Masters of the Air: Galashiels clothing manufacturer reveals role in Spielberg/Hanks war-time drama
Last updated 24th Jan 2024
It has already helped to dress some familiar faces on our TV screens.
Over the years, Aero Leather products have appeared in movies such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Captain America and The Dig.
Now, the Galashiels clothing manufacturer is continuing to rub shoulders with the stars, having confirmed it was asked to create around 40 jackets for upcoming Apple TV series Masters of the Air.
The war-time drama, created by Hollywood legends Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, gets its first airing in the UK on Friday.
Described as the companion piece for Band of Brothers and The Pacific, the nine episodes tell the story of the 100th Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces, also known as the “Bloody Hundredth", during World War Two.
Aero director Denny Calder told Greatest Hits Radio: "It's been a real honour and a privilege to have been approached to be involved in such a highly-anticipated production.
"It was first announced back in 2013, but we were initially reached out to for jackets about 2021.
"The level of authenticity our garments had to meet has been totally without compromise, but that’s the way we like to work.”
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The latest order to arrive at Aero Leather Clothing HQ, at Greenbank Mill in Huddersfield Street, included a request for a distinctive white flying jacket for lead actor Callum Turner - rumoured to be dating singer Dua Lipa - who plays the role of Major John Egan.
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Denny said: "Whilst we already made a very similar jacket, we didn't make that exact model so we had to replicate from pictures provided by the wardrobe department, and some pictures we had from previously having one in for restoration.
"We also had to create a new pattern and develop some new techniques for finishing off the jacket.
"It's a real stand out jacket in amongst all the other dark brown ones; but, along with the white jacket - which features heavily in the production - we also made about another 40 jackets for supporting actors."
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According to the Scottish Borders-based company, the unique ability to replicate original World War Two flight jackets is a skill only a handful of companies worldwide can claim.
Denny said: "Each jacket was individually made, from start to finish, by our sheep-skin machinist who ended up making all 40-odd jackets for the production. Each jacket took approximately 12 hours in total - that included cutting, machining and the various finishing off.
"Once the jackets were sent to the wardrobe department, they had a team that further aged the jackets, depending on how aged they needed to look for the production."
And he added: "I haven't seen it yet, so my eyes will be eagerly open trying to spot them."
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