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

[Kestrel452]

Hi y'all.

As far as outer-shell blending goes...what are the most desirable and why? It looks like the modern production N3B's went 100% cotton for some reason. The others I've seen are 50/50 and 80/20 (cotton/nylon).

Based on what I have read, the 100% cotton shells have to be treated with some sort of DWR coating? Thanks!

 

[DougO]

I have just acquired a used 1980s Greenbrier N-3B (80/20 cotton/nylon) to replace my old N-3B (whose zipper broke). Unfortunately, the ruff is in pretty bad shape and I no longer have the old parka/ruff. I am looking to replace the ruff on the new parka with either real fur or a better synthetic fur ruff (which will probably be much more cost effective).

It seems straightforward, but I am having trouble sourcing alternative ruffs or finding companies that will do a good job.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Doctor Damage]

Alpha Replica series (red tag) N3B which someone is selling right now on eBay. It's in NOS condition. I'm sorely tempted, especially since it measures out slimmer than the regular models (which are absurdly wide-bodied) but the price is a bit much for me.

 

[Cornelius]

Hi y'all.

As far as outer-shell blending goes...what are the most desirable and why? It looks like the modern production N3B's went 100% cotton for some reason. The others I've seen are 50/50 and 80/20 (cotton/nylon).

Based on what I have read, the 100% cotton shells have to be treated with some sort of DWR coating? Thanks!

For the me, the blended shells which have a heavier ratio of cotton than nylon are the only ones to get - as I believe I mentioned in an earlier post, the all-or-mostly nylon shells will have holes burnt in them by sparks from open flames.

Perhaps not a concern for most, but in the coldest Great Lakes winters here I'll end up at a bonfire party full of friends trying to purge cabin fever at least twice a season. Not a great place for flammable synthetics... I suppose this might also be an issue worth considering for ice fisherman [hut heaters] & smokers.

 

[Doctor Damage]

For the me, the blended shells which have a heavier ratio of cotton than nylon are the only ones to get - as I believe I mentioned in an earlier post, the all-or-mostly nylon shells will have holes burnt in them by sparks from open flames.

Perhaps not a concern for most, but in the coldest Great Lakes winters here I'll end up at a bonfire party full of friends trying to purge cabin fever at least twice a season. Not a great place for flammable synthetics... I suppose this might also be an issue worth considering for ice fisherman [hut heaters] & smokers.

hahaha yeah, the nylon has never made sense for aircrew... in a fire it would melt onto your skin, the only saving grace on the old jackets was the knits and insulation were wool which wouldn't melt... anyways hence the switch nomex to nomex by the USAF as soon as it was available

 

[Doctor Damage]

it appears many of the photos I posted in this thread have now vanished since I used a third-party hosting service... will do my best to re-post a bunch of them

 

[Doctor Damage]

it appears many of the photos I posted in this thread have now vanished since I used a third-party hosting service... will do my best to re-post a bunch of them

all right gentlemen, time for some Parka Porn, grab your box of kleenex and let's get started

 

[Doctor Damage]

Jimmy Stewart wore a blue N3A in the film "Strategic Air Command" (good film for strategic bomber and blue nylon porn, so find a copy and watch it)

 

[Doctor Damage]

this photo of an N3A illustrates well how wide these parkas are

 

[Doctor Damage]

USAF security (did they call them MPs?) on a base somewhere guarding planes

 

[Doctor Damage]

some official info (I got these off the USAF site, as I recall)

 

[Doctor Damage]

some politicians in modern N3B parkas

 

[Doctor Damage]

N3B + Gucci

 

[Doctor Damage]

properly cold weather

 

[Doctor Damage]

the following photos in this post and the next post are from USAF cold weather training courses, as I recall... note how the fur ruff around the hood gets matted down with extended use (these are parkas that are borrowed for the course, obviously)

 

[Doctor Damage]

last bunch of photos



this last photo (below) is kind of amusing: the guy on the right wearing only a 45/P jacket which aren't very warm!

 

[Peacoat]

Good pics Doc, thanks for taking the time.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

I'm wondering if anyone has a pattern for the hood or maybe a spare hood? I have a nice brand new parka (Canadian Military) that I scored but it was missing the detachable hood itself.

 

[HPA Rep]

Jimmy Stewart wore a blue N3A in the film "Strategic Air Command" (good film for strategic bomber and blue nylon porn, so find a copy and watch it)

View attachment 200465 View attachment 200467 View attachment 200468

Not just an N-3A, but a very early example that utilized the coyote/wolf hood trim and brown sheep wool in the hood; the rest of the cast in the color photo wear the typical N-3A's.

 

[HPA Rep]

USAF security (did they call them MPs?) on a base somewhere guarding planes

AP's.