Anything and Everything A-1

[deeb7]

Wasn't the 37J1 first a leather jacket and later a cloth one?

Yes, exactly ....

First issued in 1925, replaced by the cloth versions (A & B), in the mid- 1930's.

 

[asiamiles]

First issued in 1925, replaced by the cloth versions (A & B), in the mid- 1930's.

Thanks for that info. Any pics anywhere of a leather one? I was just wondering how closely the cloth version adhered to the leather pattern.

Buzz, of course, replicated the cloth 37J1 - twice in fact with slight variations, which is a little odd as they have an original from which they patterned them - while Real McCoy's did a 37J1a. What was the 37J1b?

 

[deeb7]

Thanks for that info. Any pics anywhere of a leather one? I was just wondering how closely the cloth version adhered to the leather pattern.

There are good pictures in Full Gear, but the group picture I posted on the previous page is the best I could find for now.

You are familiar with the cloth version, and the leather jacket is similar to the A-1, so the cloth jacket is a replacement, with new specs,and pattern ... rather than just a change of materials.

Buzz, of course, replicated the cloth 37J1 - twice in fact with slight variations, which is a little odd as they have an original from which they patterned them - while Real McCoy's did a 37J1a. What was the 37J1b?

It's hard to tell, as the A & B suffixes don't appear to be added on the labels. At some stage the zippers went from 7 mm, to 6 mm .... probably just slight variations as you noticed.

 

[asiamiles]

Real McCoy's Sigmund Eisner 37J1a does have the "a" on the label.

http://www.amekichi.co.jp/fjg/fj_r/mccoy/37j1a_001.htm

Lengthwise it's similar to the majority of flight jackets, while both of Buzz's 37J1's (one is green, one is closer to RM's 37J1a; one has a Hookless zip, one a Talon; one has a trimmer cut, the arms especially being much narrower) are somewhat longer...one of the reasons I like it.

The leather 37J1 seems to bear only a passing resemblance to the cloth 37J1; it's very odd that they didn't change the model number.

 

[deeb7]

Real McCoy's Sigmund Eisner 37J1a does have the "a" on the label.

I had a look, but I couldn't read the label, and I have no reference for that contract ... they had more than one.

Didn't like the chocolate brown knits.

The leather 37J1 seems to bear only a passing resemblance to the cloth 37J1; it's very odd that they didn't change the model number.

A few years later, in 1940, the Navy introduced the cloth M421 Summer Flight Jacket, along with the goatskin, mouton collared M422 Intermediate Flight Jacket.

37J1 - 37J1A - 37J1B

M421 - M422

Odd maybe, but it seems consistant.

 

[asiamiles]

I had a look, but I couldn't read the label.

Here's one on Yahoo auctions:

http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s91025382

 

[deeb7]

Here's one on Yahoo auctions:

Thanks, Miles .... ah, now with green knits.

Incidentally, the 37J1b specification is dated NOV. 2, 1936 ...
superseding 37J1a, December 5, 1932.

 

[Doug C]

Yes, but the 37J's never had buttons, like a true A1 did they?

Doug C

 

[deeb7]

Yes, but the 37J's never had buttons, like a true A1 did they?

The leather 37J1's? Yes, of course .... that's why we're having this discussion.

I posted the picture on the previous page, here's another of the Navy jacket, in chocolate coloured, chrome tanned, sheepskin. Looks like A-1, has higher pockets, lower collar ......

 

[Atticus]

Here's one on Yahoo auctions:

Thanks, Miles .... ah, now with green knits.

Incidentally, the 37J1b specification is dated NOV. 2, 1936 ...
superseding 37J1a, December 5, 1932.

David, do you know the date of the specification for the Air Corps' A-1? I've always assumed in was sometime in the mid-'twenties, but I've never heard for sure.

BTW, my leather and knit samples arrived from John, yesterday. Man, that capeskin is gonna make a beautiful jacket!

AF

 

[airfrogusmc]

So Geoff you're going to get one of JCs A-1s? I do agree. The cape he ueses is just beautiful.

 

[Atticus]

So Geoff you're going to get one of JCs A-1s? I do agree. The cape he ueses is just beautiful.

Hi Allen,

I actually ordered it last winter---February, I think. It was not too long after John began making A-1s. But I kinda wanted him to make a few before he started on mine and figured there wasn't much point in rushing him to get my jacket in April or May. By then, North Carolina's weather is too warm for jackets. So I went ahead and placed my deposit but asked him to hold off on my jacket until fall.

And now, its soon gonna be fall!!!

It will be my first high-end repro. As perhaps I've mentioned before, usually I'm not much of a repro kinda guy. But I've loved the look of A-1s since the first one I saw, and buying the best repro I could find is the closest way I know to own a real one.

AF

 

[airfrogusmc]

So Geoff you're going to get one of JCs A-1s? I do agree. The cape he ueses is just beautiful.

Hi Allen,

I actually ordered it last winter---February, I think. It was not too long after John began making A-1s. But I kinda wanted him to make a few before he started on mine and figgured there wasn't much point in rushing him to get my jacket in April or May. By then, North Carolina's weather is too warm for jackets. So I went ahead and placed my deposit but asked him to hold off on my jacket until fall.

And now, its soon gonna be fall!!!

It will be my first high-end repro. As perhaps I've mentioned before, usually I'm not much of a repro kinda guy. But I've loved the look of A-1s since the first one I saw, and buying the best repro I could find is the closest way I know to own a real one.

AF

Yeah thats one sweet jacket....And John makes a real honey.

 

[John Lever]

If you love A1's then it's worth having a GW and an ELC.

 

[deeb7]

David, do you know the date of the specification for the Air Corps' A-1? I've always assumed in was sometime in the mid-'twenties, but I've never heard for sure.

Geoff ... not the date of the spec, but the Wright Field, Type Designation Sheet, notes Dec 12, 1926 for service test.

The 31-800 P with the 2 snaps, would be the last order.

 

[Atticus]

David, do you know the date of the specification for the Air Corps' A-1? I've always assumed in was sometime in the mid-'twenties, but I've never heard for sure.

Geoff ... not the date of the spec, but the Wright Field, Type Designation Sheet, notes Dec 12, 1926 for service test.

The 31-800 P with the 2 snaps, would be the last order.

Thanks!!

AF

 

[Atticus]

If you love A1's then it's worth having a GW and an ELC.

My next jacket project is to reproduce, via Goodwear, my father's A-2---the one he hated and happily gave back to the Air Force when he got out. Somewhere, stored away in Mom and Dad's house, is a color portrait of him wearing it. If I can ever find that photo, maybe the collar shape will give me an idea of what kind it was.

AF

 

[Doug C]

Sorry, I get easily confused when all the contract numbers get thrown around. So, it looks like a lot of the jackets that I've always thought were A1s are actually not A1's at all... they may have been 37J1 jackets. Hmm, it was so much simpler when I just liked the A1 :lol: . So for instance this "A1" that I figured was probably a civilian version, was probably the navy version, a leather 37J1.




Doug C

 

[deeb7]

So for instance this "A1" that I figured was probably a civilian version, was probably the navy version, a leather 37J1.

No, you were right the first time .... it's civilian.

It has the collar of a 37J1, but the pockets are too low, and the back is one piece. The Navy spec. stipulated two pieces ....

(b) The back shall be made in two parts, the upper portion shall be known as the yoke.

 

[Doug C]

Anybody gotten an A-1 lately? It's been a while since anyone posted here, surely with cool weather approaching so have been ordered?

Doug C