I promised to report on the new ELC 50.Cal A-2 once I had a chance to see it in the flesh at Duxford. I was helping on a friend's stall and managed to take a quick break at 10.00am when ELC open but there was a massive queue waiting to get in their 'tent' and so it wasn't until the afternoon that I could get another visit in and their stall was still heaving! I did get to see and try a size 42 on and so here are my impressions but are subject to it being a very quick overview....
The 50.cal immediately stood out due to the dark coloured hide and the 'red' knits, it is clearly based on an Aero original pattern with those knits, a mustard colour lining and sharp pocket profile. I personally like the dark steerhide used as it contrasts nicely with the knits and stitching. It did appear quite 'shiny' although difficult to see outside of actual light. Being steerhide I noticed none of that new stiffness associated with horsehide, it is quite a light feeling hide too. I love this 'new' Crown zip and when I tried the jacket on the size 42 was a perfect fit (I have always worn a 42 in repros particularly Eastmans). The wear (burnishing) is quite subtle and not as 'brutal' as their Pearl harbor range; there are areas of nice graining particularly on the arms and back area, I would mention that a size 46 on display had even more graining and wear which looked even nicer than the 42 I tried on so I expect each jacket will have its own individuality, any purchaser might want to enquire about how their jacket will look or better still try one on in person if possible. I would expect the tanning will allow real character to break through the leather quite quickly once the jacket was worn. As much as my reflection in the mirror told me (!) it looked a great wearer and I personally would recommend this new addition to the ELC range as it does offer quite a different style and unique finish. If any other visitors to the show get a chance to report back especially if they had longer to view the jacket it would be helpful. The show seemed to have many more visitors than last year and there were many, many folk wearing A-2's and other jackets. It was good to see so many differing jackets, I was able in particular to spot those wearing an ELC Star contract jacket due to its contrasting stitching and smart look. A few originals were spotted too being worn but all were devoid of patch or paint. I put some pics of the original jackets on display in the museum on the general flight jacket page. I left with a very positive impression of the new 50.cal jacket and if we can avoid the previous bias comments from hijacking this post it might be of some use to those who were interested in the new jacket, thank you. I did buy on impulse their B-2 cap (Eastman one) which had been given a superb vintage finish with the visor bent forward in that veteran aircrew look, fantastic!
The 50.cal immediately stood out due to the dark coloured hide and the 'red' knits, it is clearly based on an Aero original pattern with those knits, a mustard colour lining and sharp pocket profile. I personally like the dark steerhide used as it contrasts nicely with the knits and stitching. It did appear quite 'shiny' although difficult to see outside of actual light. Being steerhide I noticed none of that new stiffness associated with horsehide, it is quite a light feeling hide too. I love this 'new' Crown zip and when I tried the jacket on the size 42 was a perfect fit (I have always worn a 42 in repros particularly Eastmans). The wear (burnishing) is quite subtle and not as 'brutal' as their Pearl harbor range; there are areas of nice graining particularly on the arms and back area, I would mention that a size 46 on display had even more graining and wear which looked even nicer than the 42 I tried on so I expect each jacket will have its own individuality, any purchaser might want to enquire about how their jacket will look or better still try one on in person if possible. I would expect the tanning will allow real character to break through the leather quite quickly once the jacket was worn. As much as my reflection in the mirror told me (!) it looked a great wearer and I personally would recommend this new addition to the ELC range as it does offer quite a different style and unique finish. If any other visitors to the show get a chance to report back especially if they had longer to view the jacket it would be helpful. The show seemed to have many more visitors than last year and there were many, many folk wearing A-2's and other jackets. It was good to see so many differing jackets, I was able in particular to spot those wearing an ELC Star contract jacket due to its contrasting stitching and smart look. A few originals were spotted too being worn but all were devoid of patch or paint. I put some pics of the original jackets on display in the museum on the general flight jacket page. I left with a very positive impression of the new 50.cal jacket and if we can avoid the previous bias comments from hijacking this post it might be of some use to those who were interested in the new jacket, thank you. I did buy on impulse their B-2 cap (Eastman one) which had been given a superb vintage finish with the visor bent forward in that veteran aircrew look, fantastic!