Best M-422A Repro

[tda003]

There seem to be several people/companies making reproduction M-422A flight jackets. Getting one to wear is on my list. However, I am not well informed enough (nice way of saying that I'm totally ignorant) of the makers . The price range is from around USD $1200+ to less than USD $300. That's quite a spread. All are stated to be goatskin with mouton collars and appear, to me, to be the same. What's a good M-422A for just wearing about occasionally? Thoughts?

FWIW, I have my G-1 being restored. The purpose of this jacket is an homage to my Father's jacket and the memories of it from my early childhood.

 

[mulceber]

For any Navy jackets, you can't do better than the VLJ's own Dave Sheeley. He is to Navy jackets what John Chapman is to A-2 jackets.

PRE WW-2 M-422 LEATHER FLIGHT JACKET SHEELEY PARACHUTE BUILD G-1, M-422A , A-2 | eBay

Within the descriptive images are three M-422 size 40 a size 42 and size 44 jackets. M-422 jackets seen in the descriptive images are only examples of what I can build for you. Better if an original jacket can be studied in hand.

www.ebay.com

 

[Kermit3D]

John Chapman also makes beautiful M-422 :
(In a typical John Chapman pose : the right arm slightly bent, looking at the horizon )

 

[Spitfireace]

Mucho Dinero. For my money I would go Aero Scotland.

 

[Nickb123]

Can’t mess with GW. Or the CBI pilots for that matter.

 

[MaydayWei]

Don't forget Headwind's new Church.
650 USD. And IMO, Jay absolutely nailed the vintage USN goatskin. Looks exactly as the originals should.

Edmund T Church M422a Reproduction - Headwind Mfg Co

I always wanted to reproduce this contract. It has some interesting and unique features among the USN family of intermediate weather leather flight jackets. I have owed several of these and currently have a size 38 that we have just made the pattern for. The hides should be in next week and then...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

 

[Spitfireace]

For the cost of a GW or an ELC I'd rather hunt down an original and restore it if need be. Not to put down a GW. If you want a repro of course it is the best. Yes, I realize we are talking repro. I notice that particular contract that you are wearing Nick does not have a pen/pencil slot in the left pocket. I see the four JC pics are different contracts?

 

[Spitfireace]

Yes, Headwind is also a good choice.

 

[tda003]

There's an M-422A on eBay in dire need of restoration: cuffs, waist band and lining are shot and label is quite worn. Here's the item number:
Fried Osterman Co. US Navy Flight Leather Jacket M-422A 1406-A | eBay
If consensus is it's a worthwhile project, I'll give it a try.

 

[tda003]

Some help here. Don't know from initials. What's the long version of GW, ELC

 

[mulceber]

Good Wear (owned by John Chapman) and Eastman Leather Clothing.

 

[tda003]

Still weighing options. If I decide to have an original restored, who do I use? Sorry to pepper with questions, but I'm both new and uninformed.

 

[Spitfireace]

Good Wear and Eastman Leather Clothing. The two top tier makers. GW is the generally regarded as the best in the business. A long wait time to get the jacket as he is a one man show, and also not cheap. Worth it, but you have to be dedicated to waiting a long time and shelling out top dollar. ELC is overpriced in my opinion. That Fried Osterman is going to need a total restoration so $500 US is probably a couple of hundred dollars too much. I can see that the two sides of the zipper don't line up so it looks like it was replaced at some point, the whole thing needs to come apart to restore it. Maybe look for a better example. Take your time and don't be in a rush.

 

[tda003]

Spitfire,

Thanks very much. I'll keep looking. Seller probably knows he's over priced. Came down $100 dollars without my asking or saving.

 

[Nickb123]

For the cost of a GW or an ELC I'd rather hunt down an original and restore it if need be. Not to put down a GW. If you want a repro of course it is the best. Yes, I realize we are talking repro. I notice that particular contract that you are wearing Nick does not have a pen/pencil slot in the left pocket. I see the four JC pics are different contracts?

interestingly, it’s actually a Willis and Geiger M-422 rather than a 22a. Sorry for failing to specify.

 

[tda003]

Just for the record, my father was directly commissioned as a 1st lt. into the Marine Corps reserve in early 1941. When I saw his flight jacket, I was about 6 which would have made it about 1951. I don't know that I ever saw the label and it wouldn't have made an impression upon me anyway. What did was the collar which had considerably more pointed collar tips than mine. Thus, I'm guessing it to be an M-422A. If early G-1 jackets had those pointed collars, it could have been an early G-2 since I don't know when it was issued to him. Plus, I don't know about when the collar shape changed. It's strange how certain things stand out. For instance, my earliest memory in life is seeing the cadets at West Point on their Saturday parade. They were coming up a rise and I remember the plumes of the cadet officers starting to appear before I saw the cadets themselves. Inasmuch as I was still a babe in my mother's arms, this ought not to be so and yet it is so. Today I don't even remember why I have walked into a room (bathroom excluded).

 

[mulceber]

If he joined in 1941, then it’s either M-422 or 22a. I’m not an expert on Navy jackets, but my impression is that 1941 is around when the 22a was just starting to be issued, so I’m not sure there’s any way to know whether he was assigned one of the new jackets or one of the old jackets.

 

[jimmy greene]

I hope to get this M422 from dave sheeley next week.

 

[Spitfireace]

Pretty NASy

 

[MaydayWei]

I hope to get this M422 from dave sheeley next week.View attachment 63114

Whooo boy. You've gotta show us pics when it arrives!