Gordon & Ferguson M422a USN Flying Jacket by AVI Leather - Review

[@TheBlues088]

I think I'm going to order one mainly because of this video. Avi should really thank you.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I hope you’ll like it as much as I like mine

[@arthurambroise7894]

I got an A2 from AVI thanks to you and it is truly amazing. With my B2 cap, a flight suit underneath and some leather gloves I look and feel like a real P47 pilot from the Zemke’s Wolfpack! Only thing left to acquire is the jug 😅

[@ilejovcevski79]

Got a G-1 recently from these guys, definitely much lighter and softer then the previous jacket i owned. And yeah, the mutton is one of the best parts.

[@Capt_OscarMike]

When I saw the thumnail of this video when you posted the first thing that popped into my mind was the Trailer to the 2nd season of Narcos when the voice over stated, "WELCOME BACK AGENT PENA..." as Cypruss Hill's, "I ain't going out like that" started booming as the sound track...Great Jacket....I will definitely purchase one when the Warden (my wife) gives me my allowance (married men understand)...and as the old saying goes to all the married men, "To my wife and beautiful, sexy girlfriend...may they never meet..."

[@Uhrig242]

Here‘s another vote for more jacket video reviews . Good Job 👍 greetings 🖖

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks! I may do a review of my favorite A-2 by Bill Kelso later.

[@Uhrig242]

@@ReflectedSimulations cool . Always thinking about buying a m422 or a A-2 Monarch…please mention some infos about the buying process. Timing and payment etc

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@Uhrig242 Payment is usually easy - by credit card. Most manufacturers have a waiting time. It's a few weeks with AVI, a few months to half a year with others, and the guy that's considered to be the best, Goodwear Leather - that can take years. But I never minded the waiting times, it's not an off the rack jacket, these are works of art.

[@TheSuperszplin]

I just ordered one, can not wait to try it

[@sinjinadams2862]

This jacket looks beautiful! I used to own a M422a jacket from Gibson & Barnes back in the day when they still made them. It was also a beautifully made jacket. The only problem was it was just too big. They cut their jackets larger to fit modern (fat) physiques. I was never happy wearing it so I sold it. I always had regrets about it. After watching your video I just ordered this M422a. I hope this one fits properly. I've never heard of this company but the jacket looks beautiful, is extremely accurate to the original and is very well priced. I hope I like it.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I hope you'll like it, AVI jackets are very well made, especially for the price. And it's definitely not modern sized :)

[@sinjinadams2862]

I hope I like it too. I like military flight jackets to fit a little snug. For my tastes, your jacket is a little too long and loose fitting for me but that's just me. I know others like them looser fitting and pilots in WW2 wore them lots of different ways. I watched another You tuber wearing a AVI size 40 jacket and it looked way too tight. I am 183 cm, 84kg. He was a little shorter than me but the same weight, you are the same height as me but weigh a little less. I order a size 42 so I hope I am happy with the fit. We shall see I guess. The jacket does look very nice and you did a great job making the video

[@greatbaseballcards6055]

@@sinjinadams2862 so, how did you like it?

[@sinjinadams2862]

@greatbaseballcard6055 I like it a lot. It is extremely accurate to an original WW2 flight jacket. Because of that, if you are not very thin and fit you will definitely need to size up or just forget this jacket all together. Tell me how tall you are and your weight and I can give you my recommendation.

[@greatbaseballcards6055]

@@sinjinadams2862 5'10" 203 and heading down, size 42/43 chest

[@johnmayer8438]

Brilliant can you do more jackets. Specifically Ma1

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks! I don't own an MA-1 currently, because I prefer my CWU-45. The MA-1 - I mean accurate repros, not 'mall jackets' - are really short in the back, hard to wear with modern clothes. I used to have a Bronson MA-1 though and it was an amazing repro especially for the price.

[@marksage6462]

Nice jacket Reflected, I'm happy for you. Were you planning on wearing it when you see the new Top Gun movie in a few weeks?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks Mark! You bet I am gonna wear it for the premier :)

[@dashinggamer7819]

Hey, thank you so much for your review. I watched it probably 10X before making my purchase. How long after payment was it before your order was dispatched and then how long before it arrived?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

A few weeks only as far as I remember. AVI is pretty fast, with some other makers you need to wait months -- then again, it's not just an off-the -rack garment.

[@greatbaseballcards6055]

how'd you like it?

[@balmoralpjk]

Can you do more jacket videos with the bike?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Hahaha

[@balmoralpjk]

??

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@balmoralpjk I thought you were pulling my leg :D

[@Richard_Lush]

I’ve got an original WW2 AN-J-3 and they’ve got the knits right. Looks very good. They’re a bit longer than an A-2 and a bit tighter around the waist so don’t get one if you’ve got a belly. Get an A-2 a bit boxier. Also arms are tighter so if you’re a gym rat won’t look good. I’m assuming if they’re sticking to standards what I said above would apply but I’m basing it off an original.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Good points, very true

[@666darrellful]

1 question Is the jacket really good for winter?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Depends on the country :) but I wouldn’t wear it below 8-10 degrees celsius even with layering.

[@EagleSQN]

as familiar with those plants, it seems to be in the tropics 😁

[@ReflectedSimulations]

good eyes ;)

[@EagleSQN]

@@ReflectedSimulations still there since covid? 😅

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@EagleSQN on and off ;)

[@EagleSQN]

@@ReflectedSimulations nice haha

[@sinjinadams2862]

I ordered this jacket after watching your video and it just arrived today. The jacket was shipped via Post Nord and it took 10 days to arrive. The jacket does not look as nice as the one in your video. Maybe they made yours better because it was going to be shown in a KZbin video. The leather and mouton collar on my jacket are not nearly as nice as yours. The leather is very dull with hardly any shine. The leather is also very thin and light compared to my other flight jackets. The mouton collar is not nearly as thick and luxurious as yours. When they say their jackets are sized small, they are not joking! I normally wear a size 40 or 42 never larger. I ordered a size 42 but it's very tight so I really need a size 44. I am 6ft tall, 185 lbs. The leather as stated is very dull but not too bad. I would say it's adequate. The construction and workmanship is very nice. Everything is very well put together, the stitching is nice and tight. The jacket is made in Pakistan not Norway! A little deceiving if you ask me since they play up the fact they are a Norway company. I thought their jackets were made there. Overall I would have to say their jackets are worth the price. They are very inexpensive jackets so you are getting what you pay for. If you would always get a jacket that looks like the one in this video I would strongly recommend this jacket and this company. My jacket isn't as nice so it may be hit and miss.

[@sinjinadams2862]

I need to make a correction. The company is not based in Norway, they are in Denmark.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Hey, thanks for the update. Yeah, they do run small, I have a 40" chest, and the size 42 is just enough... Interesting what you say about the quality, I know several people who ordered one and the quality was the same for everyone, great mouton and all. The leather is rather on the thin side I agree, but I don't mind. I had way thicker G-1s and this one is much easier to wear. Leather thickness is actually pretty close to my original 1968 Martin Lane G-1.

[@Tasmarabunta]

Very helpful video. How do you think the cut compares to the AVI Leather G-1 jacket? I have the G-1 also 42 and it feels a bit snug when it's done up. Thanks.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I used to have their G-1 too. That one is wider in the shoulders, but tighter in the belly and waist area. It's more of an athletic fit, better suit certain body types. The M422 is a more balanced fit. Mind you, I have a size 40 chest and I had to size up to 42. On my jacket it's the chest that's the snuggest point - but still a good fit.

[@Tasmarabunta]

@@ReflectedSimulations Thanks very much

[@kenmartin2173]

I love my Avi jacket!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Which one do you have?

[@sandorclegane9734]

whats the difference between this and the g1 jacket?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

This has a wider collar, that’s the most obvious difference. Also, different shaped pocket flaps plus a pencil slot. Oh and the salmon color lining.

[@sandorclegane9734]

@@ReflectedSimulations thanks!

[@willyuan1]

is the m422a from avi or 5 star better?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I never had a 5* but looking at photos on the internet I like how the AVI fits people better.

[@willyuan1]

@@ReflectedSimulations thanks do you mind measuring what the waist measurement is? avi doesnt provide this

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@willyuan1 I don't have the jacket with me currently. But the waist on the M422a is not as tight as on the G-1.

[@quentinscheich3413]

Hello sir, What is your chest circumference? Thank you very much!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

40"

[@nicolasciurleo7442]

Wow, Mr Reflected looks like Pedro Pascal in Narcos ! Very classy men !

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Haha, thanks, I had to google him :)

[@matkagrogan5251]

Great review !! May I ask what is your chest size? Mine is 38 and my height is 178 cm I'm thinking about either 40 or 42

[@ReflectedSimulations]

My chest size is 40”, around 101cm, and I’m 184cm tall, 75kg, and this is a size 42. I think a 40 should be enough for you. But with AVI’s return policy you can order 2, and send back the one that doesn’t fit, and get your money back. You only lose on the return shipping.

[@matkagrogan5251]

@@ReflectedSimulations THANKS !

[@matkagrogan5251]

@@ReflectedSimulations Also, are you sure your chest is 40"? Sorry for asking but for an 184 cm tall guy that weighs 75 kg you must be very slim. Perhaps your chest is closer to 39"? : )

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@matkagrogan5251 yes somewhere between 39-40”. But I surf regularly so I have wide chest and shoulders.

[@chiefslief1886]

👍🏻👍🏻great Channel

[@gold8857]

Is the collar fur natural or synthetic?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Completely natural, real moutuon, exquisite quality

[@gold8857]

@@ReflectedSimulations Thanks for responding, and by the way, how good quality are the sleeve cuffs and waist cuffs? I am interested in buying the ANJ-3 or this M422

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@gold8857 I’mmvery happy with the knits, they’re authentic, not too thick, but still sturdy

[@gold8857]

​​@@ReflectedSimulations Well, I have decided to buy the ANJ-3 due to the climate where I live. Now, if my chest has an approximate circumference of 96 cm and I am 1.80 meters tall, what size would you recommend?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@gold8857 I never had their ANJ, so it’s best if you shoot them an email.

[@johnfaustus1]

Where is this jacket made? The 'brand/company' may be Dane, but manufacturing is done where?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

It was made in Pakistan - beautiful quality.

[@richardcostello360]

It's made in Pakistan.....but the best goatskin in the world comes from Pakistan.....they really know their business

[@sinjinadams2862]

I just ordered this jacket and thought it was made in Denmark. The website says they're located in Denmark. I hope I just didn't make a huge mistake! I bought a G-1 flight jacket from US Wings years ago that was made in Pakistan and had to return it because of the poor quality. They also make jackets made in the US which are far superior. The jacket in your video does look very nice though. I guess this explains the very low price of this jacket. I should have known something was up.

[@kevinbarrett9615]

This looks like a pretty nice jacket, l own 2 originals which I love . One is WW2 and the other is early Vietnam, both have mouton collars far superior to the later synthetic fur. The red lining was traditionally only given to Aces ,those who had shot down 5 or more planes. Former astronaut and Senator John Glenn got his in one day by shooting down 5 Migs above “Mig alley” in one sortie.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Nice, can’t beat an original, although 80yr old jackets might not be wearable anymore. Red linings were a standard for M422a-s so this ww2 version. When it was replaced by the G-1, those had brown linings by default - and a narrower collar. It has nothing to do with kills.

[@sinjinadams2862]

That's a nice story but I'm afraid it's not true. The salmon colored lining was only in the M422a Gordan & Ferguson jacket. It had nothing to do with being an Ace. It was standard in all the jackets.

[@travis-c5o]

The zipper needs to be replaced with a bigger gauge one. The ones used on repros are small, and keep jamming.

[@ivanska3099]

Is it made in Denmark?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I think it's made in Pakistan

[@ivanska3099]

@@ReflectedSimulations lol, i thought they were actually made in Denmark

[@richardcostello360]

Well considering that Pakistan has the world's best goatskin.....I'd rather it be sourced from there than Scandinavia where there isn't a industry that specialises in leather 🤣

[@ivanska3099]

@@richardcostello360 highly doubt that

[@richardcostello360]

@@ivanska3099 you highly doubt that Pakistan has the best goatskin in the world? Where do you think GoodWear, Lost Worlds, Diamond Dave, Sheely and Thedi source their goatskin from? It sure isn't Europe 😆 European goatskin hasn't been a thing since the Swedish leather centre of Malung closed up in the 70's

[@Guinea54]

My second comment. not sure why most of these leather jacket makers refuse to add insulation in their jackets. The moto jacket i got from wilsons for 150 dollars puts most jackets to shame. They even insulate the sleeves and it still maintains a slim fit like yours. A little goes a long way.. not sure why they refuse. adds like double the warmth and makes the jacket all season with a little layering.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

it's not about refusing. This is an exact replica of a WW2 flying jacket. This is the way they were produced back then. Also, these were meant for flying in the Summer, hence no insulation.

[@Guinea54]

@@ReflectedSimulations I gotcha, but it's not just these jackets. Its literally most leather jackets unless you get like shearling or something. It's kind of weird that they wouldn't insulate a flight jacket. Even in the summer the wind and it's much cooler the higher you go. Besides this jacket, I just wish more leather jackets would put a little insulation sometimes.

[@emiliano7650]

How tall are you?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

184 cm, 74 kg

[@Alphamaan]

The leather looks really thin in comparison to buzz rickson or real mccoy

[@ReflectedSimulations]

It is thin but not in a bad way. Not overly thin. I'v had thicker G-1 repros, this on is very close to the 1969 Martin Lane I own. Also, very supple. Love it.

[@richardcostello360]

That's because those brands use horsehide.....which the USN never used for this model or jacket (or any for that matter)

[@kevincollins7320]

Black Rock leather conditioner.

[@MidAtlanticTV]

Sleeves look a little long. Still nice.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks! When zipped up they’re just right

[@kevincollins7320]

Black Rock leather conditioner

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Red lining would indicate that you were an Ace ,meaning 5 kills, at least back in the day.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

No. Salmon lining was common with M422as

[@Aeromaniaque]

I have ordered and received 2 of these, although the quality is exceptional for price, I've had to return them as the chemical smell is absolutely disgusting and so far is unwearable. I would NOT recommend buying one as it seems their quality control has slipped massively since your review.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Have you let them know? I talked to a lot of people who bought one and none of them said anything about the smell. Maybe a bad batch? In any case I’m sure AVI would like to hear about it

[@getbornxcv]

Actually this jacket is made I Pakistan by five star leather, avi added only sell margin (about 70 procent ) to it. Buahahahah.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

the why do Fivestar jackets fit so differently?

[@richardcostello360]

This is Shawn Ali making it buddy....... five-star leather isn't even in the same area of Pakistan as the makers that AVI ise

[@wedroid2435]

Whats the difference between this and the g1?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Lining color, this has a slightly wider collar, zipper puller type and pocket flap shape.