Anyone tried a Wested A-2?

[Havana]

I've been shopping around for an A-2 recently and want something unique. I'm not overly concerned with historical accuracy. I mainly want a nice fitting, tough jacket made the way I want it. The prices for Wested's Memphis Belle A-2 are certainly very competative with other custom jacket makers and I know from my Indy jackets that I can get a quality made garment from them. Has anyone tried one of their A-2's or seen one first hand?

[Deleted]

Hey, Never had a Wested other than the Indy Jacket.

Here is a link from over at COW. Cabela's has a great jacket A-2 and a nice Bush Pilots jacket similar to an Indy. They are listed in mens outerwear.

www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/catalog/store-home.jsp

Cheers,
G-MANN

[Kt. Templar]

Havana,

Hint: 'Hannover Street'. Peter did Harrison's A2's in that film.

I have seen one 1st hand, it's just as well made as any Wested jacket. I'm not a big fan of knit sleeves or waistbands which is partly what makes me love the barrel cuffs of the Raiders jacket. After all the Raiders was a evolution on the A2 pattern.

I'm not sure what the prices are like but they may be slightly less than the Indy jackets as there is no film to hang them on and you can get them made in horsehide too,

[Havana]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree about the dislike of the knit waistband and cuffs for general wear. The barrel cuffs and open bottom are also my favorite trademarks of the Indy jackets. It's a great warmer weather jacket. I do prefer the A-2 for motorcycling. It really keeps out the wind and the snap down collar is a plus too.

[indianatone]

Admittedly, I was eyeballing those Cabela's Bushman jackets myself. The price they're at right now kind of entices a person to pick one up even if they don't look fully like an A-2 or an Indy. The cowhide is what? $139.00? I remembered that the weird thing about the mock A-2s is that they didn't fit the right way based on the specs. The neck and chest were in a large while the arm length was in a medium. They either looked too baggy in the spots I didn't want them too, or too tight based on what I was supposed to order. I was having a hard time not ordering one because of that price rate but have managed to talk myself out of it from the memories. ;D That is some great info on Wested's A2, KT Templar. As much as I hate to admit it, USWINGS looks to make a pretty good A2 as well.

[jweaver]

I agree, most of the mock A-2's fit like junk. The real deals look prety nice though. I still have a hard time wraping my brain around the knit cuffs and waist.

[Havana]

Those Cabela's jackets are certainly not a bad deal for what they are but for me the fit is extremely important. I've got to have a traditional close to the body fit without the oversized torso and blousey sleeves that you get on most A-2 style look a likes. Also, the one piece back panel is a must. Again, the knit features aren't my favorite either. When I ride with my Indy jackets the sleeves get jacked up to my elbows, the collar slaps me silly and the rear gets lifted half way up my back by the wind. The A-2 is just to be my riding jacket and besides it's the only way to get that Lost Treasure of the Incas look.

[jweaver]

I agree, the fit is very important. My vintage A-2 has a close fit that I love. Infact, I like that jacket, knit cuffs and all just as well as my Wested.

[indianatone]

Guys, don't do this to me. I'm a sucker for word of mouth advertising! Don't go and make the A2 sound all great cause I'll sit here and dwell on it until I have one. ;D

Havana, have you checked on these guys? uswings.com/ta2.asp

I'm not saying don't go with Wested, but the price breakdown might be better here and they claim to be mil-spec.

[Kt. Templar]

Wow, those prices are hard to argue with... Well, except for the fact they seem to really not want overseas orders: 5 x US shipping and no CC orders mmm, nice business practices.

[Stefana Jones]

Ebay is a good place to find A-2 jackets for a neat price. I've recently purchased 2 : one COOPER goatskin, and one L.L.Bean goatskin, both in brand new condition, both for less than $100 (U.S.)each.

By the way Havana, where did you find the "Tales of the gold monkey" picture for your avatar ?

[Havana]

I've had that avitar pic for a long time. I'm afraid I can't remember where I got it from. It might have come from goldmonkey.com which is a fansite. As for my A-2 search, I've been looking on Ebay also. I'm not opposed to a used jacket but I think this time I want a new one. I'm kind of particular about the lining and other little details. Here's a couple of pics of my old A-2 which I bought used at a garage sale in 1984 about 36 hours after seeing Temple of Doom in the theater. I did the paint work years later after spending some great times in Africa. I painted the back by the light of a Coleman lantern one night sitting on a rooftop in Casablanca. I copied the design from a Camel cigarette ad. The Arabic word in gold is my wife's name.

[Stefana Jones]

That is a great looking jacket...I'm curious, what kind of paint do you use on leather ?

[Havana]

I just used some art store acrylics. I didn't really have much choice where I was at the time but it has held up for ten years now.

[Ragingblues]

Now that's a good way to make a jacket your own!



It's also nice to know that the acrylics held up so nicely, after 10 years of wear.

Looks good

Ken

[Kt. Templar]

Well I went over there to give Peter the cow coin I got engraved for him.


At the same time I tried on a A2, it really didn't work for me... so no pics. The sleeves bunched and the waist didn't work for my butt. I also missed the action pleats. But it was made of horsehide and was great.... really has me thinking of getting a Raiders made in horsehide.

...After the pull up one .

[Ragingblues]

Great photo pf Peter and the challenge coin! That was a pretty cool thing, you ordering him one... engraved and all.

Ken

[jweaver]

KT, did you get to talk to Peter about the oiled leather?

[Kt. Templar]

I did, it's in the other thread. Basically I saw some samples and he is going to see If he can get a small amount to make me one out of the leather I liked. It was a thin cowhide in a darkish brown. So TBC....

[jweaver]

I thought I deleted my stupid question after I saw your post about it. Never mind I'll just crawl back under my rock.

[Kt. Templar]

jweaver said:

I thought I deleted my stupid question after I saw your post about it. Never mind I'll just crawl back under my rock.

Your interest is appreciated! Far better than the deafening silence and tumble weed that many of my posts over at COW recieve.

Kt.

[Stefana Jones]

Ebay is a good place to find A-2 jackets for a neat price. I've recently purchased 2 : one COOPER goatskin, and one L.L.Bean goatskin, both in brand new condition, both for less than $100 (U.S.)each.

Forgot to post pics...

As you can see the "Cooper" is authentic in detail as it has no inside or "handwarmer" pockets, contrary to the "L.L. Bean". Both have the "one leather back piece" though.

[Havana]

Thanks for posting those pics. Those are good for comparison. I'm surprised to see that the LL Bean has a collar stand. I'll have to check those out. I'm definitely partial to the darker color.

[jweaver]

Draging up an old thread here. What do you guys think about the G-1? I've always loved the bi-swing back and half belt, but I never cared much for the fur collar.

[Havana]

G-1's are definitely cool. I agree about ditching the fur collar. Most makers of standard G-1's now offer a regular leather collared version, too. Sometimes they call it a G-2.