Aero USAAF W535ac-16160 Type A-2

[London Cabbie]

Very Happy.
Arrived today made by Ken personally the first 16160 A2 in Kelpie Tea Core HH...
Will do the FP tomorrow.

 

[B-Man2]

That looks great Stu,,....

 

[Bombing IP]

Its official ! Ken not only talks the talk he walks the walk .
Nice Jacket KEN.

Jeff

 

[ausreenactor]

That's really nice.. How good does it smell?

 

[mulceber]

One of the first repros I’ve seen that really nails the color of the Aero seal contracts. Really nice jacket. Can’t wait to see some fit pics.

 

[London Cabbie]

That's really nice.. How good does it smell?

I wasn’t going to mention the smell. However, the leather aroma is amazing. Also it feels like the leather is packed in oils & waxes, when you rub the surface it’s similar to a wax jacket.

 

[Saint-ex]

Nice color. I'm looking forward for fit pics and how it wears.

 

[ausreenactor]

I wasn’t going to mention the smell. However, the leather aroma is amazing. Also it feels like the leather is packed in oils & waxes, when you rub the surface it’s similar to a wax jacket.

The smell of a robust A-2 never ceases to amaze the senses.

 

[London Cabbie]

Fit Pics...

 

[ausreenactor]

Absolute stunner!

 

[Brettafett]

That looks like its going to break in and wear in beautifully... Looking forward to seeing it more pics down-the-line.

 

[Lorenzo_l]

Great looking jacket, Stu! Wear it in good health. Please keep us posted on how it develops. And nothing beats the fine aroma of a well made leather jacket, particularly an A-2.

 

[bazzer]

Very nice jacket suits you
Baz

 

[Dany McDonald]

One of the first repros I’ve seen that really nails the color of the Aero seal contracts.

Hello Mulceber,

I am interested (not challenging), to the color comment, can you expand a bit on it.

Thank you,

Dany

 

[mulceber]

Gorgeous jacket, Stu! I’m looking forward to seeing how it ages.

 

[mulceber]

Hello Mulceber,

I am interested (not challenging), to the color comment, can you expand a bit on it.

Thank you,

Dany

Sure, Dany. Not trying to ruffle anybody's feathers, but the thing I notice about original seal Aeros is that the color tended to fade in a pretty distinctive way. It almost looks like they started with russet leather, and gave it a quick re-dye that didn't hold very well. These photos from Eastman's A-2 guide illustrate it pretty well, especially the second one:

Compare this Star Sportswear, which faded more evenly:

Most modern repros I've seen don't fade like originals. Diamond Dave was looking to reproduce that look in his forthcoming Aero repro, but who knows if that's even happening at this point. When I first looked at Stu's new jacket, I saw a lot of warm undertones to the seal color, making me think it will probably age like the originals did, assuming he gives it some hard wear.

 

[Dany McDonald]

Mulceber, yes I think you make an interesting point. I've also noticed the patina on original Aero's ranging from deep dark seal, transitioning to subtle reddish hues, then to a pale tan.

Yes this new Aero Tea core could behave like originals, with time...

Thank you,

Dany

 

[MaydayWei]

Absolutely stunning jacket! Wear it in good health and wear the hell out of it!

 

[B-Man2]

Cabbie
That jacket is awesome . Now wear the piss out of it . ( That should be a VLJ good luck wish for guys who get new jackets . Sort of like telling an actor to break a leg )

 

[London Cabbie]

assuming he gives it some hard wear.

Now wear the piss out of it

Don’t worry lads, it’s getting lots of ‘round the house & on the sofa’ abuse...