CWU 36 P Sizing by Maker? Breaking In? Bi Swing Backs'?

[GARY WELLS]

VF-213 Black Lions Fighter Squadron

 

[GARY WELLS]

 

[GARY WELLS]

US Air Force 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron “MIGHTY GORILLAS”/ 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing from US Air Force Base Eglin, Florida. The 58th TFS had 17 Mig Kills during Desert Storm in Jan-Feb-1991. This was more than all the other Squadrons put together.

 

[GARY WELLS]

 

[GARY WELLS]

F-15C/D Eagle Serial No. 85-0102 of the 58th Fighter Squadron “MIGHTY GORILLAS”/33rd TFW, made (3) Iraqi Mig-29 Kills during Desert Storm in Jan-1991. Piloted by Col. “Speedy” Martin, Commander 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing / 58th Fighter Squadron.

 

[GARY WELLS]

 

[GARY WELLS]

F-15C/D Eagle Nose Art - GULF SPIRIT with (3) Stars for Mig-29 Kills

 

[GARY WELLS]

 

[GARY WELLS]

F-15C/D Eagle Serial No. 85-0114 of the 58th Fighter Squadron “MIGHTY GORILLAS”/33rd TFW made (2) Iraqi Mig-29 kills during Desert Storm in Jan-1991. Piloted by Capt. Cesar Rodriguez, Squadron Commander of 58th Fighter Squadron “MIGHTY GORILLAS.” After the Desert Storm (17) Mig Kills, their motto became, “WHEN GORILLAS FLY, MIGS DIE”

 

[GARY WELLS]

 

[GARY WELLS]

F-15C/D Eagle Nose Art with (2) Stars for Mig-29 Kills

 

[GARY WELLS]

If anybody is interested these are the remaining 12 US Navy F-14B or F-14D Tomcat Squadrons and the year of their last cruise flying Tomcats, before they transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet Jets. For example, the VF-41 Black Aces Fighter Squadron flying F-14B Tomcats became the VFA-41 Black Aces Strike/Fighter Squadron flying F/A-18 Hornets.

VF-14 Tophatters - Last Tomcat Cruise 2002 (US Navy’s oldest Fighter Squadron, Desert Storm 1991, OIF 2003)
VF-41 Black Aces - Last Tomcat Cruise 2002 (Shot down 2 Libyan SU-22’s in 1981, Desert Storm 1991, Balkins 1999, OIF 2003, OIF 2005)
VF-2 Bounty Hunters - Last Tomcat Cruise 2003 (Desert Storm 1991, OIF 2002-2003)
VF-102 Diamondbacks - Last Tomcat Cruise 2003 (Desert Storm 1991, OEF 2001-2002)
VF-154 Black Knights - Last Tomcat Cruise 2003 (OIF 2003)
VF-103 Jolly Rogers - Last Tomcat Cruise 2004 (Desert Storm 1991, Afghanistan 2002, OIF 2004)
VF-11 Red Rippers - Last Tomcat Cruise 2004 (OIF 2004)
VF-32 Swordsmen - Last Tomcat Cruise 2005 (Shot down 2 Libyan Mig-23’s in 1989, Desert Storm 1991, OIF 2003)
VF-143 Pukin Dogs - Last Tomcat Cruise 2004 (OIF 2004)
VF-211 Checkmates - Last Tomcat Cruise 2003 (OIF 2003)
VF-31 Felix - Last Tomcat Cruise 2006 (Afghanistan 2002, OIF 2003, OIF 2005-2006)
VF-213 Black Lions - Last Tomcat Cruise 2006 (Afghanistan 2001, OIF 2003, OIF 2005-2006)
Note: Currently ALL these Squadrons are flying F/A-18E or F/A-18F Super Hornets with enhanced radar systems.

Most F-14B or F-14D Squadrons would not have worn CWU-36/P Flight Jackets dated later than 2000, Mfg by Propper International or dated 1997, Mfg by Creative Apparel, Inc. 3 Fighter Squadrons, VF-32 Swordsmen, VF-31 Felix, and VF-213 Black Lions, could have worn CWU-36/P Flight Jackets dated 2005, Mfg by Valley Apparel, LLC. After 2005-2006 All US Navy Fighter Squadrons would be flying F/A-18E or F/A-18F Super Hornets. The Squadron Patches would have a F/A-18 Hornet VFA prefix instead of the F-14 Tomcat VF prefix.

 

[GARY WELLS]

VF-154 Black Knights Fighter Squadron

 

[GARY WELLS]

VF-213 Black Lions Fighter Squadron

 

[GARY WELLS]

VF-111 Sundowners Fighter Squadron

 

[269sqnhudson]

Could you maybe post a picture or two?

I reviewed earlier in the Nylon forum actually

T

 

[GARY WELLS]

Lee,

I have found, I like the color and material in the earlier 36/P's. The older jackets are softer, and have a darker color to the material..this I like...the older ones, late 70's early 80's with the bi swing seem to be more snug...BUT they have have good movement in the shoulders...makes up for the trim fit....the newer jackets are cut bigger and have a brighter shade to them....washing, I have found will make them less stiff.

I keep the biswing jackets when I find them locally...the newer ones, I pass on unless the price is right...
Have fun collecting

I have a US Navy CWU-36/P, 1991 Creative Apparel Assoc., a US Navy CWU-36/P, 1997 Creative Apparel Assoc. both with Nametag Velcro only and a US Airforce CWU-36/P, 2005 Valley Apparel, LLC., with the Air Combat Command Velcro on right chest, Nametag Velcro on left chest and Squadron Patch Velcro on both shoulders. I am 6’2” 188 lbs. and the 1990’s CWU-36/P Jackets’ Nomex material seems thicker, the Sage Green is duller in color. the knit cuffs and knit waistband are thicker and tighter, and they are trimmer, fit me better. If you are heavier build, I would buy a 2005 Propper Industries, Inc. or a 2005 or 2010 Valley Apparel, LLC., with a looser fit. Plus, the knit waistband is not as tight fitting, more comfortable for a heavier build person. (Photo is my USAF 58th Fighter Squadron “Gorillas”, CWU-36/P Flight Jacket, 2005 Valley Apparel, LLC.)

 

[Hobbstc]

I actually built a model of Gulf Spirit back in the late 80s. Had forgotten all about it until I just saw the pic.

 

[GARY WELLS]

Guys what are the best brands for cwu? I mean the original ones used by Real airman

I am 6’2”, 188 lbs. and I prefer the trimmer fit and tighter knit waistband of the Creative Apparel Assoc. (1991, 1995 & 1997)
If you are stocky and have a larger waist I would get a Propper International, Inc. (2000) or Alpha Industries (2000) in Sage Green OR get an Ashland Sales & Service (2005) in Desert Tan.
The Valley Apparel (2005 & 2010) is a little more trimmer fitting than the Propper International (2000) or
Alpha Industries, Inc. (2000).

 

[GARY WELLS]

I have a 2009 Valley and a 2000 Propper, both in XL and the fit is identical. I also have a 1990s Gibraltar and a 1990s Carter, both Large and again the fit is identical. There is, however, a big drop in size from an XL to an L, that's what I notice. The XLs are a 48 for sure while the larges fit more like a 42 than a 44. The Large jackets are also a bit short on me at 6'0". In all honesty I'm somewhere between the two sizes with a tendency to go to XL for the length.

I wear a 44 in a G-1 Goatskin Flight Jacket. The CWU-36/P Summer Flight Jacket in size 46-48 (XL) fits like a G-1 in 44 to me with a little more room in the shoulders. A CWU-36/P Summer Flight Jacket in size 42-44 (L) fits like a G-1 in 42. It is tight in the shoulders and the sleeves are too short for me.