My First Aero - A-2 15142 'Real Deal'

[MeachamLake]

Hi all,

Thought I would share some pictures of my new Aero A-2 jacket. It's the first 'proper' leather jacket I've owned, and the first I have purchased from Aero.

The process was excellent and much quicker than expected - I got my jacket in about 5 weeks! I am very pleased with the resulting fit and I'm sure it will get better and better as it breaks in - it's still stiff as a board, but the quality is exceptional. It's in seal brown jerky horsehide with mid brown knits.

I was initially concerned that the 15142 contract jacket would be quite a blousy fit, but it's definitely not - the shoulders are not droopy at all and the armholes are nice and high. I think it's a good shape for my build.

For reference, I am 6"3 with a 45 inch chest and this is a size 44 (my usual chest size). We added a little body and sleeve length - the back length is just under 27" with 27.5" sleeves. Despite being tall, Ken advised me it would be best to not make the jacket too long to preserve an authentic WW2 fit, and he was spot on!

The only problem now is that the addiction has begun...already eyeing up a B6 or D1 for winter!

Some photos (please excuse the poor lighting and lack of footwear!)





post my foto

 

[robrinay]

V nice - my first A2 was an Aero too.

 

[Cocker]

The fit is spot on, indeed! Congrats on your new baby.

BTW, what hide is it, jerky HH?

 

[MeachamLake]

The fit is spot on, indeed! Congrats on your new baby.

BTW, what hide is it, jerky HH?

Thanks! Yes, it's Seal Jerky horsehide - gorgeous leather. Much more brown in real life than it appears in the photos too.

 

[Technonut]

Nicely done! Looks like it will grain-up well over time, and the fit is great.....

 

[ButteMT61]

"The only problem..." - yeah, if only it was like an addiction to ice cream or something.
Congrats - jacket fits perfectly. My very first "real" jacket was an Aero A2 Bronco. I know the feeling.
Go ahead and delete this site from your bookmarks, hide your credit cards, and take that jacket off the grid. Otherwise, you're doomed.
Congrats and welcome to the asylum.

 

[MeachamLake]

"The only problem..." - yeah, if only it was like an addiction to ice cream or something.
Congrats - jacket fits perfectly. My very first "real" jacket was an Aero A2 Bronco. I know the feeling.
Go ahead and delete this site from your bookmarks, hide your credit cards, and take that jacket off the grid. Otherwise, you're doomed.
Congrats and welcome to the asylum.

It's too late...I'm afraid the addiction has already begun!

 

[CBI]

Great jacket - my first "high-end" repro after getting back into this "hobby" 13 years ago was an Aero Real Deal A-2. Yours looks great, just wear the heck out of it!!!! Aero is one of the few dealers that has the dark, DARK seal hides readily available for orders. Its my favorite A-2 color.

 

[willyto]

You nailed the fit. Congratulations!

Nice to see people taking care of their shoes too with shoe trees.

 

[BobJ]

That jacket looks perfect on you. Besides a warm one for winter, there's no reason for you to even THINK about buying another leather jacket - that is one you can comfortably live the rest of your life in.

I have a jacket in seal jerky horsehide that I wear a lot, and couldn't be happier with the leather. It will soften up and get drapey and comfortable; it breathes well, but keeps out the wind and rain; it's got great grain and ages gradually, with character and patina.

Congratulations on your new old friend! I hope you show us pictures in a year or two.

Bob

 

[Sloan1874]

Great fit and lovely colour, a fantastic way to start you 'relationship' with the hobby.

 

[Fanch]

The measurements of your A-2 coincide almost identically with my Aero Bronco A-2, and yours looks great on you. Ken, Holly and Denny have been great help to me too as I have navigated through several Aeros. Consider a FQHH Teamster (or Stockman) with moleskin body shell and cotton drill sleeve linings for a winter jacket. You did well with this one!

 

[Lord Flashheart]

And if your taking Fanch's advice I am in the process of selling that very style and size of jacket!

 

[Stand By]

For a first "proper" jacket, that's a storming A2 to begin with! Very, very nice indeed and there's simply nothing to improve there. It's the jacket I wish I'd had as my first A2. Bullseye!!!
Wear it often and in good health! Thanks for posting.

 

[seres]

Perfect fit! I'm slightly surprised that, with a 45 chest, you didn't size up to a 46. But the pics speak for themselves... perfect!

 

[nick123]

That jacket certainly is the real deal. It has a grace to it with a pleasing collar and well, just looks perfect.

 

[BobJ]

"It has a grace to it with a pleasing collar"

I bet you can sweet talk the women, Nick!

 

[ButteMT61]

...

 

[Fanch]

Perfect fit! I'm slightly surprised that, with a 45 chest, you didn't size up to a 46. But the pics speak for themselves... perfect!

That's what I was thinking too as my chest size is 43" and I could size up to a 46 in this contract without having excessive room in the chest and shoulders. However, "the pics speak for themselves..."

 

[MeachamLake]

Thank you all for your kind words! I'm enjoying the jacket and wearing it as much as I can. It's already beginning to mould to my shape a little more - it's remarkable how the places where the jacket was a little tight have now loosened up, and the places where it was slightly baggy initially are beginning to disappear. However, I suspect the true breaking in process will be much more of a long term game!

That's what I was thinking too as my chest size is 43" and I could size up to a 46 in this contract without having excessive room in the chest and shoulders. However, "the pics speak for themselves..."

Interesting! Bear in mind that I did ask Holly and Ken during the order process to try and recommend me a trim fitting jacket - I am guessing they would normally recommend a 46 for a 45" chest? Still, it fits great in my opinion and I think it was the right decision.