Warbird Information Exchange

As the topic says, does anyone on WIX have a Cockpit USA horsehide A-2? Opinions?

Thanks,
Zack

Zachary wrote:As the topic says, does anyone on WIX have a Cockpit USA horsehide A-2? Opinions?

Thanks,
Zack

Hi Zack
The Cockpit A2 is ok but it depends on how accurate you want to be and what kind of $ you want to spend.
Cockpit jackets are not very close to being accurate. Very civilain looking , wrong pockets, wrong epaulets, wrong cut(shape)
The most accurate ( 98/100)are made by John Chapman of Goodwear Leathers, He specializes in A2 jackets but they will run you around $1000 for new one (KEEP AN EYE ON EBAY ALSO)
The second best would be from Eastman (97/100) Leathers just very slightly not as good as Goodwear but still reaaly really good. (but not much cheaper).
My advice would be to watch Ebay for A2 jackets made from either of these makers. There are good deals that will save you money if your patient.

I myself have a Roughwear 1401 A2 in horsehide made by Eastman.
Has over 2500 Flying hours on it and still going strong with no issues.
Keep us posted on what you decide

Cam
P.S. Met you at your Oshkosh party last year . I am the Canadian (yellow ball cap and t-shirt in pics)

I've had a Cockpit Horsehide A-2 since 1985 and it's one of my favorite leather jackets. The leather is first rate and really nice. Maybe they changed them a bit since I got mine as the USAF started to issue them with some changes right around that time. Pretty accurate and close to spot on when I compare it to my WWII original A-2. Can't speak about the Cockpit's version sold today as I haven't examined one up close. Eastman wasn't an option when I bought mine. Lots of scratches from a couple of bombing missions over Old Rhinebeck!!
Jerry

Jerry O'Neill wrote:I've had a Cockpit Horsehide A-2 since 1985 and it's one of my favorite leather jackets. The leather is first rate and really nice. Maybe they changed them a bit since I got mine as the USAF started to issue them with some changes right around that time. Pretty accurate and close to spot on when I compare it to my WWII original A-2. Can't speak about the Cockpit's version sold today as I haven't examined one up close. Eastman wasn't an option when I bought mine. Lots of scratches from a couple of bombing missions over Old Rhinebeck!!
Jerry

I agree with Jerry , at that time in the early 80s the cockpit was the top replica but it has now been long replaced with way more accurate examples. Unfortunately way more money also.
ITs hard for some to spend $1000 on a jacket then see it get beat up while flying etc but they really do look better as they get that way.
It really depends how accurate you want the jacket to be . If you are not really picky there are lots of lower end makers out there.
Hey, as long as you are happy with what you pic then all is good.

If you want a real education about flying jackets , makers etc then go to the Vintage Leather Jackets forum , thats where all the collectors and experts hang out.

Thanks for the info fellas. I love the Goodwear and Eastman jackets, but they don't list them in fat guy sizes (I'm a size 54 and they only list up to 48). I know that the accuracy is not all there, but I'm half tempted to order a custom made Langlitz Leathers flight jacket with the solid back and top entry cargo pockets. That vintage leather jacket forum is really cool. Lots of neat info there.

Zack