NASA late sixties jacket

[Art56B3]

Hi!

I was bitten by the "nowcollectjacketsson" bug some 4 years ago. Been learning and reading here on the forum, but now it is about time for a first post.
Got this jacket last month; an original, circa 1968 NASA jacket. It is an XL size, perfect condition jacket. Due to it's historical value I will not wear this one...don't want coffee all over it... Provenance is known, but I promised the seller to not mention the name. He got it as a 9 year old neighbour kid...
I like to learn more about it, so please let me know what you think!

 

[ButteMT61]

View attachment 64392 View attachment 64393 Hi!

I was bitten by the "nowcollectjacketsson" bug some 4 years ago. Been learning and reading here on the forum, but now it is about time for a first post.
Got this jacket last month; an original, circa 1968 NASA jacket. It is an XL size, perfect condition jacket. Due to it's historical value I will not wear this one...don't want coffee all over it... Provenance is known, but I promised the seller to not mention the name. He got it as a 9 year old neighbour kid...
I like to learn more about it, so please let me know what you think!

What do I think? Sell it to me please???

 

[Dickie Teenie]

I was a 9 year old in 1968 and believe me NASA was the *%&#!

 

[Xopher]

My grandfather had one of those. He was the Head of Propulsion at NASA and designed the conical rocket engine that was used on every launch up into the space shuttle. Worked with Jimmy Doolittle when it was still NACA and also worked on the Manhattan Project. Unfortunately the jacket was lost years ago but we still have his pin and tie tacks.

 

[wdw]

I find the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo period fascinating and have lots of books, biographies, and dvds of that time. I even have a maintenance manual for the LM, should it ever break down. Visiting Cape Canaveral was a great experience, especially seeing so much that I'd read about.

The astronauts and all those who supported them did a phenomenal job.

 

[Xopher]

My grandfather said that whole early period really was like space Cowboys they were experimenting with everything, they accidently blew up the lab when they were testing fluorine gas. It was so cool as a kid, he would take me to lunch with all his retired NASA friends. They were the suavest, martini drinkingest, dry humor jokingest, old fellas I ever knew.

 

[ButteMT61]

I'm a 60's kid too - space was the thing! I met John Glenn a few years back here in Pasadena at his book signing and will never forget it. What an amazing person - and his wife as well. They really don't make 'em like that any more. This era was a great time to grow up in. That jacket I'd buy in a heartbeat!!!

 

[wdw]

Every one of the participants had a story to tell, but I find Gene Krantz to be one of the most inspirational and awe inspiring, especially after reading his book. To go from being a fighter pilot (impressive in itself) to basically making up the procedures for space flight and the landings, doing what no man had done before, it just blows my mind thinking about it.

And then of course what him and his team did on Apollo 13, not to mention what the guys up there must have been going through. Unbelievable.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Looks like it was based on the WWII tanker jacket.

 

[Dickie Teenie]

I'm a 60's kid too - space was the thing! I met John Glenn a few years back here in Pasadena at his book signing and will never forget it. What an amazing person - and his wife as well. They really don't make 'em like that any more. This era was a great time to grow up in. That jacket I'd buy in a heartbeat!!!

 

[SkyTurtle]

Great jacket you have there. I spent some time collecting way back when I was flying, mostly A-2s, though. As best as my old eyes can tell, that's a Type 4 meatball patch. Though never flown (like variants with a white-bordered meatball), this patch was worn on post-flight suits and jackets by some Apollo astronauts and ground crews. If you have documentation connecting it to a specific astronaut or crew it could bring a couple hundred bucks in auctions. Nice piece of history either way as it looks authentic and not repro.

 

[nick123]

L-2B?

 

[Stearmen]

For those of you that want a replica, here you go! http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/museum-grade-replica-apollo-era-nasa-flight-jacket.75262/

 

[Graemsay]

That'll be the Simmons Bilt NASA jacket these days.

The original looks cool. The SB looks a bit darker in the photo. It might be fun in a blue suede.

 

[Tommy-VF51]

View attachment 64392 View attachment 64393 Hi!

I was bitten by the "nowcollectjacketsson" bug some 4 years ago. Been learning and reading here on the forum, but now it is about time for a first post.
Got this jacket last month; an original, circa 1968 NASA jacket. It is an XL size, perfect condition jacket. Due to it's historical value I will not wear this one...don't want coffee all over it... Provenance is known, but I promised the seller to not mention the name. He got it as a 9 year old neighbour kid...
I like to learn more about it, so please let me know what you think!

 

[ButteMT61]

For those of you that want a replica, here you go! http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/museum-grade-replica-apollo-era-nasa-flight-jacket.75262/

Um when this happens...

 

[Stearmen]

Um when this happens...

That went over my head?

 

[Art56B3]

Great jacket you have there. I spent some time collecting way back when I was flying, mostly A-2s, though. As best as my old eyes can tell, that's a Type 4 meatball patch. Though never flown (like variants with a white-bordered meatball), this patch was worn on post-flight suits and jackets by some Apollo astronauts and ground crews. If you have documentation connecting it to a specific astronaut or crew it could bring a couple hundred bucks in auctions. Nice piece of history either way as it looks authentic and not repro.

Thanks! I got about ten pictures of the testpilot; a couple of him wearing the jacket. Also of the seller and the pilot together;the pilot wearing this jacket.. It is very well made, heavier than I thought. I had looked at the replica;s that are now sold out. It is a very rare type of jacket. A nice painted A-2 is easier to acquire I believe...

 

[Art56B3]

L-2B?

Yes; the design is the same. Only materials differ I guess..

 

[ButteMT61]

That went over my head?

The makers of that repop - AL - not fondly thought of here. I'd never give them a dime of my money for anything, let alone something almost sacred like that!