MA-1 Flight jacket

[TXFlyGuy]

Here is my new Cockpit MA-1. Can't sell it, so will keep it. The high bid was $26. Made me laugh!

 

[Edward]

Sounds very low for a Cockpit?

I was under the impression the ma1 was phased out gradually after the last spec version was issued in 72 (a decade after the first orange liners), around the same time they developed the Nomexes. Presumably the latter were first issued in combat zones, where pilots were more likely to have to ditch, and less likely, especially if behind enemy lines, to want to advertise their whereabouts. The final versions of the MA1 issued as late as 1990 were groundcrew only, and never had the orange liner.

 

[BlueTrain]

Another thing about uniforms and equipment in general, is that soldiers on the whole always want to have the very latest stuff. It seems to be only after people leave the service that the older things are said to have been preferred. Of course this isn't true of everything. For instance, I understand the beret is not loved in American service and I agree, the one we issue and the way it is worn looks awful. The odd thing is, virtually everyone in the world wears them now and everyone wears them a little differently. The original beret as worn by French mountain troops is still being worn exactly the same as it was a hundred years ago and apparently, judging from many photographs, a wide degree of latitude is permitted in individual taste about how it is worn. Marines of course do not wear the beret nor do they have a fetish about bloused boots.

 

[Edward]

What is the Cockpit 'Authentic' MA1 lined with? New it seems almost double the price of the Alpha. I could see the jump being worth it if it's a wool/cotton batting (otherwise looks like 62 spec), less so if it's purely the premium for US based manufacture.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

What is the Cockpit 'Authentic' MA1 lined with? New it seems almost double the price of the Alpha. I could see the jump being worth it if it's a wool/cotton batting (otherwise looks like 62 spec), less so if it's purely the premium for US based manufacture.

Look at the photo of mine (above). It is the Cockpit USA Authentic MA-1. Lists at $260 on their website. Note the liner color.

 

[bn1966]

Look at the photo of mine (above). It is the Cockpit USA Authentic MA-1. Lists at $260 on their website. Note the liner color.

Nice looking jacket! How would you rate the quality & fit? After a new sage Ma-1 myself at some point soon. I've got good service issue & replica versions with the wool in the interlining. Needing something lighter weight with a service fit, not one aimed at some tall thin Teenager

Nylon flight wear as a youth fashion appears to gradually disappearing around here, so much so that I've been able to get my N-2B back out of the wardrobe.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Nice looking jacket! How would you rate the quality & fit? After a new sage Ma-1 myself at some point soon. I've got good service issue & replica versions with the wool in the interlining. Needing something lighter weight with a service fit, not one aimed at some tall thin Teenager

Nylon flight wear as a youth fashion appears to gradually disappearing around here, so much so that I've been able to get my N-2B back out of the wardrobe.

The quality is 1st Class, very typical of all of my Cockpit jackets...CWU-45/P, G-1, A-2, MA-1. Lightweight, but very warm. Mine is a size L. My jacket size is 42 Regular. The fit is good. Enough room to move your arms around without feeling like you are wearing a second skin. With that in mind, the quality (and fit) of my Alpha Vintage B-15 (USA Made) is every bit as good. And I snatched it off the Bay for $80, brand new. It is also super lightweight, and very warm. Perhaps the warmest of all my jackets. As I was trying to sell my MA-1, it has never been worn. So the warmth judgement factor is based on the CWU-45/P, a similar jacket.

The one thing I like about it is the lack of flaps on the outer pockets. Just a simple button snap closure.

In my travels throughout Europe and Japan, I notice that Ma-1's, and military style jackets in general, seem to be more popular than they are here stateside. Mostly with the under 30 crowd.

 

[Edward]

Look at the photo of mine (above). It is the Cockpit USA Authentic MA-1. Lists at $260 on their website. Note the liner color.

I should have stressed interlining rather than lining... Sounds from your other post that it's polyfilled rather than wool/cotton?

I'm with you on the pockets, I much prefer this style that it inherited from the B15 over the 72 & onwards flaps.

 

[Edward]

In my travels throughout Europe and Japan, I notice that Ma-1's, and military style jackets in general, seem to be more popular than they are here stateside. Mostly with the under 30 crowd.

A couple of years ago, the N3B type was really big in the UK. People here associate it very strongly with civilian fashions of the 70s. I've been known to refer to my own as my "Feargal Sharkey costume". This Winter, with yet another eighties revival in fashion circles, there is a wide variety of MA1 derivatives available on the high street under the generic "bomber jacket" tag that they were dubbed as fashion items in the eighties. Fortunately without the dreadful prints of Bros and Kylie this time...

 

[TXFlyGuy]

I should have stressed interlining rather than lining... Sounds from your other post that it's polyfilled rather than wool/cotton?

I'm with you on the pockets, I much prefer this style that it inherited from the B15 over the 72 & onwards flaps.

Yes, poly, not cotton/wool.

 

[bn1966]

The quality is 1st Class, very typical of all of my Cockpit jackets...CWU-45/P, G-1, A-2, MA-1. Lightweight, but very warm. Mine is a size L. My jacket size is 42 Regular. The fit is good. Enough room to move your arms around without feeling like you are wearing a second skin. With that in mind, the quality (and fit) of my Alpha Vintage B-15 (USA Made) is every bit as good. And I snatched it off the Bay for $80, brand new. It is also super lightweight, and very warm. Perhaps the warmest of all my jackets. As I was trying to sell my MA-1, it has never been worn. So the warmth judgement factor is based on the CWU-45/P, a similar jacket.

The one thing I like about it is the lack of flaps on the outer pockets. Just a simple button snap closure.

In my travels throughout Europe and Japan, I notice that Ma-1's, and military style jackets in general, seem to be more popular than they are here stateside. Mostly with the under 30 crowd.

Thanks for that Sir,

Like you & Edward I prefer the snap closure pocket. Flaps somehow spoil the jacket lines IMHO...too fussy!

Those Cockpit MA-1's look like they tick the right boxes, quite strong money but I'm happy to pay a bit more for quality USA made...still somewhat less than Buzz.

I still own a 'Vintage' Series Alpha B-15 & the fit in XL is pretty much perfect. May I ask how close the Large Cockpit MA-1 is to the Alpha B-15?

Light-weight is the way to go, I've got plenty of heavy nylon. Sold my 50's N-3A because it didn't get any use at all over here. Purchased a mint N-2A with the proceeds which at least stands some chance of getting the odd outing.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Thanks for that Sir,

Like you & Edward I prefer the snap closure pocket. Flaps somehow spoil the jacket lines IMHO...too fussy!

Those Cockpit MA-1's look like they tick the right boxes, quite strong money but I'm happy to pay a bit more for quality USA made...still somewhat less than Buzz.

I still own a 'Vintage' Series Alpha B-15 & the fit in XL is pretty much perfect. May I ask how close the Large Cockpit MA-1 is to the Alpha B-15?

Light-weight is the way to go, I've got plenty of heavy nylon. Sold my 50's N-3A because it didn't get any use at all over here. Purchased a mint N-2A with the proceeds which at least stands some chance of getting the odd outing.

Both jackets measure almost identical, but the MA-1 feels a bit more roomy.
Cockpit MA-1 -
Pit to Pit: 25"
Shoulder to Cuff: 26"
Bottom of Collar to Bottom of Waist Band: 24"
Top Shoulder Seam to Seam: 20.5"

The Alpha B-15 is the same, except 1/2 more narrow across the shoulder.

 

[bn1966]

Cheers TXFlyGuy,

Sounds like the Cockpit MA-1 would be perfect numbers wise as well, shoulders are my main issue (too much swimming). Looks a nice pale sage which is my favourite shade (matches my eyes )

Thanks for taking the time & effort to take those measurements One of those MA-1's has been added to my hit-list.

 

[IXL]

Here is my new Cockpit MA-1. Can't sell it, so will keep it. The high bid was $26. Made me laugh!

Heck, I'll give you $29 for it even if it is too big..........

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Heck, I'll give you $29 for it even if it is too big..........

I'm sure you would! It cost me $210 (on sale) plus shipping. List is $260. Problem is, too many cheap Chinese knockoffs available on Ebay for $29.95. People don't care about quality anymore. The only reason it was for sale is I bought a nomex jacket.

 

[IXL]

^^^ I really don't think it is so much a matter of people not caring about quality, as much as it is a situation where people simply have not been exposed to superior quality. They just don't know that there is better to be had than the ubiquitous cheap stuff.

 

[Deacon211]

That is a nice looking jacket. The pale sage is really worlds better than that "Flight Satin" look that some makers have.

One of the things I liked most about the Nomex was it's flat sheen; less showy, more utility.


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[TXFlyGuy]

Gibson & Barnes makes an MA-1. Flap pockets, no inside pockets, and the lining matches the exterior color. Price is not bad, and I'm sure the quality is there. Anyone have one of these?

 

[Marv]

I've just managed to score a 1961 Skyline MA-1 size Large off ebay which looks in pretty good condition, should be winging it's way from US at some point this week.

 

[bn1966]

Gibson & Barnes makes an MA-1. Flap pockets, no inside pockets, and the lining matches the exterior color. Price is not bad, and I'm sure the quality is there. Anyone have one of these?

I purchased a G&B 'light-weight' MA-1 in XL Reg (phoned customer services to ask what size I should order). I'm 5.10" & a 45" chest.

Jacket arrived in the UK & was moved on due to being cut BIG & LONG. Quality was good, nylon shell very different to service issue. Cut very different; Proved water resistant the few times I wore it.

Seriously thinking about the Cockpit version following your review.