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The Great Flight Jacket Thread (wearing/buying Leather, NOMEX, WEP jackets/patches)

rare21

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Its 46 degrees in deep south Texas (Northern Mexico) and my leather flight jacket loves to come out during these days. I was at the local Wally World and was shopping with my wife. An old Air Force pilot (what he's doing in the valley i'll never know) saw me and asked my wife if I was a real pilot. She said yes and she told him I was a former pilot of Navy designation and that i was now a cop. He told her that i will always be an aviator no matter how old I get or how long i'm out of the cockpit. He also told her it was something she would never understand. He bought my children lollipops while I was in the head and thanked my wife for my service. I got back and asked how much the lollipops cost! (joke) and she told me the story. I wish I could have shook his hand.
 

MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
Its 46 degrees in deep south Texas (Northern Mexico) and my leather flight jacket loves to come out during these days. I was at the local Wally World and was shopping with my wife. An old Air Force pilot (what he's doing in the valley i'll never know) saw me and asked my wife if I was a real pilot. She said yes and she told him I was a former pilot of Navy designation and that i was now a cop. He told her that i will always be an aviator no matter how old I get or how long i'm out of the cockpit. He also told her it was something she would never understand. He bought my children lollipops while I was in the head and thanked my wife for my service. I got back and asked how much the lollipops cost! (joke) and she told me the story. I wish I could have shook his hand.

That's pretty damn cool
 

sfdistance

New Member
I know its been talked about a while ago, but for those that have decided to upgrade from the issued leather jackets, what brands would you recommend and why? The one I was issued is made of some really awful leather. It almost looks like its fake. The fake fur collar really irritates me too. I think at some point it would be worth it to me to own nicer G-1 that I would enjoy wearing more.
 

ea6bflyr

Working Class Bum
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I know its been talked about a while ago, but for those that have decided to upgrade from the issued leather jackets, what brands would you recommend and why? The one I was issued is made of some really awful leather. It almost looks like its fake. The fake fur collar really irritates me too. I think at some point it would be worth it to me to own nicer G-1 that I would enjoy wearing more.

I suggest you go to the first page of this thread and start reading.

-ea6bflyr ;)
 

Pepe

If it's stupid but works, it isn't stupid.
pilot
I suggest you go to the first page of this thread and start reading.

-ea6bflyr ;)

Ok, done! I'm wondering how they compare too. It looks like oxford and flightjackets are very similar, only oxford is about half the price. I'm not sure where to put popsleather in the lineup. Anyone have experience with all 3? Not necessarily owned all 3, just seen all 3?
 

HeyJoe

Fly Navy! ...or USMC
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I know its been talked about a while ago, but for those that have decided to upgrade from the issued leather jackets, what brands would you recommend and why? The one I was issued is made of some really awful leather. It almost looks like its fake. The fake fur collar really irritates me too. I think at some point it would be worth it to me to own nicer G-1 that I would enjoy wearing more.

That's because the spec was "relaxed" so much to keep costs down that the fur collar is almosts always synthetic and the "leather" only has to appear to look like goatskin, but can be something else giving rise to some jackets being called "plastic jackets". A close friend of mine was the F-14 Commodore and decided to turn in his vintage early 70s jacket that was a bit worn and a bit snug for a new one that was a horrible and pale imitation of what a G-1 should look like or even feel like on your person. He claimed it even made crinkling noises like plastic when he moved even after breaking it in, which shouldn't be necessary with real goatskin. You owe to yourself to check out an authentically made G-1 Flight Jacket and then get one.

ha.png


If your jacket doesn't look as good as these early WWII G-1 jackets (except the one A-2 on left), then do something about it!
 

Kaman

Beech 1900 pilot's; "Fly it like you stole it"
You can get some pretty nice Navy-style leather jackets out in town in Osan by the main gate...And, they can pretty much embroider anything on anything too!
 

lowflier03

So no $hit there I was
pilot
You can get some pretty nice Navy-style leather jackets out in town in Osan by the main gate...And, they can pretty much embroider anything on anything too!

The place you are referring to is Oxford Leather. Those aren't Navy-Style, those are the real deal, including full length Bomber Jackets. (Of course he has added some extras/upgrades) They have a website, but it's about $50 cheaper to buy it in person than order it on the web. IIRC
 

scottwith1t

east coast
pilot
Is there any regulation or rule of thumb on where the nametag goes on the leather jacket other than left breast above the pocket? I saw the question asked a few times but not really answered. I couldn't find anything in BUPERS.

Also, any suggestions as to who can put it on in Jacksonville? Tipsy Gypsy suggested the local Harley-Davidson dealer because they've gotta be good or their normal clientèle would "kick their ass"
 

PerDiem

Look what I can do!!
There's a place in Wells Road Plaza that does all kinds of military alterations. I'm sure they could do it. Can't remember the name of the place but it's in the SW corner of the plaza.
 

zippy

Freedom!
pilot
Contributor
There's a place in Wells Road Plaza that does all kinds of military alterations. I'm sure they could do it. Can't remember the name of the place but it's in the SW corner of the plaza.

We called her the Crazy Asian in the P-3 squadrons- no idea what the store or its owners real name are. Normally does good work, but make sure that the owner/lead seamstress does it and not her sister/assistant. Know of one Jacket where the name tag and squadron patch got reversed do to some confusion by the person doing it.
 
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