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Three G-1's, a mini review.

TXFlyGuy

Practically Family
Messages
970
Location
Texas
Thought some good photos of each jacket might be in order...

The USWings Signature G-1:

IMG_0088.JPG IMG_0089.JPG IMG_0090.JPG IMG_0091.jpg IMG_0092.jpg IMG_0093.jpg
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
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1,012
Location
Kentucky
Nice! But I actually prefer the smaller collar of the Cockpit jacket. All of the issue jackets I've had came with fairly modest collars and the big luxurious ones seem a little off to my eye.

Marv, that's very interesting. Maybe I need to find me an old LW!



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TXFlyGuy

Practically Family
Messages
970
Location
Texas
Nice! But I actually prefer the smaller collar of the Cockpit jacket. All of the issue jackets I've had came with fairly modest collars and the big luxurious ones seem a little off to my eye.

Yes, I agree 100%. The difference in size is small, but the Cockpit collar does look better. Is this the actual G-1 issue now?
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
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1,012
Location
Kentucky
Well, my Pharr was issued to me in 2004 and had a collar about the same size as the cockpit...maybe even a tiny bit smaller. My original '90 issue was small as well.

Even the '73 I picked up on the Bay was fairly small, and that in the age of the "Elvis Collar" on the BDUs.


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TXFlyGuy

Practically Family
Messages
970
Location
Texas
With regards to collars, the San Diego Leather Co. makes G-1's with real smallish collars. At least they look small in the pictures. Made in San Diego, thought about ordering one from them, goatskin, real mouton fur collar. Would have had I known that they made them in black...that is why I have the Alpha G-1 (black). Could have saved some $$$ also. Before any purists (and you know who you are) start screaming, this is not a hyper accurate repro...

San Diego G-1.jpg
 
Last edited:

Darkjedi007

New in Town
Messages
14
Location
Tampa, FL
Hey guys. Sorry about reviving an old thread... I'm interested in some additional measurements for the Cockpit G-1 and the US Wings Signature Series G-1 if anyone can help. Specifically, how wide is the action back at the half-belt?

I've been looking at pics and the USW G-1 looks like it tapers more than the Cockpit. I pulled out my '91 Cooper (size 46; issued in '93), and the action back measures 18" at the half-belt. Then I pulled out my USW G-1 (non-signature series, size XXL), and it measures 16"! Baffled by this, I'm now curious how Cockpit and the Signature Series fare.
 

the loco

One of the Regulars
Messages
142
Location
Montreal
I really like the fitted pattern of the USN mil-spec Cockpit G-1, but the sleeves are around 27" in #40 which is around 1 1/2 " too long for me.

Not sure which effect it will make, wrinkled sleeves or maybe the tunnel with the wrist bands. Are wrinkled sleeves mil-spec authentic for a G-1?
 

TXFlyGuy

Practically Family
Messages
970
Location
Texas
I really like the fitted pattern of the USN mil-spec Cockpit G-1, but the sleeves are around 27" in #40 which is around 1 1/2 " too long for me.

Not sure which effect it will make, wrinkled sleeves or maybe the tunnel with the wrist bands. Are wrinkled sleeves mil-spec authentic for a G-1?

The Cockpit G-1 has cuffs that are looooong. Too long for my taste. But it is what it is. Other than that, great jacket!
 

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
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3,111
Location
UK
I've certainly had quite a few leather & nylon jacket sleeves professionally shortened in the past including G-1 :)
 

Peter 1956

One of the Regulars
Messages
115
Location
UK
Hi

Newbie on here. I am no expert on G1s but do own several current and vintage originals. Re the USW model. They claim that they supply to the USCG which by the looks of the photos on the net is true. I presume the USCG buy them as a local purchase and not part of the contract from the DOD as the test of the standard G1s are from Excelled. The spec on the USW G1 is different to the current issue . I e fur collar, goatskin and the one piece leather fitting at the bottom where the knots join the zipper.

How do the USW sizing compare to the current issue DSCP Excelled? I am a 40 R Do the USW run big?
Cheers
Peter
 

Doctor Damage

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,324
Location
Ontario
Not sure which effect it will make, wrinkled sleeves or maybe the tunnel with the wrist bands. Are wrinkled sleeves mil-spec authentic for a G-1?
If there's no wrinkles when your arms are hanging down at your sides, that means the sleeves will be too short when you raise your arms to reach for something, like aircraft controls.

I'm pretty sure 27" sleeves on a size 40 means you've probably got a size 40Long.
 

Fanch

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,490
Location
Texas
Scott, the measurements of your latest acquisition are almost identical to a size 46 Cooper G-1 that has been sitting in my closet unworn for quite awhile since it is even bigger than the Aero A-2 Bronco you bought from me way back when. Amazing how I sized myself two sizes too big when I first became engaged in this hobby. :p
 

Marv

A-List Customer
Messages
442
Location
England
My advice would be, measure a jacket that fits you well concentrating on the front pit to pit, shoulder width, back length measurements then try to find an original G1, more chance of getting one from the late 60's early 70's than an earlier model and these can be picked up at a good price.
I picked up two in the last few months, a 1971 Brill Bros (goat) and a 1977 Ralph Edwards (steer) both in a size 46" reg which fit great and I didn't pay more that $150 for either.
They both have tons of wear left in them, already broken in plus you are wearing a vintage contract issued jacket as opposed to a expensive repro.

Key areas to watch out for, red rot on the goatskin which is a no no, teeth missing on the #10 zipper also that the male end of connector has no come away from the zipper tape as this will end up in a replacement zipper, knits are in decent condition.

Just my opinions but this has helped my out when looking to buy a used vintage G1.
 

the loco

One of the Regulars
Messages
142
Location
Montreal
If there's no wrinkles when your arms are hanging down at your sides, that means the sleeves will be too short when you raise your arms to reach for something, like aircraft controls.

I'm pretty sure 27" sleeves on a size 40 means you've probably got a size 40Long.

I only checked the dimensions from the Rakuten web site, the pics would also suggest the mil-spec G-1 has a bit long sleeves:

cuj080603108_2.jpg


However, I think USN pilots don't use anymore the G-1 for flying.

The G-1 is one of my favorite styles, hopefully will get this one at some point.
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
Messages
1,012
Location
Kentucky
The Cooper I had issued in the 90s had modest sleeves. My 2004 Pharr sleeves are decidedly longer and a late 90s Cooper is longer still.

Significantly, I was a smaller size in my Lieutenant jacket than in my Lt Colonel jacket. So, I don't think that sleeve length is a matter of "spec" or "non-spec". Rather, sleeve length is pretty commensurate with jacket size. In other words, as a size 44 skinny(ish) kid, the jacket size matched my sleeves. But when I got older and beefier (perhaps 5-7 lbs difference) I needed a jacket sized for my shoulders (48) that as a consequence came with longer sleeves.

As such, I think a lot of how long the sleeves are in a given G-1 has a lot more to do with whether you are slight of frame or have some meat on you.


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