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Headwind Mfg Co - The New A-1

Skyhawk

Well-Known Member
Here are some photos of our newly renovated A-1 jacket. We got new top quality, thick and chunky Horn buttons for the main buttons and real bone buttons on the inside. This one was made in our new Superior Grain Chestnut Capeskin. We also have Horsehide options for this jacket and we will have additional Capeskin options in the near future.
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Skyhawk

Well-Known Member
Thanks! This Capeskin is 1.3 - 1.5mm thick but very light. I would estimate in the 2.5 to 3 0z range. Given the light weight I would think it would be closer to 2.5 oz.
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
Thanks! This Capeskin is 1.3 - 1.5mm thick but very light. I would estimate in the 2.5 to 3 0z range. Given the light weight I would think it would be closer to 2.5 oz.
Here are some photos of our newly renovated A-1 jacket. We got new top quality, thick and chunky Horn buttons for the main buttons and real bone buttons on the inside. This one was made in our new Superior Grain Chestnut Capeskin. We also have Horsehide options for this jacket and we will have additional Capeskin options in the near future.
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Found a lot of these horn, bone and oyster shell buttons on several flee markets/garage sales in USA, FRANCE, GERMANY, KOREA and JAPAN.
Valuable?
 

Skyhawk

Well-Known Member
Found a lot of these horn, bone and oyster shell buttons on several flee markets/garage sales in USA, FRANCE, GERMANY, KOREA and JAPAN.
Valuable?

Cool! Value kinda depends on which ones. They are relatively valuable for small buttons. I have a big stock of Bone which is what has been going on most of the jackets lately. They are seen on both original A-1's and 37J1 jackets. I guess that makes them fairly valuable to me. I think when all was added up, I got them for about 5 cents a piece. I got some great bulk purchases though and had to search them out. I have found a mfg that can make them for me to my specifications so that will be happening in the future.

Regards,
Jay
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
Cool! Value kinda depends on which ones. They are relatively valuable for small buttons. I have a big stock of Bone which is what has been going on most of the jackets lately. They are seen on both original A-1's and 37J1 jackets. I guess that makes them fairly valuable to me. I think when all was added up, I got them for about 5 cents a piece. I got some great bulk purchases though and had to search them out. I have found a mfg that can make them for me to my specifications so that will be happening in the future.

Regards,
Jay
Hi Jay,
thx.
Cheers
 

Falcon_52

Active Member
Gents, I just received a jacket from Headwind using this capeskin (a C-1 Air Associates repro) a few weeks ago. The leather is very good - thick but softens up very quickly. I like it a lot.

Noel
 

Skyhawk

Well-Known Member
Thanks Noel! Glad you are enjoying the jacket. That Capeskin is great hide. Even better is the fact that we are having it tanned from raw hides so we can control every aspect of the tanning / finishing. This was our first run and the color and matte finish is perfect. The grain is a little too much for some so we are working on a smoother version to have as an option.

I was actually on the phone just now with my Rep at the tanners. We are planning out the next run. The hide will be the same, just processed so that less grain comes through. I will have samples soon.

Regards,
Jay
 

Lonewolf051

New Member
and idea when the smooth
Thanks Noel! Glad you are enjoying the jacket. That Capeskin is great hide. Even better is the fact that we are having it tanned from raw hides so we can control every aspect of the tanning / finishing. This was our first run and the color and matte finish is perfect. The grain is a little too much for some so we are working on a smoother version to have as an option.

I was actually on the phone just now with my Rep at the tanners. We are planning out the next run. The hide will be the same, just processed so that less grain comes through. I will have samples soon.

Regards,
Jay
Any idea when the smooth hide or sample pics will be coming in?
 

Skyhawk

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the grainy Capeskin photo Bseal. I think I had another photo of that jacket but it was far away and the grain was not as apparent.

This photo is a great example of just how grainy some of the Capeskin was that they used for the early flight jackets. It can be hard to see from distant shots.
This jacket's hide is a good match to our Superior Grain Capeskin and is similar to other examples I have seen of the grainier Capeskin used in the 1930's.
 

zoomer

Well-Known Member
Damned handsome. Can’t hardly wait for mine...

Btw, pic is Gen. Chaney, chief of AAC training command, in 1938. Ever see such big goggle cushions in your life?
 
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Lonewolf051

New Member
http://www.goodwearleather.com/37J1/front_view2.jpg

Jay, you ever think of making these when the Goldsmiths are finished? they'd fit into your pre-war themed jacket line perfectly! they're pretty much not made by anyone anymore and are all but extinct (original and repops) why not start these beauties up? you'd be pretty much the only manufacturer (at least in the west that I know of) that makes them, so there'd be a lot of attention coming your way for them... they look like a very good wearing, neat and handsome, practical design that just isn't seen around anymore, just look at that knit color contrast to the shell of the jacket! plus it'd be a cheaper alternative to the leather jackets and offer some variation to your line, maybe offer them with or without the USN stamp :) just a thought from a fellow business-oriented mind
 
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Skyhawk

Well-Known Member
http://www.goodwearleather.com/37J1/front_view2.jpg

Jay, you ever think of making these when the Goldsmiths are finished? they'd fit into your pre-war themed jacket line perfectly! they're pretty much not made by anyone anymore and are all but extinct (original and repops) why not start these beauties up? you'd be pretty much the only manufacturer (at least in the west that I know of) that makes them, so there'd be a lot of attention coming your way for them... they look like a very good wearing, neat and handsome, practical design that just isn't seen around anymore, just look at that knit color contrast to the shell of the jacket! plus it'd be a cheaper alternative to the leather jackets and offer some variation to your line, maybe offer them with or without the USN stamp :) just a thought from a fellow business-oriented mind

Thanks for the suggestion! Yes I have thought about the cloth 37J1 and they are not out of the question for the future. Also there may be a Canvas A-1 in the works. They would not be as inexpensive to make as you think. By the time you factor in the Bedford cord, hookless zip, knits and construction, the price goes into the range of our leather jackets. The question is would anyone want one if they go north of the $500 mark?

So it is possible but not a priority until we can figure a way to bring the production cost down.
 

Lonewolf051

New Member
Thanks for the suggestion! Yes I have thought about the cloth 37J1 and they are not out of the question for the future. Also there may be a Canvas A-1 in the works. They would not be as inexpensive to make as you think. By the time you factor in the Bedford cord, hookless zip, knits and construction, the price goes into the range of our leather jackets. The question is would anyone want one if they go north of the $500 mark?

So it is possible but not a priority until we can figure a way to bring the production cost down.


Interesting! I'd love a cloth or wool A-1 myself, those jackets are unique in that they were made of so many materials and not just only leather and were still acceptable for military use (try wearing a cotton or wool private purchase A-2 on an airfield in WWII and see how far you got haha) and yes it'd be a bit pricey, though Roland on At the Front made his Bedford cord for his deck jackets in China I believe, and those prices are quite cheap ($150) and the Bedford quality is quite nice. Even if it's in the $500-$600 range, I know I wouldn't mind paying it for the 37j1b, most collectors and enthusiasts wouldn't either, seeing as you'd be pretty much the only guy that makes them anymore, and you're in the US and if you continue the free US shipping, that's even more enticing! :)
 

zoomer

Well-Known Member
What is it about the Cockpit 37J1 that allows it to sell in the $300 range? Is it the ersatz Bedford cord? the acrylic knit? the nonrepro zipper? I don’t think the nylon camo liner, oversize pockets, or ultra low collar save any money in mfg.

And what allows Bronson to make a more faithful copy of this jacket and sell it even more cheaply? It can’t just be the lack of large sizes???
 
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