A-2 Flight Jacket Thread

[WolfofStateSt]

I have seen a peacoat thread, a deck jacket thread, and even an N3B Parka thread, but nowhere on this forum have I seen an A-2 flight jacket thread. I searched in the search bar, and I only found individual threads about questions here and there. Maybe I missed something? Didn’t I scroll through all the billion search results?

Anyway, I’m surprised this iconic jacket doesn’t have its thread. It’s the model that started me collecting; it’s the basis for jackets worn by characters like Virgil Hilts in The Great Escape or Indiana Jones!

So, I thought I would start this thread while discussing it. I was wondering if anyone else noticed some Western influences on the jacket, like cowboy Western. Whenever I wear mine, an RMC A2 Model 220, that’s the reaction I usually get. People ask me if it is a Western jacket, not a flight jacket.

 

[tmitchell59]

I've owned a few Reproduction A2 jackets and several "Civilian" A2, the ones with the hand warmer pockets. I find this style one of the easiest wearing jacket styles, very comfortable.

Lot of folks here have an A2, see them for sale in classified.

Don't understand people thinking it is a Western style.

The Civilian style was hugely popular in the 40s and 50s as a working mans jacket.

 

[El Marro]

I had never noticed the absence of a general A-2 thread and I’m surprised there isn’t one to be honest. When I started hanging around the lounge in 2015 there was a lot more discussion of A-2’s in general, seems that everybody either had one (or more) or wanted to get one.
I have never thought of it as a western style jacket. I wonder if it is the patch pockets leading people to see that connection. There is certainly nothing very western about zippers and wool knits.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I had never noticed the absence of a general A-2 thread and I’m surprised there isn’t one to be honest. When I started hanging around the lounge in 2015 there was a lot more discussion of A-2’s in general, seems that everybody either had one (or more) or wanted to get one.
I have never thought of it as a western style jacket. I wonder if it is the patch pockets leading people to see that connection. There is certainly nothing very western about zippers and wool knits.

I agree. Though Real McCoys is renowned for its faithful recreations, the A-2 Model 220 feels slightly stylized and civilian. I like this because I am a civilian, after all. When I ask what’s “country western” about my A-2, people usually point to the pockets on my jacket.

It could be the prevailing climate in America’s heartland right now. I grew up watching movies where the hero was a fighter pilot, like The Great Escape or Hogan’s Heroes. But I think the current Zeitgeist is that Americans are obsessed with cowboys. Or maybe cowboys is not the correct term; it’s “country.”

I don't think aviation carries the same mystique for young Americans anymore… until another Top *** sequel comes out, and everyone is obsessed with it for a year or two until they forget about it again.

 

[The Lost Cowboy]

What is a good value A-2 jacket that we can obtain in the USA?

I love the Iron Heart A-2 but refuse to pay their outrageous international prices. Hopefully I will be in Japan this winter or next year and get one of those directly.

The only Iron Heart A-2 I can find is an A-2 deck jacket. That's made from cotton instead of leather, doesn't have the knit waist, has a different pocket configuration, etc. Is that what you are asking about, or does Iron Heart make an A-2 flight jacket?

 

[spacemanspiff3000]

The only Iron Heart A-2 I can find is an A-2 deck jacket. That's made from cotton instead of leather, doesn't have the knit waist, has a different pocket configuration, etc. Is that what you are asking about, or does Iron Heart make an A-2 flight jacket?

lmao you're right
im in the wrong thread, deleted my post

 

[4444Design]

I got some A2 repops in my collection - also started with the "handwarmer pocket" version (AVIREX) until i came to more detailed reproductions.

I personally do not see any connection to a "Western Style" on any A2 jacket ...

 

[Edward]

I had never noticed the absence of a general A-2 thread and I’m surprised there isn’t one to be honest. When I started hanging around the lounge in 2015 there was a lot more discussion of A-2’s in general, seems that everybody either had one (or more) or wanted to get one.
I have never thought of it as a western style jacket. I wonder if it is the patch pockets leading people to see that connection. There is certainly nothing very western about zippers and wool knits.

Yeah, the Western thing has me lost too. I get the occasional cowboy comment about a fedora (less so this last decade or so), but never with an A2 - or any other leather jacket for that matter.

Interest in the milspec jackets seems to have waned here in recent years. Different crowd, I suppose; a lot of the older TFL posters interesting in flight jackets moved over to VLJ.

I've owned ELC and Aero A2s, bought used years ago. The Aero I only sold because I outgrew it. Should probably always have been a size up anyhow (took me a while to get the hang of sizing). But I wore it far more than the ELC, and markedly preferred it. Partly a factor of the Eastman being horse that showed visible signs of wear quickly, whereas the Aero was goat and stayed respectable looking. If I ever can afford big money on an A2 again, it'd be an Aero - the ELC range right across the board is now selling in a price bracket that I just could never justify. Am halfway thinking of a cheaper A2 next year or two, though, to patch up with bits and bobs from the CBI theatre look. After an AVG USN jacket, though. I don't want to spend the big money on a jacket I'm going to patch as I know it'll limit how often I wear it (particularly I'd likely think twice about where I'd wear a jacket with an RoC flag nowadays). I'm toying with the idea of trying a QMI.be jacket if they do the right size range.

 

[Remedy]

I have only my the real McCoy s in Canon red

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I have only my the real McCoy s in Canon red

That color is so cool. I wanted that one but it was discontinued, so I just have the regular Real McCoys. I also used to have a Schott but I gave that to my friend.

 

[Remedy]

That color is so cool. I wanted that one but it was discontinued, so I just have the regular Real McCoys. I also used to have a Schott but I gave that to my friend.

Yea I found it on eBay for a really good Price. The color is really incredible , red fades are stunning

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Yea I found it on eBay for a really good Price. The color is really incredible , red fades are stunning

Based

 

[Camel24hrs]

The people who really like A2s are aging. We grew up when WW2 guys were our hero’s.
But the A2,is a classic look. I started off with the cheaper 5 star repos. They look like an A2 contract but have many inconsistencies in them. And the leather just doesn’t stand out.
There are several repo makers that will get you an exact repo in every detail and have beautiful leather in them. Good Wear, Bill Keslo and Eastman are a few of the top end ones that give you an exact replica.
I have two Eastman A2s. RW27752 and RW1401-P. Love both of them. People who don’t know anything about an A2 stop and comment on the look of the leather. One is in seal brown which looks really dark inside and just has bronze tone to the color outdoors. The other is russet color and is beautiful in its own right.
Here is the 27752 in seal brown indoors and out doors

Here is the 1401-P in Russet indoors and outdoors

 

[Tom71]

The people who really like A2s are aging. We grew up when WW2 guys were our hero’s.
But the A2,is a classic look. I started off with the cheaper 5 star repos. They look like an A2 contract but have many inconsistencies in them. And the leather just doesn’t stand out.
There are several repo makers that will get you an exact repo in every detail and have beautiful leather in them. Good Wear, Bill Keslo and Eastman are a few of the top end ones that give you an exact replica.
I have two Eastman A2s. RW27752 and RW1401-P. Love both of them. People who don’t know anything about an A2 stop and comment on the look of the leather. One is in seal brown which looks really dark inside and just has bronze tone to the color outdoors. The other is russet color and is beautiful in its own right.
Here is the 27752 in seal brown indoors and out doors
View attachment 708190 View attachment 708191 View attachment 708192 View attachment 708193

Here is the 1401-P in Russet indoors and outdoors
View attachment 708194 View attachment 708195 View attachment 708196 View attachment 708197

Beautiful, beautiful jackets!

I sold my Eastman A-2 (House version) as I outgrew it, but they do offer a great (maybe the nicest around?) leather for this jacket.

 

[Tom71]

Current A-2 lineup.

RMC “Canyon Red” and a GoodWear that @nick123 kindly sold to me a few years ago.

A word on the RMC: the leather is nice and patinas with a reddish teacore (as per the name and the design as a “fast-fader). It’s still a fairly heavy hide and thus less usable in warmer temps.

 

[Camel24hrs]

Beautiful, beautiful jackets!

I sold my Eastman A-2 (House version) as I outgrew it, but they do offer a great (maybe the nicest around?) leather for this jacket.

The leather in them is semi aniline. My jackets are only a few months old. As I get to wear them in sunlight it will have a fading effect in time on where sunlight hits the most and it should start absorbing oils and dirt’s darkening other areas. They should take on that vintage look very fast over several years.

 

[Camel24hrs]

Current A-2 lineup.

RMC “Canyon Red” and a GoodWear that @nick123 kindly sold to me a few years ago.

A word on the RMC: the leather is nice and patinas with a reddish teacore (as per the name and the design as a “fast-fader). It’s still a fairly heavy hide and thus less usable in warmer temps.

View attachment 708300 View attachment 708299

I absolutely love that jacket in the bottom picture. Just beautiful!

 

[Tom71]

I absolutely love that jacket in the bottom picture. Just beautiful!

Thank you. It is, and I feel privileged to have it. It’s a GoodWear by John Chapman.

 

[Sterry]

I've been interested in adding an A2 to my collection. Looking for value, fit and quality. Not really hung up about authenticity. How does this Schott A2 stack up?

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Current A-2 lineup.

RMC “Canyon Red” and a GoodWear that @nick123 kindly sold to me a few years ago.

A word on the RMC: the leather is nice and patinas with a reddish teacore (as per the name and the design as a “fast-fader). It’s still a fairly heavy hide and thus less usable in warmer temps.

View attachment 708300 View attachment 708299

I have the standard Real McCoys A2—unfortunately they discontinued the red one before I got into buying jackets. I agree, I can’t wear it above 55 F unless it is really cloudy or windy, and only with a short sleeve underneath. I love the way it wears though, coolest jacket—wish I could wear it more often.