Buzz Rickson B-15 - pic heavy

[Superfluous]

Very cool Buzz. Congrats.

 

[devilish]

Sloan, I'm glad another member has come around to seeing why Buzz's are more money than any Alpha should ever be. It really is like comparing apples and oranges. As for fit, I've always found BR nylon to be one of the very few Japanese brands that will fit a Western frame. I'm not 6'3" of course but I'm a 44r in a suit and the 42 to 44 B-15 and MA-1 both fit just fine. A pair of pants with a proper rise help the fit look correct.

 

[Sloan1874]

Yes, I would say that BR is an order of magnitude on from Alpha. That's not to do Alpha down at all, my N-3 will see me good for when the weather turns foul (again, a small that's closer to a medium). But in terms of the lining , it's obviously a wool/synth combo rather than the usual synth one, which gives it heft, and the shell's good and thick which accounts for the excellent condition. Would love to get my hands on an original to see how they compare.

 

[Smithy]

Would love to get my hands on an original to see how they compare.

I've never handled a Buzz C but I was lucky enough to handle an original last year, an Albert Turner contract one. The photos I've seen of the Buzz version all look pretty much bang on. The only thing that is perhaps slightly different from an original (apart from the label) is perhaps the luminosity and depth of shine that originals have which is quite pronounced even with 60 odd years of age, they have quite a high sheen.

TBH I've been tempted by a Buzz as the B-15C is my favourite nylon flight jacket, and even came close to ordering one from HPA earlier this year. But what I really hanker after is an original and I'm currently saving my pennies - it's going to take about $1,500+ for a larger size 42 or 44 but I'm trying to justify the price by thinking it's a good investment piece too - well that's what I'll have to tell the better half

 

[Sloan1874]

The original's certainly more vibrant than the Buzz's. Weren't the first ones more teal in colour than navy blue than later versions? That might explain a bit of the difference too, but that's got a lot of shine there. And you're right, originals are damn pricey!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-Air-Fo...177?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258fdb9ff9

 

[Smithy]

The original's certainly more vibrant than the Buzz's. Weren't the first ones more teal in colour than navy blue than later versions? That might explain a bit of the difference too, but that's got a lot of shine there. And you're right, originals are damn pricey!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-Air-Fo...177?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258fdb9ff9

Haha, that's the one I've been drooling over for about two months now! I am so tempted but have so many bills at the moment. But it's an absolute peach that one. Original Cs command big money as they had a relatively short production run and they are the quintessential Korean War jacket, and the Monroe thing probably adds to it as well.

As far as I know Cs were all pretty much that dark navy/almost indigo. There was possibly a variation in some batches of nylon used which may have resulted in slightly different shades - but I'm not an expert and haven't handled multiple originals. They can also fade over time but they all seem to have that quite distinct high shine. It was something that had always intrigued me with the photos I'd seen of originals compared to the repros and then handling a real one it confirmed that they have a real luminosity to the nylon.

Your Buzz is absolutely lovely and looks the business, I reckon you'll get a lot of use out of it come the next Scottish winter. They're also a nylon flight jacket that pairs easily with clothing, they look great with jeans and a good pair of boots.

 

[Sloan1874]

I only mention the teal thing because Alpha refer to it on their web site: http://www.alphaindustries.com/mens-flight-jackets/alpha-industries-b-15-flight-jacket.asp

But you're right, it's one of those jackets that looks the part with normal clobber - it'll be good going into autumn/winter until it's Irvin time...

 

[Smithy]

I only mention the teal thing because Alpha refer to it on their web site: http://www.alphaindustries.com/mens-flight-jackets/alpha-industries-b-15-flight-jacket.asp

I've seen that before on Alpha's site but I not sure whether there's any truth in that or whether it's a bit of creative bulldust by the marketing boffins at Alpha

There's probably an answer in "Suit Up!" (the definitive US flight jacket book) but unfortunately I haven't got a copy. Perhaps one of the members here has a copy and can clarify?

 

[Stand By]

Oh, it takes a bit of something to commit to splashing out on a B.R. jacket, I know - but when it appears, the money is the last thing you think about.

As for the sizing, I can say for the record that I'm 5'8" with a 39" chest and a proportional frame thanks to my mountain bikes (otherwise I fear I'd look like Bill Shatner as I love my beer - it takes the edge off a crazy world gone mad).
My Aero ANJ-3 is a size 44, and my ELC (Luftwaffe, Irvin, B-3, B-6, and my former A-2) gear is all 42.
And I've ordered another 40 for my L2-A. Charles at HPA suggested a 38 as he's a similar build to me (so he said) and that's what he wears as he said they have a roomy fit, but I want another 40 like my former B.R. L-2.

Charles also said that there will be some new items in the B.R. range coming up v. soon, so if anyone's interested, they should keep an eye on the HPA website for those towards the end of September, as well as the HPA website is getting a new launch and look that month too. The L2 and L2-A remain the same, so I decided not to hesitate and just hand over the credit card details ...

 

[Sloan1874]

I've seen that before on Alpha's site but I not sure whether there's any truth in that or whether it's a bit of creative bulldust by the marketing boffins at Alpha

Ha! Yes. "We've got the shade on a batch of B-15s wrong!" "Och, tell 'em that's what the first bunch looked like, they'll never know." = new marketing concept.

 

[Smithy]

Ha! Yes. "We've got the shade on a batch of B-15s wrong!" "Och, tell 'em that's what the first bunch looked like, they'll never know." = new marketing concept.

Wouldn't be the first time that some crafty so-and-so has used that in their product spin

I've wondered before if the lighter nylon blue used was based solely on an interpretation of a 1950s colour photo. There are photos that exist of Cs which look lighter than usual but you can put it down to full sunlight and oversaturation of the colour in the 50s processing. That could possibly be why they used a nylon that is lighter than was actually the case. That's just speculation on my part but might be one possibility.

 

[Doctor Damage]

everyone's seen these photos I'm sure, but they're relevant here

 

[Smithy]

This is one of the photos showing a lighter looking C (care of Stu's site) but once again I reckon this is purely down to bright sunlight and 50s colour film processing.

I reckon there's a good chance that it's images like this which might have set Alpha (and some others) to produce some blue nylon that was lighter than was actually the case.

 

[Worf]

Nice looking Jacket there bro. I'll shell out for leather... even canvas.. but I could never get my mind around that kind of money for Nylon. Don't know what it is... I'm odd I guess. Enjoy your new acquisition. But when I first saw it I thought you'd gotten it in Black, not Blue.

Worf

 

[Blackadder]

I've never handled a Buzz C but I was lucky enough to handle an original last year, an Albert Turner contract one. The photos I've seen of the Buzz version all look pretty much bang on. The only thing that is perhaps slightly different from an original (apart from the label) is perhaps the luminosity and depth of shine that originals have which is quite pronounced even with 60 odd years of age, they have quite a high sheen.

TBH I've been tempted by a Buzz as the B-15C is my favourite nylon flight jacket, and even came close to ordering one from HPA earlier this year. But what I really hanker after is an original and I'm currently saving my pennies - it's going to take about $1,500+ for a larger size 42 or 44 but I'm trying to justify the price by thinking it's a good investment piece too - well that's what I'll have to tell the better half

I agree with you about the lack of sheen on Buzz's nylon which is the most obvious difference between Buzz and McCoy's when it comes to nylon. However, McCoy's nylon are insanely expensive. The new MA-1 Blue Anchor costs more than a grand in USD.

 

[Sloan1874]

Yeah, it's a very deep shade of blue, and the direction of my living room meant that whenever I got back from work, the light had disappeared and pics just made it look black. Thankfully, I didn't pay full whack for it - that can wait for when I win the Lottery, then it's a full wardrobe of Buzz Rickson!

 

[Stand By]

everyone's seen these photos I'm sure, but they're relevant here

Oh good grief.
So to go with the L2-A, I see that I now need one of the faded red baseball caps that ELC sell ...!
$$$ Ker-ching!

 

[Smithy]

I agree with you about the lack of sheen on Buzz's nylon which is the most obvious difference between Buzz and McCoy's when it comes to nylon. However, McCoy's nylon are insanely expensive. The new MA-1 Blue Anchor costs more than a grand in USD.

Ah, the elusive RM B-15C. I've only seen a handful of pics of them but they do look good. So do they have the high shine finish like original Cs then?

I'd heard that their sizing is even smaller only going up to a size 40 or 42. Are they still making them?

I'd personally never pay that much, rather pay the extra and have an original - which is my plan.

 

[tropicalbob]

I bought one in 1971 from an army-navy store for about $15.00 and wore it for years. Slim-fitting and fairly lightweight. It was navy blue but the color lightened considerably with time and wear. Perhaps that could explain the color question?

 

[mihai]

@Sloan1874 - congrats, very nice jacket. Quality jump from Alpha Vintage is obvious. It worth every penny.
I would get one however unfortunately I'd no longer prefer things sourced from there. I think they have top stuff, I actually bought lots of denim pants and also fabric in the past.

Regarding the blue shade, I have 2 N-2A jackets and in reality they do not have the shine you see on B. Rickson. Is more matte and dark like the first person left from the group picture. Perhaps this is not very relevant as probably shades differed between batches.