Best Repo Flight Jacket

[Perry Floyd]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to ask opinions on this, but who currently makes the best quality reproduction WWII flight/bomber jackets? A-2's, B-3's etc,.
Avirex?

[darryl-P]

Perry,

In my opinion, the Eastman Company over in the UK do the best job of reproducing the WW2 era flying jackets. I purchased an RAF Irvin sheepskin jacket from them in 1997 and it looks better every day as it wears naturally.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Perry, I can recommend Gary Eastman's products too. I have an A2 made by them which I have worn for about 12 years.

http://www.eastmanleather.com/

Cheers, Ade.

[Bill D.]

I personally would reccomend the folks at www.flightsuits.com.

I purchased one of their A-2 horsehides and had it painted by an artist. The jacket is in my opinion excellent. I have purchased a few leather jackets from them and have never been dissapointed.

[Perry Floyd]

Thanks everyone.

I'm more interesteed in a B-3 Bomber jacket and I didn't see where flightsuits.com made one.
Right now I like Averix and Eastmans B-3 with a lean towards Avirex soley because they make one with side entry pockets.

[Bill D.]

Perry.....
Just make sure to get the B-3 style that you want. There is the original style and the modern version. The original had features the modern examples do not, the most noticeable being only one side pocket, and not two.

Flightsuits actually does make a B-3, in the two pocket version. It is under "leather jackets" in their product section.

http://www.flightsuits.com/leather_b3_civil.html

[IMPERIAL QUEST]

Hi-

You may want to check out Cirrus. I have a WW I style double breasted aviator leather coat that they custom made for me, and I know that they have WW II versions as well. Their quality is exceptional

[Perry Floyd]

Thanks Bill your correct as I overlooked it on my first visit.

Eastman sells one EXACTLY like the original and Avirex makes a one as well. These have only the small map pocket on the front and the extra layer of leather on the sleeves running from the shoulder to the elbow, plus are $400 more than the civilian improved B-3. Usually I like jackets I'm going to wear to be exactly like the originals but I just couldn't give up not having any side pockets on such a heavy jacket. I felt I would end up cussing the fact I didn't have pockets on my jacket once I was wearing it in the cold.
So I went with the Avirex pocketed B-3. I had a Avirex A-2 in high school and was impressed with their jackets. I've heard alot of good things about Eastman as well since then.

[Terrence]

Does anyone make repro u-boat leather jackets?

Best regards,
Terrence

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Terrence, yes , "G-Max" sell one.

http://pacificcoast.net/~gmax/uniforms/ssleather.htm

Cheers, Ade.

[JR.]

Hell, I just wear one of these around !

[JR.]

L2

[Perry Floyd]

Very nice jacket, like the tail swas. cut out as well

[Sly]

A-2's, B-3's etc,.

Buzz Rickson (Japan); Real McCoys (New Zealand); Eastman Leather (UK [England]); Aero Clothing Co. (UK [Scotland]).

They're all on the web.