Christmas Jackets?

[Sheepdog149]

LW Speed Demon (russet brown)[/

Deadly jacket!!!! Does it sit at, below or above your belt line??

Damo, happy holidays sir! Thank you. Yes, it's a superb jacket. It fits me like a glove, slightly loose for layering, falling just below the belt-line. I'll try to post more pics.

 

[morrison2951]

I bought 4 jackets from an estate Vanson Dominator, Vanson Model A in light lether, Vanson Model B in HW cowhide and a Vanson Comet with streamliner, in a 2nd purchase I got a an Aero Roadster in steerhide, and lastly I got an Aero Anj3 in goat new I think.

All were on my list to acquire and the prices were very reasonable. I may sell the CHP because it is all talon zippered with additional collar cover and I think it belongs with a collector, I wear the stuff.

Nice! A veritable Vanson grand slam! Congrats!

 

[Damo]

Thanks and Happy Holidays to you too... Hopefully you can post some more pics, I'd love to see them. Once again congrats on such jacket!!

 

[LouisBailie]

Forgot, I have this used one coming in from UK and will spruce it all up when it gets here,it is an Aero Highwayman in steerhide, used/broken in....100 GBP.......I figure it prob needs zipper, leather dye/treating and cleaning.....

 

[Redshoes51]

LW Speed Demon (russet brown)

I LOVE those shoes... even though this is about coats, what are they?

~shoes~

 

[xOUTLAWx]

I was looking at everyones jackets and I was like wow lucky guys, then I browse Google and stumble on Mendelboatz sales thread. Just picked myself a nice CF.:smile:

 

[Sheepdog149]

I LOVE those shoes... even though this is about coats, what are they?

~shoes~

Thanks! They're Chippewa's... I think their "Heritage Series."

 

[Sheepdog149]

For Xmas, I asked Santa for a pair of good quality BLK engineer boots, and he came through, delivering a pair of RRL's in 10D... My actual size is 9.5EE -- but if wide sizes aren't available, I get a 10D for a roomier fit. I love them... They wreak of quality right out of the box. The right boot fits too tight on the top of my foot -- most likely because I have an irregular foot ... Oh well, I'll have to take them to my local cobbler to stretch.

Borrowed pic from web... I'll post on scene pics ASAP =)
Oops! My apologies folks -- I meant to post this on the footwear post.

 

[handymike]

Those are very nice!

 

[pawineguy]

I was looking at everyones jackets and I was like wow lucky guys, then I browse Google and stumble on Mendelboatz sales thread. Just picked myself a nice CF.:smile:

Glad that it found a good home.

 

[xOUTLAWx]

Glad that it found a good home.

So I am, perfect weather to wear it. Cheers!

 

[Edward]

Looks great Edward, especially at that price! Wear it in good health.

Thanks. Yes for the price it's unbeatable. Purely as a garment (limitations in accuracy to milspec aside), it compares favourably to my Alpha Replica Series B15c and my Buzz B15c mod.

I'm actually going for a Sheene style jacket with the August collar, not the mandarin. Carrie and Wade think the Board Racer will be a better base fit than the standard Aero Cafe Racer pattern for me though.....will be interesting.

Soundz great. The Sheene collar on either cafe racer type is a sharp look for those wanting a really simple, clean design likd thd HWM but with a snug fit.

Happy Christmas me!



An Irvin made by Bertie, I like that!

Superb. Aero's Irvins really have turned something special since they nailed the sleeve pattern.

A Fitzrovia jacket in drab sage moleskin from Old Town.

Nice. I have my eye on one of those as part of a suit when I drop some weight.

Looks excellent Edward and the price is very attractive. A couple of questions though - what's the water resistance of the nylon and is it especially wind proof? Two things which are essential for up this way.

I'm just back from wearing it on the NE Irish coast this past week. I did spend a couple of hours out in fairly heavy rain twice. No sign of any damp coming through the outer shell. Windwise, it did seem to keep it out. Certainly felt as warm as my Irvin. I'm sure the cotton/wool batting might be warmer, but this is certainly very usable. I'd wear it anywhere I'd wear the Irvin. Not quite as stylish, but leaves the sheepskin behind when it comes to rain. The hood is also a big plus for keeping the neck warm, even down, and the head dry when up in rain.

The one bad point is that a couple of the windflap buttons have worked loose, though tbh my experience is that's a common issue on overcoats these days, alas.

In terms of accuracy to milspec, or not:

Lining is orange, and not a shiny/satin. I think it's cotton, or maybe polycotton.
Insulation is all poly, as per later USAF spec.
Stormcuffs are nylon, and have a seam (I think this is off?)
The fur round thd hood rim must be faux at that price, but feels really nice. It's removable (buttons on i side, studs on outer). Can't tell from photos online if this is milspec, but I think it will make things easier if ever I need to wash the "fur".

Overall, I'd say if th N3B is the be all/ end all USAF jacket for you, I'd say go looking for a Buzz or a tidy original. If, however, you just want a practical parka on a budget, this is cracking. Half the price of the equivalent Alpha too. It looks outstanding in the black too; I ended up going with the green because I needed to be able to wear it with brown or black. The green looks thd correct shade to my eye, fwiw.

Silvermans also have a very nice looking, specifically civilian option under their other inhouse brand, GTH. Double the price, though it has other features like some superdouper lining that stsys warm when wet. FWIW, mine was around the same price as the going rate for a 90s spec 'grade1' issued and used USAF N3B. I'll try and remember to do an in-depth review into the Spring when I can base it on a Winter's use. For now, it seems that my original requirement of a warm but cheap coat to get me through this Winter has been well met by this. Plus it can double as a core component of an Undertones-era Feargal Sharkey costume...

 

[Edward]

Two more points:

Lengthwise, it's comfortably long enough to cover a tweed blazer or long cardigan, at least on me, but too short to have o e mistaken for a @#$&ing mod (thank goodness!).
When it comes to size, they do come up small. I was looking for a 46/48, and ended up with a 4XL. They list this as a 52, though I think that's the jacket chest measurement rather than size of person it might fit.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks. Yes for the price it's unbeatable. Purely as a garment (limitations in accuracy to milspec aside), it compares favourably to my Alpha Replica Series B15c and my Buzz B15c mod.



Soundz great. The Sheene collar on either cafe racer type is a sharp look for those wanting a really simple, clean design likd thd HWM but with a snug fit.



Superb. Aero's Irvins really have turned something special since they nailed the sleeve pattern.



Nice. I have my eye on one of those as part of a suit when I drop some weight.



I'm just back from wearing it on the NE Irish coast this past week. I did spend a couple of hours out in fairly heavy rain twice. No sign of any damp coming through the outer shell. Windwise, it did seem to keep it out. Certainly felt as warm as my Irvin. I'm sure the cotton/wool batting might be warmer, but this is certainly very usable. I'd wear it anywhere I'd wear the Irvin. Not quite as stylish, but leaves the sheepskin behind when it comes to rain. The hood is also a big plus for keeping the neck warm, even down, and the head dry when up in rain.

The one bad point is that a couple of the windflap buttons have worked loose, though tbh my experience is that's a common issue on overcoats these days, alas.

In terms of accuracy to milspec, or not:

Lining is orange, and not a shiny/satin. I think it's cotton, or maybe polycotton.
Insulation is all poly, as per later USAF spec.
Stormcuffs are nylon, and have a seam (I think this is off?)
The fur round thd hood rim must be faux at that price, but feels really nice. It's removable (buttons on i side, studs on outer). Can't tell from photos online if this is milspec, but I think it will make things easier if ever I need to wash the "fur".

Overall, I'd say if th N3B is the be all/ end all USAF jacket for you, I'd say go looking for a Buzz or a tidy original. If, however, you just want a practical parka on a budget, this is cracking. Half the price of the equivalent Alpha too. It looks outstanding in the black too; I ended up going with the green because I needed to be able to wear it with brown or black. The green looks thd correct shade to my eye, fwiw.

Silvermans also have a very nice looking, specifically civilian option under their other inhouse brand, GTH. Double the price, though it has other features like some superdouper lining that stsys warm when wet. FWIW, mine was around the same price as the going rate for a 90s spec 'grade1' issued and used USAF N3B. I'll try and remember to do an in-depth review into the Spring when I can base it on a Winter's use. For now, it seems that my original requirement of a warm but cheap coat to get me through this Winter has been well met by this. Plus it can double as a core component of an Undertones-era Feargal Sharkey costume...

Many Thanks for the review Edward, much appreciated. I'm seriously tempted now even though I have a fancy pants Arctic parka

 

[Willybob]

Willybob here. First post ever. I've been stalking you guys for about a year. Great info shared here. I Thank you all for enlightening me. I just ordered my first ever leather jacket, an Aero FQHH LHB in cordovan with 1" longer side straps and no front pockets. That outside patterning issue scared me. I'm going to get some matching liner material and sew some lite inside pockets to the liner just for glasses, pens and the like. The heavy stuff can stay elsewhere. I'm hoping for delivery in February. I'll try to post some progression pics, as soon as I figure out how, after I knock it around a bit. I'm still trying to figure out how to post an avatar.

 

[Monitor]

Willybob, welcome! Jacket sounds great, pictures are a must.

You can post an avatar by hitting the Settings link, up there on the right, next to Notifications, My Profile, etc. Next scroll down a bit and on the left side you'll see My Profile settings. Edit Avatar is what you're looking for.