Alpha MA-1, made in Knoxville, arrived today...are you ready for this?

[TXFlyGuy]

Calling all Alpha fans! Just got the MA-1, USA made jacket. What a shock!!! It was ordered in a size (L) as the jackets I tried on in Frankfurt, Germany were perfect in fit in size L. This jacket is actually a medium in size, based on other jackets.

And that is the good news! This jacket has loose threads nearly everywhere inside the jacket lining and the waistband due to poor stitching, plus the stitch lines don't even come close to being straight. Foster Brooks on his worst night could have done a better sewing job. Completely unbelievable as to the lack of quality control on this garment!!!

If this is a genuine made in USA jacket by Alpha, the company should be professionally embarrassed. The tags do claim USA made, but I rather have my doubts. Extremely poor quality overall. The back side of the jacket is so short that it rides up on my back. I have had MA-1's before, never had this problem.

The Alpha's tried on at the NATO store in Germany were FAR superior to this example. So much so that on my next trip to Frankfurt I will purchase one. If the Frankfurt jackets come from China, then the Chinese have whipped our collective rear ends on QC.

This MA-1 arrived 30 minutes ago, and it is going back via FedEx tomorrow. One more thing...the jacket was wadded up and stuffed into a small plastic USPS mailer. The result? It has more creases, wrinkles and valleys than the Grand Canyon.

Parking brake set.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I thought they were outsourcing all production to china now?

 

[Seb Lucas]

The fit sounds right. An L fits like a medium in the USA versions. The wrinkles are part of the deal of packaged transportation. The loose seams. Well, all I can say is my Knoxville jacket was great quality and thicker nylon than the Chinese ones. But even an XL was too short and very boxy. Poor fit for a tall thin guy. You may have got a dud quality wise.

 

[Seb Lucas]

How did you get this one since they don't make them in USA anymore.

 

[AustinTX]

TXFly-

I feel your pain, man. In a previous thread I wrote about how I ordered an Alpha B-15 and immediately returned it, the incredulous guffaws of my 11-year old echoing in my ears. The size Large fit was ridiculously oversize and puffy for my 5'10", 170, 42" frame. (And all the while Alpha is going on about their notorious tight fit, so better order a size up....). I now have three "made in USA" Alpha MA-1's in my possession, all Large, with sizing all over the place. Three jackets, three sleeve lengths: 24", 25", and 26." Not to mention body and shoulder fit (and that puffiness). In my extended conversation with the nice lady at Alpha (for returning the B-15. The rest, alas, were "-Bay bait"), I got the distinct impression that sales doesn't know what's going on at the factory. A shame, I guess, a case of a company riding on past glories? Just my experience. Maybe I should live in Germany.

 

[ProteinNerd]

TXFly-

I got the distinct impression that sales doesn't know what's going on at the factory.

Last week I emailed them asking what the measurements were for their new slim fitting M-65. The reply was:

"Unfortunately we do not have these measurements available. Alpha Industries products are located in our warehouse in Tennessee."

Thats it, no offer to find out etc etc.....great customer service right there....

 

[AustinTX]

Last week I emailed them asking what the measurements were for their new slim fitting M-65. The reply was:

"Unfortunately we do not have these measurements available. Alpha Industries products are located in our warehouse in Tennessee."

Thats it, no offer to find out etc etc.....great customer service right there....

That was exactly my experience as well.

 

[Doctor Damage]

For a few months now I've been toying with the idea of a getting an MA-1 jacket, but the vintage ones are all over the map in terms of sizing, and as you've discovered, so are the new/recent ones. It's ridiculous, frankly, since these were never complex garments, they were always mass-produced to a standard design. Oh well.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

As I stated elsewhere, a better quality jacket can be purchased from a third world street vendor in Mexico! This jacket is going back today. Yup, got off Ebay...never again! It has all the correct "Made in Knoxville TN" tags. What a disgrace for Alpha. If I did my job with the same quality that this jacket was put together, I (and many others) would have been dead a long time ago...

 

[Smithy]

As I stated elsewhere, a better quality jacket can be purchased from a third world street vendor in Mexico! This jacket is going back today. Yup, got off Ebay...never again! It has all the correct "Made in Knoxville TN" tags. What a disgrace for Alpha. If I did my job with the same quality that this jacket was put together, I (and many others) would have been dead a long time ago...

TBH, I've had a few Alpha jackets and they are a bit hit and miss, especially now. Their "Vintage" and "Replica" series from a few years back are probably the best I have had. Not sure I'd go near their current stuff unless I could try it on in person.

Sorry you've had problems, might be worth trying to source an original mil-spec jacket from the 70s or such, better quality although buying nylon on the internet always seems to be a bit hit and miss size-wise (from my experience anyway).

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Go to the MA-1 thread for complete photos of this disaster!

 

[AustinTX]

TBH, I've had a few Alpha jackets and they are a bit hit and miss, especially now. Their "Vintage" and "Replica" series from a few years back are probably the best I have had. Not sure I'd go near their current stuff unless I could try it on in person.

Sorry you've had problems, might be worth trying to source an original mil-spec jacket from the 70s or such, better quality although buying nylon on the internet always seems to be a bit hit and miss size-wise (from my experience anyway).

The problem there of course is sellers listing items with minimal info, e.g. "Vintage. Jacket . Think it's a Medium. Mint!" No measurements, blurry or over-flashed photos, photos revealing almost nothing. As the Soup Nazi might say, "NEXT!"

 

[AustinTX]

Also, any eBay seller with less than about 99% positive feedback requires further research. Peruse the negative comments by clicking on the seller. (This means you, alleghenyoutlet). Judge for yourself. Some sellers are dealing in volume and assuming that many buyers won't bother sending back their tired junk.

 

[RailRoad]

toolhaus.org
If you want the real feedback ebay won't show.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Also, any eBay seller with less than about 99% positive feedback requires further research. Peruse the negative comments by clicking on the seller. (This means you, alleghenyoutlet). Judge for yourself. Some sellers are dealing in volume and assuming that many buyers won't bother sending back their tired junk.

The comments on this seller (usarmyboots) were well over 99% positive. FedEx has the jacket now. I strongly suspect that my B-15 will go straight back also.

 

[bn1966]

Which series did the B15 come from? Is it a 'Vintage' series? I own 3 of these (B15s) & whilst not very accurate I rate them as a good jacket. Sizing on some of the runs appears all over the shop IMHO. I now stay away from anything other than old USA made 'Replica' & the a fore mentioned 'Vintage'. I purchased a NOS civilian 90s L2B last year (Alpha) made in the USA in XL that was smaller than a 1966 original issue. I have tried contacting Alpha customer services in the past & been told regarding measurements, that they can't supply them & then when having given mine (height & chest size) have been directed towards a rent-a-tent.

 

[Doctor Damage]

One reason I've recently given up on most e-Bay listings is that some sellers don't respond to my questions*. Their listings sell anyway, so I guess they have no reason to answer my questions.

* Questions which I consider reasonable, such as does this jacket have any stains or smells?

 

[AustinTX]

I actually bought a jacket (an Alpha, of course) from a guy who seemed just helpless to give good measurements. Bought the durn thing just to satisfy my frustrated skepticism. Whoops! He proved to be both feckless and accurate, a rare gift.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Which series did the B15 come from? Is it a 'Vintage' series? I own 3 of these (B15s) & whilst not very accurate I rate them as a good jacket. Sizing on some of the runs appears all over the shop IMHO. I now stay away from anything other than old USA made 'Replica' & the a fore mentioned 'Vintage'. I purchased a NOS civilian 90s L2B last year (Alpha) made in the USA in XL that was smaller than a 1966 original issue. I have tried contacting Alpha customer services in the past & been told regarding measurements, that they can't supply them & then when having given mine (height & chest size) have been directed towards a rent-a-tent.

The B-15 will arrive on Thursday, the 6th. It is the "Vintage" B-15, made in USA, from belote on Ebay, 99.5% positive feedback. Bet it goes right back to him faster than a Cheetah on cocaine!

 

[AustinTX]

The B-15 will arrive on Thursday, the 6th. It is the "Vintage" B-15, made in USA, from belote on Ebay, 99.5% positive feedback. Bet it goes right back to him faster than a Cheetah on cocaine!

TXFlyGuy, check your PM's.