Eastman S.F.A.D.

[D97x7]

Got to say I like the look of this, although I doubt I'd have purchased a white version, me and white just don't get on when it comes to clothes, lol

Type B-3 :: 1937 S.F.A.D. Merino Fleece

The Scott Field Air Depot (S.F.A.D.) B-3 flight jacket is one of rarest variants that exist of this model garment.

www.eastmanleather.com

 

[Micawber]

I saw that but I would not buy a white one for the same reason.

 

[mulceber]

Apparently the two of you have more sense than the USAAC did back in 1937.

 

[Silver Surfer]

I had one of those, and the first thing I did was give it a rough out boot treatment. It then had some rain-snow protection, but ultimately not much. It stil absorbed water like a sponge.I can’t possibly imagine open cockpit flying in one of those unfinished b-3s, in the 1930s-40s.

 

[JonnyCrow]

I had one of those, and the first thing I did was give it a rough out boot treatment. It then had some rain-snow protection, but ultimately not much. It stil absorbed water like a sponge.I can’t possibly imagine open cockpit flying in one of those unfinished b-3s, in the 1930s-40s.

Like a chamois haha

 

[P-47 thunderbolt]

Masters of tha Air must be ready for release if Eastman have put this out now

 

[mulceber]

Masters of tha Air must be ready for release if Eastman have put this out now

Uhh..yeah, I'd say that's their thinking:

(John Egan of the Bloody 100th)

Although it's not getting released until around January, by current estimates.

 

[Kermit3D]

@D97x7 , it seems to me that you had a very nice cream-colored B-3 ELC, with a "suede" finish. Is it very different from this one ?

 

[Kermit3D]

This one :

 

[mulceber]

Yeah, I like that one better than the snow white option. Looks closer to the photo of Egan. The newer option is also closer to what other companies (Aero, also GW) currently offer, so I'm curious at the logic of switching.

 

[Dumpster D]

When I see this Eastman Jacket offering, It will always remind me.

About 20 years ago, there was this little old Military Antique store in an old Schoolhouse a few towns over, and the owner was retiring. Someone had brought in two Flight jackets. A Coastal Command Irvin (The photo in my Avatar) There was also one other Jacket he mentioned that came in with it too, but he didn't know what to do with because it was so fragile. It was stashed in a garbage bag.

The Irvin Jacket had cost me every dime I could scrounge up.

I asked finally to have a peek at the other original Jacket that was still kicking around. Turns out, it was one of these Merino B-3 Jackets, probably a size 38 with amazing patina on the sleeves. He wanted $170 for it. It was filthy and starting to fall apart. Still, I knew it had to be a very special piece.

I just didn't have the means. Regretfully looking back, I always wonder what happened to that Jacket. There's been a couple of original Jackets that got away from me that will always haunt me for the rest of my life.

 

[Kermit3D]

Yes, I understand better. ELC has replaced their beautiful cream-colored B-3 with a new white B-3.
I agree with you Jan, I much prefer the B-3 that D97x7 has.

 

[leper-colony]

Uhh..yeah, I'd say that's their thinking:

(John Egan of the Bloody 100th)

Although it's not getting released until around January, by current estimates.

That collar is huge... *runs*

 

[Micawber]

Run faster and don't look back!!

 

[D97x7]

@D97x7 , it seems to me that you had a very nice cream-colored B-3 ELC, with a "suede" finish. Is it very different from this one ?

Thanks, as far as I know it's just the colour that's changed, I also prefer the colour of my one, although it always comes out more yellow in photos than it is to the eye.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Yours gets my vote too @D97x7. You might think they'd offer both options to grab the wider market? Edit. Not that I'm in - but just saying

 

[John Lever]

The revamp jackets seem to have better nobbly fleece, but the very light suede skin is very impractical.

 

[John Lever]

Oh and I wish Gary would not wash and shrink the SFAD and Concho jackets....it ruins them.

 

[JonnyCrow]

The revamp jackets seem to have better nobbly fleece, but the very light suede skin is very impractical.

John I had a nude fleece flying jacket years ago got stained very easy and also the light skin tore easy I'd never buy another