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  1. Smithy

    Alpha b-15: What a waste of time, energy, and money

    It's a fantastic film for Sabre footage and nylon porn but it's a travesty that it carries the name of Salter's novel. Please do yourself a favour and read James Salter's (he was James Horowitz when he flew with the 335th FIS as a F-86 pilot during the Korean War over MiG Alley in the USAF)...
  2. Smithy

    NEW W&G M-422a repro

    Sweet Thor!
  3. Smithy

    USAF N-3B parkas - Let's talk about them!!

    Sorry to hear that it's a smidge small Doc. Sounds like the large would be a better fit. The one thing I've realised down the years is that a parka shouldn't be fitted or trim, you need some room to move and even layer if the weather is especially extreme. That extra room also traps air which...
  4. Smithy

    What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

    I like that a lot Butte, has a very nice immediate post WWII/Korea US Army vibe to it. Nice score ;)
  5. Smithy

    Curious about how others size their Aero jackets.

    Edward's post is bang on the money OP. I'm currently heartbroken as I have realised that I think I'm going to have to let my Aero Barnstormer go (and I love it to pieces) as I am pretty sure I need to size up. I bulked up a bit on my shoulders last year and I'm thinking it's too snug now. I'm...
  7. Smithy

    What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

    Seriously chilly here today, -34C with windchill. Once again I donned my Canada Goose parka, and looking at the forecast I can't see myself wearing anything else for the next few days/weeks. Not vintage but when it's this cold it's a case of function over form.
  8. Smithy

    Leather U Boat Jackets

    There's no doubt that the Merchant Navy and convoy men and women had one of the toughest jobs of WWII - that same granddad of mine was Royal Merchant and served on the convoys for the first 3 years of the war. I certainly would never glorify those who fought against my granddad but I can...
  9. Smithy

    Leather U Boat Jackets

    My granddad was RN as well and his ship was sunk by a U-boat (although in WWI at Jutland), luckily he survived (well otherwise I wouldn't be here!). He apparently told my Dad that anyone who goes under the water had to be either brave or mad because it's bad enough on top!
  10. Smithy

    Leather U Boat Jackets

    That's one of the things about the KM U-boat service which is so sobering, the sheer casualty rate. Yes for many they might have been on the other side but the scale of loss is truly horrifying. My wife's old boyfriend was in the submarine service here and although they were on the other side...
  11. Smithy

    Coldest Weather I've been in

    -32C with windchill today so rather nippy. It's pure parka weather here and very pleased to have mine today. Look forward to the pics of your new N-3B Doc, sounds like it's arriving at the right time.
  13. Smithy

    USAF N-3B parkas - Let's talk about them!!

    As ingineer posted the fading is from UV exposure on the nylon, it can be especially apparent in the blue Korean War era jackets which go a purple/lilac colour. I handled an original Albert Turner B-15C a couple of years ago which had this slightly on the shoulders and upper arms but the nylon...
  14. Smithy

    Another Asian Repro Co

    As a friend of mine back in Melbourne would often say, "looks a bit dodge mate."
  15. Smithy

    General fit criteria -- What are yours?

    For me it depends entirely on the type of coat or jacket. If it's an overcoat or parka, room for layering. An A-2, trim but not "Japanese" trim. I think it's best to get a coat/jacket in the fit that it was intended, in other words for something like an A-2 it was never intended to have a...
  16. Smithy

    What Jacket Are You Wearing Today?

    I briefly had on my ELC Irvin today but it got seriously nippy with a temperature of -18C with windchill so vintage styling was banished in favour of a Canada Goose Citadel parka for keeping warm.
  17. Smithy

    Leather U Boat Jackets

    Not private purchase but those are almost certainly examples of items from other branches of the military being used in the U-boat service - which you can also see with items of clothing other than jackets. Whilst you see items like this and private purchase examples as well, all I was trying to...
  19. Smithy

    Famous People in Flight Jackets

    I'm probably getting old and grumpy but if there's one thing which p"sses me off more about modern popular culture it's this repugnant trend of those vacuous individuals famous for nothing more than: a) Being famous; b) And/or having done a sex tape; and last, but by no means least, c) Being...
  20. Smithy

    Leather U Boat Jackets

    In truth they probably have no connection directly with later KM (deck) jackets. Whilst there's similarities in terms of the double-breasted configuration, army and navy developed their designs separately due to differing needs of their respective services.
  21. Smithy

    Politics and outwear

    The one big thing that RRL should be congratulated for is their reinvigoration of classic Golden Era cuts and patterns. Not everything mind but they've done more for championing 20s, 30s, 40s clothing more than any other big name maker down the years in modern times.
  22. Smithy

    ALL ORIGINAL Irvin RAF type Jackets - Loving that Wolf in sheeps' clothing!

    Don't sweat it, one of the mods here in the Outerwear section like Paddy or Edward will move it. Post some pics in the repro thread when you get a chance.
  23. Smithy

    New Aero ANJ-4 (pic heavy)

    Perfect, perfect fit Sloan, nice one! That's going to look wonderful once you get some wear going on that goatskin and the fleece. I seriously love it :)

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