pocket flaps on Ma-1's

[Tim P]

when did pocket flaps begin to feature on Ma-1 jackets? was it coincidental with the lining changing to orange?

 

[watchmanjimg]

Pocket flaps on the MA-1 were introduced with specification 8279E in 1970, along with aluminum zippers as seen on the Sportsmasters contract the previous year. The orange lining was first seen in FY 1961.

 

[Tim P]

thanks for that, It would be nice to have a chronology of the evolution of the ma1.

 

[deeb7]

... It would be nice to have a chronology of the evolution of the ma1.

There isn't a lot of variety, just three basic versions, and Jim has covered most of the evolution.

Full Gear also notes:
R-shaped wind flap upper end in 1957, second 8279A, Rolen Sportswear.

clip tab & wire tab eliminated 1958, the second (Albert Turner & Co.) 8279B spec.

 

[dadgad]

... It would be nice to have a chronology of the evolution of the ma1.

There isn't a lot of variety, just three basic versions, and Jim has covered most of the evolution.

Full Gear also notes:
R-shaped wind flap upper end in 1957, second 8279A, Rolen Sportswear.

clip tab & wire tab eliminated 1958, the second (Albert Turner & Co.) 8279B spec.

I still have a Rolen 8279A and I confirm what stated above, I also had an Albert Turner 8279B which I recently sold and it was revision one (1958) but it still retained the wire tabs, as far as I know with the 2nd Albert Turner (1959) both clip and tabs were eliminated.

 

[deeb7]

I still have a Rolen 8279A and I confirm what stated above, I also had an Albert Turner 8279B which I recently sold and it was revision one (1958) but it still retained the wire tabs, as far as I know with the 2nd Albert Turner (1959) both clip and tabs were eliminated.

Great photo's, and that MA-1 is an interesting variant ... perhaps the change occurred part way through the 1958 contract.

 

[watchmanjimg]

I still have a Rolen 8279A and I confirm what stated above, I also had an Albert Turner 8279B which I recently sold and it was revision one (1958) but it still retained the wire tabs, as far as I know with the 2nd Albert Turner (1959) both clip and tabs were eliminated.

Great photo's, and that MA-1 is an interesting variant ... perhaps the change occurred part way through the 1958 contract.

While I too have heard that '58 was the year the tabs were eliminated, I have never actually encountered a '58-dated B without at least the wire tabs. The Dobbs versions typically have the oxy tab as well. My '59s have all been without tabs.

 

[brownbanana]

Rather than create a new thread, I figured I'd ask this here.

With regards to pocket flaps being introduced with 8279E in 1970, were all E-series (and newer) MA-1s made with the orange lining? Or would MA-1s without the orange lining be possible with certain contracts? Just want to see if it's only a civilian jacket thing to be w/o the lining. Thanks.

 

[watchmanjimg]

MA-1s produced in the 1980s (by this time having been replaced by the CWU-45/P for flight use) have green lining and lack inner pockets.

 

[Atticus]

MA-1s produced in the 1980s (by this time having been replaced by the CWU-45/P for flight use) have green lining and lack inner pockets.

Those are actually F-series MA-1s. Their tags also read that they are only "jackets" as opposed to "Flyer's Jackets".

AF

 

[brownbanana]

Thanks guys! Always get to learn something new in this forum.