JACKETS

[Tig]

Just a fun discussion I thought I'd start. About military jackets!

I don't know how many other AH3 pilots here share my crippling surplus addiction, but what are y'all's favorite pieces of military surplus?

To give you an idea of how crippling this is to my wallet, I blew $135 on an embroidered CAF MA-1 model flight jacket, and now I'm looking at spending another big chunk of money on a CWU-36 summer flight jacket.

So basically I pose the question to you: Old style leather flight jackets or the modern style green flight jackets?

[Dichotomy]

I've got a WWII replica bomber jacket in my cart on Amazon.  I've two Korea area jackets in my closet, one Viet Nam era, and one Desert Storm gortex.  I'm going to wait until I get back into the game to pony up for the WWII replica then probably get a patch made for it if my old squad takes me back

[Treize69]

I've worn out two horsehide A2s and a B3 in the past 25 years.

[Puma44]

Just a fun discussion I thought I'd start. About military jackets!

I don't know how many other AH3 pilots here share my crippling surplus addiction, but what are  :salutey'all's favorite pieces of military surplus?

To give you an idea of how crippling this is to my wallet, I blew $135 on an embroidered CAF MA-1 model flight jacket, and now I'm looking at spending another big chunk of money on a CWU-36 summer flight jacket.

So basically I pose the question to you: Old style leather flight jackets or the modern style green flight jackets?

Beats other things you could be addicted to.  The green were more efficient in keeping warm during cold months.  The leather looked much better but was less efficient and made for a fair weather jacket.   

[Devil 505]

Leather all the way, doesn't even need to be military surplus or a replica.

[Brooke]

My opinions:

A Flight Jacket For Every Budget
https://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/flight_jackets/flight_jackets.html

[Shuffler]

My opinions:

A Flight Jacket For Every Budget
https://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/flight_jackets/flight_jackets.html

.... and Brooke trumps this thread. 

[Treize69]

My opinions:

A Flight Jacket For Every Budget
https://electraforge.com/brooke/flightsims/flight_jackets/flight_jackets.html

What, no A-1?

[Tig]

Cool source, but I was surprised it didn't mention the CWU-36! I live in Texas man, I don't get that much time to enjoy my MA-1 jacket, I need some summer jackets too! And I'm certain there's lots of other folks around here with the same predicament.

[Brooke]

Cool source, but I was surprised it didn't mention the CWU-36! I live in Texas man, I don't get that much time to enjoy my MA-1 jacket, I need some summer jackets too! And I'm certain there's lots of other folks around here with the same predicament.

I hear you.  I live in Tennessee now, and can't wear an MA-1 much anymore.  Doesn't get cold enough.

I looked around for CWU-36/P's.  There aren't many places that sell them.  Alpha (who makes them for the military) doesn't seem to sell them on their web site.  US Wings has one in Nomex for $850.  The few others I could find are, I suspect based on the sites where I found them, totally inaccurate junk.

I ended up getting a London Fog "golf jacket" (because it has a slightly A-2-ish style for a wind breaker) and sewing my AH Scenario patches on the back of that.
https://www.amazon.com/London-Fog-Zip-Front-Regular-Big-Tall/dp/B005EVQ49G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3S7F8GVMGO8SC&keywords=london+fog+jacket&qid=1654491202&sprefix=london+fog+jacket%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-2

[Tig]

I hear you.  I live in Tennessee now, and can't wear an MA-1 much anymore.  Doesn't get cold enough.

I looked around for CWU-36/P's.  There aren't many places that sell them.  Alpha (who makes them for the military) doesn't seem to sell them on their web site.  US Wings has one in Nomex for $850.  The few others I could find are, I suspect based on the sites where I found them, totally inaccurate junk.

I ended up getting a London Fog "golf jacket" (because it has a slightly A-2-ish style for a wind breaker) and sewing my AH Scenario patches on the back of that.
https://www.amazon.com/London-Fog-Zip-Front-Regular-Big-Tall/dp/B005EVQ49G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3S7F8GVMGO8SC&keywords=london+fog+jacket&qid=1654491202&sprefix=london+fog+jacket%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-2

Check Ebay, lots of people sell their old jackets there. Personally I don't really care for it being brand new or perfect, I enjoy an already used jacket because I don't feel bad if it gets a little scratch. Shoot, you can even find CWU-36es from 1986 on Ebay! 

[Arlo]

Check Ebay, lots of people sell their old jackets there. Personally I don't really care for it being brand new or perfect, I enjoy an already used jacket because I don't feel bad if it gets a little scratch. Shoot, you can even find CWU-36es from 1986 on Ebay! 

Funny. I sold mine to a friend in `86 (for $100.00).

[Shuffler]

Cool source, but I was surprised it didn't mention the CWU-36! I live in Texas man, I don't get that much time to enjoy my MA-1 jacket, I need some summer jackets too! And I'm certain there's lots of other folks around here with the same predicament.

90+ this past weekend with hardly a breeze. Humidity though the roof like normal here in SE Texas.

[Tig]

90+ this past weekend with hardly a breeze. Humidity though the roof like normal here in SE Texas.

I drove 400 miles to join up with my Invader and the rest of the crew at an airshow, and it was hot as all hell despite the clouds. Closest I can get to a bomber jacket most days here in the South is my OCP uniform blouse with patches on the shoulder velcro panels.