Think you're man enough to handle a BarnStormer flyboy...? No wimps allowed!!

[jpk_NJ]

Bringing back an old thread to see if some loungers might post up recent pictures of their Aero Barnstormers that are now broken in / aged a bit. Trying to decide on cordovan / brown, and then FQHH vs CXL Steer. Curious to see how these jackets look after a year or two of wear...

 

[Smithy]

I'll post some of mine but you'll have to give me a day or so, it's Norway's National Day tomorrow and that's a big thing here, so right now I'm helping polish the silver on my wife's bunad (national costume) and helping her bake 4 different cakes - and I'm not really good at either, hence I've slunk off to surf the net for 20 odd minutes until she realises I've gone AWOL.

BTW, all those leathers you've listed are great but for a Barnstormer for me, it just has to be brown CXL FQHH, these are based on flying/motoring coats from the 20s and 30s and brown chrome tanned HH was the standard during WWI and after the war for such jackets/coats. Plus Aero's brown FQHH is truly a thing of beauty, and IMHO everybody should own a jacket in it at least once.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Awesome. Thanks. Anyone own one of these in CXL Steer? I'm guessing the steer would drape a bit better on a long jacket? My steer halfbelts seem much less "stiff" even in the cold. Whereas the Horse hide needs to be warmed up by body heat / weather, otherwise its bit rigid

 

[ButteMT61]

My experiences over the years is that steer/cow is much less rigid in cold (and I guess in general).
I love steer and horse, and I'm happy to have both! If I were forced to choose just one - which is ridiculous as there are many variations within those two families - I'd have a really tough time doing so.

 

[jpk_NJ]

Agreed with owning both hides as I do. Also interesting how much the hide can change the look / feel of the same jacket. To me a barnstormer in Brown FQHH will age / distress to become more casual/country looking jacket vs the Black FQHH which will give off a more military / aggressive look.

For my second barnstormer, I'm trying for a more dressy / polished look. Which is another reason why Im leaning towards CXL Steer (dark cordovan or dark brown) which appears to retain its color / stay more even looking with age. Just a lot more grain vs the horse. Only negative I'm thinking about is how much a 32" coat in steer would weigh!

 

[Doctor Damage]

from the 1953 film "The Hitch-Hiker"
(click for larger images)

[url=https://postimg.org/image/t4sv6zfgr/]

[/URL]

 

[handymike]

That's a beauty! A lot like the one that's on its way to me currently.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Wow! this thread was started in 2004, and the OP hasn't been seen since 2008? Hope they are ok...?

 

[Doctor Damage]

more pics from "The Hitch-Hiker" (click for larger)

 

[Doctor Damage]

Chicago policeman in 1931.

 

[Worf]

Am I man enough? What do you think?

Worf

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ Coat fits 100%.

By the way, I think your thermometer must be broken. 60F and snow, and that coat?

 

[ButteMT61]

^ Coat fits 100%.

By the way, I think your thermometer must be broken. 60F and snow, and that coat?

Shhh, it's a steam valve and showing 60PSI...

 

[CBI]

to each his own and these long coats are just jackets and I love them, no need to obsess. I had a great military issue long leather coat from the 1930's. For today though, 2017, I think its a bit over the top unless one lives in the arctic regions or something!

 

[ButteMT61]

Jacket's aren't just functional...otherwise we'd all have nothing to do.

 

[Benny Holiday]

Am I man enough? What do you think?

Worf

Damn straight you are Worf - and then some! The cold weather is just starting to bite here in Sydney now, and I can only wish I could look half as good as you do in that ensemble.

 

[Worf]

Damn straight you are Worf - and then some! The cold weather is just starting to bite here in Sydney now, and I can only wish I could look half as good as you do in that ensemble.

Pheh... ain't it funny! I wish I had YOUR sense of style. Guess we all want what we ain't got!

Worf

 

[Benny Holiday]

My friend, one day when I finally make it to New York, or if you ever get down here to Sydney, we must do the town and show them slackers the way it should be done!

 

[Stand By]

Love the jacket, Worf! You wear it well.
And, for my money, the barnstormers that were worn in the old 1980's Biggles movie remain the best I've ever seen. I wish I knew who'd made them ...

 

[Doctor Damage]

cloth version