Shopping on the Web is a wonderful thing, as long as you get what you expect and don't fall in to the small percentage of fraud and scam. Our webmaster put together a FAQ page to help you make sure you are getting what you are looking for.

1. Q. What is the difference between goat skin and Horsehide?

A. Horsehide (The original hide for the A-2) is very smooth in appearance and stiff in its drape. Goat skin is grainy in its appearance and very supple. Please note; the Horsehide will "break in" with in a few weeks for a wonderful drape, and the under color will start to show-up, creating the famous distress look, which the A-2 Jacket is known for. The Goatskin will not change its appearance much.

2. Q. And what about lambskin?

A. Lambskin is a very soft skin, its drape very "soft" (some will say "flimsy"). Many times you can see lambskin in women's leather skirts or men's leather blazers. It is much softer than goatskin, but with the suppleness come the price of durability. The fiber of lambskin is not as dense as goatskin or horsehide, and therefore it is con for much more for rips and cuts. Wear and tear is much more evident. We offer lambskin mostly for the Indy jacket mainly because the jacket for the movie was made of lambskin, but if you want to get a jacket that looks like you just walked out of the temple of doom, you should consider Vintage Goatskin.

3. Q. What is the difference between Russet color and Seal Brown?

A. Russet is a medium color with a red tint in it (this is the original color of the A-2). Seal Brown is very dark brown. In our catalog, the front page image of A-2 is a Horsehide Russet. The A-2 goat skin is made of medium brown color and the G-1 Jacket is made of Seal Brown (darker than medium brown) goat skin.

The Russet story: In the early 30’s when the original A-2 spec was created by the Army, the spec called for the color to be “Seal Brown”. In the tanning process with early day technology, the color dye process got oxidized and the result was a reddish color brown known as “Russet”, which is the color of all early day A-2 Horsehide jackets. In late 30’s technologies improved and the tanneries were able to stop the oxidization process, which result in a truer “Seal Brown” color (much darker, and not as reddish color). By the time that WWII arrived and the demand for A-2 jackets was extremely high, and the horsehide supply diminished (the end of the horse and buggy era, and machinery introduced in farming) the Army spec was revised to goat skin, and the color spec to “Seal Brown” which is known today as Medium Brown.

4. Q. What is "Vintage" in the leather selection mean?

A. We offer vintage variation in horsehide and in goatskin. It is leather that the coloring finish process in the tannery was done mostly in the drum, in contrast to the standard skins that also had dye applied by sprayers, in order to achieve one uniform color and look. This process is also known as "naked finish", or a full Aniline process. As result, the hide has a wonderful character and depth in colors. Take a look at the Indy jacket and the Barnstormer jacket.

5. Q. Is the back panel made from one piece?

A. Yes. One of the most distinct characteristics of an authentic A-2 Jacket is the one piece back panel.

6. Q. Is the sleeve made from only two pieces?

A. Yes. Any additional cuts in the sleeve panels will make it less expensive, but not authentic.

7. Does the jacket have single or double entry pockets?

A. As an Army spec, a soldier shouldn't stand with his hands in his pockets. Therefore, for authentic look, the front pockets are single entry pockets. For the A-2 jacket, we offer double entry (hand warmer) pockets as a custom option.
Our G-1 jacket is available with Single or Double entry pockets (two separate pocket bags, so you don't put something from the top to be dropt from the side :)

8. Q. Are there inside pockets?

A. For the Army A-2 spec Jacket, there are no inside pockets (pockets and more available as custom made work, visit the custom page here) For the Navy G-1 Jacket, there is one inside pocket on the left side Front Facing.

9. Q. How is the Hanger loop attached to the jacket?

A. The Hanger loop is stitched through and through the lining to the back panel with an X box stitch for enforcement.

10. Q. What is the shape of the pocket flaps?

A. The pocket flap on the A-2 Jacket is curved graciously to a round tip. The pocket flap of the G-1 Navy Jacket isn't as curvy, but isn't a strait line.

11. Q. What is the size of the A-2 epaulets?

A. Our stock A-2 jacket for horsehide or goat skin will have one size epaulets, 1 7/8" wide in the sleeve-end tapered to 1 3/8" in the neck-end. During WWII, many jackets had to be made in a rush by many different manufactures, therefore variations can be found and we will be happy to custom make it the way you like it.

12. Q. What kind of zipper do you use?

A. For the A-2 Jacket, we use #6 Talon or Scovill. For the G-1 Jacket, we use #8 Heavy Duty zipper with a ring loop slider.

13. Q. What is the lining made of?

A. The authentic A-2 spec calls for 100% cotton lining, and just like the original it is in the russet color. Don't compromise if the authentic details are required.
The G-1 Jacket lining is 100% Bemberg Rayon. (We offer optional Bemberg lining in A-2 Jackets at no extra charge.)

14. Q. What is the knit rib made of?

A. As an authentic spec, it calls for 100% wool.

15. Q. Is the knit rib BI directional?

A. The knit rib for the G-1 jacket is Rib Rack (BI directional). The A-2 Jacket is one direction knit rib with flare in the cuffs.

16. Q. What is the fur in the G-1 jacket made of?

A. The fur is Mutton (sheepskin). The stock jacket is Seal brown and as custom work it is available in Medium brown (like the Maverick top gun jacket, for example) or Russet. to compare the colors click here.

17. Q. What are the Army-Navy authenticity marks?

A. The G-1 Navy Jacket has a perforated USN mark on the wing placket under the zipper and a USN stamp in white paint on the under collar. The A-2 Jacket will have AN inspection stamp on the lining.

18. Q. What size shell I get?

A. We make the True Army-Navy spec, and therefore our jackets will fit like a uniform, fitted and trim. With that in mind, if you would like the uniform look, you should use the same size as your dress-suit, or if you like a fuller cut you should use one size larger. The G-1 jacket is fuller than the A-2 because of the BI-swing in the back. For further help with size please click.

19. Q. What if my jacket doesn't fit?

A. We will exchange the jacket within 3 days of receiving the 1st jacket back. Also we can custom make jackets especially for your size. In any case, our policy is 30 days money back guaranteed.

20. Q. What about custom made jackets?

A. We offer custom made departments with turn around time of one week. Some of the custom made features are: double entry pockets, inside pockets, Thinsulate lining, and different types of leather like lamb skin, etc. We also offer jackets like MJ-3, G-8, Indy jacket, Kids jackets, and many more. You name it, we will make it. For custom work visit the custom work page here. Custom orders are not returnable. Please contact us for more info.

21. Q. Can I get Nose Art painted on my jacket?

A. Yes. Our Art department will work with you to accommodate any art work required. We paint Squadron patches, insignia, and full back Nose Art.

22. Q. Where can I get detail information about the Pilot Watches?

A. The warranty on the watches is 3 years, and it is serviced by the manufacturer "TORGOEN". The watches are under our return policy, of a full money back refund (excluding shipping charge). You can download the watch Manuals and instruction by clicking here.

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