G-1 Patching help

[Greg Gale]

Thank you everyone for your replies, that's a lot of information to absorb

I'll try and look around if I find something really nice on the bay for 1-200 USD. If not, AVI it is.

I pretty much narrowed it down to the set of patches, as I don't want to put on just any patches, but replicate Richard Owen's jacket for "The Final Countdown" - one of my favorite movies from my childhood. It has a special meaning to me as opposed to a, say, VF-111, or VF-41 jacket.

It seems there were all kinds of variations, but this flight suit from the 80's seems to match my No.1 alternative, and ore or less the photo of that original in my first post:

Then again, patches from the 1979-80 cruise were placed like my version 3, and it matches the movie too:

....BUT I think No.1 looks better. I'll have to think about this.

The patch set is on Ebay - I've already purchased patches from this seller and I have to say his patches are pretty accurate and well made, so I'm confident they will look good. After all we're not talking WW2 hand painted leather patches here.

No patches is not an option, I already have my A-2, why would I need to buy a G-1 just to have another "no patches" jacket? I know, I know, but I have to have an official version of the story

 

[Greg Gale]

Did some more research and found some pics:

Group photo from the late 70s - supports version 1 and 3, the VF-84 patch can be found both on the right shoulder and the right chest:

Squad patch on the right shoulder:

Ditto, plus the Tomcat patch is on the left shoulder. Just like in the movie:

Ditto:

 

[CBI]

yep -the patch/no patch question comes up all the time. I guess I am leaning more and more in the "if you didn't earn it, don't wear it" camp. One could make the same case for the jacket itself............I am leaning in that direction more and more for me as well. I guess maybe not so bad if its a WW2 thing as that gets into heritage a little.

I think the G-1 and A-2 are different enough that one could have both unpatched.

enjoy the project

 

[Greg Gale]

I see your point @CBI , and normally I tend to agree with you. However, does "earning it" really matter when it comes to a movie tribute jacket with a fictional character's name on it?

BTW my usual No.1 reason against patching is that I wouldn't know which unit to go for, because I'm interested in so many. If I had to patch an A-2, one week I'd like it to be a 487th FS jacket, the next week a 334th, then I'd change my mind and would go for the 100th BG or the 91st, it would get really confusing Even with the G-1 I hesitated between VF-1, VF-2, VF-24, VF-84 and VF-101, but the 84 looks the coolest, and the movie made me go for that too. Plus I was born in '84, so that makes it more personal too.

After checking all these pictures I'm more and more inclined towards No.3

No.1: Looks cooler, and there is some historical evidence
No.3: There is a LOT of historical evidence, plus that's the way Commander Owen had his patches, and since I'm modelling HIS jacket, that should pretty much settle it.

PS: I secretly want another G-1 already that I would patch like Burbaker's jacket from "Bridges at Toko-Ri":

 

[unclegrumpy]

You need to be careful basing patch placement on flight suits from this period because the patches were held on with velcro and move around. There can be a lot of variation in flight jackets too, but those, especially the leather ones, do follow pretty consistent placement patterns dating back to WW II and before. The "Bridges at Toko-Ri" jacket is a good example of the multiple patch style that became popular around the Korean War. Those patches are properly sized, made and placed, even though the squadron patch is to a fantasy unit.

As far as the patch group from eBay, they are cheap new made copies. There are differences in these patches as you go back in time, but granted some are pretty subtle, especially in the ones made in the last 15 years or so. However, it might not matter to you, and not knowing does make things much easier. The original jacket #4 pictured jumps out as being real....but that might not matter either.

 

[unclegrumpy]

One point regarding the Final Countdown Movie...that is not a movie I am particularly familiar with, but that said, the movement of the Air Wing patch to the chest indicates the wearer's unit is the Wing, not that he is in a squadron in the Wing....which the squadron patch on the chest and the Air Wing patch on the shoulder would indicate.

 

[Greg Gale]

One point regarding the Final Countdown Movie...that is not a movie I am particularly familiar with, but that said, the movement of the Air Wing patch to the chest indicates the wearer's unit is the Wing, not that he is in a squadron in the Wing....which the squadron patch on the chest and the Air Wing patch on the shoulder would indicate.

Which shoulder would the wing patch go on? Left?

Also, why would they patch jackets differently than flight suits? You must be right, I’m just curious.

 

[Greg Gale]

Some jackets that prove your version is correct @unclegrumpy :

This original one has the wing patch above the nametag and it looks a bit strange:

This one seems to be a repro, but it has the same layout. Not sure what it's based on and how accurate it is.

 

[unclegrumpy]

As I mentioned before, time period is a factor as well. If you also notice in the group flight suit shots, some guys just have name tags and no patches, so bit depends on mood and personal preference. There are a couple of Naval Aviators that sometimes chime in, and they might be better able to answer your question. However, I think the answer is there were evolving and changing rules to maintain uniformity, and a measure of personal preference thrown in. Beyond that, some guys don't care about patches, some commanding officers do, and where they are when the picture is taken matters...at sea, on base, or ??

The G-1 you pictured could be okay. The details are a bit hard to see from the pictures, but this looks mid 1990's, and maybe bordering on more of a souvenir/tour jacket...meaning the veteran put the patches from his years of service on it. Could be put together as well, but the layout and patches...with the a better look at a few details written on them...could be plausible. The patches look 1990's, and original, but again to say for sure would require closer views.

 

[unclegrumpy]

Greg....I was just looking at the thread where you were discussing and showing the recent professional photographs of you in your A-2...

I think you seriously need to consider getting an original 1960's or early 1970's G-1...one with light wear...or maybe spend just a little more for an earlier 1960's jacket. These are tough wearable jackets, and not that hard to find in your size in good condition...but you will need to work from measurements. Several makers....California Sports Wear for one...tend to run longer in the sleeves and body.

You need to look at this an opportunity to venture into trying an original jacket. I'd focus on the jacket first, and then maybe rethink which and what patches you might want. You are not going to regret jumping to an original G-1 from this era...I would not be saying the same thing about and original A-2 or much earlier G-1.

The thing is, if you head down the pathway you are on...reproduction jacket and the cheaper reproduction patches...seeing your recent pictures...I am confident you will not be satisfied, and will be in short order looking for something else.

 

[Geeboo]

yeah, his A2 standard is high, I can see too, picky guy
Support the notion of MOD a 70's G1

 

[Greg Gale]

What do you think about these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stunning...908063?hash=item3f9db6461f:g:UO8AAOSwwS1bA1bj

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vtg-IMPE...250577?hash=item36326d3051:g:lDYAAOSw6~VZyeK2

 

[Geeboo]

1st one -nono- YKK zipper.
2nd one is fine. It is made in 1976. You have to sort out your preferred patches then. The scenario could be someone from the 80's bought a vintage jacket & patched it. It still make sense.
remind you a back length of 24" might look short on you [ I don't know your height], but 24" look just fit for me, on the short side just fit - not period 50's very short - I am 5"7" :<
Look more, could be better

 

[Greg Gale]

Or this Star Sportswear - but the knits would need to be replaced:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VTG-1971...004066?hash=item1ca9de5322:g:Y0IAAOSwSUJa6EVP

 

[Greg Gale]

1st one -nono- YKK zipper.
2nd one is fine. It is made in 1976. You have to sort out your preferred patches then. The scenario could be someone from the 80's bought a vintage jacket & patched it. It still make sense.
remind you a back length of 24" might look short on you [ I don't know your height], but 24" look just fit for me, on the short side just fit - not period 50's very short - I am 5"7" :<
Look more, could be better

Thank you! So then the Star Sportswear would be a tad short too. This is my problem with vintage jackets, they're either short, or baggy (I'm 6 feet tall and 75kg). I can still go for the AVI, order a size 40 and a 42, and send back both for a refund if I'm not happy with the quality. As long as the quality is good, fit matters to me more than accuracy or being an original.

 

[Geeboo]

something like this is very good.
unfortunately too short for you ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vtg-STAR...m=232782671768&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[Geeboo]

You need to be PATIENT in hunting vintage jacket. Either the condition or the size will not fit, if both fit, the price usu., don't
You have so many jackets to wear,haven't you ? Why in a hurry
You will be glad years later U had have the time & effort to build up a nice collection.

Remind you in that case you must be well aware of the various measurements of the jackets. IMO, I think G1 should be a tad longer than A2 - 1/2". If you have got your fit A2, you can gauge the BL you need for a G1. If fit does matter, pay also attention of the width of sleeves too- esp. around the cuff & the mid sleeve width - yeah, that are silly things to most people.

 

[Greg Gale]

Has anyone got any experience with Gibson & Barnes patches? They seem to be of nice quality:

http://www.gibson-barnes.com/prod-294875/Vf84-Jolly-Rogers-Squadron-Patch.html#

 

[Brettafett]

Greg, I'm sure you've seen my review of my AVI G-1. If you go that route, I would consider a 42 and a 44. I got a 40 and 42, and the measurements were so very close... So, I recon for you, being a touch taller & bigger than me... the 42, but may as well try the 44... My 40 is very trim in the torso, but comfortable. Lengths are ok to good, but as you know I will always want more length...

 

[Teddy]

Hi Greg, have you ordered your G1 yet?