Recent content by Doctor Strange

US Authentic still offers (several) horsehide versions. You have to choose "Custom" to see the choices, and pay two additional charges. I tried to look at Schott's site, but it's not responding. They're probably overwhelmed with traffic: there was a feature about Schott on CBS Saturday...

I've got an ATF summer M-41, and I love it! It's a great warm-weather jacket. Alas, I haven't worn it enough to wash it, so I can't speak to that question. And as far as sizing, their XL (I'd previously gotten one of their tankers in an XL) is pretty good for me... though I had to have the...

I had one almost identical that I bought in downtown NYC in about 1983. The only difference was that mine had a white pile lining rather than the quilted one in yours. The day I bought it, there were two variations available in the store, both in either brown or black: fur collar with pile...

The pocket flaps don't look like a G&B to me. My G&B (admittedly, made back in 2001) has a lot more curve on the flaps, not the V-shape seen on contemporary US Wings/Schott/Legendary/Cockpit/etc. models.

BTW - Cockpit's M-43 Field Jacket I recently got a Cockpit M-43 repro, and I was thrilled that they offered it in black, 'cause OD isn't really my thing. I like the jacket, but it's an awfully inaccurate reproduction: the fabric seems too thin, it isn't fully lined (and it's got images/text...

I've had a lambskin Wested Raiders for a decade. It's my "summer" leather when the wool knits on my other jackets become too hot - besides the open wrists and bottom, the thin lambskin and all-cotton lining make it wearable well up into the 70s. And because it was custom-made to my size (for a...

It's Gene Barry in War of the Worlds from 1953!

Despite having been interested in this stuff for over a decade, I have had very limited funds to throw at it, and only have a couple of "good" jackets. In current rotation... Good Wear Dubow 27798 (russet HH) Alpha MA-1 (current model, "gunmetal" gray) Gibson & Barnes Historical M-422A Gibson...

FYI, I got my son a current-model Alpha N-3B a couple of years ago... and its (faux) fur collar is removable. It snaps right off, leaving just the deep snorkel hood with plain edges (well, it's still got some snaps on it). Sure, it's not at the level of build quality of vintage ones or classy...

I had one of their standard B-15s for five years. I am not expert enough to comment on its qualities as a repro, but it was an excellent winter jacket: very warm for its weight and pretty decently made. I hated the removable faux-fur collar in theory, but have to admit that it was never a...

Keep in mind that sizing on Bradley A-2s run small. I'd say at least a full size below the "average" marked size. Back in 2001 I got one for my dad. He couldn't even zip the first one which was his supposedly normal size of 42, and we had to exchange it for a 44. Frankly, I think this 44 is...

Don't write off US Authentic. Their goatskin model is a steal at only $314, and its cotton lining and wool knits are much nicer than the synthetics on the newer-spec jackets. Sure, they aren't all that "authentic" and their sizing is a little weird (trim but long), but if that works for you...

Check out US Wings "black label" jackets: http://www.uswings.com/ta2.asp

Wool felt is generally a little hairier and scratchier than fur felt, though there's a wide range in the quality of finishes on both kinds of felt. You didn't mention if you were talking new or used. In terms of new, any hat that costs under $80 or so will be wool felt - with the significant...

I got one of those from US Wings a few years ago when they were still sold under the Avirex name, for my teen son, who was a major Stargate: SG-1 fan at the time. I can't compare them to originals (I've never seen one), but I always thought it was a nicely made jacket, pretty warm for its light...