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us authentic flying tiger jacket: lousy quality
- Thread starter jclee
- Start date
I found good reviews on this company so I ordered a horse hide (vegetable tanned: they called vintage hide) version with all the leather batches + a pair of gloves.
it is custom, so not returnable. guess what, it came with a few holes caused by misplaced stitches,and a nice nick. the gloves also had a thread that is loose out of the box.
they offered to take a look at the jacket and repair it at their discretion. ( they did replace the gloves but returning shipping we on me). I decided not to subject the jacket to further damages from their repair.
At nearly $900, I would have thought the quality should have been better and that they would have better customer service.
I am wondering where they got all those raving reviews on their site...
so, this is a warning to the folks here not to get any custom stuffs from them as they are not returnable even when they send you a factory second!
it is custom, so not returnable. guess what, it came with a few holes caused by misplaced stitches,and a nice nick. the gloves also had a thread that is loose out of the box.
they offered to take a look at the jacket and repair it at their discretion. ( they did replace the gloves but returning shipping we on me). I decided not to subject the jacket to further damages from their repair.
At nearly $900, I would have thought the quality should have been better and that they would have better customer service.
I am wondering where they got all those raving reviews on their site...
so, this is a warning to the folks here not to get any custom stuffs from them as they are not returnable even when they send you a factory second!
Worf
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,212
- Location
- Troy, New York, USA
Sorry you had a bad experience with U.S. Authentic. I've two custom jackets from them that I love. It is a very small operation, I'm sure you've been in touch with Shaul directly. As for rave reviews I gave good reviews of the jackets I've had made there and the one's he's repaired for me. I wish your experience had been better...
Worf
Worf
Peter Mackin
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,187
- Location
- glasgow
&????
Jeff M
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,271
Do you mean on this web site?
Unfortunately, that's the problem with reviews from folks you don't know. Even on a site like this one.
I've been bitten a couple of times by glowing jacket reviews here only to be very disappointed in the final products.
Not personally familiar with US Authentic myself. Doesn't seem like I've seen them mentioned a whole lot here compared to "high end" makers.
One problem with the A2 market these days is the "jet stream" effect. Some of the more highly thought of manufacturers have been raising their prices, with other manufacturers that produce lower priced jackets taking the opportunity to raise theirs also.
Used to be if you spent $900 on a repro A2 you got a great quality jacket. No longer as certain these days.
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Swoosed
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 280
- Location
- Stony Brook, NY
i got a us authentic years ago, had a cut on the epulate right out of the box, and now the zippers broken. it's not like i wore it out, i have 7 a-2s and that one didn't get much wear time. they are second to third rate. if you want to spend a grand on a jacket, go to eastman or aero, bill kelso is up there too. Chapman priced himself out of reality for most folks. US A and flight suits used to be a decent cheap alternative but no more.
"goof review".... a mistake caused by the small buttons on iPhone... sorry
it seems once I agreed to the "no return for custom work", it is green light to send a defective jacket as there is no liability for an exchange or refund. All I got was a promise of repair if the leather or the seams rip apart with use. I counted 4 holes of missed stitches. deplorable practice!
he shot himself in the foot, my next order is a B3 went to Eastman.
Peter Mackin
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,187
- Location
- glasgow
easy done...i do it all the time...sorry to hear bout your jacket..hope you get some satisfaction with the company...peter
Doctor Strange
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,262
- Location
- Hudson Valley, NY
Just to balance things, I had a US A A-2 for many years, one of their standard seal horsehide models. (It cost me $350 in 2002.) Sure, it was just a generic WWII repro, and it didn't have the fine detailing of the premium repros, but it was a very solid jacket. There were no issues with the construction or materials, and it was a giant leap closer to a "good" A-2 than my earlier Gibson & Barnes Civil model (not that there's anything wrong with that one as a modern-spec A-2). I ended up selling the jacket to fund my Good Wear, mostly because US A's trim-but-long sizing wasn't ever really right for my widebody frame, and once I'd gained a few pounds over several years, the waist became seriously tight.
But in any case, US A has always seemed a very solid - and very small - outfit. Their products (the standard ones anyway, if not their custom ones) represent excellent value in the under-$500 generic repro market, and their jackets have lots of unique, rough-hewn character. Frankly, after being a daily visitor on most jacket forums since 2001, it is very rare to hear the sort of complaints about them that the OP has raised. I'm just sayin'...
But in any case, US A has always seemed a very solid - and very small - outfit. Their products (the standard ones anyway, if not their custom ones) represent excellent value in the under-$500 generic repro market, and their jackets have lots of unique, rough-hewn character. Frankly, after being a daily visitor on most jacket forums since 2001, it is very rare to hear the sort of complaints about them that the OP has raised. I'm just sayin'...
Fletch
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 8,865
- Location
- Iowa - The Land That Stuff Forgot
The A-2 fanship is all-or-nothing. US-A aren't nothing, but they're not all.
The 3 things I'd do differently would be the tall fit (don't lose it, just offer a regular fit too), the twill linings, and the spongy horse.
The 3 things I'd do differently would be the tall fit (don't lose it, just offer a regular fit too), the twill linings, and the spongy horse.
paulgt3
Familiar Face
- Messages
- 81
- Location
- Mammoth Lakes, the Sierras
I have 6 Good Wears (A2s G-1 B-3 B6) and one USAuthentic. The USA isnt a Good wear but Its a Great jacket for someone who doesnt want to
plunk down $1500 and wait for 15 months. THe horsehide is really thick and its of good quaility. I bought it for $250. When you get a price
like
that on their sales page take advantage. They dont use the same Zips or Clips or snaps but 95% of the world wont know the difference.
plunk down $1500 and wait for 15 months. THe horsehide is really thick and its of good quaility. I bought it for $250. When you get a price
like
that on their sales page take advantage. They dont use the same Zips or Clips or snaps but 95% of the world wont know the difference.
Jeff M
One Too Many
- Messages
- 1,271
Yep.
I haven't bought a US Authentic A2 or G1 in a while, but I do own a few. Perhaps their quality has changed of since, but speaking of my own jackets, they are tough, well made beasts. I don't claim any kind of interest in historical accuracy, so just as horsehide and goatskin flight jackets they have served me very well. I have however, never been particular impressed with their patches. It's a shame that your business with them went so badly. I hope that you guys can come to some agreement that will make you both happy.
If in the future you are still looking for a Flying Tiger style A2, I might suggest getting the jacket and then the patches elsewhere. A2jacketpatches (http://www.jbmilart.com/layered-patches.html, his site, and http://stores.ebay.com/a2jacketpatches?_rdc=1 his ebay store) does some of the best Flying Tiger patches I have ever seen. I've used his patches on just about all the US authentic jackets I have. I actually took off patches I got from them and put this guy's on.
Again, sorry that they didn't work out for you. They have done great work in the past for general wear jackets. They are not in the high end market in any way, but that's why I think I like wearing them so much. I don't care if they get beaten up and destroyed, I just wear them.
Just figured I'd add a photo of a US Authentic HH G1 with a leather collar that I put an A2jacketpatches Flying Tigers leather patch on. It's one of his older patches so I think the new ones have a different head on the Tiger. Just for reference.
If in the future you are still looking for a Flying Tiger style A2, I might suggest getting the jacket and then the patches elsewhere. A2jacketpatches (http://www.jbmilart.com/layered-patches.html, his site, and http://stores.ebay.com/a2jacketpatches?_rdc=1 his ebay store) does some of the best Flying Tiger patches I have ever seen. I've used his patches on just about all the US authentic jackets I have. I actually took off patches I got from them and put this guy's on.
Again, sorry that they didn't work out for you. They have done great work in the past for general wear jackets. They are not in the high end market in any way, but that's why I think I like wearing them so much. I don't care if they get beaten up and destroyed, I just wear them.
Just figured I'd add a photo of a US Authentic HH G1 with a leather collar that I put an A2jacketpatches Flying Tigers leather patch on. It's one of his older patches so I think the new ones have a different head on the Tiger. Just for reference.
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Worf
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 5,212
- Location
- Troy, New York, USA
Hey Lando: Stylin' and profilin' my man. You look great in that jacket. Nice brim too.
Worf
Worf
Flying Tigers
New in Town
- Messages
- 3
I haven't bought a US Authentic A2 or G1 in a while, but I do own a few. Perhaps their quality has changed of since, but speaking of my own jackets, they are tough, well made beasts. I don't claim any kind of interest in historical accuracy, so just as horsehide and goatskin flight jackets they have served me very well. I have however, never been particular impressed with their patches. It's a shame that your business with them went so badly. I hope that you guys can come to some agreement that will make you both happy.
If in the future you are still looking for a Flying Tiger style A2, I might suggest getting the jacket and then the patches elsewhere. A2jacketpatches (http://www.jbmilart.com/layered-patches.html, his site, and http://stores.ebay.com/a2jacketpatches?_rdc=1 his ebay store) does some of the best Flying Tiger patches I have ever seen. I've used his patches on just about all the US authentic jackets I have. I actually took off patches I got from them and put this guy's on.
Again, sorry that they didn't work out for you. They have done great work in the past for general wear jackets. They are not in the high end market in any way, but that's why I think I like wearing them so much. I don't care if they get beaten up and destroyed, I just wear them.
Just figured I'd add a photo of a US Authentic HH G1 with a leather collar that I put an A2jacketpatches Flying Tigers leather patch on. It's one of his older patches so I think the new ones have a different head on the Tiger. Just for reference.
I haven't bought a US Authentic A2 or G1 in a while, but I do own a few. Perhaps their quality has changed of since, but speaking of my own jackets, they are tough, well made beasts. I don't claim any kind of interest in historical accuracy, so just as horsehide and goatskin flight jackets they have served me very well. I have however, never been particular impressed with their patches. It's a shame that your business with them went so badly. I hope that you guys can come to some agreement that will make you both happy.
If in the future you are still looking for a Flying Tiger style A2, I might suggest getting the jacket and then the patches elsewhere. A2jacketpatches (http://www.jbmilart.com/layered-patches.html, his site, and http://stores.ebay.com/a2jacketpatches?_rdc=1 his ebay store) does some of the best Flying Tiger patches I have ever seen. I've used his patches on just about all the US authentic jackets I have. I actually took off patches I got from them and put this guy's on.
Again, sorry that they didn't work out for you. They have done great work in the past for general wear jackets. They are not in the high end market in any way, but that's why I think I like wearing them so much. I don't care if they get beaten up and destroyed, I just wear them.
Just figured I'd add a photo of a US Authentic HH G1 with a leather collar that I put an A2jacketpatches Flying Tigers leather patch on. It's one of his older patches so I think the new ones have a different head on the Tiger. Just for reference.
Flying Tigers
New in Town
- Messages
- 3
Hi! Lando
The Flying Tiger patches on your A2 is really nice! Very striking when view from far! You certainly have a taste of good fashion! I will search one patches like that of yours on ebay!
The Flying Tiger patches on your A2 is really nice! Very striking when view from far! You certainly have a taste of good fashion! I will search one patches like that of yours on ebay!
davyjones007
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 139
- Location
- NOVA
I have 2 jackets from them circa 2006 and '08. Both A-2s. One HH and the other in goat. The goat A-2 was a 46T and the color / texture were amazing. I ended up giving it to my son who is not gentle with jackets and treats it like a junior airman would have. It is still going strong. The HH A-2 is my daily wear jacket for almost 2 years now and I have had zero problems with it. They are not historical replicas by any means. But honestly, who can spot the difference besides a handful of folks here. I also payed less than $500 for the pair. I had one of JC's A-2s he made for me back in '08 when his prices were reasonable. I sold it because I wasn't crazy about this HH. I ended up with a LW A-2 in rustic HH. After 5 years of wearing it, I gave up on breaking that thing in 
. It sounds like US A may have gone down a bit. I talked to them on the phone when I ordered mine, but times change.
R/ Dave
. It sounds like US A may have gone down a bit. I talked to them on the phone when I ordered mine, but times change. R/ Dave
Mickiemac
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 240
- Location
- Just passin' through
I obtained a US Authentic M-444 way back in 2003 - paid about $700.00 for it. The quality/construction is quite good although I did misjudge on the size (46) as it's a bit too big for me. I checked their site recently and the jacket is still being offered. I've attached some pics for reference. I know that many (if not most) would not even touch this coat/jacket even if their life depended on it but it really is very nice and makes a statement when worn on even the coldest days. I may try and sell it on eBay but their fees and such make it a hassle.
