My (small) A-2 collection

[pjman]

My first real leather jacket was an A-2 reproduction, made by Avierx.It was given to me around 35 years ago, and I still have it. I've since acquired two more A-2's, a Cooper and my most recent, one by What Price Glory. All are sized 42 regular. Even though I'm now a die-hard G-2 fan, with six of those jackets in my collection, you still can't beat the classic styling of the A-2.

First up is my Avirex. It's not an accurate reproduction, but I love it nonetheless. Its still one of my best-fitting and out comfortable of all the jackets I own. It's made of very supple calfskin, and has a two-piece back instead of the correct single piece. It also lacks the throat latch, has hand-warmer pockets and incorrect ribbed knits. Avirex also included a giant label in the back of the lining.



A seam runs across the upper back of the Axirex jacket.




The Avirex patch and hand-warmer pockets



Apparently, Avirex wanted everyone to know who made the jacket!



Next up is my Cooper, which I got right after the Air Force started re-issuing A-2's to flight crews. This is my least-favorite of all my flight jackets. I think it fits poorly, being too wide at the shoulders. I never liked the large collar and the cotton lining, which makes the jacket more difficult to pull on. But the goatskin is great, and is a lighter chocolate color than the rest of my jackets.





Last is my favorite A-2, by What Price Glory. I love the fit and finish of this jacket, and the goatskin is very supple. The lining is cloth, but slides on almost as easily as my non-lined G-1's. It has no label, but I don't care. For $150, I think its the best value in an A-2 you can get.




Top to bottom: Avirex, Cooper, What Price Glory.



From left - What Price Glory, Cooper, and Avirex. The WPG has the earlier scalloped pocket flaps.



The epaulets of all three jackets look very similar. From left - WPG, Cooper, and Avirex.

 

[HanauMan]

Nice jackets. I never had a real Avirex jacket but my first leather flying jacket in the 1980s was a Avirex copy, right down to the labels inside. I believe that 80s Avirex jackets are becoming somewhat collectable now.

I have the same Cooper A2 as yours, also bought new about the same time. Yeah, everybody moans about the Coopers, but I have always liked my jacket and never felt the need to replace it with something 'more authentic'. I don't wear the collar buttoned on so I don't really notice that it is has a large collar. The leather is fantastic on my Cooper, much nicer than on my two G1 jackets.

Funny enough, in your three photos, the Cooper fits the best; the other two are a tad baggy around the waist, maybe. But that What Price Glory jacket looks pretty good too.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I think the Cooper looks the best of those.

I've seen many a high end reproduction that doesn't look anywhere near that good

 

[jacketjunkie]

These jackets all look great value and I agree with Seb, I have seen much more expensive jackets fit worse. I also agree with both people above that I like the Cooper fit best, judging from the pictures it has the most gathered waist, a feature which I personally feel looks great!

 

[Doctor Strange]

Nice to see a good review of the WPG jacket. I've been recommending it as the best-bang-for-the-buck generic repro for a while... even though I've never handled one. But I've got three other WPG jackets, and they're all outstanding values for what I paid (Ike jacket, M-43 field jacket, British belted bush jacket)… so I'm not surprised that they make a remarkably good $150 A-2.

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks for posting your collection. I too think the Cooper fits the best. As you noted, it is just a tad too wide at the shoulders, but if you hadn't noted that, I might not have noticed.