Sm wholesale A-2: anybody own one?

[Fadetoblack88]

I would like some information on the sm wholesale A-2 if any one can enlighten me. I'm thinking about getting the chestnut brown but I can't decide between the steer hide and the lambskin. What would you recommend?

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Do you have a link to their site..??

 

[robrinay]

http://www.smwholesaleusa.com/a-2-aviator-jacket-story

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Looks like a nice jacket in steer hide for the price. However I certainly wouldn't want lambskin for an A2. Too fragile..and I never heard of that hide being used as issue A2s.
HD

 

[Seb Lucas]

Yes, these have had some favourable feedback here. A trim pattern. I spoke to the owner last year and he will do long sizes too for those of us over six feet.

 

[robrinay]

Xopher is reviewing his on TFL here
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/steve-mccolgan-a2-review-photos.84196/

 

[Brettafett]

His he still making them though?
I have one a couple of years back, I had the seal version. Definitely the Steer over the lamb.
I found the cut a bit weird for my frame. It was trim in the shoulders, but very wide in the waist.
It was a well made jacket and pretty good for a mid-ranger.
Not to detract from the original question, but have you looked at AVI LTHR's Bronco A-2?
This is a fantastic jacket for the price... and whats more its a pretty decent repro of a WW2 bronco.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

His he still making them though?
I have one a couple of years back, I had the seal version. Definitely the Steer over the lamb.
I found the cut a bit weird for my frame. It was trim in the shoulders, but very wide in the waist.
It was a well made jacket and pretty good for a mid-ranger.
Not to detract from the original question, but have you looked at AVI LTHR's Bronco A-2?
This is a fantastic jacket for the price... and whats more its a pretty decent repro of a WW2 bronco.

Yup, I've talked to a guy from sm and give them my measurements.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

His he still making them though?
I have one a couple of years back, I had the seal version. Definitely the Steer over the lamb.
I found the cut a bit weird for my frame. It was trim in the shoulders, but very wide in the waist.
It was a well made jacket and pretty good for a mid-ranger.
Not to detract from the original question, but have you looked at AVI LTHR's Bronco A-2?
This is a fantastic jacket for the price... and whats more its a pretty decent repro of a WW2 bronco.

I don't want to order a jacket from outside the USA after the debacle with my aero jacket a few years back. But they do look like a sharp jacket.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

I'm not too concerned with 100% accuracy. I'm more interested in leather quality and comfort. I want something that will get a nice patina but not cost a fortune like GW. They quoted me the same price for lamb and steer so it's just down to that decision. My aero a-2 was horse but it was so thick and stiff I hated it. Lamb is more pliable but I don't want my jacket to fall apart after a couple years. I guess I will take a leap of faith and get the steer. And of course post pictures when it arrives.

 

[scottyrocks]

If I had only lamb and steer to choose from I'd go with steer due to the fragility of lamb, as HD mentioned.

Then I'd Picard or mink oil it to loosen it up a bit.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

Xopher is reviewing his on TFL here
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/steve-mccolgan-a2-review-photos.84196/

I saw that. Its what prompted me to look into them.

 

[Brettafett]

Yes, you can't really go wrong, as long as you are specific (and lucky) about sizing. Its a decent jacket and Steer is for sure the way to go. Mine had some nice grain and would have developed character quickly. Good quality and good customer service. You can see that this one did not fit quite right. Nice jacket though.

 

[ButteMT61]

Since they're not that accurate, per se, I kinda like that distressed lamb, but surely not for the price!
It looks nice, and would probably be just fine. Just can't overlook that price tag...

 

[CBI]

Steve (the owner) says they are pretty accurate and went into some detail with me explaining all of that she time ago. They were used in the movie Unbroken. Based on photos (and what we see in the movie) they look short waisted even for an A-2 - maybe ask for an extra inch or two. Does not look the case with the photo a few posts above. I have had GREAT luck with SMW jackets (all cloth) so I would not hesitate if you are wanting a "budget" A-2.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

Steve (the owner) says they are pretty accurate and went into some detail with me explaining all of that she time ago. They were used in the movie Unbroken. Based on photos (and what we see in the movie) they look short waisted even for an A-2 - maybe ask for an extra inch or two. Does not look the case with the photo a few posts above. I have had GREAT luck with SMW jackets (all cloth) so I would not hesitate if you are wanting a "budget" A-2.

I'm going to have mine custom made to my measurements so I hope its not short waisted!

 

[nick123]

http://www.smwholesaleusa.com/a-2-aviator-jacket-story

Grammatical error on last line. Should read "you've". I'm sorry. Other than that, these jackets look great. Newport Beach eh?

 

[Xopher]

Im really pleased with my SM A-2. When the weather is right for it, its my go to jacket for everything. It develops a nice patina after about 2 years. The hide is ever so slightly heavier than say Eastman A-2, but is still nice and pliable. I will say though the chest and waist do seem slightly blowsy but not too bad, nowhere close to as loose as the US Authentic I had. The Chestnut is a rather striking color in person too, I get a lot of compliments on it.

It does seem shorter than other A-2s that Ive tired on or owned. If the jacket were about an inch longer Id like it much better, but it doesn't bother me too much anymore.

I lost about 40lbs and half thought about selling mine and getting a size down but I can't quite bring myself to do it because it feels like a well used baseball glove now. Its really starting show some cool wear and patina. Its the perfect A-2 for active people, and affordable enough that I don't feel like a museum curator when I wear it. I move firewood wearing it, work on my car and motorcycle, even gone hiking in it and it keeps holding strong and looking better and better.

I used to dream of having an Aero, ELC, or GW A-2 but the SM Wholesale jacket satisfied my A-2 needs for a long while. I think an Aero A-1 may be in the cards after a few years though lol.

 

[Fadetoblack88]

Im really pleased with my SM A-2. When the weather is right for it, its my go to jacket for everything. It develops a nice patina after about 2 years. The hide is ever so slightly heavier than say Eastman A-2, but is still nice and pliable. I will say though the chest and waist do seem slightly blowsy but not too bad, nowhere close to as loose as the US Authentic I had. The Chestnut is a rather striking color in person too, I get a lot of compliments on it.

It does seem shorter than other A-2s that Ive tired on or owned. If the jacket were about an inch longer Id like it much better, but it doesn't bother me too much anymore.

I lost about 40lbs and half thought about selling mine and getting a size down but I can't quite bring myself to do it because it feels like a well used baseball glove now. Its really starting show some cool wear and patina. Its the perfect A-2 for active people, and affordable enough that I don't feel like a museum curator when I wear it. I move firewood wearing it, work on my car and motorcycle, even gone hiking in it and it keeps holding strong and looking better and better.

I used to dream of having an Aero, ELC, or GW A-2 but the SM Wholesale jacket satisfied my A-2 needs for a long while. I think an Aero A-1 may be in the cards after a few years though lol.

Did you buy an off the rack jacket or did you have it tailored to you?

 

[Fadetoblack88]