FirstSpear TV

Coming Soon from Eastman Leather Company – The Escape A2

Eastman Re-Issue A-2 available in standard or ‘Escape’ Virgil Hilts spec.

  

Eastman Leather is releasing a reproduction of the “re-issue” version of the classic WWII A-2 leather jacket. It will also be available in the same configuration as worn by Steve McQueen in his portrayal of the “Cooler King” Capt Virgil Hilts, USAAF. It even has Captain’s bars under the collar!

Below is a description of what makes a “re-issue” A-2, written by Eastman Leather.

Post WWII thousands of A-2 jackets still remained in air depots and other bases. In order that these garments would give the best continued service they were treated with a reconditioning process which involved the re painting of the outer surface of the shell.

 

Experience had taught that the darker a garment was the more serviceable it would not show oil stains and soiling. Because the jackets were made from aniline finished hides which tend to absorb rather than repel they were re painted with a dark brown poly-acrylate dye, which provided an altogether tougher barrier. However it transpired that this over painting method whilst initially achieving its aim, very soon started to look shabby. The over paint would crisp and flake off. This disastrous technique effectively sealed the fate of the A-2 as unsightly jackets were quickly plucked from service.

A re-issue over painted A-2 (specifically a Rough Wear contract) was worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of The Great Escape, arguably one of the most iconic uses of an A-2 jacket in motion picture history.

 

www.eastmanleather.com

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13 Responses to “Coming Soon from Eastman Leather Company – The Escape A2”

  1. Mike says:

    Couldn’t they have used a real character instead of a fictional one?

  2. Paul says:

    SSD covering repro flight jackets, love it! You guys should also check out Goodwear Leather out of WA. Pricey, but their jackets are made in the USA and are simply gorgeous.

  3. d says:

    You had me at Steve McQueen.

  4. Dellis says:

    Nice jacket, but really, can anyone wear it like the McQueen?

  5. Gary says:

    Damaging the perfectly good collar snap buttons rendering them useless just to replicate the ‘real thing’ was totally unnecessary.

  6. Bill says:

    Only the .gov would have thought that painting a leather jacket was a Good Idea. Unless it was a nekkid chick on the back.

    Now we need the Hilts Model Triumph (?)

  7. Archie says:

    The snap buttons are NOT damaged. They work perfectly well.