NR MINT ROUGH WEAR AC 16159 A2

[aswatland]

This fantastic RW is in essentially new condition apart from the knits which are NOS replacements. As members know RW had five contracts for A2s and the 16159 was their first, dating to the 1941 fiscal year. By no means as rare as the 1940 Aero, this pre-war contract was most likely considerably smaller than later contracts, if the numbers of surviving jackets are an indicator.

It displays all the familiar RW characteristics, but the pocket flaps are more angular than on subsequent RW contracts.

The 14th AF captain who owned the jacket wore it to reunions, but remains unidentified. Here are some pictures.

 

[aswatland]

 

[Peacoat]

Wow. Where do you come up with these? Are you sure that isn't a Goodwear repro?

 

[EmergencyIan]

What a find! It's tough to believe that there are original A-2's still in such beautiful condition.


- Ian

 

[too much coffee]

Spectacular jacket.............but why do the collar points come to a different height on the chest? Is it because the collar is rumpled in the back?
Also, why do the epaulets reach for the sky when the jacket is worn? Maybe because it's in "essentially new condition" and the horsehide is not broken in yet?
Just wondering.
Regards, coffee

 

[aswatland]

Spectacular jacket.............but why do the collar points come to a different height on the chest? Is it because the collar is rumpled in the back?
Also, why do the epaulets reach for the sky when the jacket is worn? Maybe because it's in "essentially new condition" and the horsehide is not broken in yet?
Just wondering.
Regards, coffee

The jacket has been in storage and has not been broken in.

 

[too much coffee]

I can only imagine how great it's gonna look when broken in. Great to have an original that can be used as a daily wearer if desired.
Super find Andrew.......Enjoy!

 

[aswatland]

I can only imagine how great it's gonna look when broken in. Great to have an original that can be used as a daily wearer if desired.
Super find Andrew.......Enjoy!

Unfortunately it will not become a daily wearer. I only wear my original A2s occasionally, such as to air shows as I try to minimise the risks of damaging them.

 

[Silver Dollar]

I remember that jacket. That's the one that caused me to soak my computer in drool. Uh Oh, here it goes again.

 

[dr greg]

green with envy

Wow. Where do you come up with these? Are you sure that isn't a Goodwear repro?

Unless that company has a secret recipe for inducing localised verdigris, I'd be inclined to doubt it.
You can of course 'age' cheap bronzes in horse urine, as any tourist to the East can tell you, but whether or not anyone is dedicated enough to apply it to jacket fittings without affecting the leather is debatable...

 

[Cooperson]

It's hard to believe it's almost 70 years old - superb!