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New AERO 1930s Halfbelt in goat...A very serious pictorial review

JanSolo

Practically Family
Messages
879
Location
Ever so sunny Westphalia, Germany
Hello everybody,
This is my latest aquistion from Aero. It’s a 1930s Halfbelt. Only minor things were changed or added (see spec sheet). The most important change from the original design was to make front and back equally long. All in all it’s almost a standard jacket. It’s a size 40 and it is comparable in fit to a Café Racer which puts it among the slimmest fitting jackets in the Aero range (Café Racer, 1930s HB, M422a, A2 1938 contract).

Why haven’t I chosen FQHH? Just because Aero’s straight veg tanned goatskin is so beautiful (and versatile)! I’ve had about half a dozen of FQHH jackets in the past and I fully agree with HoosierDaddy and many others that Aero’s FQHH (Horween Chromexcel) is probably the most beautiful jacket leather that’s available. But somehow I’ve fallen for Aero’s uniquely thick and stiff goatskin. The hard wearing pebbly grain surface, the slightly mottled seal spray finish on milk chocolate base, the smell of herbal tanning agents (and goats!)…just beautiful!

I am 6 ft. even, have a 39-40 inch chest and currently weigh 155 lbs. As you can see the jackets fits me quite well. The body has the desired trim fit, but it’s not overly restrictive. There’s enough room for a slim fit shirt and a thin lambswool or merino sweater. The sleeves are slightly longer because I requested an inch more in sleeve length. I like them that way. Also goatskin seems to develop creases and folds more readily than HH. This will shorten the sleeves slightly. As you can see I have already applied the “spray mist” method to the sleeves and collar, because both were super stiff upon arrival. Now they are shaped more naturally.

The jacket was made by Vicki and I cannot praise enough how well made it is. All top stitching seams are true masterpieces and the selection of skins was carefully done according to my request to search for the thickest and densest skins available. This time I was so blown away by the quality of workmanship that I even called Aero to thank Vicki over the phone. (Normally I don’t do this as I think it’s kind of “schmalzig / schmaltzy”.)
Anyway, jacket: great. Fit: good. Versatility: excellent (matches most types of casual, vintage inspired clothing)…Weather: shit!
Still some detail shots and pics of me wearing it.
(Spec sheet at the end of this post)

First two pics show that a man is nothing without a good jacket. Just worthless bones and lumps of connective tissue:

Homo Neanderthalensis poses in front of a stone age camera, displaying his favourite leisure activities. However he will soon be extinct:

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He wonders what's inside the box... This may take a while and requires all his rather limited brain capacity.

4975879921_fd30e94018_z.jpg



With the help of a club he opened the box, and...ta-da! Evolution completed; Homo Sapiens Sapiens enters the stage.

4976020649_5b75ac89b9_z.jpg


4976020651_572390c065_z.jpg


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Hope it was of some interest.
 

JanSolo

Practically Family
Messages
879
Location
Ever so sunny Westphalia, Germany
Part two of the review:



Some detail shots and close-ups:

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Double leather button cuffs

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Olive Gabardine lining and leather strip at inside hem

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All pockets lined with heavy brown corduroy

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M422a style throat latch and contrast stitching. Note the mottled finish of the goatskin.

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- Slim fitting 1930s Halbelt in seal goatskin. Please select the thickest and stiffest skins available.
- Size 40 with 1-1.5 inch added to sleeves, 2 inches added to body length.
-Front and back must have the same length.
-Double leather (leather lined) button cuffs
-Two slanted handwarmer pockets lined with heavy brown corduroy, one breast pocket with nickel ball and chain zip, one inside pocket in the facing with stud closure.
-Jacket should be lined with olive Gabardine (B10 cloth).
-“Hangar and two Airmen” label, please
-1-2 inch leather facing on the inside bottom hem.
-Collar with throat latch and button closure.
-Nickel AERO zip and nickel side buckles.
-The zipper should end 2 inches above the jacket’s hem.
-OD green thread for all seams
-Jacket to be made by Vicki
 

Tito

A-List Customer
Messages
350
Location
Spain
Impressively prove the second photograph of the reflective capacity of homo habilis or sapiens? Zaraustra dixit.....or not?;)


Once again, fantastic jacket Jan.
Cheers
 

Gancho

One of the Regulars
Messages
242
Location
Hamburg, Germany
Booahhhhhhhh!

Hi Jan,

that is an absolute amzing Jacket!!!

Ich wollte Dir heute eh noch schreiben um Dir ein schönes Wochenende zu wünschen: Have a nice weekend and enjoy your new jacket.

I have not received a massage from Galashiels about my last order. :(
How long have you waited for this jacket?

See you soon.

Olli
 

JoeNiblick

One of the Regulars
Messages
280
Location
Alaska
Sometimes I think there should be "conflict of interest" statements on here... You are a very good Aero salesman, Jan!

Thanks for the great post!
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
Cracking jacket - I love the throat loop. I had Aero add one of those to my Bootlegger - don't know that I'll ever use it, but I love the look of that detail. Going for the goatskin option is also a nice variation from the norm. I'm considering one in heavy steer myself, as I love the reddish undertones of the brown Aero heavy steer jackets I've seen.
 

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