Good B-15 or B-15B Reproductions..

[KentH]

Hi... I did a few searches of the Outerwear forum for B-15 jackets and did not find much. So I was wondering are there many B-15 repros out there..?? I know Eastman makes one, but as we all know around $800 if very steep.. Also a year or so ago I saw Bronson and/or Dong made what looked like a very good one for the price on ebay, but all their 44 and up sizes are gone and who knows if they plan to remanufacture or not.. I wouldn't mind knowing if anyone makes a B-15b, I am pretty sure my brother wore one during the Korean conflict... Any ideas..??

 

[Dav]

Bronson have recently released some more B-15As, and they still have some 44s in stock.

 

[B-24J]

Buzz Rickson B-15

https://www.historypreservation.com...5-flying-jacket-usaaf-rough-wear-clothing-co/

I have their B-10 which is great.

John

 

[KentH]

Bronson have recently released some more B-15As, and they still have some 44s in stock.

Thanks Dav..

 

[Blackadder]

I remember Alpha Industries also makes B-15 jackets. There is a company called Sessler that makes cheaper military repro clothing in China for the Japanese market but they seem to make only B-15A. Almost all Japanese companies raised their prices over the past 2 years. Houston is a cheaper alternative and they cost around 400-500 USD. They were around 350 a couple of years ago.
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/captaintoms/13001789/
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/union-netstore/5503/
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/union-netstore/c/0000000690/
There is also this below B-15B repro from China under the shop's own brand name.
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/waiper/nojd72906106/
You can find a few other Japanese repro makers making B-15s but they likely cost than a Buzz Rickson's.

 

[Peacoat]

Buzz Rickson B-15

https://www.historypreservation.com...5-flying-jacket-usaaf-rough-wear-clothing-co/

I have their B-10 which is great.

John

That Buzz Rickson looks good. I will have to consider it. Just wish I had more closet space.

 

[Edward]

For my money, Buzz can't be beaten for the nylon jackets (B15B/C/D & mods). The RMC and other Japanese makers are great too, but they commanda retail price far beyond where I bow out. Alpha's current range are not impressive if you want a reasonably period-accurate jacket, though if you can find one of the 1990s Replica Series those were very good. My Replica B15C is not quite as good as my Buzz B15C-Mod, but the difference is much less than the difference in price. I regret now not buying a seocnd Alpha RS when they were still around, not seen one in years now. There was also the Vintage Series, with less 'accurate' labelling (not seen in wear, of course), and lighter colours (less good). THe Vintage Series Alphas do still seem to show up now and then.

For the cloth B15/B15A, Aero used to make a good one. They've reintroduced their own B10s recently, not sure if they plan to bing back the B15. The Pike Brothers option is very nice indeed; the Dong and Bronson ones also look great, though they are limited in the size range, at least for now.

What you do have to watch with the cloth jackets is that as they get cheaper, there are certain compromises - e.g. the cheapest ones will be faux fur on the collar, whiel the Aero has real mouton. Equally, the composition of the lining will vary - they all look correct, but one will be the real alpaca, another might be wool, another will be a blend. All perfectly functional as garments, but if you want milspec accuracy or country of origin matters, this will factor in to your choice.

FWIW, the best cloth (non-nylon) jackets I've seen in terms of quality and vfm are the Aero and the Pike. (The Pike is actually a little over-engineered compared to the real thing - if you want it for hard civilain wear, that's notg necessarily a bad thing).

 

[KentH]

For my money, Buzz can't be beaten for the nylon jackets (B15B/C/D & mods). The RMC and other Japanese makers are great too, but they commanda retail price far beyond where I bow out. Alpha's current range are not impressive if you want a reasonably period-accurate jacket, though if you can find one of the 1990s Replica Series those were very good. My Replica B15C is not quite as good as my Buzz B15C-Mod, but the difference is much less than the difference in price. I regret now not buying a seocnd Alpha RS when they were still around, not seen one in years now. There was also the Vintage Series, with less 'accurate' labelling (not seen in wear, of course), and lighter colours (less good). THe Vintage Series Alphas do still seem to show up now and then.

For the cloth B15/B15A, Aero used to make a good one. They've reintroduced their own B10s recently, not sure if they plan to bing back the B15. The Pike Brothers option is very nice indeed; the Dong and Bronson ones also look great, though they are limited in the size range, at least for now.

What you do have to watch with the cloth jackets is that as they get cheaper, there are certain compromises - e.g. the cheapest ones will be faux fur on the collar, whiel the Aero has real mouton. Equally, the composition of the lining will vary - they all look correct, but one will be the real alpaca, another might be wool, another will be a blend. All perfectly functional as garments, but if you want milspec accuracy or country of origin matters, this will factor in to your choice.

FWIW, the best cloth (non-nylon) jackets I've seen in terms of quality and vfm are the Aero and the Pike. (The Pike is actually a little over-engineered compared to the real thing - if you want it for hard civilain wear, that's notg necessarily a bad thing).

Thanks for that very detailed input Edward..
Kent

 

[El Marro]

I have an MA-1 made by Buzz Rickson and it is truly top notch! I have no doubt that their B-15 would be equally good. HPA is a great place to buy from because Charles provides such a detailed sizing guide and also offers the option to return the jacket if needed.

 

[Zeltbahn]

Anyone can recommend the B-10 or B-15 by ELC? I've been looking both of them, not sure which one to go for.
They both look like very accurate reproductions.

 

[Edward]

Anyone can recommend the B-10 or B-15 by ELC? I've been looking both of them, not sure which one to go for.
They both look like very accurate reproductions.

Both very good. More than I'd personally be prepared to pay for a textile jacket, but again that's a very subjective perception of value. Price aside, I don't think there is much out there that's 'better'.

 

[Dr H]

Anyone can recommend the B-10 or B-15 by ELC? I've been looking both of them, not sure which one to go for.
They both look like very accurate reproductions.

I’ve had multiple copies of both and they are both very authentic. It’s subjective, but in my opinion while the B-10 looks more stylish, the B-15 was more practical in use with the handwarmer pockets.

 

[Zeltbahn]

I’ve had multiple copies of both and they are both very authentic. It’s subjective, but in my opinion while the B-10 looks more stylish, the B-15 was more practical in use with the handwarmer pockets.

I like both B-10 and B-15 but started to lean towards the B-15 because of the handwarmer pockets and kinda like the larger collar for winter time. Also it seems that B-15 has the bi-swing shoulders which are missing in B-10.

 

[Blackadder]

I like both B-10 and B-15 but started to lean towards the B-15 because of the handwarmer pockets and kinda like the larger collar for winter time. Also it seems that B-15 has the bi-swing shoulders which are missing in B-10.

Neither B-10 nor B-15 has bi-swing. B-10 however has underarm gusset. I think for the people who chooses B-15, they do so due to the less common zipper position.

 

[thor]

@KentH I have a B-15A made by Pike Bros. It’s very well made, has the look and feel of the original (tho not 100% accurate), and is very warm & comfortable to wear. Excellent quality and value for the price, IMHO.

 

[KentH]

View attachment 279899
@KentH I have a B-15A made by Pike Bros. It’s very well made, has the look and feel of the original (tho not 100% accurate), and is very warm & comfortable to wear. Excellent quality and value for the price, IMHO.

Thanks for the info and pic Thor.. Kent

 

[Edward]

View attachment 279899
@KentH I have a B-15A made by Pike Bros. It’s very well made, has the look and feel of the original (tho not 100% accurate), and is very warm & comfortable to wear. Excellent quality and value for the price, IMHO.

I've not owned one, but I have handled them in person and they are very impressive. I used to prefer the B10, but I now much prefer the B15 as a civilian jacket. I don't much use the handwarmers as handwarmers, but they are great for stuffing my gloves into. The look overall is just a bit sleeker than the B10, imo.