Help With Info On Vintage USAF N3B Parka?

[Jcamp024]

Hello everyone, first time posting on here. Allow me to preface this message by saying that I don’t know much about clothing or men’s fashion as I am

barely getting into the subject. With that said, I just wanted to ask for anyone’s input on this vintage n3b parka to learn some things about it; to name a few: The quality of its condition for its age, the actual year of its manufacture (I presume 1963?), proper way to care for it/clean it, how it compares to other n3b parkas, info on the manufacturer and their quality level of manufacture and so on. Any tidbits of info or anything you notice/think I should know would be nice. Thank you all in advance and have a great day.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi, I no pretty much nothing about those, BUTTTTTT the label says Dry Clean Only. I would definitely call and ask on that one because those are Nylon which is sort of a plastic.

Ha

http://drivecleaning.com/what-should-or-shouldnt-be-dry-cleaned/

I searched on Dry Clean Nylon and the first 4 or so links said don't.

I'd wait for more answers before you do something cause I wear dang near all cotton, wash in cold water and iron it.

Later

 

[handymike]

Welcome to TFL.
Here’s a link to the N-3B thread:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/usaf-n-3b-parkas-lets-talk-about-them.80005/

Maybe there is some helpful info for you.
I have 2 at the moment. One is a nylon Spiewak from the 90s, and the second is a civi model from the 70s. I don’t have any info on cleaning though.

 

[Peacoat]

That is a 1963 contract date. It has the wool insulation, and is considered a desirable parka.

Do what the label says and dry clean only. I have seen flight jackets with the wool insulation shrink dramatically when washed. Don't fall in that pit.

Several of our members here are N-3B experts, and will soon add to the conversation.

Welcome to the Lounge. PC

 

[Jcamp024]

That is a 1963 contract date. It has the wool insulation, and is considered a desirable parka.

Do what the label says and dry clean only. I have seen flight jackets with the wool insulation shrink dramatically when washed. Don't fall in that pit.

Several of our members here are N-3B experts, and will soon add to the conversation.

Welcome to the Lounge. PC

Hey thank you so much much for your thoughtful input, and please pardon the late reply. I will surely clean it by dry clean only.

That is a 1963 contract date. It has the wool insulation, and is considered a desirable parka.

Do what the label says and dry clean only. I have seen flight jackets with the wool insulation shrink dramatically when washed. Don't fall in that pit.

Several of our members here are N-3B experts, and will soon add to the conversation.

Welcome to the Lounge. PC

Hello. Please forgive me for the late reply. Thank you so much for the information. I’m happy to know that it’s from the early 60’s - and in good condition too. I was thinking of possibly using some lukewarm water and a sponge to get some stains out but dry cleaning seems like the better option, thank you for that and thank you for the warm welcome. With that said, would you know if I can move this post to the N3B Parka thread?

 

[Jcamp024]

Welcome to TFL.
Here’s a link to the N-3B thread:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/usaf-n-3b-parkas-lets-talk-about-them.80005/

Maybe there is some helpful info for you.
I have 2 at the moment. One is a nylon Spiewak from the 90s, and the second is a civi model from the 70s. I don’t have any info on cleaning though.

Hi there! Sorry for the late reply. And thank you for pointing me to out to that forum. I’ll be sure to check it out sometime today. Glad to hear that you have some of your own because these things are really cool looking. Can’t wait to use them during low temperatures. Best regards to you friend.

 

[Jcamp024]

Hi, I no pretty much nothing about those, BUTTTTTT the label says Dry Clean Only. I would definitely call and ask on that one because those are Nylon which is sort of a plastic.

Ha

http://drivecleaning.com/what-should-or-shouldnt-be-dry-cleaned/

I searched on Dry Clean Nylon and the first 4 or so links said don't.

I'd wait for more answers before you do something cause I wear dang near all cotton, wash in cold water and iron it.

Later

Hello there, pardon me for the late reply. Hmm so dry cleaning might not work after all. Yea I’m going to look more into it. I don’t think a little bit of cleaning with a sponge and lukewarm water would hurt. Thank you for your thoughtful message friend.

 

[Harris HTM]

Make sure your drycleaner can handle the wool insulation. As mentioned earlier, many nice flight jackets with wool insulation have been ruined, even at dry cleaners:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/help-needed-shrunk-b15d-mod-solution.101204/

 

[Jcamp024]

Hey thank you so much much for your thoughtful input, and please pardon the late reply. I will surely clean it by dry clean only.


Hello. Please forgive me for the late reply. Thank you so much for the information. I’m happy to know that it’s from the early 60’s - and in good condition too. I was thinking of possibly using some lukewarm water and a sponge to get some stains out but dry cleaning seems like the better option, thank you for that and thank you for the warm welcome. With that said, would you know if I can move this post to the N3B Parka thread?

That is a 1963 contract date. It has the wool insulation, and is considered a desirable parka.

Do what the label says and dry clean only. I have seen flight jackets with the wool insulation shrink dramatically when washed. Don't fall in that pit.

Several of our members here are N-3B experts, and will soon add to the conversation.

Welcome to the Lounge. PC

I didn’t mean to send you the same message twice. The layout is so confusing for a here.

 

[Jcamp024]

Make sure your drycleaner can handle the wool insulation. As mentioned earlier, many nice flight jackets with wool insulation have been ruined, even at dry cleaners:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/help-needed-shrunk-b15d-mod-solution.101204/

Thanks for the info. I will surely be cautious and ask around because I really don’t want this parka to be ruined. Take care friend.