Questions for Paddy on getting an Aero

[Mr. 'H']

I was going to address this as a PM to Paddy; however I thought it might be better for everyone to have the information rather than just me.

Paddy, I am thinking about getting this jacket:

I have to confess Paddy that up to now I have never been caught by the jacket bug... until now. As any of you who know me I love dressing in '40s style suits and hats etc. However, I am more the type of guy who is "modern casual"/ but "dress vintage", if you catch my drift.

But I have to say I really want a leather jacket now - I have a real hankering for one. I used to have an A2 type one but it went missing from my house as we were getting it done up (what a kick in the teeth). I am not an A2 afficianado nor am I completely au fait with A2 authenticity but I love vintage authenticity. I want to go with Aero because I live in Ireland and it should be considerably easier for me to get my jacket through Scotland than from the the US (where on an item of that value I'd surely get hit for serious customs dues....).

Paddy, here are my questions:

1. How do I really measure my size? I am petrified about getting it wrong. You know that a good fitting jacket can make you look great (slim with big shoulders!). However if I get it wrong the opposite could be the case.

2. Am I going for the right jacket? I mean US Navy! What's that got to do with me? Although I do love the look of it. Q: Would a '40s Joe have possibly got to wear one on the streets in '41 or '44?

3. Am I in for customs duties if they deliver to me in Dublin? Would Aero know about this?

4. Should I either:

a. go over there on a cheap flight to get measured up or
b. go there to collect jacket in person because of point "3"?


Paady, any pointers would be great as I am a novice in this field, but I have really go the bug now....

 

[Septimus]

Good evening Mr H,i've just ordered the same jacket from aero scotland (as well as one of their bronco's a 2 in russet jerky).The better think to do is to trust Amanda from aero scotland ,mail her your measurement and wait.
last year i've ordered my first bronco a2(this one in seal jerky) and it is a perfect fit.

Force et courage.

 

[Mr. 'H']

Wow, je vais bien faire ca! J'ai vecu a Brest pour une annee il y a 9 ans (donc le mauvais francais!).

I will email her, but it is very encouraging that you got the right fit size. A couple of questions:

1. Did you have to pay customs?
2. Why ddi you go for the US Navy coat
3. Do you have any pictures?

Merci bien pour la reponce!

 

[kojax]

g-i jacket

i am thinking of getting a g-i jacket from flight suites.....that is a very nice jacket.........

 

[Raymundo]

Gibson and Barnes Historical M422 is the equal of Aero's offering and it costs a lot less. For US customers, much cheaper shipping charges and no Customs charges.

Ray

 

[The Wingnut]

As it's been said in a number of other places on this site, look into a genuine vintage G-1 or M442A before getting an expensive repro. Used copies are plentiful and inexpensive, and for authenticity, nothing beats the real thing.

 

[SGB]

G-1

If you want a new one and not an original (I can't imagine why), in the U.S. order an Aero from Mark Moye and you won't have to pay shipping and customs charges, Mark eats those.

SGB

 

[PADDY]

Brian (re: Aero Jacket) from Paddy.

Hi Brian. I'll try to address your questions below, but not sure if I can add any more than what the boys have already said. So here goes...

Paddy, here are my questions:

1. How do I really measure my size? I am petrified about getting it wrong. You know that a good fitting jacket can make you look great (slim with big shoulders!). However if I get it wrong the opposite could be the case.
See picture attached to give you an idea of the areas in these types of jackets that it would be useful for you to have measured, so that you can then pass them onto Aero via email/fax (photo is below)

2. Am I going for the right jacket? I mean US Navy! What's that got to do with me? Although I do love the look of it. Q: Would a '40s Joe have possibly got to wear one on the streets in '41 or '44?
It would have not been very common for 'that' period. Moreso post war with the army surplus shops sprining up to offload former military wear and also the civvie manufacturing market switched onto the military look with A2s, B10s, G1's..etc.
Trying not to sound like a politician here, [huh] ...but the main questions I'd be wanting to ask myself is:

Do I like this style/look?
Will it look good on my body type?
How will it go with the other clothes that I tend to wear?

3. Am I in for customs duties if they deliver to me in Dublin? Would Aero know about this?
Give Irish Customs a quick ring or look them up on the website. Thinking laterally, do you have a pal in Northern Ireland?

4. Should I either:

a. go over there on a cheap flight to get measured up or
b. go there to collect jacket in person because of point "3"?
That all adds to the cost Brian, and I'd question the need to do that. Galashiels isn't the easiest to get to from Edinburgh Airport anyway. I'd follow the guide to measuring yourself (well, get that good wife to measure you up!)


Paady, any pointers would be great as I am a novice in this field, but I have really go the bug now....

Hope that is of some help Brian but come back to me (PM me, you're more likely to get a response that way), also have a look at some of the other 30's and 40's styled jackets that Aero have that you might not have thought about

 

[ldmax]

Nice artwork, Paddy!

 

[Mr. 'H']

As it's been said in a number of other places on this site, look into a genuine vintage G-1 or M442A before getting an expensive repro. Used copies are plentiful and inexpensive, and for authenticity, nothing beats the real thing.

Do you think that they would be available in a large size?

 

[Mr. 'H']

Paddy, that's some great information. I will get the missus to do out those measurements and get them down on a drawing like you laid out.

I am going to contact them re the customs and if there is an issue then I will get them sent to a colleague who is Scottish and she can bring the jacket back for me.

I do like the look of the darker brown color and I think it will go well on me. But I take it from the responses above and the other threads that an A2 would be a more favored jacket amongs the vintage afficianados in the know?

 

[Smithy]

Mr. H, there's no doubt that the A2 is probably the most popular and one of the most practical flight jackets there is, and that is probably why people are so keen to endorse it. But there is no right or wrong in this. It's you who has to wear it and you should choose yours based on what you like and what will work for you.

You've chosen a beautiful and practical jacket which I am sure you will get lots of use from!

 

[Septimus]

Good morning Mr H,i'm waiting for my 2 jackets from aero the next week,i will post pics as soon as possible.
I already own a bronco's A2 from aero in jerky seal,an eastman duo tones B3,
an eastman 1940 pattern irvin.I will post pics of all my jackets. best regards

 

[Mr. 'H']

Thanks, I look forward to seeing them.

 

[PADDY]

A-2? Not too sure about that...

But I take it from the responses above and the other threads that an A2 would be a more favored jacket amongs the vintage afficianados in the know?

Brian, the A-2 is a lovely jacket, BUT...it doesn't flatter everyone. It's a rather 'short' jacket with longer arms and on the right body type can look 'stunning!' Rather like an old fashioned waiter's or bell boys' short jacket or an officer's mess jacket.

When I suggested you look at some of the 'other' jackets in the Aero inventory, I mean't that maybe, just maybe you could have a look away from the military style jackets (ie: M422's/G-1's..the USN ones with the furry collar; or the A2's).

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/webapp/aeroleather/servlet/AeroViewPage?category=AERO JACKETS&page=displaysubcats&catid=36

Have a look at their site and think, Cossack, HighwayMan, Hercules; Barnstormer; Half Belt; Cheyenne; Californian (in Buffalo).

This is a very personal choice Brian, but...I am not convinced that a military jacket is the best choice in this case (when I think of the lovely car you drive, and the hats and all the other accessories you love to wear. You want something that compliments those things and gets the wear time you deserve).

 

[Mr. 'H']

I have spent the last 20 minutes looking at that section of the site - wow....

I didn't even see those jackets till now.

How do you think this one compares?:

 

[Peacoat]

Wow is right. What a jacket!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Looks like an Aero HalfBelt with mouton collar. I have several HalfBelts and Highwaymans in this hide. IMO,after break-in,no other leather can compare to Aero's FQHH as far as marbled,grainy,burnished beauty. BTW..this tough HH will long outlast the furry collar.
HD

 

[Salv]

I have spent the last 20 minutes looking at that section of the site - wow....

I didn't even see those jackets till now.

How do you think this one compares?:

Now that is a beauty, much nicer IMHO than the first one you posted. If you're not particularly interested in military wear (and I get the impression from your photos and from when we met at the Lounge Dinner last year that you're not) that last jacket would be far more suitable.

 

[kools]

THAT is a jacket I would certainly like to have. Though I could wear an A2, I have no real military interest. Man, that leather looks nice!