Buzz Rickson B-15 - pic heavy

[Sloan1874]

Was going to post my new-to-me B-15 on the Nylon thread, but it's such a fantastic jacket I thought it deserved one of its own. Bought this off our fellow Lounger, bn1966, it's in great condition and amazing quality. I've bitched about the price of Buzz stuff before, but no more, as this is a serious piece of kit: heavy duty nylon shell, thick lining - the thing is deceptively heavy - and great detailing (it's got a Crown zipper_. I will have to say that, much as I love my Alphas, they do pale into comparison next to it.

 

[EmergencyIan]

It looks great and it seems to be a almost perfect fit.

- Ian

 

[wdw]

Very nice looking and a great fit.

Is that a 36 or 38 on the label? How much would it be new?

 

[theundeadkennedy]

Very nice! This just got me restoked for the William Gibson Collection MA-1 I have on order

 

[bn1966]

Looks good on you Sloan!! Fantastic fit!!

 

[bn1966]

That Buzz has led to my buying a Buzz L2A off of one of our esteemed members.

 

[bn1966]

B15-C new from Buzz through HPA would be $550.00 plus shipping.

 

[Sloan1874]

Thanks guys, I've got the pics fixed now - for some reason my comp is playing up. The fit's spot on, just like the ones you see in period pics. It's a 36, Eric, and a very accurate one. The difference in weight between my MA-1 and N-3 is really marked, closer to one of my mid-weight leathers! New, they are a bit pricey, but I would say you get your money's worth in terms quality: the mouton's thick and warm, the knits very solid. I'm not sure how old this is, the decal's slightly worn, but it's got a lot of life left in it.

 

[Stand By]

Very nice, Sloan. Perfect. As in PERFECT.

Makes me feel good about me having been on the 'phone this afternoon to Charles at HPA and have just pulled the trigger on a new Buzz L2-A (a blue L-2) - it'll be shipped up to me as soon as he gets his new shipment in a week or two ...a most pleasant chat and chap. Looking forward to that showing up ... (plus a new pair of Buzz A-10 gloves for this Winter).

Anyway, top jacket there again, Sloan. It's a beautiful thing.

 

[Sloan1874]

Thanks, Stand By. Getting the fit just right on this one has made me realise that my MA-1 is too big really, so I'm going to put up for sale.

 

[handymike]

Nice one, again, Sloan!

 

[Cooperson]

Have to admit I know nothing about nylon jackets but that looks a serious piece of kit, fit looks spot on.

 

[Smithy]

Very, very nice Sloan and the perfect fit. BR make a fantastic C.

 

[nick123]

So nice. How great it would be to not be too tall for one!

 

[Smithy]

So nice. How great it would be to not be too tall for one!

That's really one of the problems with BR. Because they are first and foremost made in Japan and subsequently mostly for the Japanese market they only go up to a 44. Nylon flight jackets tend to be shorter than their earlier leather forebears so quite a few would find that the Buzz sizing doesn't go up high enough to fit them either in chest size or to be able to get one where the length is acceptable. Beautiful jackets though with all the little details.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Extraordinary looking jacket and I agree it looks 'right' compared to old photos.

How does the sizing work, Sloan? Your B15 is a 36 but what size do you wear in men's suits for example? And what size is your MA-1?

 

[Sloan1874]

I'm a 36 suit size, so this is on the nail size-wise. My Alpha MA-1 was advertised as a small, but really it is a medium. By modern standards, it's not really over-sized but having looked at pics of how they fit, and got one that hits it, it feels a bit too blouson-y.

 

[Blackadder]

Nice jacket. For information, the William Gibson collection is a modern version and is lengthier and slimmer than the repro Buzz.

 

[Sloan1874]

I'm not sure how much slimmer you could go without losing something of the essence of the jacket, but I can see how a longer version would be attractive to the taller among us.

 

[EmergencyIan]

I'm a 36 suit size, so this is on the nail size-wise. My Alpha MA-1 was advertised as a small, but really it is a medium. By modern standards, it's not really over-sized but having looked at pics of how they fit, and got one that hits it, it feels a bit too blouson-y.

Same experience for me. I wear a 38 suit jacket and have 3 Buzz jackets/coats. They're all size 38 and fit perfectly.

- Ian