McQueen A2 jacket in Great Escape

[CiscoKid]

Interesting you should point that out, Alan.
As I watched the film, I couldn't help but think, those German POW officers/soldiers are WAY too polite.
But then, why let reality get in the way of telling a great story?

 

[PADDY]

Might GoodWear recreate one if asked?

I dare say that if someone wanted GoodWear to recreate one, then JC would accomodate and do a jolly good job of it too (as with all his jackets).:eusa_clap

 

[Estevan]

I dare say that if someone wanted GoodWear to recreate one, then JC would accomodate and do a jolly good job of it too (as with all his jackets).:eusa_clap

I hear JC is pretty swamped lately. [huh] But as Paddy said, I'm sure he'll take care of you.

 

[Estevan]

I forgot to add....As the USD is at the moment, I believe John would be your best be as far as price goes. BTW, the link to Mash posted is nothing more than an ELC version with a Hilts name strip and a decal....You can make your own, or re-dye mine...NOT.

 

[blacpain]

hello together.
this thread is a little bit old but i got some question about pretty much the same jacket, so i just excavated it. (sorry for my bad english).

"edit" i have to add that i still wearing an Avirex type A-2 Spirit of '44 (drawing 30-1415 / contract 1978-01), which is a bit to heavy and now a want the real deal *smile*.

well i just found a real great store ("Gasoline-Alley") in my city, where i can order AERO jackets, like i want (style, leather, lining, patches etc. - you know).
so i already saw few posts in this forum about the model of "V. Hilts" from the movie "The Great Escape" ("Gesprengte Ketten") and i did just a little bit research.

till yet some wrote about "27752 Eastman", "16159 Real McCoys", "23380 Buzz Rickson" and i found something like "42-15142-P Aero" but im not sure if im on the right way with that Aero model.
some jackets i saw on the i-net got the USAAF captain signs painted on the shoulder pads, but when i look onto the movie, Hilts got his captain sign/needle under his left collar. he showed it, when he stands on the fence, after he wanted to pick up his baseball. Seal brown horsehide, if im correct (if not correct me immediatly ), with kind of the same lining as in the picture above from Estevan. The pockets are round on the lower corners. thats what i also saw in the movie, because some models got squared ones.

i would ask you all, if you can give me tips and hints and what i have to consider, before i ordering my own model at the store near me.

thank you in advance.


bP

 

[aswatland]

I understand Hilt's A2 is either a redyed Rough Wear 16159 or a Rough Wear 27752 and the best repro of the latter contract is made by Goodwear. I'm sure you can add the captain's bars and name strip, or ask John to do it. Alternatively buy an original from the contract!

 

[Papa M]

As I watched the film, I couldn't help but think, those German POW officers/soldiers are WAY too polite.

Gee! I thought all German POW guards were like Sgt. Schultz in Hogan's Heroes.

 

[deluxestyling]

An interesting thread guys. Sorry I haven't anything to add to the depth of the A2 discussion other than the fact that as far as authenticity of clothing in these old '60's/'70's war films goes I doubt anyone cared less what was right or wrong.
I am a WW2 Jeep owner/enthusiast and the quality of accuracy with Jeeps in films of this is era is laughable.
Don't get me wrong I'm not snobby about these old films in fact I love'em and I'm on side with anyone wanting to put together a "V.Hilts" outfit as we see it on the screen. Just can't see continuity pulling McQueen on his boots having the wrong rivets or the cut of his pants for ETO pilots...

 

[blacpain]

I understand Hilt's A2 is either a redyed Rough Wear 16159 or a Rough Wear 27752 and the best repro of the latter contract is made by Goodwear. I'm sure you can add the captain's bars and name strip, or ask John to do it. Alternatively buy an original from the contract!

Thank you for the quick reply, Andrew.

Well, the shop in munich only got AERO jackets and i feel more comfortable to go in the shop to order the jacket, that really fits instead of "online-order". so that why i asked which model of AERO i should look at, to get as near as with the 27752 and/or 16159.

for my old avirex i need a new lining, which i can do over the shop aswell or on their cutters.

@deluxestyling
yeah i know what you mean and yes you right i just want to pick up a A-2, which fits to my body and goes in the direction of the jacket from the movie (style, colour, material). i also understand, that every jacket is unique plus i also thinking of (dont crucify me) to add other "decals/patches" as well. in the first step, the jacket should please yourself and not others. but this thread is especially for that movie flick "McQueen A2 jacket in Great Escape" .

when my jacket is ready, i will open a new thread for it, if someone's is interessted in it.


Bye,
bP

 

[norton]

An interesting thread guys. Sorry I haven't anything to add to the depth of the A2 discussion other than the fact that as far as authenticity of clothing in these old '60's/'70's war films goes I doubt anyone cared less what was right or wrong.
I am a WW2 Jeep owner/enthusiast and the quality of accuracy with Jeeps in films of this is era is laughable.
Don't get me wrong I'm not snobby about these old films in fact I love'em and I'm on side with anyone wanting to put together a "V.Hilts" outfit as we see it on the screen. Just can't see continuity pulling McQueen on his boots having the wrong rivets or the cut of his pants for ETO pilots...

Well, he rode a german BMW motorcycle in the chase scene, until he had to jump the barbed wire, and then he traded it for a Triumph.

 

[Edward]

The main thing that always sticks in my memory (though it's been a long time since I saw the film) is just how dark the jacket was - in many shots, it looks almost black.

 

[deluxestyling]

Well, he rode a german BMW motorcycle in the chase scene, until he had to jump the barbed wire, and then he traded it for a Triumph.

Oh yes forgot about the olive drab Triumph TR6! There is a iconic image of McQueen astride that bike that just goes to show how magnetic the Hilts character is. Even that indiscretion doesn't detract from a great scene or discredit a classic movie.

Good luck with your jacket search Sam....

 

[kojax]

I like steve mcqueen a2 jacket fits him great god rest his soul

 

[Zaxxon]

I think I recall I got a kind of picture card from Eastman when I bought my A2 there, showing McQueen in the Great Escape and claiming that he wore an Eastman jacket.

Zaxxon

 

[Edward]

I think I recall I got a kind of picture card from Eastman when I bought my A2 there, showing McQueen in the Great Escape and claiming that he wore an Eastman jacket.

Zaxxon

I imagine the blurb implied that the Eastman jacket was 'the same jacket' in the sense of being 'an identical design', as opposed to suggesting that Macqueen actually wore an Eastman product. I'm pretty sure the film predates the Eastman company by some years?

 

[JakeHolman]

This may be of interest:

http://toys-mccoy.shop-pro.jp/?pid=21720004

Toys McCoy are McQueen obsessives. I believe they also make repros of Hilts trousers and boots as well as items from other films.

 

[Fletch]

My RMNZ Real McQueen A-2 is apparently a custom job, labeled as an RW 16159 but cut like their later 27752. This per the guy I bought it from.

It's for sale, BTW, if anyone can use a 42 labeled 46. More pix at the link.

 

[Zaxxon]

I imagine the blurb implied that the Eastman jacket was 'the same jacket' in the sense of being 'an identical design', as opposed to suggesting that Macqueen actually wore an Eastman product. I'm pretty sure the film predates the Eastman company by some years?

You are right, there is no way it can be an Eastman jacket regarding the timeline.
However, mine looks very similar to the picture and I can still recommend it in that sense.

 

[blacpain]

The main thing that always sticks in my memory (though it's been a long time since I saw the film) is just how dark the jacket was - in many shots, it looks almost black.

it looks really dark, but in some scenes you can see used/rubbed spots on the jacket and then you know it is dark brown.

 

[fukigen]

you may also check Bill Kelso fb page, they are releasing a great escape A-2 (https://www.facebook.com/billkelsomfg).
You can see pics even without fb account (my case)