C3 Vest Any Experience Of?

[bn1966]

Hi Loungers, I'm contemplating buying a C3 from ELC as a gilet for the warmer months & to go under my flying jackets winter/fall. Has anyone any experience of the C3? Is it a versatile piece of kit in your opinion?

 

[Bunyip]

Im interested in this too.

 

[eggleman]

Recently bought a trainee-made C-3 from Aero , and it's definitely something to be worn under a jacket , rather than on it's own ,
as it's rather short in the body in it's standard form.
You can see this if you compare photos of a C-3 with a B-3.
If you wanted one to be worn on it's own I'd specify a longer body length , probably need an extra 2'' to be a decent length.

 

[Bunyip]

Recently bought a trainee-made C-3 from Aero , and it's definitely something to be worn under a jacket , rather than on it's own ,
as it's rather short in the body in it's standard form.
You can see this if you compare photos of a C-3 with a B-3.
If you wanted one to be worn on it's own I'd specify a longer body length , probably need an extra 2'' to be a decent length.

Good point. I saw one here where the guy painted the pin up etc on it. Really got me thinking....

 

[IXL]

I was not aware of the existence of the C3 vest. I guess I'll have to put this on the list, as well.......

 

[Stand By]

Hi again,
Following my initial reply to your question on my ANJ-3 thread, here are two images of my two C3's for you to see - one from Aero and the other from ELC.
As you can see, the ELC is a trimmed fleece so it's neater and fits better beneath my B3 - but the Aero version would too in time (if it was sized for that. This is a large and goes OVER my B3 on those few hideously cold days!) when the fleece becomes compacted, but it's definitely fluffier and so warmer. They also fit pockets if you want them (I did as I originally wanted them for dog bags and treats, but with the pocket linings being amongst fleece, they're also nice and warm!). The ELC C3's have no pockets.

I had a piece of russet HH from ELC and had Aero add it to my C3 to act as a smooth canvas for what I wanted to paint on my C3 - namely Flak Magnet (it's a nod to the light-too-moderate flak I get for no good reason from my live-in girlfriend. She liked and laughed approvingly when she saw this. Only those who live with women will understand. I have an M3 flak helmet too - that has steel plates that go over the ears! When I start taking heavy flak, I remind her that I'll nip upstairs and get my helmet on if she keeps it up!).
The patch is from 6thofJune and is a finely detailed and completely magnificent repro (in fine wool, or so it feels like) of a 305th BS patch - they were an incredible squadron that were in the thick of things from the start (late '42) and operated out of Chelveston just up the road from Northampton where I used to live when I worked at the General Hospital there. And by coincidence, the dog looks so very much like my dog! Hence my choice of patch again.
I painted the same design on the ELC C3 about 5 years ago and you can see how its worn in this time.

But I love my C3's and wouldn't be without them.
As I said, my next one would definitely be a Real McCoys C3 to go OVER my ANJ-3 ... so I'd say you also need to decide how you want to wear your C3; beneath a jacket or over. See the RM C3 on Rakuten and see how it's displayed and you'll see what I mean. If you live in a more temperate climate (like the UK/Europe) I think one over an A2 would look cool. It's an option.

 

[bn1966]

Thanks again Stand By, love the 'Flak Magnet' humour & the pictures. I see your point & think I'm going for an under the jacket C3 living in Wiltshire UK. C3 I've ordered has a 23.5" length & should sit about on my belt (not too ridiculous over a sweater). Had a chat with Rob @ ELC today & discussed a D1 for this autumn (C3 would sit nicely under that) Anything too much weather wise and I'm resorting to my Irvin. All this recent jackety business has led to a big E-Bay session this evening of all the 'almost fitted' to raise funds.

 

[Edward]

How were these worn originally? I would instinctively think to use one like a waistcoat, under a jacket, in dead of Winter. I can't imagine wearing it over a B3 (under seems to my mind to be superior in terms of additional warmth), but that said I don't think it'd be any good with my A2s or civilian leather jackets as for the most part I prefer those in a neater cut than this would permit. I can well imagine wearing one under a B15, though. I'd look at the Aero Shackleton in much the same way, though obviously it would not have quite the heat potential this does. I'sd be very tempted towards a Shackleton with the same collar shape as the C3.

 

[Stand By]

Thanks again Stand By, love the 'Flak Magnet' humour & the pictures. I see your point & think I'm going for an under the jacket C3 living in Wiltshire UK. C3 I've ordered has a 23.5" length & should sit about on my belt (not too ridiculous over a sweater). Had a chat with Rob @ ELC today & discussed a D1 for this autumn (C3 would sit nicely under that) Anything too much weather wise and I'm resorting to my Irvin. All this recent jackety business has led to a big E-Bay session this evening of all the 'almost fitted' to raise funds.

You're absolutely right - a D1 is perfect for the UK (I had an ELC B6) and it's perfect for a temperate climate. And with a C3, it'd be great to extend that temperature a little. And as you say - if it's much colder than that (my B6 was at its best at -5C > +5C) then lift the Irvin out of the closet ....

 

[Stand By]

How were these worn originally? I would instinctively think to use one like a waistcoat, under a jacket, in dead of Winter. I can't imagine wearing it over a B3 (under seems to my mind to be superior in terms of additional warmth), but that said I don't think it'd be any good with my A2s or civilian leather jackets as for the most part I prefer those in a neater cut than this would permit. I can well imagine wearing one under a B15, though. I'd look at the Aero Shackleton in much the same way, though obviously it would not have quite the heat potential this does. I'sd be very tempted towards a Shackleton with the same collar shape as the C3.

Yes Edward, they were originally worn UNDER the B3 along with the sheepskin over-trousers - so it was a combo.
I came to Canada in 1996 with the best British clothing for the worst British winter: wholly inadequate. I froze my A$$ for two long winters and I was MISERABLE. I quickly discovered what a wind-chill of -42C felt like (it's a unique experience) - and started to get my wallet out and upgrade my gear - and my Aviation Leathercraft Irvin (as, like the A2, it was too small on my chest and the wind penetrated it in a way it had never done before in the 18 years I'd had it in the UK).
So this time, with the internet on my side, I wanted an upgrade and got my ELC Irvin - and then an A2 - and a RW B3 .. and then I needed a C3 ... and even then, there was room for improvement! So I got my large Aero C3 out of necessity and I love it. And, with my ELC/Aero gear, I learned to embrace winter (and not resent it) and it's now my favourite season! I look forward to getting all that gear on as I feel it fits me body and soul ...
The motor cycling fraternity (like Sons of Anarchy) wear gilets over their jackets and it's a good, masculine look and it shakes the look up on an A2 in the same way, I think. I sometimes like to wear a good quality (carefully paired) hoodie with my ANJ-3 from time-to-time too as I feel it brings a contemporary dash to the old era of the jacket - which my girlfriend likes as, after a long winter of seeing me in my B3 and Irvin every day for 6 months, she likes to see a different look on me besides 1942! And I get that. I really do. But a hoodie is as much as a concession as I'm willing to make to be "modern" - I compromise enough in every other way. I love these jackets and the way they make me look and feel in a crazy modern world, and that's that.

 

[bn1966]

C3 ELC arrived today, cracking quality & fit. Found it ok as a gilet in the sunshine today & length works with slim fit t-shirts. I'm 5.10 & with the 46 @ 23.5 back length it sits just above my belt, drew lots of positive comments on it's first outing. The 1/4 inch shearling hide is the same as the D1..that's got to be the autumn purchase. C3 can then be used as a vest to beef up the D1.

 

[ButteMT61]

C3 ELC arrived today, cracking quality & fit. Found it ok as a gilet in the sunshine today & length works with slim fit t-shirts. I'm 5.10 & with the 46 @ 23.5 back length it sits just above my belt, drew lots of positive comments on it's first outing. The 1/4 inch shearling hide is the same as the D1..that's got to be the autumn purchase. C3 can then be used as a vest to beef up the D1. View attachment 1079 View attachment 1080 View attachment 1081

That's cool...tell me, how do vests measure compared to jackets? Do you pretty much keep the same size or down one?

 

[bn1966]

ELC advised a size down could be considered. They had one left in stock in my size: 46 so I thought to give it a go. Having worn it, I think it's tailored enough & I wouldn't want to size down. For my purposes as a summer gilet, I think the 44 would probably have been a bit on the short side length wise too.

 

[Stand By]

C3 ELC arrived today, cracking quality & fit. Found it ok as a gilet in the sunshine today & length works with slim fit t-shirts. I'm 5.10 & with the 46 @ 23.5 back length it sits just above my belt, drew lots of positive comments on it's first outing. The 1/4 inch shearling hide is the same as the D1..that's got to be the autumn purchase. C3 can then be used as a vest to beef up the D1.
View attachment 1079 View attachment 1080 View attachment 1081

Glad to see your C3 came so quickly and is a great fit and you're happy. Good one.

Now ... are you going to paint on it ?

 

[bn1966]

Thanks Stand By, to paint or not to paint? That is the question. Coming down on the side of not painting at the moment, though that may well change. May limit paint to the A2 (AAF patch) & M422A (comic shark with P40 teeth on breast area of jacket). Have to admit however I have a thing about AAF patches (colour & form) & could see one suddenly appearing on the C3.

 

[Stand By]

Thanks Stand By, to paint or not to paint? That is the question. Coming down on the side of not painting at the moment, though that may well change. May limit paint to the A2 (AAF patch) & M422A (comic shark with P40 teeth on breast area of jacket). Have to admit however I have a thing about AAF patches (colour & form) & could see one suddenly appearing on the C3.

Well, there's no rush is there? You can add a patch at any time. Better to just enjoy wearing it for now and add something later if you feel that inclination. I don't know about others here, but for me, putting insignia on a jacket is as close to getting a tattoo as I'll get !
But I understand your love of AAF patches and share it - and the history behind the squadrons.
If you haven't already, have a shufty at the Battle Colours books by Robert A. Watkins. I have the one on the bombers of the 8th AF and, as I wanted to get some research on the XV and XII AFs for my ANJ-3, I got the one on the MTO - and it's superb.
And I look at the patches at Flying Tigers Antiques - he's got a killer range of originals - but they're sometimes killer prices too so I like to see them for reference mostly. But some stuff is well priced.
And I have Bullfrog Militaria bookmarked as well as Military Aviation Artifacts. Both guys are great to deal with and have good patches.
Enjoy the hunt - and your C3 in the meantime. Good for you.
Cheers!

 

[Fletch]

No experience with C-3 vests, but a C-4 vest would certainly make an impression. lol

 

[bn1966]

Hi Stand By, got accused of looking like an outlaw biker today wearing C3 & Levi's (Taking it as a compliment). I'm the same regarding tattoos, jacket paint is the closest I'll come to a tattoo (not that I dislike them...some look great...just not for me).

I love looking at the old patches, especially those that relate to squadrons that flew out of England during the war. Plan to visit places where they flew from, some time. Watching films like 'Way To The Stars' always brings a lump to my throat.

 

[bn1966]

A C4 vest would without a doubt make an impression. Quite an interesting one in the local high street.

 

[Fletch]

And in whatever building the wearer is standing in front of at the time.