Aero Leather Clothing trial update

[HoosierDaddy]

That's grabbing the reigns and saving a company right in the middle of several serious messes to try and clean up and make right. Giving up retirement and putting other personal interests on the back burner while facing a trial of betrayal on several levels. Regardless of Calder criticism that was a feat that many others wouldn't care to take on. Add on the emotional sacrifices taking their toll throughout this, and most can't help but admire how it was handled.
HD

 

[Big J]

That's grabbing the reigns and saving a company right in the middle of several serious messes to try and clean up and make right. Giving up retirement and putting other personal interests on the back burner while facing a trial of betrayal on several levels. Regardless of Calder criticism that was a feat that many others wouldn't care to take on. Add on the emotional sacrifices taking their toll throughout this, and most can't help but admire how it was handled.
HD

+1

Ken Calder staged a comeback with 40 new designs, just like that! Makes you wonder how many other ideas he's still got that he's keeping under wraps.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

+1

Ken Calder staged a comeback with 40 new designs, just like that! Makes you wonder how many other ideas he's still got that he's keeping under wraps.

Also, some may forget (or not know) that Ken had a heart attack before all this turmoil reared it's ugly head.

 

[Big J]

Also, some may forget (or not know) that Ken had a heart attack before all this turmoil reared it's ugly head.

I didn't know that.

 

[Sloan1874]

It's the reason Holly decided to join Aero in 2011. She was worried that Ken's heart attack had been brought on in part by the stress of the company's falling profits. In a way, this decision alone did have an impact on the company's profits, as Will's eBay records show that he had stopped selling stuff the moment Holly returned - whether it stopped him taking stuff is another matter, but even Will must've ran out of space at some point...

 

[robrinay]

+1

Ken Calder staged a comeback with 40 new designs, just like that! Makes you wonder how many other ideas he's still got that he's keeping under wraps.

Well I'm saving up for an RFC flying coat! - I live in hope that he'll start making these ready for next Winter.

 

[eggleman]

Whoever's doing their current batch, the Work Coat and botched Cafe Racers, will have to get their finger out. Come on, chop-chop, we want to see a full spread of Dust Bowls, Sunbursts and Crop Dusters before August is out!

With more/bigger pockets of course ...

 

[ausreenactor]

Er...no...not really. A decade of deliberate deception on many fronts is pretty serious business and begs for justice. Just ask those customers involved and the Calder family. In order for any forgiveness one needs to admit guilt, be remorseful and, at least, somewhat plead for sympathy from those who have been harmed.
Surely most of us would never become so involved in such on-going purposeful treachery.
HD

It has taken a few years; however, I concur 100% with HD on this one. This is/was a conceived and planned deceit. Using position and influence to defraud in this manner deserves a horse-whipping (no actual horses to be whipped IOT avoid cruelty charges) and then the appropriate period of imprisonment.

 

[Big J]

Well I'm saving up for an RFC flying coat! - I live in hope that he'll start making these ready for next Winter.

Sounds interesting. Got a picture?

 

[Edward]

Did you guys realize that Aero introduced at least 40 (sic!) new jacket models since Ken came back from retirement?

Jinkies, I'd figured aero had maybe double the range now than when Ken came back, but it hadn't occurred to me that it was quite as big a jump as that. It's been a terribly ordeal for the Calders, though the silver lining for Aero has definitely been that they've got a stronger range than at any time in their history, I think.

It'll be interesting to see what new designs come in future. Ken was, I know keen to encourage new design talent in the company.

With more/bigger pockets of course ...

You know, Herself looked in on their site recently, and her first remark to me was about AL/SB's pocket fixation. Interestingly, she's not especially familiar with the Aero range either. I thought this was interesting, as she's not got the tendency I might have to look at them and see "An Aero with a whole heap more pockets". I do think the pocket fixation throws some of the designs out terribly, not least the Barbour International / Belstaff Trialmaster type jacket. It would improve significantly in look id the pockets were simply rendered 2/3 of the current size.

(no actual horses to be whipped IOT avoid cruelty charges)

not to mention damage to the hides!

 

[robrinay]

Sounds interesting. Got a picture?

Something like this one pictured at the Canadian Air Force Museum
http://ww1.canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/jacket.jpg

 

[Big J]

Something like this one pictured at the Canadian Air Force Museum
http://ww1.canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/jacket.jpg

That's nice!
Those long leather coats that WWI pilots wore were all very cool. I'd love one with an oversized fur collar.

 

[Worf]

I'd rock it too sans the oversized map pocket. Practical for pilots then... not for strolling now...

Worf

 

[Big J]

I could go for something like this;

 

[robrinay]

Here are a few not very good pics of me wearing an original - belonged to a friend but now sold.
http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/robrinay/library/RFC Flying Coat

 

[Big J]

Here are a few not very good pics of me wearing an original - belonged to a friend but now sold.
http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/robrinay/library/RFC Flying Coat

That's nice. Looks really great for it's age!

 

[robrinay]

It was in good condition but a few areas were fragile - a museum piece really.

 

[tropicalbob]

I remember, back when Ken retook control of the company, a couple of people complaining of his lack of sensitivity to their wants about mods and how amenable WL was. I think that one of the most obvious things to have emerged in these discussions in the absolute lack of any real design sense at AL/SB. Design sense is not often tangible, but, boy, do you miss it when it's not there.

 

[robrinay]

The good news (from the horses mouth - just had an email from him relating to this bit of the thread), is that Ken Calder is now starting to think seriously about making a test coat of the RFC design. He's had an original in his archive for some time.

 

[Otter]

Sorry , but whenever you mention this I automatically think of Rick Mayall as Captain, Lord Flasheart.