Eastman Broken finish B-3

[John Lever]

It's here and well worth the short wait of about a week.
Eastman do everything well. The jacket arrived beautifully bagged, boxed and wrapped by courier.
I am a smallish size 44 and this jacket is quite a trim fit just over a T shirt, so that could be a consideration for others when ordering. The first thing that struck me was the very warm almost golden yellow of the wool. This pleased me as I dislike very white wool. The cuffs are just right. I have to push my hands through them so they give a snug very authentic fit and feel to the arms, which are not overly long. The jacket is also quite short and boxey. They have nailed the look and style perfectly.
The broken finish is rugged and slightly textured to the touch. There is absolutely no gloss just a very slight sheen. The leather parts are a beautiful brown colour. I wouldn't call it Seal, as this can so often look black and quite unattractive. This colour is much better and compliments the acrylic coating perfectly.
The belts seem to very similar to FQHH, they have a waxy translucence that is very vintage looking. Snaps and buckles are blackened or dulled to continue the vintage theme. I have just noticed that the zip components look like they are cast, not stamped. If so, then that's real attention to detail.
Dimensions -
Pit 24 [just]
Back 26
Shoulder to cuff 24
The Crown zip is a new one for me. I would say that it's better than the often cheaper looking Talons around. Though Eastman's version has always been one of the best. The action is quite dry/rasping at the moment as it's new so only time will tell.

I am absolutely delighted with it.
The finish is applied by hand at the factory where the jackets are made.

 

[JanSolo]

John, the jacket looks absolutely stunning. The glossy acrylic finish on older jackets was one of the reasons why I never bought one. But the current broken grain is something totally different. In combination with the very nice horsehide facings this is a cracking jacket. I don't think that any B3 repro could look more authentic than your Eastman. Very good fit as well!
BTW: Do you have a seperate room where you store all your sheepskin garment? By now you should be able to equip a whole squadron with various pilot's jackets...

 

[John Lever]

John, the jacket looks absolutely stunning. The glossy acrylic finish on older jackets was one of the reasons why I never bought one. But the current broken grain is something totally different. In combination with the very nice horsehide facings this is a cracking jacket. I don't think that any B3 repro could look more authentic than your Eastman. Very good fit as well!
BTW: Do you have a seperate room where you store all your sheepskin garment? By now you should be able to equip a whole squadron with various pilot's jackets...

They're all stuffed into a cupboard. I have sold some recently so my total number is actually smaller now.

 

[Jules]

Typical,excitement got the better of me.

Hello John

Im new to the forum and have just posted my first post asking for info on repro B3 jackets ,before looking to see if anyone had posted recently!
The pics are great and its definately a hansome jacket i think ill have to reconsider weather to buy Aero over Eastmans.

Jules

 

[Jules]

Hello John
Andrew left a reply to my post saying you have both an Aero B3 and now your new Eastmans B3 i wonder if you would do a comparison of the two?
Im jumping from Aero to Eastmans and not sure which way to go.
Do you have anyother repro B3's worth comparing?

Jules

 

[bburtner@moran]

Broken Finish

The B3 with the broken finish kind of looks like it`s made of plastic.

 

[John Lever]

I only have ELC B-3's at the moment Believe me the finish isn't like plastic. I have had a few B-3's in my time, Aero, Lost Worlds, Eastman and the very expensive Chapal. This one is among the best so far.

 

[aswatland]

The B3 with the broken finish kind of looks like it`s made of plastic.

Plastic!! The finish is spot on, exactly like a little used original. This is Eastman's best house B-3 to date and is really 1943 out of a box.

 

[John Lever]

To be fair, because the surface is dull, it is difficult to appreciate it without feeling it and wearing it. It feels slightly textured to the touch, and the acrylic is pretty thin. I think it will wear in quickly.

 

[Imahomer]

Man, that is one super looking jacket. I've often looked at them for sale, but now I'm motivated.

 

[Jules]

How big!

Hey John
I have ordered my B3 from Easmans ,just wondered if you would give me you opinion on the sizing do they come up small or big. I have several size 40 A2s and A1s should i stick to that size or go up a size to accomodate a jumper?

Jules

 

[H.Johnson]

I recently made a B-3 myself, for which I prepared some sheepskin 'from the roll' by hand dying and finishing it. I have to say that it was rather like this new product from Eastman.

I suspect that this is a natural outcome of a 'low tech' process and is, to my eyes, more like I would expect a WW2 finish to be than the 'luxurious' finishes of the sheepskin used on most reproduction jackets.

Just my opinion, of course. I think that the problem is that many people expect a luxurious finish for that much money.

 

[John Lever]

Hey John
I have ordered my B3 from Easmans ,just wondered if you would give me you opinion on the sizing do they come up small or big. I have several size 40 A2s and A1s should i stick to that size or go up a size to accomodate a jumper?

Jules

Mine is a 44. I would say that it is quite a trim fit with not too much room for layering.

 

[Ialocin85]

Chapal ?

I only have ELC B-3's at the moment Believe me the finish isn't like plastic. I have had a few B-3's in my time, Aero, Lost Worlds, Eastman and the very expensive Chapal. This one is among the best so far.

Hey, im trying to decide what B3 i should get. Lost worlds and eastman are high up on the wish list. But i cant find any webside or manufacturer named chapal ???

 

[ChristianM.]

Hey, im trying to decide what B3 i should get. Lost worlds and eastman are high up on the wish list. But i cant find any webside or manufacturer named chapal ???

http://www.chapal.fr/
-> But it is more a Designer/Fashion Label, which shows in what they charge...

I suggest stick to Eastman...

 

[Ialocin85]

Lost worlds or eastman

I only have ELC B-3's at the moment Believe me the finish isn't like plastic. I have had a few B-3's in my time, Aero, Lost Worlds, Eastman and the very expensive Chapal. This one is among the best so far.

Hey, nice jacket u got there. I want to get one. I dont realy care all about the price.
If you have to choose between ocean worlds or this eastman, which one would u prefer ? is one better quality than the other?? I like both, but want the one that is the best made. The ocean world is a bit more expensive...why?
u have both right?
Hope you can help me

Nic

 

[Ialocin85]

ok thanxs

http://www.chapal.fr/
-> But it is more a Designer/Fashion Label, which shows in what they charge...

I suggest stick to Eastman...

But have you seen Lost Worlds b-3?

Im down to eastman or lost worlds.
The lost worlds is more expensive, but the leather looks more soft. The eastman looks like it will start to peal after some years. Looks so dry...know what i mean?

If the Lost worlds is better quality, i will go for that one, i dont care about the price. But the problem is that i dont know which one is the best
They both say their jackets last for life....but which will look the best after wear??

Is this a eastman? its from a scene in Band of Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVCTTuzj8ys
I looks sweet

sorry for all the questions m8

Nic

 

[John Lever]

Real McCoys make a very good jacket. None of the Broken Finish caper either.

 

[Metatron]

Could officers of the infantry wear air-force jackets? Was it something that was allowed or simply tolerated?

 

[Ialocin85]

thanx

Real McCoys make a very good jacket. None of the Broken Finish caper either.

Hey John,

The real mccoys looks nice. Do you know where i can see more photos of this jacket?