Mint Aero A2 from the W535 ac 21996 Contract

[aswatland]

I have always liked the combination of dark seal leather and berry knits used by Aero on three of their Wartime contracts. This particular jacket is from the ac21996 contract which was awarded to Aero on 14th October 1941. 25,000 jackets were made under this contract and most were fitted with a M-41 Crown zip, like this one.

This particular jacket was only lightly worn in the War and kept in storage ever since. Everything is pristine, including the lining and knits. Sadly someone removed the tag size, which is a size 46 comparing it with other jackets that I have owned from this contract.

According to Gary Eastman cowhide was used extensively in this contract, but without a DNA test on this jacket one can't be 100% certain.
It is not a jacket that I will wear often, perhaps to the odd air show, because I want it to remain in this magnificent condition. Here are a few pics.

 

[aswatland]

 

[Fanch]

That is an amazing jacket and see why you might wear it on only rare occasions. In fact when you do wear it, almost everyone would assume that it is a very good reproduction rather than the original that it is. Congratulations on a one in a million acquisition! :thumb:

 

[Buco]

Simply Beautiful

 

[wild_balls]

Excellent, as always!

 

[Deleted member 16736]

That's one of the 2 or 3 best-preserved A-2's I've seen. Congratulations.

 

[Worf]

Man o man... "mint" just doesn't begin to cover it! Beautiful!!!

Worf

 

[majormajor]

A beautiful thing.

Thanks for posting, Andrew.

 

[EmergencyIan]

Talk about a time capule find or... 1941 in a box. What a treasure.

- Ian

 

[aswatland]

Thanks guys. I'm glad you like this extremely well preserved Aero.

 

[devilish]

Just wonderful. A piece of absolute leather loveliness. Color me jealous.

 

[scotrace]

Another amazing jacket. I'm also a fan of the berry knits with that hide.

 

[Plumbline]

Amazing condition given it's age .. GREAT find Andrew

 

[Deleted member 16736]

The rippling is very similar to the grain on my steerhide jacket.

 

[B-24J]

Congratulations Andrew! The berry knits really bring out the reddish hues of the leather.

Do you have a GW "Acme" 42-18775 with those knits? I recall your having an ELC.

John

 

[aswatland]

Congratulations Andrew! The berry knits really bring out the reddish hues of the leather.

Do you have a GW "Acme" 42-18775 with those knits? I recall your having an ELC.

John

Thanks John. No I do not have a GW Acme 18775, but I did own an ELC Aero, but sold it recently.