So Here's What You've Done To Me

[AbbaDatDeHat]

“The greatest thing i ever did in my life”...thor
500000 people...9 hours
Thank you

 

[Peacoat]

If you guys are interested in the maritime evacuation of Manhattan on 9/11, the best video documentary is probably “Boatlift 9/11”, narrarated by Tom Hanks (it’s on YouTube). It’s only 17 minutes long but it’s VERY informative and covers all the details (and I am indeed one of the captains interviewed).

I was also profiled in the History Channel 9/11 documentary “Fifteen September’s Later” (filmed for the 15th anniversary of 9/11).

And the book that was mentioned is titled “Dust to Deliverance” by Jessica DuLong. I’m interviewed in that book as well.

Thank you gentlemen for your interest in this seminal event.

Good for you, Senior Chief. I am proud of you.

 

[EmergencyIan]

If you guys are interested in the maritime evacuation of Manhattan on 9/11, the best video documentary is probably “Boatlift 9/11”, narrarated by Tom Hanks (it’s on YouTube). It’s only 17 minutes long but it’s VERY informative and covers all the details (and I am indeed one of the captains interviewed).

I was also profiled in the History Channel 9/11 documentary “Fifteen September’s Later” (filmed for the 15th anniversary of 9/11).

And the book that was mentioned is titled “Dust to Deliverance” by Jessica DuLong. I’m interviewed in that book as well.

Thank you gentlemen for your interest in this seminal event.

So great and it still gives me chills. Whew.

Thanks, Thor.

- Ian

 

[Peacoat]

And here is a screen shot of our own 4 striper back in the days of 9/11. Good job Captain Thor.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Thor..I even shed a few tears during that Tom Hanks clip. It was great to see a fellow member here on film and involved in something so valiant. I think now many of us feel closer to a member named Thor.

 

[thor]

Wow, thanks guys! I really appreciate all the kind words.
But I must apologize to @Stlawrence for the ultimate thread hijack!

I think his post was spot on for most of us and that over time we learn a lot about leather jackets but we come to TFL for more than just esoteric information; this place becomes a kind of happy refuge from some of the day to day nonsense and craziness we all see in life and on the news or on the internet.

I’m glad to be a member here and to share in our love for leather jackets, vintage clothing, etc. but also to be amongst a group of individuals from all walks of life with whom we share details and bits and pieces of our own lives and who slowly form a unique and lasting fellowship.

 

[Stlawrence]

Wow, thanks guys! I really appreciate all the kind words.
But I must apologize to @Stlawrence for the ultimate thread hijack!

Are you kidding, Thor? That's like being hijacked by Derek Jeter - it's just an honor being there.

Thank God you were there on 9/11, Thor. We live in upstate and rarely get to the City, but I'd love to tip a pint with you sometime. (And you can help convince my wife that I absolutely need that G-1 jacket.)

 

[Edward]

Bravo that man. (And additional respect for how modest you've been about it - there are many around would have milked that for their own ends.)

As to OP.... Have you considered an ANJ3 as a compromise piece? Basically the same jacket, but with a leather collar by design, so it's all historically accurate....

 

[Fanch]

I continue to spend too much time on watch forums while I neglect this one. To the op: Welcome to the Lounge. AND I always knew Thor is a special person, but WOW!

Regarding the issue(s) of the original thread, people either love or hate the fur collar on the G-1, your wife's position being the latter. My personal hates are anything other than genuine mouton and removable fur collars. Anyhow, my advice: Don't buy a jacket with a fur collar. @Edward made the best suggestion to go with an AN-J-3 that combines the best features of the G-1 and A-2, and should have been the current issue military jacket for all of the US Armed Forces since its inception.

When my G-1 was issued to me in 1967 while I was in the US Navy, I recall asking the guy who gave it to me why it had a fur collar and was told the concept of everything about the jacket was related to the possibility of having to get out of the cockpit of an airplane that was over water. Hence the gusseted underarms, bi-swing back, single rib rack waist knits, fur collar, goatskin leather, polyester lining, etc.

Again, welcome to the Lounge.

 

[Stlawrence]

Great idea, guys, and thanks. Let me see if I can find an ANJ3. Alternately, Gibson Barnes has an F-82, that appears to be a hybrid between the A-2 and G-1. I really don't like, though, that they used the external wind flap of the A-2, rather than the, in my mind, more functional internal flap of the G-1.

Also, CockpitUSA has the G-1 with removable collar and the Forrestal with a leather collar.

What are your opinions of those three options?

Thanks for the input. This website is a true resource for the OCD among us, searching for the ultimate jacket, hat, etc, and it's all of you who provide the value.

 

[Fanch]

Gibson & Barnes used to make an AN-J-3 which I ordered on one occasion but passed since their 42T (42 long) was sized BIG and fit more like a 46 long. Subsequently, G&B discontinued their version of the AN-J-3 due to lack of interest over their A-2 and G-1 models. Personally I am unimpressed with the G&B F-82 and would also take a pass on Cockpit USA although their jackets are well made. If you ever make a trip to San Diego, it would be well worth taking the San Diego Trolley to the G&B factory in El Cajon.

If I were to go with an AN-J-3 I would probably order an Aero ANJ3 through Carrie at Thurston Brothers in Seattle but keep in mind that Aero appears to size their ANJ3 small, and Thurston likes their jackets fitted very snugly. Regarding whatever you order, keep in mind that fit trumps everything else.

 

[Xopher]

Oh god this strikes home. It all started for me with a 1970s G-1 Sears knock off that was gifted to me. I was thrilled, untill I wanted a B-6 for a winter jacket, the point of no return when it has to be "Authentic".

Be careful, it is a slippery slippery slope. A cycle hard to break. I am actually planning on selling all but 3 or so of my jackets because I realized that the persuite of the "one" is like gambling with thousand dollar scratch off tickets.

Thus began my fall down the rabbithole, in this order

Sears G1
1940 Sears Herculese
Wilson generic flight jacket
US Authentic A2 that I sold
Steve McColgan A2
Vietnam no name G1
Gordon Furguson M422a
ELC B6
Original Perry Sportswear B3
ELC RW B3
Spearhead Thunderbird Field
Spearhead Tanker with Fury patches
1960 Green mechanic Jacket
My Baby Jo Railroad Stripe Dock Jacket
Pike Bros N1
2 Wool WW2 OD 3/4 lenght coats
1960s California Sportswear Suede
1970s Wool German Service Coat
1980s Grey Mechanic Jacket
BK Duke

And countless others that I cant even remember.

Damn my need for authenticity

 

[Stlawrence]

Whoa. Thurston is just too rich for my blood. I'm a poor farmer.

A couple of weeks ago I corresponded with G&B about their civilian version of the G-1. They told me that they were made at the G&B factory in Mexico. I got the idea that all their jackets are made now in Mexico, but I could be wrong on that.

 

[Flightengineer]

Thor, my respect, Captain!

 

[nick123]

Whoa. Thurston is just too rich for my blood. I'm a poor farmer.

A couple of weeks ago I corresponded with G&B about their civilian version of the G-1. They told me that they were made at the G&B factory in Mexico. I got the idea that all their jackets are made now in Mexico, but I could be wrong on that.

I have read that too. I was not impressed with a second A-2 I’d ordered from them 3-4 years ago. At that point it seemed like they had changed their pattern. No confirmation but others have expressed similar impressions. They have always ran big; 1-2 sizes big, but always looked pretty good when you could get your size down. The second A-2 I’d tried on was just off.
Always good customer service with them, but I would only order used now guaranteed the jackets were made at least 5 years ago, just to be safe. If I’d been smart I would have ordered several more before they started downsizing their catalogue. Their “Raider” was one of the coolest jackets I’ve ever tried on.

 

[Edward]

If I were to go with an AN-J-3 I would probably order an Aero ANJ3 through Carrie at Thurston Brothers in Seattle but keep in mind that Aero appears to size their ANJ3 small, and Thurston likes their jackets fitted very snugly. Regarding whatever you order, keep in mind that fit trumps everything else.

I would say the Aero would be the best choice out there, if you want quality and authenticity along with reasonable availability and not the most extreme price bracket of all the repro makers. I briefly owned an Aero ANJ3 I bought on eBay some years ago before selling on to another Flounger; I'd still have it but for the fact that it was just too small. They definitely run snug - just like an M442a / AN6552 (which it essentially is, just with a different colour of lining and a leather collar). Wearing a 44, sometimes a 42, in an A2, I'd need a 46 in one of these. I you go that route, though, Aero and/or Thurston can advise. IMO, when it comes to the G1 types (and by extension the Anj3), slightly bigger than you'd wear an A2 is all good; whereas WW2 A2 fits were all over the place, based on all the photos I've ever seen, the USN boys liked their jackets a little looser. Not 80s-fit loose, but still noticeable.

These certainly aren't cheap, though if you want accuracy the ANJ3 is a rare birdy in repro stakes (much like a lot of other jackets that have never had Hollywood backing or a sexy war to sell them). If you're prepared to settle for something in that general look, but not exact, something like the Schott 184sm (the Dynall collar is removable) might be an option - https://davesnewyork.com/schott-184sm-brn.html. Not exactly cheap, but plenty available used. Then there's the GTH A3 (Silvermans UK's own brand version of something very similar to the SChott, again, with a removable collar) - https://www.silvermans.co.uk/collections/clothing/products/gth-a3-brown-leather-jacket. Currently down from GBP250 to GBP175 (just over USD240). (https://www.silvermans.co.uk/collections/clothing/products/gth-a3-brown-leather-jacket) - or you could just buy their own-brand G1 (https://www.silvermans.co.uk/collections/clothing/products/gth-g1-leather-flight-jkt-mk2), which won't be as nice as the Aero, but at £199 is a very respectable take on the current issue G1, and if the wife complains about the "woolly collar", just shoe her the prce of the Aero ANJ3 and explain ho much you saved by not having a "nice leather one".

 

[Stlawrence]

Very good tips, Edward. Funny about the suggestion to show my wife how much money I saved buying a Silverman.

When I travel for work, I take an appropriate amount of cash, based on the per diem. I live on the cheap - I mean, really on the cheap - and always have cash left over at the end of the trip. I hide that cash in my sock drawer, and when I have enough, I can make a purchase my wife doesn't have to know about, like a fishing rod, new shotgun, G-1 jacket.

Well, one day my wife got ambitious and, at the same time, disgusted with my side of the closet, and decided to straighten my closet and chest of drawers for me. So, I'm downstairs watching the Yankees or something, and here she comes holding out my sock stuffed full of cash. "Honey?," she said, "I just found five hundred dollars in your sock drawer. Where did it come from?"

I knew exactly where it came from. I had been saving per diem, eating damned tuna fish out of a can for months, to get that much. It was destined for a new fly rod, if I remember correctly. I could see my life flashing before my eyes. If my wife figured out my scheme of amassing cash, she'd just cut the amount of cash I could draw out of the bank for my trips.

Ever the fast thinker, I immediately replied, "Huh?" That's usually a definitive enough answer, but this time she wouldn't let me get away with it. "Where did you get so much cash?"

"Oh, that," I said, trying to look calm while I saw my fly rod going down the tubes. "I saved that from my last trip so I could get you a surprise for Christmas."

"That's so sweet of you. " she said with a smile. "But you don't need to do that. I'll just deposit this back into the farm account."

 

[Peacoat]

Ouch.

 

[Fanch]

I would say the Aero would be the best choice out there, if you want quality and authenticity along with reasonable availability and not the most extreme price bracket of all the repro makers. I briefly owned an Aero ANJ3 I bought on eBay some years ago before selling on to another Flounger; I'd still have it but for the fact that it was just too small. They definitely run snug - just like an M442a / AN6552 (which it essentially is, just with a different colour of lining and a leather collar). Wearing a 44, sometimes a 42, in an A2, I'd need a 46 in one of these. I you go that route, though, Aero and/or Thurston can advise. IMO, when it comes to the G1 types (and by extension the Anj3), slightly bigger than you'd wear an A2 is all good; whereas WW2 A2 fits were all over the place, based on all the photos I've ever seen, the USN boys liked their jackets a little looser. Not 80s-fit loose, but still noticeable.

This paragraph pretty much reflects my thinking on potential acquisition of a G-1 / M442a / AN6552, and reflects why I would likely buy an Aero IF I were to buy a jacket of this type. John Chapman (Good Wear Leather) makes an incredibly accurate reproduction of military jackets but at a higher price and minimum of 2-3 years' wait time. This is why @Edward said "Aero would be the best choice out there, if you want quality and authenticity along with reasonable availability and not the most extreme price bracket of all the repro makers." He expressed my sentiment far better than I could have done.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Very good tips, Edward. Funny about the suggestion to show my wife how much money I saved buying a Silverman.

When I travel for work, I take an appropriate amount of cash, based on the per diem. I live on the cheap - I mean, really on the cheap - and always have cash left over at the end of the trip. I hide that cash in my sock drawer, and when I have enough, I can make a purchase my wife doesn't have to know about, like a fishing rod, new shotgun, G-1 jacket.

Well, one day my wife got ambitious and, at the same time, disgusted with my side of the closet, and decided to straighten my closet and chest of drawers for me. So, I'm downstairs watching the Yankees or something, and here she comes holding out my sock stuffed full of cash. "Honey?," she said, "I just found five hundred dollars in your sock drawer. Where did it come from?"

I knew exactly where it came from. I had been saving per diem, eating damned tuna fish out of a can for months, to get that much. It was destined for a new fly rod, if I remember correctly. I could see my life flashing before my eyes. If my wife figured out my scheme of amassing cash, she'd just cut the amount of cash I could draw out of the bank for my trips.

Ever the fast thinker, I immediately replied, "Huh?" That's usually a definitive enough answer, but this time she wouldn't let me get away with it. "Where did you get so much cash?"

"Oh, that," I said, trying to look calm while I saw my fly rod going down the tubes. "I saved that from my last trip so I could get you a surprise for Christmas."

"That's so sweet of you. " she said with a smile. "But you don't need to do that. I'll just deposit this back into the farm account."

StL: great story...bad ending!! Don’t give up, you gotta stash it in the garage in an old grimy can. They NEVER “organize” a garage and never ever grimy stuff. Experience here!
Gotta know...what specific flyrod, 5 bills, gotta be a good one?
Bowen