Museum-grade replica Apollo-era NASA flight jacket

[Corky]

Apollo couture: Astronaut offers replica of iconic NASA flight jacket

[SIZE=-1]December 3, 2013 – An Apollo astronaut, looking to keep the "right stuff" forefront in the public's eye, has recreated his iconic NASA-issued blue flight jacket down to the last button.

Al Worden, who in 1971 flew to the moon as the pilot of the Apollo 15 command module Endeavour, wore out his original flight jacket years ago. But working with a space enthusiast out of London, Worden has now reproduced the distinctive NASA outerwear as a museum-quality replica, which is being offered for sale.

Worden, collaborating with British attorney Steve Pidcock, has founded "Still The Right Stuff" to create what Worden labels as the "Apollo Flight Jacket."[/SIZE]

The jacket is £450; there's no website for it yet, so orders must be placed at info@alexanderleathers.com.

 

[Smithy]

As I said over at VLJ, I really like this although it's up in the BR level flight jacket price. I had no idea AL did this kind of thing but I'm tempted.

My daughter has a vintage NASA cap which this would go perfectly with

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Wow. Hard to read the black type on the dark background...
HD

 

[yakima]

Wow. Hard to read the black type on the dark background...
HD

Highlight the text. Comes out white on blue. Purty!

 

[Stearmen]

I think I would feel like a poser wearing that jacket. I don't know why after all, I have worn A2 jackets, (never with wings on it) and I was never an Air Force pilot! Just something about the original Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts, the elite of the elite. Like wearing SAS wings, or Seal badge.

 

[Smithy]

I think I would feel like a poser wearing that jacket. I don't know why after all, I have worn A2 jackets, (never with wings on it) and I was never an Air Force pilot! Just something about the original Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts, the elite of the elite. Like wearing SAS wings, or Seal badge.

Oh I'm with you there Stearman, I wouldn't wear it patched (apart from the NASA patch but certainly not the wings patch) but the jacket by itself, colour and design looks great.

If I didn't have another jacket currently on the go I'd be tempted by this even though the price is big biccies.

Hope it does well. I'd imagine there'll be a bit of interest in the signed, white silk lined version once that gets offered.

 

[Steven C P]

I know exactly what you mean but the "wings" are merely the company logo. If you still feel like you're not entitled you can just pull off the leather badge leaving the black velcro panel underneath. This is how the originals were constructed.

 

[coanda]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLOVS5Fl1OY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Carlos840]

Man, that suite is sweet!

 

[p51]

Just got mine in the mail over the weekend. Best jacket EVER.

 

[EmergencyIan]

Good looking jacket!

- Ian

 

[p51]

Good looking jacket!

Thanks! It looks great hanging up in the closet next to my modern NASA-issue blue Nomex flight suit and my Gibson & Barnes (NASA contractor) NASA flight jacket...

 

[Matt Crunk]

I think I would feel like a poser wearing that jacket. I don't know why after all, I have worn A2 jackets, (never with wings on it) and I was never an Air Force pilot! Just something about the original Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts, the elite of the elite. Like wearing SAS wings, or Seal badge.

I think wearing such a jacket is quite obviously a nice tribute to those fellows since, let's face it, unless you are really getting along in years there'd never be any allusion that you were ever in those programs.

I was gonna post a link to the Adam Savage video but I see someone already beat me to it.

 

[p51]

I think wearing such a jacket is quite obviously a nice tribute to those fellows since, let's face it, unless you are really getting along in years there'd never be any allusion that you were ever in those programs.

You'd think that, but someone asked me on Saturday if I'd went to the Moon and he meant it. I'M NOT EVEN 45 years old yet!

 

[Matt Crunk]

This thread has prompted me to dig out my DVD copy of The Right Stuff and watch it again. Thank you.

I was born in 1966 but do remember watching the first moon landing on live TV, and the other moon missions that followed. Great memories.

Growing up just outside of Huntsville, Alabama, where most of those rockets were developed and tested, I've always felt a connection to the space program. I even once almost went to work for a NASA contractor as an illustrator and modelbuilder. Maybe it's time I revisit the Space and Rocket Center Museum as well. Even though it's only about 35 miles away, it's been years since my last visit.

 

[p51]

This thread has prompted me to dig out my DVD copy of The Right Stuff and watch it again. Thank you.

Read the book instead. The movie is more dark comedy than it is accurate. After you read the book, the movie won't quite do it for you again...

I was born in 1966 but do remember watching the first moon landing on live TV, and the other moon missions that followed. Great memories.

Sadly, I was days from being born when Apollo 12 was on the Moon, but I do recall seeing either Apollo 15 or 17 taking off on TV (it was a daytime launch, I can't recall which it was now). My brother was 5 when Apollo 11 landed, so he recalls seeing Armstrong and Aldrin's EVA on TV.

Growing up just outside of Huntsville, Alabama, where most of those rockets were developed and tested, I've always felt a connection to the space program. I even once almost went to work for a NASA contractor as an illustrator and modelbuilder. Maybe it's time I revisit the Space and Rocket Center Museum as well. Even though it's only about 35 miles away, it's been years since my last visit.

I couldn't imagine being that close and not going regularly. I've been twice in the last 2 years (I live in WA state), having gone to the adult Space Camp program. I'm going back again this Fall. EVERY space fan should look into going, it's an amazing program. Click this link if you're interested.

 

[Stearmen]

Read the book instead. The movie is more dark comedy than it is accurate. After you read the book, the movie won't quite do it for you again...

I may have to find a copy and read it. I hate the way the movie portrayed Gus Grissom as a bumbling idiot. He was a great pilot and singlehandedly changed the entire space program! He went to McDonnell to work on the Gemini capsule. With the Mercury capsule, the Astronauts were basically along for the ride, with very little control, Gus knew, to go to the moon they would need total control. Pete Conrad, who was the pilot on Gemini 5, command-pilot on Gemini 11, and, later, commander of Apollo 12. "You did everything manually. You flew it. Apollo was all about your computer. You get 30 seconds or a minute on the stick landing on the moon and everything else was done through the computer. I don't know how much stick time I had on Apollo 12 but it was very little. But on Gemini everything was stick and that included all the burns for the rendezvous." After Wally Schirra brought his spacecraft within inches of Frank Borman's Gemini 7, he said, "It was like the Blue Angels at 18,000 miles per hour, only it was easier. There is no turbulence in space so there were no bumps in the road. Also, the Gemini was magnificent to fly! I was amazed at my ability to maneuver. I did a fly-around inspection of Gemini 7, literally flying rings around it, and I could move to within inches of it in perfect confidence." One problem, they tailored it to Gus's specifications, and since he was all of five feet six inches, 14 out of the 16 Gemini Astronauts could not squeeze in. So they dubbed the capsule, The Gusmobile!

 

[Matt Crunk]

I couldn't imagine being that close and not going regularly. I've been twice in the last 2 years (I live in WA state), having gone to the adult Space Camp program. I'm going back again this Fall. EVERY space fan should look into going, it's an amazing program.

Yes, I've thought about Adult Space Camp as well as Aviation Challenge. Maybe one day I'll get around to doing one of them. I've been to the Space & Rocket Center at least a dozen times over the years, mostly when I was a kid. But my last visit was probably 15 years ago, when I made a special trip there to meet Alan Bean and have him sign one of his fine art prints for me.

 

[p51]

You'll be surprised at the changes since you were there last. The Davidson building, where the Saturn V now sits, is really neat to walk around inside.
As for Al Bean, he actually called me at home on November but that's another story (that's on my website link from my earlier post, near the top).

 

[Matt Crunk]

That's an amazing story. It's not every day you get a phone call (or have a face to face) from someone who's walked on the moon. A very nice man who was gracious enough to take a look at some of my artwork, and afterward when he signed the print, he signed it "To a fellow artist. Best of luck in your career."