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

[MJCR]

I got one a year or so ago with the heavy cotton drill lining. It makes it easier to wear more often in the (excluding this week!) relatively mild British weather. I find it's great until the weather gets really, really cold, then I opt for my wool/quilted Barbour.

 

[Rufus]

I can highly recommend Aero's alpaca lining, it's hard wearing, light and warm..perfect for London.

I'd go wit the brown myself.. The Cordovan finish can rub (transfer colour) and also wears badly if you regularily carry heavy satchels or bags.

 

[cloudspotter]

hi rufus - what's that about the cordovan might rub? do you think so or even have some experience? i just ordered my 50's fur half belt in cordovan (with cotton twill and rust fur ... ) for the impressive look i guess it should have. but i hope it would not bleed out even though a little "wear and tear" should be, shouldn't it?

 

[Rufus]

Hello sir,

The cordovan does mark easier then some of the other finishes from Aero.

I believe it's the way the leathers been treated, the surface is not'shiny' like the brown and black HH, but more of a matt finish, and in areas where you have a lot of rub (IE - Carrying a bag - it lightens in that area, more so than on say, a brown HH jacket)

I've had 2 cordovan jackets..one 'bled' colour quite badly (which I assume/hope was just bad luck) the other was ok, but will mark clothes as it has a deep purple hue to it, and it marks jeans etc.

I'm not ordering Cordovan again, myself! :eusa_doh:

 

[Peacoat]

I have heard of one or two others having the same experience as Rufus with Aero Cordovan, but I have had no problems with it. Mine is two years old with none of the problems sometimes mentioned.

Aero says it might be due to purchasers putting conditioner on their new jackets. I have not put anything on mine, except a lot of wear, but I have heard from others who didn't put anything on the leather and had the "bleeding" problem.

My next Aero will be the Brown, but not because of the Cordovan color transfer problem; I just like that color.

Maybe some who have had the problem will jump in here and let us know their experiences.

 

[matei]

Barnstormer - belt?

Hi all...

One last question for anyone who has the Aero Barnstormer... Do any of you wear them without the belt?

I looked at the Mariner as well, and I have to admit that I like the details of the Barnstormer a bit better. My worry is that the belt might make me look a bit rounder than I already am! lol

 

[Creeping Past]

I know that feeling!

Wear it without the belt. Who's going to stop you and question you?

Call it a special custom jacket...

 

[Boris K]

.

I wear the Barnstormer with the belt cinched in the back between the two belt loops. This shapes the middle of the jacket and keeps me from having to deal with the belt.

 

[Boris K]

.

My black Barnstomer has cotton drill lining. It has been my main jacket in winter since Dec. 2006. It's usually warm enough for me, mainly because it blocks the wind so well. I shoveled snow in it today @ 15 degrees with no issues.

It also bleeds its color quite a bit. I haven't put any conditioner on it and haven't washed it. I had to use Tandy's Super Sheen on the inside to keep it from rubbing black color onto my clothing. So far it hasn't bled onto car seats that I have seen, but it has bled onto a white door in my office where I hang it, where the jacket back touches the door.

 

[1911 Man]

I have a barnstormer
I bought it with the stewart wool lining, which is great, very warm.
Mine is brown, and it does transfer color to light colored shirts.
Also, different Aero jackets fit differently. The Barnstormer size 40 (my size) fits larger and looser that a size 40 highwayman would. I usually wear a size 40 in everything and My Barnstormer has plenty of room for layering underneath.

I love the coat. Utah winters usually get so chilly that on the coldest nights I have to wear an additional wool layer under the coat to keep warm, but it works.

 

[cloudspotter]

colour transfer

hi guys,

thanks for the feedback so far. and if i think it over: yes, i remember having black marks on white shirt collars from at least 2 black leather jackets. a couple of years ago i talked to a guy of the last leather jacket manufacturer here in bremen (closed down now) which made heavy duty gear for the local police and fire brigade and he recommended me to spare out collar and cuff areas when re-treating with conditioner. also, he recommended to use "1-2-3 Appretur" on shoulders and arms - but i do not know the product name out of germany. it is a silicone based conditioner and good for all non-water repellant hides like steer or cow. i use it since several years on other black leathers (including shoes) with very good results - apart from the procedure: it stinks like hell and gives you bad coughs; not to be used in tiny rooms! but after it dried away after 2 to 3 minutes it does not leave any smell on the leather.

also, heavy bleeding might be stopped by treating one time with a good leather soap made for horsing gear. i use it on gloves (one pair coloured my half bath tub black with no obvious colour loss!) and black strap shoulder bags with very good result; it takes away the more-than-enough colour and works well together with a light clear leather conditioner.

 

[matei]

Thanks for the suggestions... I was thinking about cinching the belt in the back, I do something similar with my overcoat.

Is the belt heavy enough to actually hang?

 

[Rufus]

I have heard of one or two others having the same experience as Rufus with Aero Cordovan, but I have had no problems with it. Mine is two years old with none of the problems sometimes mentioned.

Well..I certainly put nothing on my the jacket... You don't need to condition new jackets! Ah well.. bad luck etc...

I really like the seal brown colour myself.. think that'll be the next purchase!

 

[Boris K]

.

Thanks for the suggestions... I was thinking about cinching the belt in the back, I do something similar with my overcoat.

Is the belt heavy enough to actually hang?

I have the end of the belt and the buckle toward the jacket back, with the belt loop going over all 3 belt layers. I don't pull it so tight that it puts pressure on the belt loops, though.

Here's what it looks like:

 

[matei]

Thanks for all the help, I've just placed my order for the FQHH Barnstormer... Now just sit back and enjoy the wait!

 

[PaulC]

Barnstormer question

Morning Folks,

My 40th is looming and my lovely wife is buying me a new Aero,and although it's the wrong time of year,i'm drawn to the Barnstormer or Mariner.Amanda tells me that,in her opinion the Barnstormer is a nicer jacket,and i prefer the styling,so at the moment i'm heading to a Barnstormer but with Mariner half belt back - i have a belted trench and a Belstaff which i cinch the belt at the back,so i thought i could do without the belt given the option.What do Barnstormer owners think..would that work..would the jacket look out of balance without the belt?
Any Mariner owners out there want to chip in too...any help or advice would be gratefully recieved.
Mariner with Barnstormer detail...Barnstormer with Mariner half belt...it's a can of worms....

thanks in advance.

 

[Creeping Past]

I've also been mulling over the merits of a option B.

Why not have a half-belt and a belt? Then you can decide day by day which you prefer... unless you fear that those empty belt loops will somehow say something about your essential nature.

And just to muddy the waters, I was thinking about having scalloped, button-down front pockets with handwarmers...

 

[PaulC]

Dammit !! More worms in that already full can ! I never thought of or seen a half belt and belt..i assumed it would look a little busy but it would solve the dillema...if you can't decide have both!As for the handwarmers,do you mean a side handwarmer on the bottom flapped pockets? I have something similar on a parka and that would be great if they could do it...i was concerned the breast pockets were a little high on the Barnstormer.
Have you thought about the length? The mariner's about an inch longer appr...

 

[Creeping Past]

Yes re: the handwarmers.

As to length, I'd want a Barnstormer a little longer than standard, which for me would make it 34" or 35". I think they can add up to a couple of inches gratis, but I suppose that's discretionary.

 

[PaulC]

I agree as to the length..the barnstormer comes in at around 32.5" on a standard size 44 according to Amanda.I would prefer a little more coverage as it's going to be a winter coat.
As for the handwarmers,would that mean the pockets would have to be patchwork style like the Stockman?
I still don't know whether to go for the Mariner after all but change the collar and pocket detail to the Barnstormer...i'm not sure how they differ in cut,if at all..