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The
magnificent LOST WORLDS reproduction of the AAF Russet Horsehide
A-2 Flight Jacket, J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co.
(Chicago, Illinois) contract. WWII. The icon of Winged Victory.
The flight jacket that pushed
us into manufacturing -- because nothing existed to satisfy our
strict requirements as collectors and historians. The jacket that
first made our reputation -- for the A-2 is a formidable challenge.
Always. Every material and component used between the 1931
introduction through its WWII issue no longer exists. Everything
must be recreated, from the ground up. The challenge is enormous,
daunting. Painful to describe. Yet when one understands and
appreciates these complexities he marvels at our accomplishment.
And understands the price, which is quite reasonable given the
task.
Using American materials
produced exclusively for LOST WORLDS. Our incomparable heavyweight
Chrome-Tanned Russet Horsehide Leather (genuine) 3.0 - 3.5+
oz. (Doesn't whiten, distress prematurely or chip or flake if
you breathe on it! It is, in fact, seemingly indestructible). The
correct darker Russet, not orange or overly red -- originals
faded/oxidized to these tones but didn't so start out. Deep,
magical Russet, a perfect WWII emulation.
Meant to be worn in the worst
weather, thrives on being drenched. Best thing to break in, to
articulate the fabulous deep grain. If one's so-called
"authentic" flight jacket reproduction spots, if its dye
runs or fades with exposure, he's bought an inauthentic jacket. The
armed services did not procure flight apparel to fail, to
"antique," in the wet and salt of European and Pacific
theaters, as leather gear had rotted in WW1 trench warfare,
hastening the commercial industry changeover to chromium from
vegetable tanning for garment leather. LOST WORLDS horsehide
must be broken in: we don't roll, soften, antique, fake, process
our Horsehide. Nor did the AAF. Our products emulate the world
where baseball gloves, jeans and jackets needed to be shown who's
boss! They aren't fashion statements. The break-in is something you
want to do, incidentally. It makes the jacket you and yours.
One piece back, of course. No
correct A-2 has anything but. Tobacco Brown Cotton lining -- not just any cotton, the 196/90
Type VI Oxford military construction is the tightest woven in the
world, and waterproof to boot; no cotton anywhere, regardless of
cost or origin, compares. Our Tobacco Brown is the as-issued,
unfaded color -- originals faded dramatically for a host of reasons
(see examples below). 100% Wool Knit, correct Russet shade, exact
weave, density and hand. Brass cast
military Talon Zipper. Covered Snaps. 100% Russet Cotton Thread.
(The thread too, being natural, fades with age; originals never
came with lighter thread. Why would they?) 8 stitches
per/inch, tighter than originals, even the best ones. The works.
Just look at the pictures. Note the precision of detail and
tolerances. Go to our COLLECTION and see our cherished originals: which
appear better-made, those or ours? We try
to surpass, not equal. It's our way of honoring our forebears. It's
what Americans are supposed to do. Made, of course, in USA at our
own factory.
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