Around a year ago I was gifted a grouping of items from the daughter of a USAAF veteran that was a First Sergeant in the 399th Fighter Squadron 369th Group during WWII. I recently got around to putting together a small display for the patched Cable Raincoat A2 that was a part of the grouping.
In the process of researching A2 jacket contracts, I had the epiphany that I wanted a reproduction A2 to wear as a daily beater. After even more research
I settled on a horsehide seal brown Perry contract jacket made by Avi Leather out of Denmark. After a few weeks of wearing that jacket, I apparently decided that I also needed a Bronco contract jacket in russet brown and placed a second order from Avi that should hopefully be here in a couple weeks. Why? I have no clue. Pray for me once my better half finds out though.
Anyway, here's a pic of the original Cable A2 jacket along with an A-11 flight helmet and a vintage Harry Jaffee signed P-39 print that I recently picked up.
...and here's a a couple obligatory pics of the repro jacket from Avi. It's a pretty accurate representation of a WWII era A2. An original Perry was used as a template so it's sized and cut correctly. The horsehide is extremely nice for the cost of the jacket. The leather is drum dyed rather than aniline dyed so it probably won't develop any nice looking patina and wear from use like a high end repro. The cost of the jacket is only 20 - 30% of some of the high end repros so the hardware, tag, knits, and a few other items aren't really correct or comparable at that price point. Overall it's a nice option for someone who doesn't want to pay $1000 - $1500 for something that's 100% accurate.
In the process of researching A2 jacket contracts, I had the epiphany that I wanted a reproduction A2 to wear as a daily beater. After even more research
I settled on a horsehide seal brown Perry contract jacket made by Avi Leather out of Denmark. After a few weeks of wearing that jacket, I apparently decided that I also needed a Bronco contract jacket in russet brown and placed a second order from Avi that should hopefully be here in a couple weeks. Why? I have no clue. Pray for me once my better half finds out though.Anyway, here's a pic of the original Cable A2 jacket along with an A-11 flight helmet and a vintage Harry Jaffee signed P-39 print that I recently picked up.
...and here's a a couple obligatory pics of the repro jacket from Avi. It's a pretty accurate representation of a WWII era A2. An original Perry was used as a template so it's sized and cut correctly. The horsehide is extremely nice for the cost of the jacket. The leather is drum dyed rather than aniline dyed so it probably won't develop any nice looking patina and wear from use like a high end repro. The cost of the jacket is only 20 - 30% of some of the high end repros so the hardware, tag, knits, and a few other items aren't really correct or comparable at that price point. Overall it's a nice option for someone who doesn't want to pay $1000 - $1500 for something that's 100% accurate.
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