Famous People in Flight Jackets

[Treetopflyer]

^ That's one of the current jackets made from a non-shiny nomex. I'm guessing the size is XL (ha ha). I'm kind of surprised by this, given his preference for wearing suits 24/7 but when in Rome. Thanks for posting. I glance at the DM regularly but missed these pics. I should try to get one of these non-shiny nomex jackets to complete my collection, but I like the older ones.

My old shiny Nomex ripped and I was given one of the new Nomex jackets to replace it. I am not a fan of it. It feels and looks like canvas.

 

[Doctor Damage]

My old shiny Nomex ripped and I was given one of the new Nomex jackets to replace it. I am not a fan of it. It feels and looks like canvas.

Good to know, thanks. The original shiny ones feel like silk, the later shiny ones like nylon. But canvas?... yuck.

 

[TPD166]

This weekend I watched (possibly for the first time) “Torpedo Run” (1958) with Glenn Ford and Ernest Borgnine. What immediately caught my attention was the leather “37J1” jacket worn by Borgnine’s character (and a couple of others in the background). I put quotes around 37J1 because I don’t think it’s an actual USN jacket based on the location of the pockets – they are low, like a A-1 or G-1, rather than chest-level like the 37J1s that I have seen. But it does have the 37J1 crew collar as opposed to the fold-over A-1 collar. What I especially liked was that this is the exact configuration I used when I had Pop’s Leather make my 37J1/A-1 last year – I kept the pockets a waist-level.

As for the movie, it has a great cast and is one the best WW-II submarine movies I have seen.




My jacket – and it’s merely coincidental that I am built like Ernest Borgnine.

 

[Doctor Damage]

This weekend I watched (possibly for the first time) “Torpedo Run” (1958) with Glenn Ford and Ernest Borgnine. What immediately caught my attention was the leather “37J1” jacket worn by Borgnine’s character (and a couple of others in the background). I put quotes around 37J1 because I don’t think it’s an actual USN jacket based on the location of the pockets – they are low, like a A-1 or G-1, rather than chest-level like the 37J1s that I have seen. But it does have the 37J1 crew collar as opposed to the fold-over A-1 collar. What I especially liked was that this is the exact configuration I used when I had Pop’s Leather make my 37J1/A-1 last year – I kept the pockets a waist-level.

It appears the pockets on your jacket are about the same level as Borgnine's. Either way, it's a really great jacket.

 

[Doctor Damage]

actor Robert Lansing (in costume, I believe)

 

[niv]

Amelia Earheart sanded her jacket, then slept in it to get rid of that "brand-new, unused" look.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

actor Robert Lansing (in costume, I believe)

In the TV Series, 12 O'Clock High, I noted he had a cigarette pocket on his sleeve. Also, he is either smoking, or lighting up in almost every scene. That no doubt was a major contributing factor to his untimely death.

 

[nick123]

He wore a suit and fedora in his later years... Recently on ebay there was a Buzz B-10 up for sale from his estate that sold for like $300. It belongs in a museum.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Beau Bridges in Stargate

 

[Doctor Damage]

Rod the Bod - not really a flight jacket, but interesting nonetheless.

 

[Doctor Damage]

cheap mall-quality MA-1 jacket

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Yes, but with those legs, who cares?

 

[ChiTownScion]

He wore a suit and fedora in his later years... Recently on ebay there was a Buzz B-10 up for sale from his estate that sold for like $300. It belongs in a museum.

If I had to cast a vote for Greatest Pilot in My Lifetime, it would be Bob Hoover, hands down.

 

[Skyhawk]

If I had to cast a vote for Greatest Pilot in My Lifetime, it would be Bob Hoover, hands down.

I got to see him fly 3 or 4 times as a kid growing up. He was a regular performer at the "Antique Fly In" show in Watsonville, CA. I was very amazed by his skills. Even more so after getting my multi-engine rating years later and thinking back at what I saw him do in Twin Engine airplanes. Hell of a guy! You could tell he loved to fly.

 

[Stearmen]

I got to see him fly 3 or 4 times as a kid growing up. He was a regular performer at the "Antique Fly In" show in Watsonville, CA. I was very amazed by his skills. Even more so after getting my multi-engine rating years later and thinking back at what I saw him do in Twin Engine airplanes. Hell of a guy! You could tell he loved to fly.

That was the Rockwell Shrike Commander. I loved this footage of him poring tea while doing a roll. Yes, I know the physics behind it, but still love it! I was fortunate enough to see him many times and even eat dinner with him, a real class act!

 

[Edward]

Lee Marvin in USN sheepskin, with Triumph motorcycle:

 

[Doctor Damage]

The next president in a modern A-2.

 

[Doctor Damage]

This time in a CWU 36/P.

 

[IXL]

Lee Marvin in USN sheepskin, with Triumph motorcycle:

That appears to be Keenan Wynn in the stripes.

 

[Doctor Damage]

It would appear the CWU style jackets are now being weirded-up for the fashion set, just as the MA-1 jackets have been...