MA-1 Flight jacket

[Zigliss]

Please ignore above. Looks like have have now found what I need which completes the full MA-1 line of variants. Now need to work on finishing off my N-2 and N-3 lines so if anyone has a first issue N-2 please drop me a line.

 

[Zigliss]

Labels from each.....

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ nice collection... but I hope you don't buy jackets just for the tags?

- - - - -

Here's a charming L2B.

 

[Doctor Damage]

[url=http://postimg.org/image/mwg1tskej/] [/URL]

 

[Zigliss]

No as soon as the jackets arrive I cut out the tags and throw the rest away....;-)

Actually I enjoy looking at how they evolve through each of the variants...so from first version - '52% wool and 48% cotton' and frankly built to withstand a hurricane versus version 'G' - 100% polyester and would blow away in a gentle breeze.

I also try to buy sizes that I kid myself I might be able to wear.....but unless I am happy with the waist band being just above the navel I am in fact just kidding myself.

That is a nice example of an early L-2B you have there. I shall probably look to pick up a set of variants for that model as well but like everything in life it requires significant $ and even more patience. Currently the earliest version of an L-2B i have is a 'C' variant. But working on an 'A' version from a contact....

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[pak]

I would appreciate any comments regarding the Cockpit USA made MA-1 compared to the Alpha Ma-1. Thank you in advance

 

[awacs]

Hi everyone.

I posted a thread about the Valley Apparel MA-1. However, I would like to know, is it possible obtain nowadays the original MA-1 ground crew jacket issued in the USAF in the 80s or early 90s? Do you know some seller that have these jackets brand-new?

 

[Doctor Damage]

... I would like to know, is it possible obtain nowadays the original MA-1 ground crew jacket issued in the USAF in the 80s or early 90s? Do you know some seller that have these jackets brand-new?

Others will know better than me, but you will never find one new (if you did find a new-old-stock jacket it would be several hundred dollars) and even used ones are uncommon.

 

[awacs]

(if you did find a new-old-stock jacket it would be several hundred dollars) and even used ones are uncommon.

I understand that the more easily way to obtain one is looking for a replica. However, the replicas that I see from Alpha, as an example are from the model E or previous one. Did Alpha make a replica of the version F?

 

[bn1966]

I had a 90's service issue ground pounder MA-1 in XL (see Pic)

...found it on eBay a couple of years ago..moved it on due to a poor fit on me. What I do still own is a ground crew L-2B (Alpha) that is one of my favourite ever jackets.

 

[bn1966]

L-2B

 

[awacs]

I had a 90's service issue ground pounder MA-1 in XL (see Pic) View attachment 57240 ...found it on eBay a couple of years ago..moved it on due to a poor fit on me. What I do still own is a ground crew L-2B (Alpha) that is one of my favourite ever jackets.

Thank you for your answer. Did you find the jacket new or used? Looking in eBay, I have mainly found the commercial ones, or some vintage. I know that Alpha created a replica series that are the most close to the original issued ones. However, I don´t know how to distinguish. Do they have in their tag the name replica, as the vintage one?

On the other hand, maybe they didn´t create one replica series for this ones, because the replica series was in the 90´s, while they just produced for the U.S. Armed Forces the last ones, in which I am interested, and I think that they focused more on the 60´s and 70´s. If not, please indicate me.

As I commented in my thread of the Valley Apparel flight jackets, I wanted one MA-1 to wear everyday. However, as it was issued in the 90´s for the U.S. Armed Forces, I am starting to think in searching one to my collection (not to use) and I prefer brand-new original. Maybe at this time, it is practically imposible or simply imposible to obtain one like that. However, I can take this as a challenge.

 

[Doctor Damage]

You're overthinking this. And good luck finding brand new original. Those jackets all went to Japan, or are being hoarded by guys like Atticus and they will only see the light of day when he dies and his estate sells them all for $10 each at the estate sale.

 

[bn1966]

As the Doc says, good luck with finding a NOS original 80's / 90's MA-1, finding a used one was hard enough. I own an Alpha replica MA-1 that's based on a 50's / 60's version..good quality jacket that has wool in the interlining.

I managed to find a nice used '76 MA-1 in the UK after some searching that makes for a regular wearer. Also early CWU jackets are practical everyday jackets.

 

[awacs]

I think that it will be very difficult to find one bran-new. Maybe one day I will have access to the Atticus estate sale or and eBay sell from Japan. Anyway, I will try. As you told me, even the pre-owned ones will be difficult. Anyway, I am going to check eBay regular to know if one is selling.

The one that you have is a replica series? How can I distinguish from the standard ones? I know that the vintage series indicate it in the tag. However, I never see a replica series tag.

On the other hand, to wear every day I was thinking about a Alpha MA-1 US-made (the commercial version or ) or the Valley Apparel MA-1 without the orange interior. Both of them look like complicate to obtain in my size (XXL). I don´t know what it is better.

 

[awacs]

Sorry, I just check that the Valley Apparel has the interior also in orange. Now, I feel that I have to go for the Alpha one. At this point. How can I distinguish between the commercial and the replica series? Is it better the replica series or the vintage series?

 

[Doctor Damage]

Buzz is your best bet for getting a vintage spec jacket without spending years hoping you'll run across a real one. Buzz is expensive but it's actually better made than the originals. Frankly, that's the best option in my view. Why? Because the days of getting NOS vintage jackets for affordable prices is many years in the past. Sure, you might get lucky, but you might never.

 

[bn1966]

Buzz, great quality and nice replicas...can be had used for OK prices...beware sizing as an XXL is actually nearer to a Large (Japanese XXL). Those with stated chest sizes 444, 46 etc..truer to size (well UK anyway).

Alpha Replica series I've owned had mocked labels and no cigarette pocket tag & sizing was 44, 46 etc. My experience was they come out BIG, I'm a 46 & a 44 was more like a 48 IMHO.

Alpha did another replica type series that had red & gold cigarette pocket tags..these are also over sized...XL felt far more like XXL...I sold most of mine (XL'S) because they drowned my 46" chest.

Happy Hunting

 

[awacs]

Buzz is your best bet for getting a vintage spec jacket without spending years hoping you'll run across a real one. Buzz is expensive but it's actually better made than the originals. Frankly, that's the best option in my view. Why? Because the days of getting NOS vintage jackets for affordable prices is many years in the past. Sure, you might get lucky, but you might never.

I was checking the Buzz Richardson MA-1. It is other option and like they are not the original ones, even I can use and not only keep in my wardrobe. However, they are super expensive and no so easy to find. I saw prices from 450 to more than 600 dollars. Even in eBay, you can find new ones for 600 dollars or used not less than 300 dollars. I see that they perfectly match the originals military issued (at least they say that in the specifications of some on-line shops). I think that they reproduce the first MA-1, which didn´t have the interior in orange. Do you know any on-line shop where they are a bit cheaper?

Buzz, great quality and nice replicas...can be had used for OK prices...beware sizing as an XXL is actually nearer to a Large (Japanese XXL). Those with stated chest sizes 444, 46 etc..truer to size (well UK anyway).

Alpha Replica series I've owned had mocked labels and no cigarette pocket tag & sizing was 44, 46 etc. My experience was they come out BIG, I'm a 46 & a 44 was more like a 48 IMHO.

Alpha did another replica type series that had red & gold cigarette pocket tags..these are also over sized...XL felt far more like XXL...I sold most of mine (XL'S) because they drowned my 46" chest.

Happy Hunting

I really appreciate the info. Is the first replica series the one without the mocked label and no cigarette pocket tag? I read in this thread that they are better than the newer replica series (maybe I am in a mistake). I am going to look for it in eBay. If you told me that, maybe I need to use the XL and not the XXL. As the Buzz, I think that if I buy I am going to use it. I also found a Vintage serie in eBay. In your opinion, is it nicer the replica or the vintage serie?