USAF N-3B parkas - Let's talk about them!!

[Big J]

@Schmauder, you're kidding me, right?

Five minutes on eBay and I can put together a complete set!

Military Airlift Command patch;
https://m.ebay.com/itm/USAF-MILITAR...%3Ac6282f7515e0abc6637a3462ffdb1476%7Ciid%3A1

60th Military Airlift Wing patch;
https://m.ebay.com/itm/U-S-AIR-FORC...%3Ac628d49215e0a9e86a40a433ffdaff67%7Ciid%3A1

86th Mility Airlift Squadron patch;
https://m.ebay.com/itm/86th-Militar...%3Ac629c37a15e0a9e46f603113ffdc72af%7Ciid%3A1

U.S. Air Force woven tape patch;
https://m.ebay.com/itm/U-S-AIR-FORC...%3Ac62a76d315e0a9cc13bf6f1cffe4b12f%7Ciid%3A3

BOOM! Done!

You want me to buy 'em too?

 

[Schmauder]

@Big J: I wouldnt' mind you buying them for me .
I guess my post just wasn't precise enough. The patches itself are found pretty easy, that's correct, but founding the right patches from the mid 1950s isn't that easy.

 

[Big J]

@Schmauder, dude, first you said '50s, 60's, or 70's' and then you said 'to match' with Vietnam. So, I gave you information and links for 60s era patches.

 

[Big J]

For 1950s, you want Military Air Transport service patch.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/Military-air...%3Ac724170d15e0abc2311901abffdad8f8%7Ciid%3A1

513th Troop Carrier Wing patch;
https://m.ebay.com/itm/USAF-MILITAR...%3Ac72884a715e0a861cf759924ffff2152%7Ciid%3A1

And a 346th Troop Carrier Squadron patch;
https://m.ebay.com/itm/346th-TROOP-...%3Ac730317815e0abc21f245be3ffdba8f8%7Ciid%3A2


1950's patches for N-3b DONE!
C'mon dude, this ain't that hard.

 

[Big J]

Damn. Tough crowd tonight!

 

[Doctor Damage]

Damn. Tough crowd tonight!

Schmauder is in Europe so he can patch to his heart's delight and not worry about making a faux pas like an American would wearing an un-earned patched jacket in the U.S. It's odd how N3B coats were never (or rarely) patched. Like you suggested, most were probably issued by quartermasters on an as-needed basis only and were never personalized.

 

[Big J]

@Doctor Damage, yeah, except Schmauder actually came here asking specifically about it, and I answered him, and he got even more specific, and I answered him straight back, and he can't even be bothered to thank me.
Some people hey?

 

[Doctor Damage]

Minot AFB



Thule AFB
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-serve-at-thule-air-base-2014-11



Dover AFB



AF Space Command, wherever that is...

 

[MeachamLake]

I've been wearing the Silvermans N3B I bought this time last year a lot over the last two or three months, though last night it was so mild I went out in my Dustbowl. My N3B was jut a cheapo option to get me through a cold Winter when I was too big for any of my existing overcoats, but it has certainly proved its value and earned its place in my wardrobe long term - not least in November when the weather turned bitter on us in Rye!

Edward, do you still have this Silvermans jacket? It looks like cracking value for money. How does it measure up for size?

EDIT: Crikey, just realised they're on sale for £50. Seems like too good of a deal to miss...https://www.silvermans.co.uk/products/silvermans-n3bs-parka?variant=4839204419

 

[handymike]

Too good to pass up!

 

[Edward]

Edward, do you still have this Silvermans jacket? It looks like cracking value for money. How does it measure up for size?

EDIT: Crikey, just realised they're on sale for £50. Seems like too good of a deal to miss...https://www.silvermans.co.uk/products/silvermans-n3bs-parka?variant=4839204419

Yes, three years later, I'm just getting ready to put it in for a dry clean before Christmas, and to have some buttons sorted. Most of the buttons fell off over the first two years (in retrospect, I should have sewn some extra thread in when I got it). A problem with modern coats and clothes of all sorts and price ranges, I find. Other than that, it has been excellent. The Alpha may be a little better, but for the money these really are superb. No hesitation in recommending it, especially at the reduced price. I'm about a 46 currently, and I wear the biggest size available. It's *just* long enough to cover a blazer.

 

[MeachamLake]

Has anybody ever tried

Yes, three years later, I'm just getting ready to put it in for a dry clean before Christmas, and to have some buttons sorted. Most of the buttons fell off over the first two years (in retrospect, I should have sewn some extra thread in when I got it). A problem with modern coats and clothes of all sorts and price ranges, I find. Other than that, it has been excellent. The Alpha may be a little better, but for the money these really are superb. No hesitation in recommending it, especially at the reduced price. I'm about a 46 currently, and I wear the biggest size available. It's *just* long enough to cover a blazer.

Sounds pretty good for £50. Interesting about the sizing, sounds like it could be pretty trim...are the Alpha jackets any good? They look okay.

Still think getting an original would be cool...just trying to find one in my size and in good condition is not so easy!

 

[handymike]

Mine is a Spiewak from the 90s- never had any issues. It's still going strong.

 

[Edward]

Has anybody ever tried


Sounds pretty good for £50. Interesting about the sizing, sounds like it could be pretty trim...are the Alpha jackets any good? They look okay.

Still think getting an original would be cool...just trying to find one in my size and in good condition is not so easy!

I haven't tried the Alpha for direct comparison; I eventually want a blue one though, so... Not sure if the alpha is warmer. It does have the correct liner, though; mine copies the civilian versions of the 70s with an orange liner. Sone surplus places often have the real thing, typically 80s issue, I think. Agsin, not done a direct comparison, though I have heard it said they can be heavier.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I haven't tried the Alpha for direct comparison; I eventually want a blue one though, so... Not sure if the alpha is warmer. It does have the correct liner, though; mine copies the civilian versions of the 70s with an orange liner. Sone surplus places often have the real thing, typically 80s issue, I think. Agsin, not done a direct comparison, though I have heard it said they can be heavier.

Keep in mind Alpha sells N3B parkas with an orange liner: those are the slim-fit model. The 'classic' fit (i.e. tentlike) version, as you correctly note, has the same colour lining as the shell.

 

[Blacktocomm]

I have owned vintage military N-3b jackets, a Rothco, A Spiewak, that I have all sold. I now have 3 different Alpha jackets. The Rothco, Spiewak and 2 of the Alpha Jackets were all the regular nylon finish jackets.

In my experience the vintage jackets were no longer waterproof and there was no way to make the jacket waterproof again. It would soak through and get cold very easily.

The Rothco was cheap off ebay and kept me warm, probably just as quality as the Alpha jackets. The Spiewak was a good jacket, but I never fell in love with it.

The Alphas I have are a waxed cotton, a nylon regular fit and a nylon slim fit. I find myself wearing the waxed cotton jacket the most of them all with the regular fit second and slim fit least of all. From my experience Alpha is my favorite jacket. Rothco and Spiewak aren't poor quality, but I prefer Alpha to all others I have owned.

 

[MeachamLake]

I have owned vintage military N-3b jackets, a Rothco, A Spiewak, that I have all sold. I now have 3 different Alpha jackets. The Rothco, Spiewak and 2 of the Alpha Jackets were all the regular nylon finish jackets.

In my experience the vintage jackets were no longer waterproof and there was no way to make the jacket waterproof again. It would soak through and get cold very easily.

The Rothco was cheap off ebay and kept me warm, probably just as quality as the Alpha jackets. The Spiewak was a good jacket, but I never fell in love with it.

The Alphas I have are a waxed cotton, a nylon regular fit and a nylon slim fit. I find myself wearing the waxed cotton jacket the most of them all with the regular fit second and slim fit least of all. From my experience Alpha is my favorite jacket. Rothco and Spiewak aren't poor quality, but I prefer Alpha to all others I have owned.

Thanks for the insight, really helpful. I must admit, whilst I’ve now managed to find some original jackets in my size, there is a certain degree of trepidation that comes with buying a jacket from the 60s/70s that may no longer be as functional as I need it to be.

Real McCoys make a superb repro, but there’s no way I can afford one!

I think I will order the Silvermans version, see how that is, and possibly go for an Alpha if that doesn’t work out. Interesting to hear you prefer their jacket over the other brands mentioned - it must be pretty decent! Not bad value for money either.

 

[Edward]

I just wish Alpha would do a line of jackets to original milspec - or at least to the standard of the ones they made in the 1990s Replica Series. I fidn the quality of what they put out now pretty good, overall - just a shame when certain details are "wrong".

FWIW, with the Silvermans jacket, I've been out for an hour at a tme in some fairly heavy rain n it. I wouldn't say it was waterproof (there are other ones they do, in a higher price bracket, which do have a waterproof liner - those are under the GTH brand (a Silverman's house brand), but expect to pay mored for them, around the same price as an Alpha), but mine doescope well with the rain and I certainly haven't eer been spaked through or gotten wet at all under it in those conditions.

Rothco sound interesting; I've neer seen anything in the UK other than their MA1s. Am tempted by their MA1 if I can find one to try one and see in person.

 

[Cocker]

I just wish Alpha would do a line of jackets to original milspec - or at least to the standard of the ones they made in the 1990s Replica Series. I fidn the quality of what they put out now pretty good, overall - just a shame when certain details are "wrong".

Right on spot. The price/build quality of the Alpha is pretty good, but the lack of small accurate details is unnerving to say the least. My L-2 beater is a pretty good windbreaker, but it wouldn't have cost much more to put the correct zipper box tab, by example.

 

[Edward]

I'd say it's a case of lack of market demand, ultimately. What we need is a big Hollywood picture to put the MA1 right up there with the A2, then maybe we'll see more interest in doing it "right" from the big players. I can't think of any other reason whay Alpha especially, as such a big provider of the originals to the USAF, wouldn't bother doing a solid milspec version (though granted I can see where the market for the early, pre-poly filling might be lacking, given it can't be seen and al ot of folks want a lighter weight jacket).