A Tale of Two Companies ...A Commentary on Business Development

[Chandler]

I have to say, I don't see many leather flight jackets, either. Maybe a G-1(like) now and again, a few nylon types, but never any A-2s around here.

20 years ago, or so, I used to see the mall, distressed versions a lot, but never any more.

 

[Pa12]

I have to say, I don't see many leather flight jackets, either. Maybe a G-1(like) now and again, a few nylon types, but never any A-2s around here.

20 years ago, or so, I used to see the mall, distressed versions a lot, but never any more.

Yes. See lots of those. And the big baggy ones that have arm pits 6 inches above the waist.

 

[Chandler]

And the big baggy ones that have arm pits 6 inches above the waist.

That's for *serious* layering.

 

[Pa12]

That's for *serious* layering.

And the map lining. Eeew, the 80’s.

 

[B-Man2]

Me too. Though there wasn’t much to pick from in the 80’s

Very true …. Avirex was pretty much the only game around … well in the US at least … in the UK, SEFTON was the better choice .

 

[Chandler]

And the map lining. Eeew, the 80’s.

Don't forget the hand-warmers and snaps outside the pocket flaps.

Old acquaintance had one (probably still does) and used to tell me his was just as authentic as my Eastman. I only ever just rolled my eyes.

 

[Pa12]

 

[leper-colony]

The other choices were Vanson and Willis & Geiger.

 

[Pa12]

Yeah, I gave flight suits lots of money too after Avirex

 

[Chandler]

Yeah, I gave flight suits lots of money too after Avirex

I don't know about "lots," but I still have 2 of the 3 jackets I bought from FS. Wear 'em all the time.

They even replaced the knits on my original G-1.

 

[Chandler]

The other choices were Vanson and Willis & Geiger.

When did W&G first start selling "repros?" I got their catalogs all the time, but I think I already knew about ELC before then.

 

[Pa12]

When did W&G first start selling "repros?" I got their catalogs all the time, but I think I already knew about ELC before then.

Not sure, but I discovered them around 89,90

 

[Pa12]

They weren’t bad jackets. A little baggy for my liking

 

[Pa12]

Although my second Avirex was a very chinsy looking seal cowhide, the fit was superb.

 

[Chandler]

They weren’t bad jackets. A little baggy for my liking

The FS or W&G?

One of my FS is baggy-ish, but the other isn't. Both of them (and the one I sold on) fit me the best in the shoulders of any repro I've owned.

 

[Pa12]

The FS or W&G?

One of my FS is baggy-ish, but the other isn't. Both of them (and the one I sold on) fit me the best in the shoulders of any repro I've owned.

I believe both of mine were flight suits, but I could be wrong. That was a long text ago and the jackets have been gone many years now. They were both hh.

 

[Chandler]

They were both hh.

The one I sold was a very robust HH A-2. The A-2 I still have is a very nice, veg-tanned, russet goat (one of the first Gibson & Barnes labeled jackets).

The other is a modern G-1 without mouton collar (an Ersatz AN-J-3 I had them make) -- soft, chrome-tanned goat in seal brown. It's a nice, sort of dressy jacket to wear.

I always wanted a W&G, but their authenticity kept me from taking the leap.

 

[Pa12]

Now I’m not sure what the company name was when I bought mine. Whatever it was first. Can’t remember if it was flight suits and then g&b, or the other way round.

 

[Chandler]

Can’t remember if it was flight suits and then g&b...

This. I think they're still G&B at this time.

 

[Pa12]

In hindsight, if I were to get into A-2’s now, I would get 2 Platons. One seal, one russet, and live happily ever after. And have an extra few grand in my bank account from all the previous buying and selling to find a good one.