My last A-2 (hopefully) - Good Wear

Pa12 said:

I would recommend not shipping anything by usps. Very dicey these days. Are the fees different in Europe depending on which country your importing from? Here it makes no difference. An import is an import. 13 percent tax plus duty. Doesn’t matter if it’s coming from Japan thousands of miles away or Buffalo 100 miles away.

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Are there problems with USPS shipments from the US to Canada these days (guessing that's where you are)? The reason that I mentioned USPS is that GW usually uses USPS to ship within the States--though not sure about overseas.

entertainment said:

Are there problems with USPS shipments from the US to Canada these days (guessing that's where you are)? The reason that I mentioned USPS is that GW usually uses USPS to ship within the States--though not sure about overseas.

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Huge problems. A lot of the aircraft parts suppliers have stopped using them as well as other businesses. Pretty sure gw won’t use them anymore either. From what I read the post office is losing tons of money so they’re doing cost cutting measures. That’s why things are getting bounced all over. And due to all the cancelled flights from labour shortages they’re trying to avoid flying.

Even before this mess started I’ve always purchased parts for my old Land Rover from England. It works out cheaper and faster then rovers north in Connecticut. I’ve never had anything take more then a week from the uk. Probably because it’s a direct flight from gatwick to Toronto, then onto a delivery truck.

Pa12 said:

Even before this mess started I’ve always purchased parts for my old Land Rover from England. It works out cheaper and faster then rovers north in Connecticut. I’ve never had anything take more then a week from the uk. Probably because it’s a direct flight from gatwick to Toronto, then onto a delivery truck.

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Funnily enough, I have always had great luck getting things shipped from the UK to the States and could not really understand why everyone over there never seemed to have anything good to say about the Royal Mail. I think things have gotten better with USPS lately. The A-1 that I just got from GW arrived after two days when it was supposed to take three. So have some other shipments lately. But the last few years have not been good. "Two-Day Priority" often took three or four days.

Here is a photo of my SAT in Victoria HH to make up for derailing the discussion. Have not put quite as much wear into this one as the Monarch, but still love it.

entertainment said:

Here is a photo of my SAT in Victoria HH to make up for derailing the discussion. Have not put quite as much wear into this one as the Monarch, but still love it.

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Monarchs do that!

June 10th, 2022.

“Dear diary, I have entered the Good Wear queue. I expect this to be a long, tumultuous journey, but I pray these 12-14 months time will hold my excitement. I have developed quite a serious problem, and it’s surely time to cool off a bit (after the incoming ELC of course). Am contemplating another Doniger, but it will likely be one of the weird contracts that rarely see the light of day - maybe an Ostermann. Wish me the strength and fortitude to see this through; I’ll certainly need it.”

PS, shame JC doesn’t make an Irvin. That would be too easy.

That's a sentiment I can buy into Nick. I might need to get myself cloned to put some serious wear into the jackets I now have ...

Lord Flashheart said:

That's a sentiment I can buy into Nick. I might need to get myself cloned to put some serious wear into the jackets I now have ...

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Combat cloned?

Nickb123 said:

June 10th, 2022.

“Dear diary, I have entered the Good Wear queue. I expect this to be a long, tumultuous journey, but I pray these 12-14 months time will hold my excitement. I have developed quite a serious problem, and it’s surely time to cool off a bit (after the incoming ELC of course). Am contemplating another Doniger, but it will likely be one of the weird contracts that rarely see the light of day - maybe an Ostermann. Wish me the strength and fortitude to see this through; I’ll certainly need it.”

PS, shame JC doesn’t make an Irvin. That would be too easy.

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Yeah, I've already gotten into the queue again for a jacket to be determined. Right now I'm really feeling an AN-J-4 like @Mr. Mike's:

mulceber said:

Yeah, I've already gotten into the queue again for a jacket to be determined. Right now I'm really feeling an AN-J-4 like @Mr. Mike's:

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I’m currently set on Spiewak.

Nickb123 said:

PS, shame JC doesn’t make an Irvin. That would be too easy.

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Already asked him about this but the zipper is way too expensive!!!

That does seem to be the sticking point among Irvin repros.

mulceber said:

Yeah, I've already gotten into the queue again for a jacket to be determined. Right now I'm really feeling an AN-J-4 like @Mr. Mike's:

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Well, well. Good choice it'll be I have to say. Equally I am still running a pending order in the queue on a yet to be determined contract for my first GW M-422a. The one thing certain though is that the leather and finish should be like your recent Switlik

Typically we have a mini heatwave here in the UK..hopefully only for a couple more days!!
Newly arrived from Mr C a new Aero (acme) 16160
This was something John worked with for me and I am stoked…I asked John if he would take the Combat Clone in a slightly different direction, wanted the usual wonky stitching and some kick ass grainy leather but asked if he would use a lightweight or more pliable leather for me..also wanted it to have a couple other little “faults” to make it appear more like a factory made garment, such as slightly mismatched pocket positions

John was a legend, this must be a weird thing to ask for but as we have seen on originals and as Burt has posted before, these “flaws” appear on originals and yet when we buy from top tier makers we expect perfection..well John has made this jacket with these “flaws”
The leather is a dark seal Horween which he wet and then dried before sewing the jacket together, no artificial wear has been applied I will do this from normal wear
The “hype” around this Horween is really worth it in my opinion and arguably that of others that have jackets coming through made of it, butter soft and lots of character
Johns attention to detail is as usual beyond question, such as the Triple marked Talon and other Nos parts that he uses
I will post up a couple of quick pics
All I can say is I think Seal suits me better!, when I showed it to my partner straight away she says “that’s better than the other one!!”, that being the RW in russet
If your in the queue currently it’s well worth speaking to John about what leather would best suit what contract, his Italian and the Shinki are both stunning leather so not only do you need to ponder a contract but also what leather to use!!

Simply stunning, John. I love the color: definitely seal, but still with some nice warm undertones. It's a fun jacket just to look at.

Cheers Jan
Yeah an iPhone doesn’t do the colouring justice but I can’t recommend enough the dark seal

That Horween really takes it up to a new level IMO. I think it’s the leather that best emulates the older jackets (I’ve handled) in feel.

Very well done, and great grain.

That’s outstanding! You made a great choice of leathers and picked a very nice contract and color. I’m sure it will give you a lifetime of great wear and happiness . If I can make one suggestion. Take a bunch of photos of it now while it’s new, and then after one year take additional photos of it for a comparison review. It will show how the jacket has progressed and has molded to your body . Congrats !!

Cheers Burt and great idea. I suggested a lightweight leather John did the rest to be honest…but having only had a couple of originals I will bow down to you guys experience, for sure this stuff isn’t as rigid as some leathers I’ve handled
Burt I really hope to keep this one as it’s a nice contract and very comfy and as I’ve eluded to I think I should have tried darker seal sometime ago..sadly I will probably be looking to sell on the RW as I don’t have the luxury of much space and definitely as nice a russet as it is, i think I have finally concluded seal is for me