Why are A2 Jackets so big from shoulder seam to shoulder seam?

[morningtruth]

Hello All,

I noticed a trend in bomber jackets. G1 jackets fit perfectly on the shoulder seams, but A2 jackets generally are way wider on the shoulders.

I have a shoulder span of 18 inches, but almost ALL A2 jackets have a minimum shoulder cross distance of 20-21 inches, not matter how small the sizes are. Is there a reason for this style?

I'm a service member so I'm trying to find a fitted A2 jacket, but can't find one. I went from Cooper, to Cockpit USA, to US Wings, but found largely nothing. I have the money to buy one, but no SIZES that can fit me!

 

[ButteMT61]

LOL, yeah, welcome to post war, fatboy A2's
It's tough, sans going custom or vintage or used.
I've not got personal experience with anything that's not that way. Only exception is my Aero Bronco.
Look on the Aero site for used. Check classifieds here and eBay. Or, order yourself a new Aero, Lost Worlds or double hope for Good Wear to start taking orders again.
Maybe others know of a more true fitting modern jacket. Sorry I can't be of help.

 

[Fletch]

Yep, some find the A-2 of old confining compared to the action-backed G-1. Thus the trend to a bloopy "outerwear fit."

 

[aswatland]

Hello All,

I noticed a trend in bomber jackets. G1 jackets fit perfectly on the shoulder seams, but A2 jackets generally are way wider on the shoulders.

I have a shoulder span of 18 inches, but almost ALL A2 jackets have a minimum shoulder cross distance of 20-21 inches, not matter how small the sizes are. Is there a reason for this style?

I'm a service member so I'm trying to find a fitted A2 jacket, but can't find one. I went from Cooper, to Cockpit USA, to US Wings, but found largely nothing. I have the money to buy one, but no SIZES that can fit me!

Welcome to the forum. You may be correct about the shoulder size of Cooper, Cockpit and US wings having wide shoulders, but this is not the case with the high end makers such as Good Wear and Eastman. I own 15 original wartime A2s ranging in size from 42-44 and they measure between 18 and 19.5" across the shoulders. Why don't you try Good Wear as John Chapman produces A2s that are 100% accurate in every sense.

 

[pjstrass]

try US Authentic...military fit ..narrow shoulders...

 

[morningtruth]

All, thank you for your time. All of your responses actually helped me a lot. Hopefully I can find one that will work for me. I'm kind of getting tired over the past year feeling disappointed with every find that I came across. :eusa_clap

 

[subject101]

try US Authentic...military fit ..narrow shoulders...

A lot of early A-2s had ultra narrow shoulders. Didn't pilots practice any sport back then but smoking, drinking and playing cards? I'm quite wide at shoulders too and I'm done with historically accurate A-2s. My next one will be custom made with a warm liner, inner pockets and soft leather. :frusty:

 

[ButteMT61]

A lot of early A-2s had ultra narrow shoulders. Didn't pilots practice any sport back then but smoking, drinking and playing cards? I'm quite wide at shoulders too and I'm done with historically accurate A-2s. My next one will be custom made with a warm liner, inner pockets and soft leather. :frusty:

That's my problem actually. The shoulders really aren't so much the issue, it's the fat body to go with them. My shoulders put me in a 50/52 long, my waist is much smaller, and my chest a 48+
So I either put up with the sloppy fit, or go custom. I have both, and obviously custom is better...

 

[subject101]

So I either put up with the sloppy fit, or go custom. I have both, and obviously custom is better...

What manufacturer did your custom A-2?

 

[ButteMT61]

What manufacturer did your custom A-2?

Aero. Thus far, only Aero does my size. I tried ALL the others with no luck. Seems a 48 is the largest most go. Only downsides to custom are price and the waiting. But once you get 'em, it's worth it.

 

[subject101]

Aero. Thus far, only Aero does my size. I tried ALL the others with no luck. Seems a 48 is the largest most go. Only downsides to custom are price and the waiting. But once you get 'em, it's worth it.

I was thinking in ordering from Aero too. How long did you wait? more than 3 months?

 

[Fifty150]

It's pretty simple. People have gotten bigger. I would suspect that generations ago, not as many people were going to the gym, taking nutritional supplements, and getting hormones in their meat & milk. I look at my own family. My brother and I are "huge" compared to dad & uncles.

 

[morningtruth]

I went to a lot of those recommended sites - and most sites seem to be consistent. They don't customize the length of the shoulder to shoulder seams. I don't know why. Most 40 R jackets will always be 20 inches from shoulder seam to shoulder seam. A real bummer. I'm not going to be a serviceman wearing a jacket that isn't fitting. I guess I've been cursed with having a shoulder span of 18 inches.

 

[Raymundo]

Gibson & barnes

i went to a lot of those recommended sites - and most sites seem to be consistent. They don't customize the length of the shoulder to shoulder seams. I don't know why. Most 40 r jackets will always be 20 inches from shoulder seam to shoulder seam. A real bummer. I'm not going to be a serviceman wearing a jacket that isn't fitting. I guess i've been cursed with having a shoulder span of 18 inches.

try gibson and barnes. I have a goatskin a-2 from them in a 40r and the shoulders are 19 inches seam to seam. Their jackets are full fit so it fits more like a 42.

Raymundo

 

[morningtruth]

Thanks all. I still find it interesting how the A2 jacket shoulder seams are so much larger than that of the G1. The G1 specs seem to be fitted for the shoulders, while the A2 design was meant to be almost the same length as the chest to chest length. If you look at pictures of the A2, the shoulder length is almost the same length as the chest length, while the G1 tappers in as it comes up from the chest to the shoulders. I wonder why...

 

[morningtruth]

Not to mention - I'm a big Cooper fan... can't get a cooper A2 because the shoulder seams are always 21 inches apart... even for a size 40 R!!