I wear a size 42 in most jackets and a size 44 in some others, what size would I take in an Eastman A-2 or Buzz Rickson MA-1? What is a good fit?
Size depends on your height, chest, waist and sleeve measurements, as well as what you plan to wear under the jackets and how you want the jacket to fit. If you supply accurate measurements and input on the fit you want, experience has proven that we will have a very, very high likelihood of getting the correct fit the first time. No industry standard exists for sizing and grading jackets and we do not have the omniscience that would enable us to determine the subjectivity of how you may want the jacket to fit. Some customers have been weaned on very loose, oversized clothing that has become all-too popular in the last 20 years, and thus they are not familiar with how something like the A-2 leather jacket should fit and, more importantly, feel when worn. Additionally, many buyers rely not on their own opinion on how they look in a garment but feel inclined to get approval from friends and family, some or all of whom may be likewise plagued with the loose-fitting disease. We have customers with identical body measurements and yet they may purchase jackets from us two or three sizes apart! As a rule here, if the jacket squares up nicely on the shoulders when worn with the sort of clothing you will wear most of the time, falls about 1” – 1 1/2” below the beltline (if a waist-length jacket), allows you to reach into pockets and recover keys, wallet and change without discomfort or pain, as well as take normal strides while walking, then this is very likely a good fit and how the jacket would likely have been worn when originally issued. Using the test where one draws their arms across their chest as a barometer for snugness will almost certainly produce some binding in an A-2 jacket of the correct size, and thus push you further up the sizing scale into a very large A-2 jacket. A true 1940’s A-2 jacket has no bi-swing action back (as found on the USN M-422A or G-1jackets, USAAF B-6, Tanker jacket, etc.) and is not cut for such a great range of movement as experienced when doing the arm-crossing act. If you can get that sort of movement range without binding in one of our A-2’s, then it will surely be rather loose and sloppy when you aren’t drawing your arms across your chest in front of you. What makes more sense, having a jacket that looks great and feels fine during 90% of your activities, or only when you cross your arms in front of you? Do you walk around with your arms crossed in front of you? The choice is yours and we will gladly oblige all tastes, but do try to get the look originally intended in a vintage flying jacket.
Do you ship to foreign countries?
Yes, we ship to most countries outside of the USA. We will be happy to quote for shipping and insurance costs to most foreign destinations.
How long does it take for an item to be shipped that is not in stock and must be ordered?
Generally, most items on order are completed in 4-8 weeks, though
holiday time, vacation, unforeseen manufacturing interruptions and
clearance through U. S. customs (applies to imports only) can impair this
time frame.
Is there any way to speed up the delivery time on an item not in stock?
Not really, as our suppliers are already doing all they can to meet
delivery dates. Items can and do come in ahead of schedule, so this is
all we can hope for. Suppliers will not ship directly to a customer, but if they would, the gain in delivery would likely be measured in days.
May I check on the status of my order?
Yes, but once we have quoted a general forecast for order completion we likely will not have much information before the week before the item is due - the closer to a projected completion date we get, the more information we have access to.
Can you tell me the exact day you will get my merchandise?
If the item
is an import, no. ALL import items must clear U. S. customs before they come to
us. Once they are in the hands of U. S. customs a black hole of sorts exists. Until U. S. customs releases the goods to us and we have them in our possession, any information would be purely speculative. Naturally, once we have the goods in our control more precise delivery dates can be provided.
Will you notify me when shipping my merchandise?
Unfortunately, this
practice is not possible. When shipments are arriving and being
processed there is far too much work involved for our staff to dispense
that level of personal attention to every customer. You are welcome to
check in regularly regarding the shipment date to you, but it is simply
not possible for us to initiate this action. If you are concerned about
UPS or another carrier leaving merchandise at your shipping address, we
can insist on a signature request from the carrier if you request this
from us. In addition, you can place a note that is visible to the
delivery driver, indicating where to leave goods or what to do in your
absence. Most major carriers, such as UPS, can re-route packages or
hold them for the customer to collect, so you need only tell us your
preference when ordering.
Do you have all of the Hanhart or LACO watch models in stock?
At any given time various models are in stock, but the Hanhart Luftwaffe Fliegerchronograph is a top seller, so this is almost always in stock or on perpetual order. Watches not in stock can usually be obtained from the respective manufacturers in about 4-8 weeks. However, if the purchase is intended as a gift, it is always best to allow plenty of lead time just in case your selection is sold out of current stock and on order. Gift certificates make very attractive alternatives if your selection is on order.
Do you have all of the Eastman collection in stock?
We usually have an excellent selection of the various A-2 jackets, as these are the best sellers.
Most other jacket styles are also stocked, except the sheepskin jacket stock is
allowed to run low in warm weather months, then replenished in the fall.
The Special Edition Rough Wear “redskin” sheepskin B-3 and B-6 are only on hand in very small numbers due to the very small quantities made at any given time, so this is considered a special order. The various accessory items, such as caps, sweaters, shirts and gloves, etc., are almost always on hand in all sizes. Holiday buying and cold weather, in addition to delays from suppliers, can place a severe back order on many popular styles and sizes, so ordering early is always a good idea. Gift certificates are a very fine alternative if unsure of size or style, or if the item is on order. A Golden Book catalog presented with a gift certificate has proven to be a very attractive and popular gift alternative.
