatively skinny so my current A2 kind of makes me look like the Michelin Man.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

My a-2 from sm wholesale was way to small. So no pics for now, but I will share when I get one back in the right size.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

Here's some pics of the SM Wholesale A-2 in seal steerhide.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

Thanks for your help. Yeah, I completely agree with that. Right now I'm about 5'8 140 and relatively skinny so my current A2 kind of makes me look like the Michelin Man.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

Here's some pics of the SM Wholesale A-2 in seal steerhide. View attachment 118613

Here's some pics of the SM Wholesale A-2 in seal steerhide. View attachment 118613

 

[Fadetoblack88]

Here's some pics of the SM Wholesale A-2 in seal steerhide. View attachment 118613

Now its not letting me post anymore pics. Keeps saying file too large for server jpg. So o guess no more pics.

 

[kliffjumper123]

Here's some pics of the SM Wholesale A-2 in seal steerhide. View attachment 118613

Thanks for the picture. That really looks good.

 

[kliffjumper123]

You know, if you're a small, medium, or large size (say, anything under 44 inch chest) I reckon you should hunt the Japanese internet for a used Buzz Rickson's A-2.
You could pick up something for 200 USD or less used. And it doesn't really matter with a leather jacket, because it just adds character. And for that kind of money, a used BR is way much better quality in terms of materials, construction and fit than any new jacket you could buy in the same price range.

In regards to searching the Japanese internet, do you know of any websites or shopping sites that I could use? Thus far I've only really found Rakuten and a few others but nothing that has used stuff.

 

[Big J]

Sure, what size are you? I'll send you a search result link, and you can just check it anytime to see what's new.