Picked Up An A2 Flight Jacket

[INLAND44]

Hey, I found an interesting USGI A2. Its a modern one, probably 1980s to 2000 or so, by Avirex, goatskin, 'hand warmer' pockets, dark tan cotton liner and has the military labeling in it along with a label from the Philadelphia DSCP (Defense Supply Center Philadelphia). It turned out to be much nicer than described and as luck would have it, fit me perfectly. This is the first genuine mil-issue A2 I have had, and I don't believe you can buy an equal product on the civvy market, even by the same maker. I'm talking about the patterns they use to get that crisp military fit along with the quality of the materials. Most of the aftermarket ones have thick leather and the collars stand too high. This one has some needle holes where a patch was sewn on the RH breast and the name patch on the LH side. It isn't noticeable. Avirex is now Cooper.
Anyway, I have been looking for an A2 that fits and looks like this one for 25 years, so you can imagine why I'm so happy about it. I'm looking at the long-range forecast hoping for an evening cool enough to wear it out to dinner, but they're starting to be rare now - might have to wait until the Fall.

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[browningautorifle]

as luck would have it, fit me perfectly.

You could have done a selfi wearing it too...

[INLAND44]

Turns out it would have to be 1998 or later since the DSCP did not have that exact name until 1998. That doesn't diminish its appeal to me since its still a U.S. issue and I bought it to wear, replacing an older Avirex that was made for the commercial market. That is a great A2 also but I don't weigh as much as I did in 1994 when I got it, and it was getting ridiculously big on me. The difference in weight and fit from the cowhide one to the goatskin is incredible. The goatskin is thinner/lighter so it doesn't 'drape' like the heavier cowhide, but that cowhide is tough.
I did have to put the 'new' one in the shop as a seam in the liner came undone with no damage to the liner. I am very fortunate to have a shoe repair shop locally with the ability to do all kinds of repairs and alterations to leather garments, and they do great work.

[browningautorifle]

You could do a complete pic for us still, just show us lying flat. The coat, not you...

[INLAND44]

I guess I'll have to do a series of pics on it mainly showing the differences between this 'Afghanistan Era' jacket and the WWII ones. We all know what a flight jacket looks like. All of the revisions on it are actually good changes, like handwarmer pockets, inside pockets and pencil slips, gusseted underarms, added seam across the back of the arms that makes them more of a natural fit, and a 'panel' on each side from the armpit to the band - don't know what this does.
I got it back from the shop yesterday and the guy did an incredible job as always. Today I gave it a one-step clean/treat that I came up with. I cut some Obenauf's Leather Care (soft wax) with Naptha and rub the jacket with it on a microfiber cloth - cleans and treats. The Obenauf's gets carried into the leather by the solvent, which quickly dries.