Review: USBomber Jackets A-2

[deanglen]

Right up front...it's NOT an A-2, not as in a reproduction of a WWII era A-2. I knew it when I bought it. It IS a modern issue mil-spec goatskin A-2 and in spite of the deviations from the spec A-2, it is a well made, well-fitting, and supple leather jacket that is priced very fairly for what you get at $175 plus shipping. I wanted a nice all around A-2-ish jacket for my work, ministry, and probably will not slap any artwork on it. Indeed, saving up for higher end repros is a very real possiblity, but this is a Christmas present from my wife and she wasn't going to wait the two or three years it might take to save up, to say nothing of the costs of daily living that crop up unexpectedly. Jim, the owner of http://usbomberjackets.com/ is very easy to work with, and does some excellent work in patch production to enhance these jackets. The customer service he offers is outstanding.

Now, the jacket. It has hidden hand warmers, the kind where the patch pocket seam on the outside allows you to shove your fist in, and an interior pocket on the left side.

I didn't zip it all the way up, therefore the collar is not closed completely,so you know why the windflap is not aligned directly where the collar meets.

Now, some details:

(Not WWII-spec, under the arms and along the side but makes it comfortable.)

Leather color is best represented in these shots.

For those who may be seeking such a jacket, at the price, Jim will make sure you are satisfied with your purchase. I am.




dean

 

[James Miller]

Current Military Spec.

Deanglean,

I hope you enjoy the jacket the fit looks good on you. I notice no reply to this post I guess everybody wears Goodwear or Aero's only.

I enjoy The two mentioned Jackets but for todays duty the older styles just do't hold up to the requirment for today if they did the military would still Make them of horsehide. I know some people would say it's a cost factor for the current hides but if the military could spend $500.oo on a toilet seat They could spend a little more for horsehide. The fact is the Goatskins hold up.
I have a few horsehide jackets and wouldn't trade them for anything but the goatskin is what works for todays needs. The jacket you have is an A-2
it's just current issue. I thank you for reponding to the service you received.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

I think it looks very good on you.
Perfect size, it works with the body and not against it.
Specially the back is very good, it enhances your figure
and still looks casual without weird creases that can sometimes happen.

There are many modern leather jackets that cost about the same that are not genuine leather so I have to say that the price (where i come from) is competitive.

 

[deanglen]

The jacket you have is an A-2
it's just current issue.

I sure didn't mean to disparage the jacket by call ing it a an A-299, Jim, the "A-299" is on a little white tag inside the jacket itself. So that is how I decided to refer to it, and I wanted to also be clear that I was fully aware that it was not WWII spec that jackets such as Aero et al are, and I am okay with that. I love the way it fits, and can't wait until Christmas when I get to wear it. Only 30 days to go.







dean

 

[KilroyCD]

It looks like a very nice jacket, especially for the price. I just wish it was available in 2X for those of us who are...let's just say "well fed".

 

[atkins]

Thanks Dean

For reminding us there's still an affordable jacket with great looks and feel out there.

Atkins

 

[deanglen]

Thanks guys! Let Jim know what you need, he'll work diligently with you to get it!










dean

 

[Edward]

It'd be fascintating, I thhink, to see one of these photographed alongside a WW2-spec A2, really showing the (actually relatively minor) differences in design between them. I wouldn't quite call it an evolution as such, the A2 having been out of production for so long before reintroduction by the USAF, but I find the design purposes behind the differences (such as under the arms, the new design being to permit ease of movement etc) interesting, and the newer design clearly represents a reimagining of the original A2 concept to better suit today's pilots. Military uniforms have always seemed to me to be both a combination of utilitarian purposefulness and style (dress uniforms especially; a stylish military man inspires the home front and helps in the psychological war against the enemy). With all the synthetic alternatives available to the military today, they obviously made a deliberate stylistic choice in reintroducing a redesigned leather A2. They still call it an A2 officially also, don't they? Which is in itself a deliberate choice, I believe, given the positive associations with the WW2 period.

The new jacket suits you well, Dean. Obviously that's a seal colour - is that now the issue standard?

 

[deanglen]

Thank you, Edward. I find that the changes that have been made to the original A-2 design a curious thing, actually, if the desire was to recapture the romance of the AAF period. Since I have never worn a genuine A-2, or a faithful reproduction of such, I can't say how tight the original styling would have felt. I've read the "fit" thread and I believe the concept of the original A-2 was a close fitting leather jacket, shirtlike in its contact with the body, perhaps in consideration of narrow cockpit conditions of early aircraft.

Afterall, the one-piece back, I believe, was for comfort, since seams might grow uncomfortable on long flights, underscoring the closeness of the fit. I'm happy with the jacket's fit, yet even in the second picture of me wearing it, it looks to be a bit full through the middle, which thanks to diet and exercise, I'm not, anymore.

The fullness is how the leather "hangs" on me when closed as the jacket was constructed. Yet, when you zip it up, you have to pull the two sides together somewhat to zip it, probably due to the knit resistance. The changes in modern A-2s such as this might have something to do with accomodating what modern crews wear under the jacket, in addition to the "we're just bigger these days than then" factor.

The thread where Fletch posted his desire for an "ideal" A-2 based on the Security Togs first contract model offers a lot of size and fit variation in the photos, attributed to peacetime beefier crews. I believe that proper construction of the sleeve and armholes, without that "gusseting" or whatever the correct term is, would allow proper movement, in consideration of everty shirt I own that lacks those "adjustments". The side panel, to me, cries for simply using more leather and bringing it all the way around for a single underarm side seam. They have incorporated what I believe is known as the "Turkey" modification into the design. I would not have. Just use more leather and cut the thing high and tight. But they didn't ask me.



dean

 

[James Miller]

US BomberJackets

Deanglen, Just wondering how your www.usbomberjackets is working out for you. You stated that it was a Christmas gift. Well It been a few weeks and was checking to see if you are happy with your purchase.

 

[deanglen]

Yes, still enjoying the jacket.







dean