My 80s US-made Alpha MA-1 arrived today - tag still intact. Very nice, sage green. Mind you, not sure about this 'superior build' thing, as I had to go over it with a pair of scissors, snipping all the loose threads off it. None of them construction ones, but not something I did with my new China-made N-2. Will post pics later.
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MA-1 Flight jacket
- Thread starter Jwag
- Start date
Here you go:
I've stuck the 80s MA-1 over the current N-2, both mediums, as a comparison, just to show how the sizing has changed, though obviously the N-2 is a heavier piece of kit. The pics make the MA-1's sleeves look longer than they are on me, as the jacket feels a fine fit.
I've stuck the 80s MA-1 over the current N-2, both mediums, as a comparison, just to show how the sizing has changed, though obviously the N-2 is a heavier piece of kit. The pics make the MA-1's sleeves look longer than they are on me, as the jacket feels a fine fit.
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Atticus Finch
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Nice jacket, Sloan! There seems to be a real difference in the length of civilian Alphas as compared to the issued version. In the photo below, I'm wearing a '72 and it bearly covers my belt. BTW...the temperature that day was hovering around 0F. In fact, the lake behind me was covered with more than a foot of ice. But there wasn't much wind so I was perfectly comfortable in my jacket worn over a thin cotton shirt.
AF
AF
Maybe it's the photos fault but it looks huge to me. I think anyone who is five ten or under can look good in these if the fit is right. At 6 ft 2 even the extra large is so short it looks like a matador jacket on me.
Well, I'm 5ft 9", the jacket's a small-medium, so the sleeves fit nicely (no tunnelling at all) and barely sits over the bottom of my belt when I wear my Freddies, which have a high waist - it's a comfortable fit. But as AF said, the waist bands seem to be longer on more modern ones - the one on this 61 vintage jacket looks a fair bit shorter:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-6...187?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23350ff76b
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-6...187?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23350ff76b
Apologies if this has been posted before, but this site is the MA-1 pic mother lode. I think it also proves that the old adage about 'there's no such thing a definitive A-2 fit' applies to the MA-1 as well! 
http://jetpilotoverseas.wordpress.com/category/ma-1/
http://jetpilotoverseas.wordpress.com/category/ma-1/
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Doctor Damage
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On the vintage jackets with wool insulation: was the wool just a piece of wool cloth, or was it a wool filler made of shredded wool offcuts or something like that?
Doctor Damage
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Another question: what might have caused this stain on the collar knit? It reminds me of a metal "bleed" which I've seen on wool from metallic rank badges after they've been removed.
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My mid 60s MA-1 has a quilted lining. Can't tell if the material under the nylon is fill or single piece wool. Feels as if it is fill. My L2-B, same vintage, has a single piece of nylon for the liner, with a single piece of thin insulation between the liner and the outer shell.
All I did with mine was fly in them--never took them apart or even much thought about them. Atticus Finch studies them; he will know.
Atticus Finch
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I've always heard it called wool batting...similar to what is used in quilting. I think it has a cotton backing, too. I know that it will come to pieces in the washing machine and form clumps, especially in the sleeves.
AF
Atticus Finch
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Another question: what might have caused this stain on the collar knit? It reminds me of a metal "bleed" which I've seen on wool from metallic rank badges after they've been removed.
It does look like a contact stain from rust or oxidation, but it could be almost anything. Remember, flight engineers wore flight jackets, too. That is what I love the most about original flight jackets. Just like my old self, they've got scars and stains and nips and boo-boos...and when I look at them, I can't help but wonder at the stories they could tell.
AF
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My L2-B could tell some stories. Many of which I would rather not remember.
Atticus Finch
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I have no doubt of that. I've never taken the opportunity to say this to you, so I will now. Thank you for your service, friend.
I missed Vietnam, but not by much. Only months. But maybe I can still relate to what you're saying. I tendered notice of my intent to retire yesterday. I guess I've been looking more back than forward lately, and I've been thinking a lot about all that I've seen during my career as a prosecutor. All of the hurt and happy. And you're right. I've gathered up some great memories...and other parts of it I would have rather not seen. I keep thinking that it all mixes together like a big gumbo to make us we are...or finally, who we were...
AF
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I just wanted to add that while machine washing any vintage garment can be a crap shoot, I have done so to my N-2B and it handled it just fine. I put it on a short, cold cycle with a few other items using a gentle soap made for technical outerwear. Then let it air dry out on the line. No ill effects since, lining and coyote fur stood up no problem.
