B-3 Neck

[London Cabbie]

What is considered the general correct fit for a B-3 around the neck when zipped up with collars down. Should it be fitted, snug or loose..? Thanks

 

[Otter]

One size fits all, whatever the QM sergeant flung at you !

 

[Falcon_52]

Otter has a good point! My thought is that the neck should ideally be on the looser side. The jacket was meant to be worn over a shirt and tie and potentially a flight suit as well.

Noel

 

[London Cabbie]

Otter has a good point! My thought is that the neck should ideally be on the looser side. The jacket was meant to be worn over a shirt and tie and potentially a flight suit as well.

Noel

Thanks, this really helps. I would have thought it would have been a bit snug to prevent cold neck, or from heat being lost. It is a bit lost on me that you would have such a thick wooly collar and still need a scarf, was this a similar thing for Irvin’s..?

 

[leper-colony]

Not all necks or heads are created equal, so it will vary across the individual and also the contract pattern.

 

[bseal]

This:

https://goodwearleather.com/Steve_Werber_B3/1941_Werber_B3.jpg

 

[blackrat2]

I guess like A2’s every contractor made the jacket to there interpretation of the contract hence different shapes and sizes
Probably worth trying John over at GW and see if he can advise on smaller sized collars and what maker..assuming that’s what your after
I don’t know if his DVD has many B3’s on it but that might help you
Personally I would want a smaller collar for walking about in, I have no intention of using it for flying and I figure smaller in a creamy/darker sheepskin would be less likely to stand out

 

[London Cabbie]

I imagine they needed the collar to be clear from obstruction to head rotation, masks, and various equipment in flight. Other positions onboard may have warranted less need for head movements as you were standing up such as a gunner, hence the throat buckles and the need to stay warmer standing by an open hatch.

 

[London Cabbie]

This:

https://goodwearleather.com/Steve_Werber_B3/1941_Werber_B3.jpg
View attachment 71811

That looks snug.

 

[mulceber]

Thanks, this really helps. I would have thought it would have been a bit snug to prevent cold neck, or from heat being lost. It is a bit lost on me that you would have such a thick wooly collar and still need a scarf, was this a similar thing for Irvin’s..?

Keep in mind, the temperature inside a plane on a bombing mission was somewhere around -40. Even with all that heavy equipment they were issued, frostbite and lost fingers, toes, and noses were relatively common. Shearling was the best anyone could come up with at the time, but even it was inadequate for the weather conditions they were facing. I imagine crew members were wearing every layer they could cram under that B-3, definitely including scarves.

 

[London Cabbie]

Keep in mind, the temperature inside a plane on a bombing mission was somewhere around -40. Even with all that heavy equipment they were issued, frostbite and lost fingers, toes, and noses were relatively common. Shearling was the best anyone could come up with at the time, but even it was inadequate for the weather conditions they were facing. I imagine crew members were wearing every layer they could cram under that B-3, definitely including scarves.

Makes total senseof course they would. Thanks Jan.

 

[Chandler]

That looks snug.

John doesn't always model his correct fit.

 

[Chandler]

Keep in mind, the temperature inside a plane on a bombing mission was somewhere around -40. Even with all that heavy equipment they were issued, frostbite and lost fingers, toes, and noses were relatively common. Shearling was the best anyone could come up with at the time, but even it was inadequate for the weather conditions they were facing. I imagine crew members were wearing every layer they could cram under that B-3, definitely including scarves.

Not to mention the electric heated suit (not sure when that system was first used in bombers).

 

[B-Man2]

If the collar fit too closely neck abrasion would be a real PIA . Pilots, gunners and most of the air crew had to have their heads on a swivel looking around for enemy aircraft. In a matter of a few hours the jackets would be unbearable without a silk scarf to protect the neck area . Much the same with the fighter pilots . So B-3 collars had some space between the collar and neck skin .

 

[London Cabbie]

This all makes perfect sense, Thanks fellas.

 

[bfd70]

I imagine they needed the collar to be clear from obstruction to head rotation, masks, and various equipment in flight. Other positions onboard may have warranted less need for head movements as you were standing up such as a gunner, hence the throat buckles and the need to stay warmer standing by an open hatch.
View attachment 71812

How loud did that have to be!

 

[bseal]

That looks snug.

Snug as in comfy right?

 

[Otter]

I had the pleasure if going through Kermit Weeks B17 and that waist gunner position is way tighter than it looks in the photos. Imagine it with a 150mph slipstream coming through the hatch.

 

[Chandler]

If the collar fit too closely neck abrasion would be a real PIA . Pilots, gunners and most of the air crew had to have their heads on a swivel looking around for enemy aircraft. In a matter of a few hours the jackets would be unbearable without a silk scarf to protect the neck area . Much the same with the fighter pilots . So B-3 collars had some space between the collar and neck skin .

Not to make waves, but wasn't it always the story that the Navy put mouton collars on their jackets to save pilots from neck burn? Or was that another Avirex-Cockpit myth?

 

[B-Man2]

Not to make waves, but wasn't it always the story that the Navy put mouton collars on their jackets to save pilots from neck burn? Or was that another Avirex-Cockpit myth?

I’m pretty sure that Shearling and Mouton are processed differently. Mouton is lamb skin and softer than shearling. Shearling is sheepskin and courser than Mouton .
I’ve worn both types of collars and the Mouton Navy collars are more tolerable to wear and don’t chaff as much as shearling collars .