Brettafett
Well-Known Member
Yes, its true and this is also part of it…
A basic jacket that ‘looks’ like a Bronco (in this case) for £99 or whatever is fine, and certainly could be a great basic jacket for anyone wanting something on a budget, but then understand it will not very likely have all the specific detailing an original-contract copy should have…
And how would you know what to incl without the original in your possession. You can’t create an ‘real’ original-maker jacket from emails and photos.
Scalloped pocket flaps alone, do not a Bronco make.
But thats the point of difference. The team at AVI are ‘classic’ flight jacket enthusiasts, and as such, chose to invest resources to buy an original WW2 jacket, study it, have patterns made and grading done (relatively speaking), and are focused on trying to get the details right; pattern, label, stamps, correct zippers, correct studs, throat hooks etc… They are still working on developments to get it closer to the originals, so their jacket emulates the original WW2 jacket in their possession, as close as possible.
This all adds more expense in time, resources and money… and so should naturally sell for more than a jacket made in the same/ similar factory, but with less detailing/ interest in those details (not to mention the time and money developing their website, aimed at original-maker jacket enthusiasts).
I know this because I was one of the first guys to buy one of their jackets, back when it was a 'generic' look-a-like… and have witnessed how they have improved, jacket upon jacket… By doing it properly, by investing, studying and developing their jackets.
I am sorry, but it just irks me when people (anyone) goes into a lot of effort to develop something and then someone comes along and uses this work (without permission or agreement… without actually understanding what or why they are doing what they are doing… adding for example XYZ zippers, XYZ press studs or double-ply seamless knit of a certain mid-brown colour… Not actually understanding why or what the difference between a Bronco, Doniger and a Roughwear is…) Except that someone is selling a product that is attracting interest, and they want some of that cake.
Please do not misunderstand, I am NOT accusing anyone, but there it is… THIS jacket, this Bronco pattern with these details was NOT available in or out of Pakistan, until AVI developed their jacket. And this goes for the G-1 55J14 also. Period.
It has been said a lot, you get what you pay for, and this holds true in everything.
Personally, I am enthusiastic about anyone wanting to get into this and make decent jackets.
For years I have asked why someone who already makes budget repro flight jackets, has not done what AVI has done before - source an original WW2 jacket and copy the details, to make make a fairly decent WW2 jacket at a lower price point. This has bee my primary motivation in supporting a crew like AVI (and they ate a lot of flak a while back for their efforts).
All these other guys are copying a copy and selling it for less. But, its not the same jacket.
China are doing the same thing, copying top tier repros and selling the copy-copy (not bad looking mind you!) for a lot less.
Shawn, your jackets do look nice, and Im sure they are quality... Techno’s A-1 looks real good. Well-made for sure! You certainly know how to make a good jacket. Hopefully one day, I will get to try one.
If you could acquire an original jacket, whatever that jacket may be, military or vintage civilian… and make it your own, that would be fantastic.
But you are not going to get a decent copy, from pictures or understand what guys are talking about, unless you get the 'real deal' into your hands. That is IF you want to make a jacket like this. Its not necessarily necessary.
A quality ‘house’ generic A-2 jacket, for £99 is still a great product and I’m sure will attract interest, you can customise it as much as you like… you can put a Bronco label on it, who will stop you, but it its not a Bronco, nor could you honestly call it a ‘real’ Bronco copy, until you have an original in your possession, can study it and the nuances of how they are built, the materials used, you will never discover the real secrets of these jackets…
The guys on this forum and others do know a ton, and have years and years experience handling these jackets, and I am glad you are keen to learn and develop your stuff.
Focus on your own ‘house’ pattern, copy as many details as you like (but don’t put a specific original-maker’s label on it. Copy the look of the military label for sure, but then call it Five Star Leathers or anything else... and give it a random number). Much like you have done with Techno's lovely A-1!
Or if you want to step up… Find your own original and copy that. Im sure it will turn out great.
Looking forward to see what you come up with.
The 1.2mm goat looks more than durable, and substantial for the vintage 'Leather Windbreaker' it replicates. I am confident from the other jackets ordered and received that my requested measurements were followed precisely on this one as well. 
