Bronson MA-1 review

[GregGale]

I know, one can buy an original MA-1 on Ebay at a decent price. I didn't want to, due to it being hard to be sure of the size, no returns, dirty, sweaty, knits needing replacement, etc...I wanted my own jacket. Some would disagree, but let's move forward to the review.

I had a "mall" Alpha "VF-59. Good fit, but quite a mall jacket. Even after replacing the knits. So I ordered a Bronson MA-1 from Taobao through Superbuy. It's modeled after an early contract, MIL-J-8279. It cost me as much as the knit replacement on the Alpha...I was blown away!

The jacket is sturdy, great quality, well constructed. Knits are nice, pockets are reinforced with a really thick and strong material. The color is lighter and more of a silvery grayish green than my Alpha. googling pictures of originals this seems to be correct. Knits are almost the same color as Larry's (I replaced the knits on my Alhpa), a bit darker though. The only weak point I would say is the zipper which feels weak and needed a bit of soap. Oh well. First I was a bit disappointed because the internal zipper flap ended in a 90 degree angle, not rounded like on most others. A bit more googling revealed that this was correct for this early model!

Luckily I nailed the fit too, but I had my Alhpa to measure and compare with. I went for the size 40 (L). Shoulders and torso are roomy enough. Sleeve lengths are spot on. Sleeves are more baggy than my Alpha but according to original photos, this is the real fit. It is quite short though, but not shorter than what I expected from an MA-1. Nothing I can't wear. I'm 183 cm tall and have a 39" chest.

Overall, my Alpha fits me better probably, with the eyes of a "civilian", that is, it's more tailored. This one, however looks like a real flying jacket. My girlfriend, who knows nothing about these said my Alpha looks like "a dime a dozen", the Bronson looks unique and special, and its color is nicer too Now I'm trying to sell my Alhpa in my flying club Based on this purchase I can't recommend Bronson enough.

Photos (Bronson on top, Alpha underneath):

 

[Justhandguns]

Nice jacket! Judging from your photo, the colour looks pretty good as it resembles more of an aged real deal. What sort of zipper has it got? I presume Talon?

 

[GregGale]

The zipper is a repro Talon. The color is not as turquoise as on the fit pics, more like the one where the label is visible. This photo taken outside does more justice:

 

[Pdawg]

Bronson makes great products. Their construction is top notch. Great Score!

 

[Edward]

Very nice indeed. I've been eying some Bronsons on eBay for a while; I like this one, and maybe the 62 spec (The first orange-liner model is, I think, the last flying jacket style I would care to collect). Also very keen on their L2A. I might well treat myself once I clear out all the stuff that's going....

Thanks for the review.

 

[Harris HTM]

I know, one can buy an original MA-1 on Ebay at a decent price. I didn't want to, due to it being hard to be sure of the size, no returns, dirty, sweaty, knits needing replacement, etc...I wanted my own jacket. Some would disagree, but let's move forward to the review.

I had a "mall" Alpha "VF-59. Good fit, but quite a mall jacket. Even after replacing the knits. So I ordered a Bronson MA-1 from Taobao through Superbuy. It's modeled after an early contract, MIL-J-8279. It cost me as much as the knit replacement on the Alpha...I was blown away!

The jacket is sturdy, great quality, well constructed. Knits are nice, pockets are reinforced with a really thick and strong material. The color is lighter and more of a silvery grayish green than my Alpha. googling pictures of originals this seems to be correct. Knits are almost the same color as Larry's (I replaced the knits on my Alhpa), a bit darker though. The only weak point I would say is the zipper which feels weak and needed a bit of soap. Oh well. First I was a bit disappointed because the internal zipper flap ended in a 90 degree angle, not rounded like on most others. A bit more googling revealed that this was correct for this early model!

Luckily I nailed the fit too, but I had my Alhpa to measure and compare with. I went for the size 40 (L). Shoulders and torso are roomy enough. Sleeve lengths are spot on. Sleeves are more baggy than my Alpha but according to original photos, this is the real fit. It is quite short though, but not shorter than what I expected from an MA-1. Nothing I can't wear. I'm 183 cm tall and have a 39" chest.

Overall, my Alpha fits me better probably, with the eyes of a "civilian", that is, it's more tailored. This one, however looks like a real flying jacket. My girlfriend, who knows nothing about these said my Alpha looks like "a dime a dozen", the Bronson looks unique and special, and its color is nicer too Now I'm trying to sell my Alhpa in my flying club Based on this purchase I can't recommend Bronson enough.

Photos (Bronson on top, Alpha underneath):

View attachment 139337 View attachment 139338 View attachment 139339 View attachment 139340 View attachment 139341

Resurrecting an old thread: may I ask what size is your Alpha and how it compares with the Bronson? I'd like to get one, I've been wearing the Alpha MA-1 for decades in size M (not the VF59 fit) and I'm a bit lost with the measurements now... Any help is welcome!

 

[Edward]

Bronson seem to be on the up; I notice here in the UK Soldier of Fortune are now stocking their B10 and B15... I really like this early MA1; it's on a list for when I hit my target weight, as I'm currently just abit bigger than I think the top end of their range would accomodate. I do hope we see more of this in future; nice as the Japanese nylons are, they're just priced out of my range now.

 

[mihai]

Hi,
Thanks for your review and courage to purchase that. I've been considering some Bronson items. Sounds good.
The jacket looks indeed more upmarket than generic MA-1s. I own a few original B-15 (A,B,C), MA-1 from early 50s, 64(Alpha)... N2-A/B and I can tell that on the originals the shoulders are bit wider, the sleeves get wider as they go up. There is a more pronounced taper (check photos on Jetpilotsoverseas web-site). Maybe this jacket was patterned after a BR William Gibson? I remember those were faithful to the originals except that they were slimmer. Maybe to fit better to youth, Asian customers. I am about your hight (187) and I suspect the OGs are even a tad shorter.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Hi,
Thanks for your review and courage to purchase that. I've been considering some Bronson items. Sounds good.
The jacket looks indeed more upmarket than generic MA-1s. I own a few original B-15 (A,B,C), MA-1 from early 50s, 64(Alpha)... N2-A/B and I can tell that on the originals the shoulders are bit wider, the sleeves get wider as they go up. There is a more pronounced taper (check photos on Jetpilotsoverseas web-site). Maybe this jacket was patterned after a BR William Gibson? I remember those were faithful to the originals except that they were slimmer. Maybe to fit better to youth, Asian customers. I am about your hight (187) and I suspect the OGs are even a tad shorter.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Originals (at least in photos) seem to be wide enough to fit chubby/stocky men, but GregGale is thinner than the average USAF guy from the 1950s and this Bronson fits him pretty trimly. Buzz stuff (in photos) does seem to have sleeves with less taper to the cuff than originals. Hard to be sure though. But I think you've made a good observation.

From what e-Bay and/or real world retailers can Bronson be bought?

 

[Edward]

So far I've only seen the wider range on eBay UK - these guys, mostly:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/yose_64?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/vtgdr_store?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

Soldier of Fortune now sell Bronson B10s and B15s:

www.sofmilitary.co.uk

 

[Brettafett]

Cheaper directly though Bronson, you get 5% off your first purchase and free worldwide postage (and easy returns). Done all the above!
Am sorry I missed their Black Friday sales in Dec last year!
That MA-1 is calling me. HJop[e they do a later version Tanker.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Cheaper directly though Bronson, plus you get 5% off your first purchase and free worldwide postage (and easy returns).

is this the official site?
https://bronsonshop.com/

 

[Brettafett]

Yes
Its easy. Bought a few jackets directly from them. Took about 10 days to 2 weeks to arrive to me in the UK, with no added import duties or anything.

 

[bn1966]

Hopefully they will see the market potential of larger sizes for us stockier fellas.

 

[Fifty150]

You can lose a little tummy, with diet and exercise. But a guy with large arms, chest, shoulders, and wide back cannot shave away bone structure and muscle mass.

Hopefully they will see the market potential of larger sizes for us stockier fellas.

 

[Blackadder]

Hi,
Thanks for your review and courage to purchase that. I've been considering some Bronson items. Sounds good.
The jacket looks indeed more upmarket than generic MA-1s. I own a few original B-15 (A,B,C), MA-1 from early 50s, 64(Alpha)... N2-A/B and I can tell that on the originals the shoulders are bit wider, the sleeves get wider as they go up. There is a more pronounced taper (check photos on Jetpilotsoverseas web-site). Maybe this jacket was patterned after a BR William Gibson? I remember those were faithful to the originals except that they were slimmer. Maybe to fit better to youth, Asian customers. I am about your hight (187) and I suspect the OGs are even a tad shorter.

I think all of the Bronson jackets are copies of the Japanese brands. They are easier to find and less costly to obtain. Fit on the other hand are slightly altered to be more accommodating than say RM and FW.

 

[Edward]

Hopefully they will see the market potential of larger sizes for us stockier fellas.

Fingers crossed. I think I could do the MC racing sweaters, but the jackets all look just about one size too small at the top end - definitely so if I want to wear more than a t-shirt (which, inevitably, I do in jacket season).

You can lose a little tummy, with diet and exercise. But a guy with large arms, chest, shoulders, and wide back cannot shave away bone structure and muscle mass.

Exactly. I'm slowly shifting my bellyfat, but at my stage in life if I get any smaller than a 38" waist I look downright ill, and those swimmer's shoulder ain't going anywhere....

I think all of the Bronson jackets are copies of the Japanese brands. They are easier to find and less costly to obtain. Fit on the other hand are slightly altered to be more accommodating than say RM and FW.

That's the one thing (price aside!) you have to be careful with the Japanese stuff on - sometimes they will alter the accurate fit of a repro to better suit the slighter physique that men in that part of the world tend to have.

 

[Fifty150]

Leather jackets should be made to the wearer's body measurements. Just like suits. Off the rack doesn't fit well for most people.

 

[Edward]

Leather jackets should be made to the wearer's body measurements. Just like suits. Off the rack doesn't fit well for most people.

Fine for those who can actually afford bespoke. Less so for the rest of us!

 

[Doctor Damage]

is this the official site?
https://bronsonshop.com/

Yes
Its easy. Bought a few jackets directly from them. Took about 10 days to 2 weeks to arrive to me in the UK, with no added import duties or anything.

Okay, thanks. The blue nylons look good and if their size charts are accurate an XL (their largest size) would do me.

Not sure if this is the right time to be ordering things from China, though... cough cough