Wanted Pics of Early Arctic Type B-3

[Ken at Aero Leather]

We had this beauty in for restoration recently, after photo above
Somehow the file of photos we took has corrupted....one never finds out about these things until they are needed

I'm sure there are some on here but I can't find them as "B-3" is too short a "word" to be recognised by the search engine,
Anyone here on VLJ got a link to any, or has any pics??

 

[blackrat2]

I am sure someone will have some, I do recall a discussion on these jackets and why the buckle was in the chest...hopefully someone will chime up

 

[MikeyB-17]

There was this one:-

Original Pre-war 1937 contract B-3 jacket for sale

Hi guys, I’ve already posted pictures of my jacket a couple of months ago, but as I’m not a collector I’ve now decided to sell it ( I’ve already had someone (a John Chapman) who agreed to buy it, but haven’t heard of him since. As said, I’m not an expert but this jacket is in a fantastic...

www.vintageleatherjackets.org

Try ‘SFAD’ or ‘1937’ in the search box. In fact ‘chest buckle’ also provided some results. The buckle was for one of the collar straps-it’s all very complicated, still not 100% sure how it worked, but somebody posted a pic of an early AAF pilot using it back along. Andrew Roughwear bought a ’37 B-3, but must have used Photobucket because his pics are gone. Dunno if JC ever bought this chap’s jacket.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

That's brilliant, thank you!

 

[foster]

 

[MikeyB-17]

That’s Bucky Egan of the 100th BG. Note his chest buckle is missing. Here’s another.

 

[MikeyB-17]

This is bombs away’s thread from 2010. Note chap no.4.

http://www.vintageleatherjackets.org/threads/camp-skeel-mich-december-1940.7355/

 

[zoomer]

Hap Arnold wore what looks like a prototype with matching trousers in a 1935 pic. That's up here too.

 

[Silver Surfer]

so, does tis interest in the unfinished, pre war b-3s mean that you are considering reproducing them, ken? if so, time line?

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

so, does tis interest in the unfinished, pre war b-3s mean that you are considering reproducing them, ken? if so, time line?

Next Autumn/Fall depending where you live

 

[Silver Surfer]

Outstanding!

 

[denny@aero]

So we have finally launched our 1937 Early unsealed B3 , as made for masters of the air. The original had a chest strap which we will be offering as an option, we have decided to offer as option and not make standard as we believe most people would prefer without, given that "A" it is quite cumbersome and "B" there really isn't a definitive reason for it's function. I know it has been suggested that it was a way of securing the top collar strap down to stop collar flapping and give room for oxygen mask but if this was the reason why not fit it at an angle.
Looking back at original pics of John Egan in his, he has removed / lost his chest strap and only the keeper loop remains. Wardrobe for Masters of the Air decided they didn't want chest buckle on theirs.

 

[VeraVoulik]

So we have finally launched our 1937 Early unsealed B3 , as made for masters of the air. The original had a chest strap which we will be offering as an option, we have decided to offer as option and not make standard as we believe most people would prefer without, given that "A" it is quite cumbersome and "B" there really isn't a definitive reason for it's function. I know it has been suggested that it was a way of securing the top collar strap down to stop collar flapping and give room for oxygen mask but if this was the reason why not fit it at an angle.
Looking back at original pics of John Egan in his, he has removed / lost his chest strap and only the keeper loop remains. Wardrobe for Masters of the Air decided they didn't want chest buckle on theirs.

great jacket! <3

 

[Enigma1938]

Beautiful outcome.
But I think like the white german suede "Kanaljacke" it gets dirty pretty much after a good use. For me there's a difference in wearing a jacket with a great patina or looking like a hobo.
But it sure depends on what the potential buyer has planned to do with it.
That besides a really nice jacket for sure.

 

[denny@aero]

Beautiful outcome.
But I think like the white german suede "Kanaljacke" it gets dirty pretty much after a good use. For me there's a difference in wearing a jacket with a great patina or looking like a hobo.
But it sure depends on what the potential buyer has planned to do with it.
That besides a really nice jacket for sure.

yes they get dirty even if you look at it wrong, but that is true of the originals , maybe why the unsealed were quickly discontinued and the more durable and practical Polyarylic coated skins were used. The veg tanned unfinished horse used for trim will patina beautifully with wear.

Picture below really demonstrates how quickly these jackets can get dirty . Guy on right obviously just issued , guy on left maybe a year old ! We have an 80 year old example in our showroom that is cleaner !!

 

[Dany McDonald]

So we have finally launched our 1937 Early unsealed B3 , as made for masters of the air. The original had a chest strap which we will be offering as an option, we have decided to offer as option and not make standard as we believe most people would prefer without, given that "A" it is quite cumbersome and "B" there really isn't a definitive reason for it's function. I know it has been suggested that it was a way of securing the top collar strap down to stop collar flapping and give room for oxygen mask but if this was the reason why not fit it at an angle.
Looking back at original pics of John Egan in his, he has removed / lost his chest strap and only the keeper loop remains. Wardrobe for Masters of the Air decided they didn't want chest buckle on theirs.

Hello Denny,

I'am not into B-3's but for an unclear reason I like the outcome of an unsealed one... It's probably because it resonate the 30's a lot and stands out from the usual caramel/tan colour.

Good job and congrats for your work with MOA!

D

 

[B-Man2]

Denny
Nice looking repro of the Artic B-3 . I hope you have great sales results with them. While I couldn’t see myself wearing one, for reasons previously mentioned, it is a nice looking jacket. Hopefully MOA will generate a lot of interest in them. Changing gears on you for a second , does Aero have any future plans to once again remake a dark fleece Irvin? The last ones used solid black fleece and the color of the hide was off, and IMHO missed the mark a little bit . An accurate repro of a dark chocolate fleece Irvin would generate some interest I think. Such as the one pictured below.

 

[leper-colony]

Denny
Nice looking repro of the Artic B-3 . I hope you have great sales results with them. While I couldn’t see myself wearing one, for reasons previously mentioned, it is a nice looking jacket. Hopefully MOA will generate a lot of interest in them. Changing gears on you for a second , does Aero have any future plans to once again remake a dark fleece Irvin? The last ones used solid black fleece and the color of the hide was off, and IMHO missed the mark a little bit . An accurate repro of a dark chocolate fleece Irvin would generate some interest I think. Such as the one pictured below. View attachment 137631

This.

 

[denny@aero]

Denny
Nice looking repro of the Artic B-3 . I hope you have great sales results with them. While I couldn’t see myself wearing one, for reasons previously mentioned, it is a nice looking jacket. Hopefully MOA will generate a lot of interest in them. Changing gears on you for a second , does Aero have any future plans to once again remake a dark fleece Irvin? The last ones used solid black fleece and the color of the hide was off, and IMHO missed the mark a little bit . An accurate repro of a dark chocolate fleece Irvin would generate some interest I think. Such as the one pictured below. View attachment 137631

I have made an enquiry with our supplier regarding MOQ and if feasable we may offer a limited run of these. Ill keep you guys posted