G-1 MIL-J-7823B fit

[g1jacketfan]

Generally speaking, are the jackets in this contract (I believe two different makers), often true to size? My chest is about 41". Would a 42" be the way to go or are these G-1s? known to run large?

Also, what are the differences between the 7823B and 7823C?

 

[Brettafett]

Yes,41" chest (slim/ trim?)... A 42 would probably be your best first call.
Understanding that it may/ may not fit

Depends how you wear them. Generally the rule is size up from your chest size, but this is relative.
People have different body types and these jackets were intended for young men in the youthful prime.
Also, the state of these jackets (talking originals) varies depending how it was used and or abused over the years.

G-1 patterns post the late 40s/ early 50s 55J14 are all relatively similar, with slight differences.
Hard to nail down a pattern/ fit 'rule'. Even within the same contract and same size there can be slight variations.

I have a 40" chest, 5'10 regular/ trim build.... Ive owned and tried numerous 40s to 44s in originals (and repros) over the years and fit really is all over the place.
Example - My old 40 Star C series fit better than a D series 42 I currently have, although the patterns/ measurements are nearly identical.
Tried a Brill 40 that fit perfectly, but was a mess... Ralph Edwards (forget the series) 44 super comfy, but too short (!)

All the info you'd ever want about these, was kindly and painstakingly put together by some kind folk on this forum, here...

Discussion: “A Better Fighting Garment…” - A Beginner’s Guide to the US Navy’s WWII-era and later Intermediate Flight Jackets

INTRODUCTION There have been various threads on VLJ which have listed the US Navy contracts from the M-422 to G-1 series of leather flying jackets. This thread is an attempt to pool the information into a beginners guide to sit alongside the A-2 contract dates thread as a resource on the Forum...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org