Looking for A2 flight jacket

[CATI1835]

I am looking for an A2 style flight (bomber) jacket. I am not looking for an original, but a modern reproduction. I want either leather or goatskin. I can find them all over the place on the web, and the prices are all over the place. The reviews are all over the place too, one reviewer saying a jacket is a worthless piece of junk, another saying it it the best thing he ever bought.

I don't want to pay $600 but I will pay for quality. Does anyone have any advice/experience that you can contribute?

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

A2 Flight Jacket

Try Medals of America.Com as they have a large selection of jackets. I find their prices and quality excellent. I have purchased some ball caps and medals and they stand behind their product.

Nick

 

[Alpo]

Either leather or goatskin?

Isn't goatskin leather?

I got mine from Sportsmans Guide, in the very early 2000s. It's holding up fine.

 

[vt_shooter]

If you want the real deal, Cockpit USA Inc. makes them for the AF and sells them on their web site. Not cheap though, but they're made in the US using good materials.

 

[Mickey D]

I bought an G2 from San Diego Leather Factory back in early '90s.
I don't recall which leather, but is very soft.
I still have it, but have out grown it over time. Has low flight time. Looks like new. Size 46. Let me know via PM if interested, as I will sell.
It has leather waste and leather cuffs. Looks just like the one the guy is wearing in the link below.

G2 Raider Leather Bomber Jacket with Knit Cuffs & Waist Made in the USA| Leather.com

 

[Frank237]

Cockpit in NYC is the old Avirex corp. My FIL's 8th AF, WW2 Army Air Corps jacket has an AVIREX label . That was enough for me.

Bought an A2 from them 30 years back.

I'd also take a look at the LANGLITZ Leathers site in Portland, OR. They primarily do M/C gear but they also build A2's

LOTS of imitations out there...if you want the real deal, do your homework.

 

[medic15al]

Try Alpha Industries:

Men's Flight Jackets: MA-1, B-15, Bombers | Alpha Industries

 

[sceva]

Try US Wings - Pretty sure they bought out the old Cooper Jacket company.

They are also one of the few ( and most reasonable) companies that will repair ( Re Cuff, or re-line) flight jackets.

They re-lined my old Cooper G2 jacket and did a great job.

http://www.uswings.com/product-category/jackets-coats/leather-jackets/a-2-jackets/

 

[V1 Rotate]

Perrone makes our, and most airline, leather jackets. They are a good place to do business with, as I personally know having owned one for 18 years. Good ones are not cheap, and a Chinese made A-2 just seems wrong in so many ways. But it appears from your opening post that you are pretty much leaning that way. Remember, you get what you pay for, and most American leather jacket makers are small, fragile businesses in a tough environment. Bill S

 

[DeathGrip]

I have a small Cooper that belonged to my Dad. I don't think anyone in the family can fit in it. It's like new from what I see.

If you think it might suit gimme a PM.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I bought an G2 from San Diego Leather Factory back in early '90s.


G2 Raider Leather Bomber Jacket with Knit Cuffs & Waist Made in the USA| Leather.com

I have purchased two from them as well in 2003, but was visiting San Diego at the time. I gave one to my grandson. Still have it and wear it everyday in the winter.

Welcome to the Aviation Department for Leather Bomber Jackets Made in the USA and Imported | Leather.com

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have an Avirex G1 purchased about 20 years ago. No idea what I paid but it wasn't cheap I remember that part. Darn good jacket. Held up great. Look for one of those used. Excellent jacket.

 

[cowart]

I bought an G2 from San Diego Leather Factory back in early '90s.

From the same company, you can get police jackets, which might be a better choice for CCW. Has snaps on the sleeves instead of knitted, and has an inside gun pocket. This is the product used by the California CHP.

Welcome to the Police Leather Jackets Department | Leahter.com

 

[Marshwheeling]

I bought an Avirex A2 about 40 years ago. Not cheap, but it didn't break the bank either. Excellent quality, but it, uh shrunk. It's been a long time since I could shrug into a size 40.

Dunno about Langlitz flight jackets, but their leather motorcycle gear is absolutely top of the heap. I always wanted a set of langlitz leathers, but never could quite afford it.

 

[old bear]

Either leather or goatskin?

Isn't goatskin leather?

NO. It can only be referred to as leather if it came from a bovine. Anything else is skin.

 

[Abbynormal]

I've had a Schott A2 since 1979 and am still wearing it! You can guess my recomendation. BTW: Schott WAS AN ORIGINAL USAAC A2 SUPPLIER!!!!

 

[gtoppcop]

Taylor's Leather in Tennessee is also very good. I can attest to their quality. When I was a cop in Metro Denver, my Department authorized leather jackets for duty wear (provided you bought them). The ones we were authorized were the Memphis and San Diego models.

The San Diego model (San Diego PD also authorizes leather apparently) is a Navy G1 crossed with an Air Force A2. Nice jacket. Goatskin with plenty of inside pockets.

Of course they have a wide selection, to include the A2. Good jackets!

Official Site of Taylor's Leatherwear

Hope this helps in your quest...

 

[CATI1835]

Thank everyone for their input. I have decided to purchase from San Diego Leather. US made, small business. I will update everyone in a few weeks as to my experience and the quality of the product.

As an aside, I considered US Wings. Did some research and decided against them. Seems the owner of that company has some credibility issues, to put it mildly. I will let you Google it.

 

[DeathGrip]

Thank everyone for their input. I have decided to purchase from San Diego Leather. US made, small business. I will update everyone in a few weeks as to my experience and the quality of the product.

As an aside, I considered US Wings. Did some research and decided against them. Seems the owner of that company has some credibility issues, to put it mildly. I will let you Google it.

I can't wait for the update. I might get to wear one once or twice in Jan. or Feb. Not likely but you never know.

I've had mine for about 20 years and used it the most when I traveled.

It's been all over Europe but the funniest thing was my inlaws giving me a thin down jacket because they thought it wasn't warm enough for this Fl. boy. I'm here to say it wasn't near as warm as my leather. It made me happy as I never sit still when I'm on vacation and needed a cooler jacket. I never told them. Just thanked them.

 

[BearBio]

I remember my dad had his from WWII=complete with "Blood Chit" (He was in the Air Corps, assigned to the Flying Tigers as a crew chief after they were blackmailed into joining the US Army).

My WT brother traded it for worthless baseball cards and chewing gum.