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Quality of Avirex A-2 Jackets

JulianK

Active Member
Hi everyone,

I joined the forum because I recently picked up a vintage Avirex A-2 made out of horsehide online. What should I be expecting from a jacket like this? Is it up the quality of a newer Aero jacket or Schotts?

Cheers,

Julian
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Hi Julian
Welcome to the forum.
While Avirex A2 Jackets are a good low end jacket that will meet all of your needs for colder weather, its not what I would call an accurate historical example of a vintage WWII A2 jacket in terms of reproduction accuracy. Definitely not in the same class as an Aero. Schott is also not a quality example of a WWII A2 Jacket maker. If reproduction accuracy is not your thing, then by all means continue to wear your Avirex A2 and disregard this post.
 
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JulianK

Active Member
Hi Julian
Welcome to the forum.
While Avirex A2 Jackets are a good low end jacket that will meet all of your needs for colder weather, its not would I would call an accurate historical example of a vintage WWII A2 jacket in terms of reproduction accuracy. Definitely not in the same class as an Aero. Schott is also not a quality example of a WWII A2 Jacket maker. If reproduction accuracy is not your thing, then by all means continue to wear your Avirex A2 and disregard this post.

I see what you guys mean. I was under the impression that these jackets (while not original) were used by the US as official flight jackets. I think I’m not as concerned about accuracy as I am about quality and sturdiness.
 

JulianK

Active Member
I have a very, very old Avirex jacket made of some light leather, no idea what exactly. It's not at all an accurate repro, but a good quality, fun little jacket.

I believe this one is made of horse hide so I imagine it’s decently heavy. I don’t believe it is accurate at all for a WWII jacket but I believe it is at least period correct? I can’t find much information on Avirex and their relation with the US military.
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
I believe this one is made of horse hide so I imagine it’s decently heavy. I don’t believe it is accurate at all for a WWII jacket but I believe it is at least period correct? I can’t find much information on Avirex and their relation with the US military.
Julian
You have to move forward a bit from WWII to the 1990's to see Avirex Military Contract Jackets. Avirex did have a military contract around that time for manufacturing the more modern A2's of that period.
 

JulianK

Active Member
Julian
You have to move forward a bit from WWII to the 1990's to see Avirex Military Contract Jackets. Avirex did have a military contract around that time for manufacturing the more modern A2's of that period.

The jacket I purchased is from late 70s I believe. I think they started their contract in 1978? For $70 I figured I’d see what it’s like. If it’s indeed horse hide, it has to be decent quality (I hope).
 

robrinay

Well-Known Member
That's a good price for a well made jacket in horse They usually go for about twice that or more. If you get the accuracy bug you'll be able to sell it at a profit and put the cash towards a higher end A2. Meanwhile use it as a tough windproof jacket that will look better and better as you mistreat it. Many of us started with similar jackets before trading up as our interest and knowledge grew.
 
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silvio76

Well-Known Member
I believe this one is made of horse hide so I imagine it’s decently heavy. I don’t believe it is accurate at all for a WWII jacket but I believe it is at least period correct? I can’t find much information on Avirex and their relation with the US military.
.
The jacket I purchased is from late 70s I believe. I think they started their contract in 1978? For $70 I figured I’d see what it’s like. If it’s indeed horse hide, it has to be decent quality (I hope).
Avirex horsehide jacket must have this label on lining (see picture). If it does not have, it is made of cowhide. Avirex had contract with USAF for A-2 jackets, contract years 1998 and 1999. Contract year jackets from 1998 are older version, without internal pockets and handwarmer pockets (side entry). Contract from 1999 is so called 21-st century jacket. It has internal pockets and handwarmers and construction (fit) is different. Avirex had contract 2007, but under the name of Cockpit, because they sold brand Avirex in 2005. B-man has Cockpit jacket from 2007, so he can tell you more, because he is an expert.
15603281674871863791632.jpg
 
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Brettafett

Well-Known Member
Theres not much info out there regs Avirex, probably because Avirex became Cockpit USA. So, Cockpit is the current/ modern version of Avirex.
Those horsehide Avirex A-2s from the 70s/ 80s are quite nice. I believe that were Avirex's take on the generic A-2 pattern, but still retained that trim profile, before they became baggy and evolved to that modern-man fit. Definitely sturdy. Post some fit pics when you have it.
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
Silvio is the expert of Avirex /Cockpit jackets.
He is the most knowledgeable A/C jackets expert here IMHO. He also owns several of them.
I just briefly saw the Avirex Korea factory outside of Seoul ROK end of the 90ies.
They had a great „ Top Gun „ G-1. superbly made... price was a fortune that time...
I had the same G-1 but made in China in my fingers very recently... no comparison... total crapola... if compared to the Korean made G-1.
Guess this is why they were sold... ( good profit making Co’ s buy others, but dont get sold )
Producing crapola never pays off for too long....especially in a competitive market.
 

silvio76

Well-Known Member
Silvio is the expert of Avirex /Cockpit jackets.
He is the most knowledgeable A/C jackets expert here IMHO. He also owns several of them.
I just briefly saw the Avirex Korea factory outside of Seoul ROK end of the 90ies.
They had a great „ Top Gun „ G-1. superbly made... price was a fortune that time...
I had the same G-1 but made in China in my fingers very recently... no comparison... total crapola... if compared to the Korean made G-1.
Guess this is why they were sold... ( good profit making Co’ s buy others, but dont get sold )
Producing crapola never pays off for too long....especially in a competitive market.
They made good jackets, if you do not expect authenticity and quality of top repro manufacturers. I have dozen od their jackets, ans they are all made in usa, because there is a difference in quality between jackets made in usa and jackets made in korea and china.
 

dinomartino1

Well-Known Member
I see what you guys mean. I was under the impression that these jackets (while not original) were used by the US as official flight jackets. I think I’m not as concerned about accuracy as I am about quality and sturdiness.

Here you go, the list is old and the newer jackets are not there.
Issued jackets will only be goatskin, thats the spec as it's the most fire resistant leather.
The USAF did tests and it was actually better than nomex.

post-110537-0-69914500-1364176870.jpg
 
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silvio76

Well-Known Member
Here you go, the list is old and the newer jackets are not there.
Issued jackets will only be goatskin, thats the spec as it's the most fire resistant leather.
The USAF did tests and it was actually better than nomex.

View attachment 20366
Those jackets are treated with fire retardant. Todays supplier is Excelled. They are also suppliers for G-1 jackets.
 
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Centaurus3200

Active Member
As someone who grew up in the 80s and came of age in the late 90s (first job), I always lusted after an Avirex A-2. The name was super cool too!

I understand they couldn't turn down a handsome sum to sell the name... But couldn't they come up with something more unique than Cockpit? My. 0.2 only.
 

JulianK

Active Member
As someone who grew up in the 80s and came of age in the late 90s (first job), I always lusted after an Avirex A-2. The name was super cool too!

I understand they couldn't turn down a handsome sum to sell the name... But couldn't they come up with something more unique than Cockpit? My. 0.2 only.

The jacket just came in yesterday and I have to say I am seriously impressed for having paid well under $100.
 

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