Best Flight Jacket?
Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:45 pm
I'm looking to buy a good leather flight jacket to put patches on. Does anyone have any good recommendations for where to look or what type to buy? Thanks 
Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:10 am
Eastman Leather Co. by far. Or check with Acme Depot for their Leather Jacket reviews.
Ryan
Ryan
Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:50 pm
Eastman definitly makes the best and most accurate and historically correct A-2 Flight Jackets. They're expensive, but if you want authenticity, then it''s the way to go.
If, on the other hand, you aren't as worried about being authentic, there are many Jacket manufacturers out there that produce excellent jackets that may have more up to date features that the originals never had.
Many people love the look of the A-2 Jacket but they don't like the patch style pockets. They would prefer pockets to put their hands in. Many company's, including L.L. Bean, make a replica A-2 that looks good, has the front patch pockets, but also has slash side pockets for your hands. My wife has one and that's the way she likes it.
The question you need to answer for yourself first is, do you want something that you can use for historical re-enacting, or a jacket for more everyday use that looks good?
Secondly, many jackets can fit differently. I would suggest you look around and try on and feel the various jackets. There are many differences in the leather that companies use for their jackets.
Do you want it "distressed" or in new condition?
I've always prefered to distress the jacket with my using it. I can tell you where every nick or scrape came from and what aircraft I was flyiing in when it happened.
Also, you didn't mention what type of jacket. There are current Air Force A-2's with velcro name tags and there are Army Air Force A-2's that are more in line with what they wore in WWII.
Heavier weight B-3 Sheepskin jackets look great, but they aren't very useful duirng the summer months.
Or, are you looking for a Navy G-1 Flight Jacket?
I guess it depends on what you are looking for.
Jerry
If, on the other hand, you aren't as worried about being authentic, there are many Jacket manufacturers out there that produce excellent jackets that may have more up to date features that the originals never had.
Many people love the look of the A-2 Jacket but they don't like the patch style pockets. They would prefer pockets to put their hands in. Many company's, including L.L. Bean, make a replica A-2 that looks good, has the front patch pockets, but also has slash side pockets for your hands. My wife has one and that's the way she likes it.
The question you need to answer for yourself first is, do you want something that you can use for historical re-enacting, or a jacket for more everyday use that looks good?
Secondly, many jackets can fit differently. I would suggest you look around and try on and feel the various jackets. There are many differences in the leather that companies use for their jackets.
Do you want it "distressed" or in new condition?
I've always prefered to distress the jacket with my using it. I can tell you where every nick or scrape came from and what aircraft I was flyiing in when it happened.
Also, you didn't mention what type of jacket. There are current Air Force A-2's with velcro name tags and there are Army Air Force A-2's that are more in line with what they wore in WWII.
Heavier weight B-3 Sheepskin jackets look great, but they aren't very useful duirng the summer months.
Or, are you looking for a Navy G-1 Flight Jacket?
I guess it depends on what you are looking for.
Jerry
Tue Oct 24, 2006 1:52 pm
I have the Eastman Leather Clothing "RAF 1940 Pattern, Battle of Britain" flight jacket and I love it!
Ordered it through http://www.eastmanleather.com/.
They also have a wide variety of insignias that they can put on the jacket for you.
You could also have a look at http://cirrus.co.uk/ or http://www.flying-jacket.com/.
I bought a nomex CWU-45P on Ebay with VF-103 Jolly Rogers patches (didn't apply them, they came separate).
Ordered it through http://www.eastmanleather.com/.
They also have a wide variety of insignias that they can put on the jacket for you.
You could also have a look at http://cirrus.co.uk/ or http://www.flying-jacket.com/.
I bought a nomex CWU-45P on Ebay with VF-103 Jolly Rogers patches (didn't apply them, they came separate).