G-1 Customization Project

[Qaribbean]

I went with 1 mm Goatskin in seal brown, the thin hide was to ensure a light wearer. The NOS G-1 Conmar zipper from MASH Japan for me really makes the jacket. If I was doing the project again it would be with the Conmar and go with Five Star for everything else now there is more choice in mouton and knits.

Shipping was very cheap indeed from Pakistan and quick, payment process is very easy with Shawn too, he sent me an invoice and posted the day I paid.

I think I’m 90% sure on which jacket I’ll go for, just want to measure up for the best fit.

Any recommendations on getting patches sewn on? I’m going to go for a leather name tag and some of the aforementioned squadron patches.

 

[Qaribbean]

It may be that the Marine Corps reserves the right sleeve for a combat patch; that is, a unit with which the aviator has flown combat. That 's the Army way, but the Marines may be different. @Deacon211 should know and can advise you.

Welcome to the Lounge. PC

was looking at the most recent USMC uniform regulations and with regard to patching it states:

“When the flight jacket is worn with the service uniform, only one unit/squadron (CNO/CMC approved) patch may be worn. The patch, if worn, will be on the right front of the jacket, level with the nametape on the left side.”

I guess if I’m modelling it to what would’ve been worn by Gen Petersen at the time in the 60’s it may have been quite different, but I’m somewhat drawn to the idea of just the single patch but in OCP if possible, but I think that would be too hard to get my hands on.

 

[bn1966]

May be worth joining the VLJ Forum if you are not already a member, a lot of military knowledge and resources over there & mostly friendly Folk.

 

[nick123]

@Qaribbean

I have an embroidered F-4 patch (possibly used by European F-4 pilots or just a civil copy; warrants more research (I know, the ‘USAF’ kills any historical accuracy in your case) I intended to display with a model but now have no use for. I know you can find patches a-plenty on eBay, but if you want I can send to you (just pay shipping). Caveat is you must show us your final jacket when it’s done!

 

[Qaribbean]

May be worth joining the VLJ Forum if you are not already a member, a lot of military knowledge and resources over there & mostly friendly Folk.

Yeah I did post over there on VLJ although not sure if it’s me but I can’t seem to get that site loaded when browsing on my iPhone or iPad, only when I’m on my laptop! Does anyone else have that issue? Don’t get the same issues with this forum.

 

[nick123]

Yeah I did post over there on VLJ although not sure if it’s me but I can’t seem to get that site loaded when browsing on my iPhone or iPad, only when I’m on my laptop! Does anyone else have that issue? Don’t get the same issues with this forum.

It’s been going through some heavy updates as of late. Has been up and down on my phone for the past 24 hours.

 

[Deacon211]

Hey guys,

Just saw this so I apologize for the late reply.

As far as patches go, truly it is regulation to only wear a name tag on the left chest and a squadron patch on the right. It is not unheard of however to also wear your aircraft patch on the right sleeve, though many prefer to wear a “clean” jacket with only a name tag or nothing.

This is as of 1990-2010 or so and some brief googling will show a pretty wide variety of patch trends over the years. The best option would be to find a pic of the general himself. But, absent that, you do have some leeway.

Navy/Marines don’t generally do the combat patch thing...mostly because your unit goes on your chest and not your arm and some of that real estate is already taken on the left by the name tag.

Marines also tend not to wear the US flag on their left sleeve as is more common in the Navy and in general the Marines tend
to patch up their jackets less, though that comes and goes over the years.

That Miramar patch, while nice, would probably not have been worn by the general unless he was Base Commander, or maybe at Group. Squadron guys just don’t typically wear station patches.

Other patches are sort of a grey area. If he had been a Top Gun grad, he might have worn that patch on the left sleeve. Then there’s the host of “morale” patches that especially come around on cruise and in war zones. So you have your Tonkin Gulf Yacht Clubs, Yankee Air Pirates, and the like or perhaps patches from WWII or Korea. He might also have been inclined to sport Centurion patches if he had spent any considerable time on a carrier. Again, it can be difficult to remain “period correct”, so less is probably more if you aren’t certain.

Bear in mind also that while some aviators prefer to keep their jacket as something of a wearable scrap book of their careers, others prefer a clean jacket and, especially when you get up into the higher ranks, some officers may have traded in their older jackets covered with “salty” slogans and such for a more professional looking garment in keeping with the expectations of their higher rank. There would also be a good argument for getting a clean jacket with only a squadron and perhaps an aircraft patch if the general’s first jacket had some other squadron plastered all over it and wanted to show pride in his new command for his men.

The other virtue of going the less
is more route is that you can avoid having someone do a crap job of patch placement. In general you either want someone who knows what they are doing sewing these patches on, or you want to carefully research and clearly mark where you want them yourself. There’s no quicker way to go from looking like a fighter pilot to looking like a gas station attendant than sewing on your name tag half an inch from your shoulder seam.

I’d be very, very careful of this.

Personally, I’d also snoop around about that Black Knights patch. Squadrons patches do change subtly over the years, and it might be worth the effort to see what a Viet Nam era Black Knights patch looked like. In the same vein, that patch looks just a bit “aftermarket” in the font and such. I can’t tell you if they currently make a 314 patch, but Wings and Things in Pensacola, FL is a go to place for name tags and squadron patches and, if they have them, you can be reasonably certain that you are getting the same patch that the squadron currently is.

Lastly, as far as jackets go, I have also heard good things about 5star. But, if you wish to consider others, The Cockpit also makes a very nice jacket, particularly their 100 Mission line. I have heard US Wings also makes a nice jacket and, though I have never had their G-1, my wife’s A-2 is solidly made and looks great.

Anyway, sorry for the delay and lengthy post. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[Deacon211]

Since I’ve already said too much, I’ll say some more! LOL!

I don’t really have a hosting service, so links will have to do unfortunately.

This is the VMFA-314 Viet Nam page.

http://vmfa-314.com/

There’s a very nice version of the 314 VN patch there. Note the wide helmet, the sharpness of the scroll ends and the width of the font. Notice also that the work is pretty rough hewn, probably made overseas and by hand which wasn’t uncommon.

Found this on you know where...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/b8957-USMC...ack-Squadron-Structures-Far-R7B-/381488479007

This is probably a good bet for the shoulder patch worn by at
least some 314 pilots in VN. Again note the rough, hand sewn quality.

For what it’s worth, I tried looking up some pictures of the general. The few I found of him in his flight gear, particularly the cover shot from his book, show no shoulder patch at all. That could be a war zone decision. But the general strikes me as an Old Corps Marine, not one for a lot of ostentation. JMHO.

Edit: Just noticed a couple more things.

1. WRT your Miramar patch. Bear in mind that Miramar is where 314 is NOW. But, west coast Marine fighter squadrons were at MCAS El Toro since probably the ‘70s and IIRC MCAS Yuma before that. So that is probably the wrong patch for 314’s VN period.

It also has a Hornet on it, so...

 

[Qaribbean]

Hey guys,

Just saw this so I apologize for the late reply.

As far as patches go, truly it is regulation to only wear a name tag on the left chest and a squadron patch on the right. It is not unheard of however to also wear your aircraft patch on the right sleeve, though many prefer to wear a “clean” jacket with only a name tag or nothing.

This is as of 1990-2010 or so and some brief googling will show a pretty wide variety of patch trends over the years. The best option would be to find a pic of the general himself. But, absent that, you do have some leeway.

Navy/Marines don’t generally do the combat patch thing...mostly because your unit goes on your chest and not your arm and some of that real estate is already taken on the left by the name tag.

Marines also tend not to wear the US flag on their left sleeve as is more common in the Navy and in general the Marines tend
to patch up their jackets less, though that comes and goes over the years.

That Miramar patch, while nice, would probably not have been worn by the general unless he was Base Commander, or maybe at Group. Squadron guys just don’t typically wear station patches.

Other patches are sort of a grey area. If he had been a Top Gun grad, he might have worn that patch on the left sleeve. Then there’s the host of “morale” patches that especially come around on cruise and in war zones. So you have your Tonkin Gulf Yacht Clubs, Yankee Air Pirates, and the like or perhaps patches from WWII or Korea. He might also have been inclined to sport Centurion patches if he had spent any considerable time on a carrier. Again, it can be difficult to remain “period correct”, so less is probably more if you aren’t certain.

Bear in mind also that while some aviators prefer to keep their jacket as something of a wearable scrap book of their careers, others prefer a clean jacket and, especially when you get up into the higher ranks, some officers may have traded in their older jackets covered with “salty” slogans and such for a more professional looking garment in keeping with the expectations of their higher rank. There would also be a good argument for getting a clean jacket with only a squadron and perhaps an aircraft patch if the general’s first jacket had some other squadron plastered all over it and wanted to show pride in his new command for his men.

The other virtue of going the less
is more route is that you can avoid having someone do a crap job of patch placement. In general you either want someone who knows what they are doing sewing these patches on, or you want to carefully research and clearly mark where you want them yourself. There’s no quicker way to go from looking like a fighter pilot to looking like a gas station attendant than sewing on your name tag half an inch from your shoulder seam.

I’d be very, very careful of this.

Personally, I’d also snoop around about that Black Knights patch. Squadrons patches do change subtly over the years, and it might be worth the effort to see what a Viet Nam era Black Knights patch looked like. In the same vein, that patch looks just a bit “aftermarket” in the font and such. I can’t tell you if they currently make a 314 patch, but Wings and Things in Pensacola, FL is a go to place for name tags and squadron patches and, if they have them, you can be reasonably certain that you are getting the same patch that the squadron currently is.

Lastly, as far as jackets go, I have also heard good things about 5star. But, if you wish to consider others, The Cockpit also makes a very nice jacket, particularly their 100 Mission line. I have heard US Wings also makes a nice jacket and, though I have never had their G-1, my wife’s A-2 is solidly made and looks great.

Anyway, sorry for the delay and lengthy post. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Thanks so much for your input Deacon, I was always waiting for your weigh in on this from seeing so many of your other posts!

I think in the time since my original posting I've also come to the conclusion that I'd like to keep the jacket quite "clean" and just go with name tag on the left and squadron patch on the right. From further research it does seem that the Marines do generally keep to a cleaner look which I guess is inherent in the culture of Marine uniform and presentation in general.

I am still considering jacket options, it's become so much more complicated than I imagined! I could simply get a good quality jacket and patch it as tribute but at the same time if I really want to recreate the authenticity, as others have mentioned, I could consider an original (if a great one could be found for a good price)!

I had found that 314 website you posted in my research (what a great site!) and did notice the difference in the older patch - might be hard work finding a VN era patch. That said what a great find on that combat patch!? I think I'm decided on just the one squadron patch now but that is perfect.....I may still be swayed!

Thanks so much again!

 

[Qaribbean]

Lastly, as far as jackets go, I have also heard good things about 5star. But, if you wish to consider others, The Cockpit also makes a very nice jacket, particularly their 100 Mission line. I have heard US Wings also makes a nice jacket and, though I have never had their G-1, my wife’s A-2 is solidly made and looks great.

I wanted to come back and say I just read your 100 Mission jacket review....you've now added to my dilemma thanks to such a thorough review!

At $600( around £450) it's at the top end of my desired budget...however since filling the wife in on my intended project she's decided to fund my endeavor as a Christmas present, given all of the previous designer bags/shoes I've spoiled her with in the past!

Her justification and I quote: "If you can treat me to a £1,000 bag I can get you a fancy jacket you like!"

Dare I show her ELC......?

 

[bn1966]

I wanted to come back and say I just read your 100 Mission jacket review....you've now added to my dilemma thanks to such a thorough review!

At $600( around £450) it's at the top end of my desired budget...however since filling the wife in on my intended project she's decided to fund my endeavor as a Christmas present, given all of the previous designer bags/shoes I've spoiled her with in the past!

Her justification and I quote: "If you can treat me to a £1,000 bag I can get you a fancy jacket you like!"

Dare I show her ELC......?

He who dares......wins

 

[Qaribbean]

He who dares......wins

“You know what they say Rodney”

 

[Deacon211]

That’s a very kind wife!

Will be interested to see how it turns out. Sometimes, when working on a project like this, I think the journey is half the fun.