My first leather Five Star A2

[Chris 55]

Understandable albeit with a repro in my view, you should be confident in getting your true size - def go up a size for an original though! Much easier when we could try before we buy before internet buying!!

As it was my first I was stepping in to the unknown and my chest size is 44/45 could have possibly gotten away with a 44 but have the longer arms.
But now I have a benchmark for other jackets.

 

[bseal]

Looks good, now to wear it in all weather and dont baby it.
Yes, un-snap the collar. Google Jimmy Stewart Bomber Pilot (or You Gotta Stay Happy movie) and you'll see how a RW is meant to be worn!

 

[Chris 55]

View attachment 68905

Now I'm looking for this film but can't find it listed.?

 

[Kermit3D]

Jimmy Stewart was 6′ 3" (191 cm) tall and very thin. His A-2 looks very small on him, look at the sleeves...
Even with an undersized fit, he still looks incredibly classy !

Sorry for the off topic.

Chris 55, I personally don't think your A-2 is too big. I think it works very well.

 

[Chris 55]

Well I've just found this and I can see what your saying.

 

[Chris 55]

 

[Brettafett]

Not to go off topic, but its RW-talk
Jimmy's RW1401 is a size 40, so yes, its on the short side, but if you watch You Gotta Stay Happy (have to buy the DVD), you can see that he wears it well.
Its interesting to compare the jacket in YGSH with Winning Your Wings above (when the jacket was relatively new.
YGSH was filmed post WW2 and at that time he had his old bomb squadron patch sewn on.

 

[Chris 55]

Not to go off topic, but its RW-talk
Jimmy's RW1401 is a size 40, so yes, its on the short side, but if you watch You Gotta Stay Happy, you can see that he wears it well.
Its interesting to compare the jacket in YGST with Winning Your Wings above (when the jacket was relatively new.
YGSH was filmed post WW2 and at that time he had his old bomb squadron patch sewn on.
View attachment 68916 View attachment 68917

That's fantastic it's turning into a great topic.

 

[entertainment]

My wife worked as a server at one of his Princeton reunions and says that he was extremely nice. But he was wearing his reunion blazer rather than his A-2. Taken by me at the Jimmy Stewart in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

 

[busdrivermike]

That’s a great looking jacket, looks like a nice comfortable practical fit that allows
For a sweater, I look forward to seeing how it looks once you’ve worn it for bit

 

[Flightengineer]

Not to go off topic, but its RW-talk
Jimmy's RW1401 is a size 40, so yes, its on the short side, but if you watch You Gotta Stay Happy (have to buy the DVD), you can see that he wears it well.
Its interesting to compare the jacket in YGSH with Winning Your Wings above (when the jacket was relatively new.
YGSH was filmed post WW2 and at that time he had his old bomb squadron patch sewn on.
View attachment 68916 View attachment 68917

Always liked him as an actor and as a guy who made a serious career in aviation. Every time I visited Dayton I "froze" for some time in front of this showcase.

 

[Mickey.was.a.rat]

Nice ! But like Said above I think the collar should be unsnapped too

 

[leper-colony]

Do what you like with the snaps and go radio silence so you keep em guessing.

 

[Top-Notcher]

Here is my Five star RW Hh in mid brown. Size 42 with a half inch less in shoulders..

 

[Chris 55]

Do what you like with the snaps and go radio silence so you keep em guessing.

I've tried both and it changes each time I where it also depends on what I wear underneath to be honest.

 

[leper-colony]

That's what I would do! lol!