Early CWU-36/P...CWU-17/P

[havocpaul]

I had been after a nice early CWU-36 jacket and just got this example off eBay, dated 5 September 1973 and being the pre-36/P type 17/P although no type name appears on the label. It has the inside pocket for the rescue item but that is not present. Nice Captain's plastic covered insignia and 512TFS written on the label; that group were flying Phantoms out of Ramstein in Germany from 1975 so I figure that's where this jacket was stationed. My only gripe with the seller (and I have mailed him about it) is he failed to note there were stitch marks from a removed velcro or name tag on the left chest area. Can I ask the nylon experts here should I replace with velcro to cover those marks as I am sure it would have had velcro attached, I have similar sized black velcro spare that could be attached. These jackets feel and look great especially the vented back. Pics here I took today:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/havocpaul/?saved=1

 

[ghq1]

Jacket's a beauty but those CARTOON VIGNETTES are fantastic . . .

I enjoyed:

a) wartime fit
b) first A-2
and c) porn like everyone else . . .

WELL DONE!

 

[greyhound52]

Paul,
I would replace it to make it look better. Hey is this the CWU-45 (Cold weather) vice the CWU-36 summer weight? You are right the pleats in the back make it look and feel better. I have a 1977 issued CWU-45 and CWU-36 as well as a mint 1980 CWU-36 that still has the pleats.

 

[havocpaul]

The seller has promised to send me a replacement velcro patch to cover the holes, he apologised for not mentioning it in the listing so hopefully I can easily fix it. I do have some black velcro myself but wasn't sure if it has to be green for the name patch? This is the winter weight jacket which I have always preferred, they have good weight and hang well on the body plus the windflap too. It is a perfect fit and should be a good wearer for autumn/winter. I am hoping to find a 512TFS period patch. The knits are excellent with no knots or mothing. At the recent Duxford show a stall was selling a large selection of original MA-1's and CWU jackets but were expensive especially the early versions.

 

[marco77]

I was about post something about cwu flight jacket when I see this one . I see in Sasuga book on flight jacket that cwu 36 and 45 appear during 70's . So , my question is :

Is cwu 36 and 45 flight jacket were used during Vietnam aerial operations ?

Marco

 

[havocpaul]

I always assumed they came into use just after the end of the Vietnam War, maybe there was a small cross-over period as operations were winding down but I haven't seen any evidence.

 

[dilbert]

Question- here is a line from your post:

"being the pre-36/P type 17/P although no type name appears on the label. It has the inside pocket for the rescue item but that is not present."

I have read about the inside pocket on the early jackets and have seen a photo of what is described as an attachment pocket on a jacket listed on Ebay. I have read that the pocket was detachable and apparently held in by velcro (?). You describe in your post the inside pocket for the rescue item.

Can you tell me what the pocket is all about? What was its purpose? Was it in fact detachable? Velcro attachments? Why detachable- what was the advantage of detachment? What was the rescue item carried in the pocket? Any idea why it was done away with?

I have an older CWU-36 with the pleats, but it was made after the inside pocket was deleted and I haven't been able to find out just what the pocket was or what was carried in them. I think the CWU series of jackets are very attractive and the earlier, pleated jackets are my favorites.

Many thanks for any help on this.

 

[watchmanjimg]

The pocket held a signal marker flag. As far as I know the CWU-36 did not use this feature, which explains why yours doesn't have it.

 

[dilbert]

I really don't mean to be a pest, but can you describe a signal marker flag. I assume this is a rescue item, but am having trouble imagining what it could be. Was it, in fact, a flag, and if so how large?

I flew in the Navy in the 60's and we had signal dye markers, shark chaser and strobe lights attached to our Mae Wests, and a signal mirror and whistle, but no flags.

Many thanks.

 

[havocpaul]

John Chapman has one of these jackets on his essential Flight jacket cd's and has a photo showing the pocket with a bright red/orange handkerchief-like flag hanging out. As the pocket is small (actually is perfect for holding a mobile phone!) it won't be a very large item. The pocket is indeed attached by velcro on the lower left inside area. I couldn't find any other image on the net to help with size of the flag. I currently have my jacket for sale on eBay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :MESELX:IT

 

[watchmanjimg]

That was quick! Have you tired of it so soon?

 

[havocpaul]

No, as is often the case with this addiction, another opportunity to get a jacket came by and am trying to raise more funds...no interest however so far but a multitude of watchers as is the norm with ebay!

 

[watchmanjimg]

I understand. The early CWUs do tend to generate interest, which hopefully will work in your favor. Best of luck with the sale!