My Greenbrier 1976 MA1 in XL the 'McQueen Jacket'?

[bn1966]

My latest e-Bay score: A 1976 Greenbrier MA1 Jacket in XL with patches & Dog Tag. This month I've also purchased & had to move on two Alpha service issue MA1 jackets both in XL, a 1973 & a 1985 Ground Crew version. Both the Alphas came in with narrow shoulders at 20". The Greenbrier is slightly broader in the shoulders at 21" which works for me. I'm very pleased with the overall quality of the Greenbrier: Nylon is nice and thick, lining most acceptable, Serval zippers work well, knits are tired, have had various moth nips & lots of darning is in evidence. This jacket is a very heavy number with the wool interlining...I love it! Have been admiring the vertical stitching on the wind-flap, enjoyed watching 'The Hunter' earlier in the week...a nice period piece with McQueen in a very human type of role (IMHO).

 

[Doctor Damage]

wunderbare!

Great find and I'm extremely envious. I'd say leave the patches on since they'll leave unsightly stitch holes. Do you think the patches are original, not something recently added? I'd check the name on the nametag to confirm. Either way, it's a great looking jacket!

Of course McQueen was probably wearing a size Medium, ha ha

 

[bn1966]

Thanks Doc, patches I think are original to this jacket..though I will check as you suggest via the Name Tag. Came with a Dog Tag too. Patches will be staying on, will remove the Name-Tag (on velcro) before wearing it out. Need some cooler weather before putting this one on.

 

[Edward]

Nice find! I've really comeround to liking the nylons in recent years. My interest in flight jackets broadly stops in 1959. I'd love one of the Buzz repros of the original MA1 with the green liner. That said, I'm increasingly being won round by the idea of a tidy, orange-lined model that's just early enough to have the wool interlining. We'll see...

 

[bn1966]

Hi Edward,

Thanks, I really like the Greenbrier.....heavy jacket!!

I put a nice MA1 '72 Alpha on the Bay a few weeks ago (narrow shoulders) with the wool interlining (got snapped up).

The Alpha Replica series did a nice early MA1 type with green lining and wool interlining (red / gold Alpha tag on cigarette pocket) I've acquired one & worn it loads (picked up a second one in dark blue). Both came from scouring e-bay UK.

I do like leather jackets (5 from ELC), but have a passion for nylon & collecting it (early youth cult influences).

 

[bn1966]

Just found this one up for sale:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-1...D-Greenbriar-Ind-/111450746465?pt=LH_DefaultD

 

[bn1966]

Lovely looking 'Steve McQueen' MA1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-1...746465?pt=LH_DefaultD&clk_rvr_id=689983702446

 

[bn1966]

Any takers? Vertical stitching on windflap

 

[Doctor Damage]

Any takers? Vertical stitching on windflap

One size too small or I would take it. I'm surprised it hasn't moved yet, but I'm certain once the cooler weather comes on it will sell. It looks in very good shape.

 

[bn1966]

Not one of mine, but could be a good buy for someone

 

[Bionic-Joe]

Let me know if you find an XL like that!!! I'm DYING for an MA-1 with the Vertical stitching.

 

[Edward]

I occasionally check ebay and see what's out there too. Most of the originals now coming up are either too small or damaged (I'd consider having knits replaced if I find a good place - needs done on my BUzz B15C Mod.... - but a ciggy burn in a shell is no good). I did see a 'Nam era, never-issued, XL one on the Bay last week, priced at McCoys type money. Probably worth it if legit, but a touch more than I want to spend. A cheaper, modern Hunter tyle might well bec my first MA1 if I can't wait for a used deal on a Cockpit or the pound to recover enough to make the Cockpit viable.

 

[Bionic-Joe]

I occasionally check ebay and see what's out there too. Most of the originals now coming up are either too small or damaged (I'd consider having knits replaced if I find a good place - needs done on my BUzz B15C Mod.... - but a ciggy burn in a shell is no good). I did see a 'Nam era, never-issued, XL one on the Bay last week, priced at McCoys type money. Probably worth it if legit, but a touch more than I want to spend. A cheaper, modern Hunter tyle might well bec my first MA1 if I can't wait for a used deal on a Cockpit or the pound to recover enough to make the Cockpit viable.

I searched and could NOT find the one you mentioned in the completed items. I found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vietnam-US...768679?hash=item51d76060e7:g:4F4AAOSwu4BV7JJH

 

[Bionic-Joe]

Or this???


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vietnam-Wa...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[Edward]

Ah, it was large - yeah, that first one. More expensive than I remembered!

(I habitually look for XL, though I have a suspicion given that I don't wear a flying suit, I might actually find a large would fit me in some originals.)

To think I remember the days when friends were buying surplus USAF MA1s off the racks of the local army surplus places for GBP30 a pop.... Course, back then they were fashionable and worn only by skinheads and spides, neither of which I wanted to be! My sole concern about wearing one now would be being taken for a skinhead - less so in the generic sense, moreso the neonazi EDL / Football Lads type which unfortunately still crop up here and there.

 

[Bionic-Joe]

I bought an XL from 1978 exactly Like McQueen's with the vertical stitching...but..it looks like someone washed it...and it looks like it MAY have shrunk... I bought a NOS XL Alpha made in USA yesterday from a guy in Greece on Ebay...should hold me over until I can find a REAL One with the vertical stitching...I would look like a Skin as I have a thick head of shoulder length hair now...plus I usually wore my Old MA-1 when I went flying with My Pop.

 

[Bionic-Joe]

I bought an XL from 1978 exactly Like McQueen's with the vertical stitching...but..it looks like someone washed it...and it looks like it MAY have shrunk... I bought a NOS XL Alpha made in USA yesterday from a guy in Greece on Ebay...should hold me over until I can find a REAL One with the vertical stitching...I would look like a Skin as I have a thick head of shoulder length hair now...plus I usually wore my Old MA-1 when I went flying with My Pop.

I mean I wouldn't Look Like a skinhead.