What jacket(s) are you wearing at the moment?

[B-Man2]

-7 here but I had an urge for an A-2 so wore it under a parka again. Works surprisingly well.

No pics because, duh...it was under the parka

Tim
Have you tried wearing it under your German Sumpftarn parka?
I bet it works real well with that .

 

[Smithy]

Tim
Have you tried wearing it under your German Sumpftarn parka?
I bet it works real well with that .

No but that's a bloody good idea Burt. I'll give it a crack!

 

[CK90]

I have to admit I am not an expert with regard to modern RAF jackets but from what I can tell, it should be made from Ventile.
Has the RAF done aircrew jackets in standard cotton twill too? I was under the impression that their aircrew jackets were all made from Ventile.
it is a rather warm jacket due to the fact that it seems to be very wind- and waterproof.
as it sits rather tight around the waist and can be sealed around the throat too with the help of a scarf, it keeps the body warmth inside and does not let cold air or water in.
so even when only wearing a thin sweater or even less, I feel pretty comfortable in it...
all in all a really useful jacket and easy wearing as it is very light too...

Sounds as amazing as it looks. No, no - I think you're correct on the Ventile x RAF standard issue, as it seems to be the fabric of default for them.

Ventile is a special formula, for all the reasons you mention plus it's properties as the fibres 'tighten' as soon as exposed to water.

There is a manufacturer here in the UK called Private White, they make great outerwear amongst other things, all rather understated and high quality. Anyways, I have both a Ventile Harrington style jacket from them, and a Ventile outer layer, wool wadding lined, shearling collar winter coat/parka from them. The latter comfortably goes way way down into the sub zero and is still laughing how warm it is, much as I love sheepskin this thing is the most practical bulletproof winter item I own.

Both made me fall in love with Ventile and its properties.

 

[John Luder]

We're getting buckets in Calif these days.
Low 50s and high 40s, too cool for the A-2.
Had to go out yesterday and today.
Light-weight down-filled vest jacket under the 5* 6552, and an M-1951 O.D. field cap with wool-lined ear flaps. Original, got it in the mid-'70s for, probably $2.50. At this stage, what's the point of saving it? My daughters don't even want our crystal, china, or silverware. Ungrateful little shites.
Warm and dry, but the damned fake collar is annoying.
BTW, the 5* 37-J1 looks most like John Wayne's and is the least costly. Some of the usual makers don't even have a 42 in stock. And Eastman, fuggedaboudit.
WHERE can I find a sized, blue wool baseball cap?
Cheers

 

[Griffon_301]

tried my new C-2 Vest underneath an L-2a for the doggywalk in a rather warm but very windy Vienna morning.
that C-2 is really a great piece of garment underneath "light zone" jackets and I am glad I bought it when Fardin had one on offer...

 

[mumpy]

Alpha Industries A-2 Deck Jacket from 1972

 

[blackrat2]

That’s a nice fitting deck jacket @mumpy..I just looked a tad trim in medium but large was to big so couldn’t find a good fit
Thomas is your man for A2 deck jackets

 

[Griffon_301]

actually I own a original A-2 in XXlarge which fits like a 46-48 acc to the label.
mine looks rather baggy on me, but it's ok as being an old original, it's lining has gotten a bit thin and some sort of liner or second layer is definitely needed if the going gets rough (eg cold)...
on the upside rate roomy jacket is quite comfortable to wear and makes for a good choice when more movement than usual is expected (during doggy walks for example)

 

[mulceber]

Superior Togs B-15A:

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Alpha Industries A-2 Deck Jacket from 1972


View attachment 137609

The fit looks spot on ...

I love those A2s: not as heavy as a N1 but still warm enough - and they look cool

 

[Chandler]

We're getting buckets in Calif these days.
Low 50s and high 40s, too cool for the A-2.
Had to go out yesterday and today.
Light-weight down-filled vest jacket under the 5* 6552, and an M-1951 O.D. field cap with wool-lined ear flaps. Original, got it in the mid-'70s for, probably $2.50. At this stage, what's the point of saving it? My daughters don't even want our crystal, china, or silverware. Ungrateful little shites.
Warm and dry, but the damned fake collar is annoying.
BTW, the 5* 37-J1 looks most like John Wayne's and is the least costly. Some of the usual makers don't even have a 42 in stock. And Eastman, fuggedaboudit.
WHERE can I find a sized, blue wool baseball cap?
Cheers
View attachment 137563

Stockbridge Sewing Works

Stockbridge Sewing Works

www.stockbridgesewingworks.com

Haven't done a deep dive, but I bet these folks have your cap.

 

[Micawber]

Interesting. A quick jaunt in my personal TARDIS to the start of this thread reveals that it took just the one post by Andrew Swatland, late of this Parish, and in very little time it went from a simple statement of the jackets people were wearing on that day to the start of the daily photographic parade that has run and run, albeit with a few minor diversions ever since.

To the future and beyond eh.

I have mostly been wearing my BR tanker outside [again] interspersed with periods wearing my Schoffel Polartec fleece jacket over a Schoffel Polartec fleece Gilet deemed it necessary to blend in with the area. No photos move along, nothing to see here.

 

[B-Man2]

Interesting. A quick jaunt in my personal TARDIS to the start of this thread reveals that it took just the one post by Andrew Swatland, late of this Parish, and in very little time it went from a simple statement of the jackets people were wearing on that day to the start of the daily photographic parade that has run and run, albeit with a few minor diversions ever since.

To the future and beyond eh.

I have mostly been wearing my BR tanker outside [again] interspersed with periods wearing my Schoffel Polartec fleece jacket over a Schoffel Polartec fleece Gilet deemed it necessary to blend in with the area. No photos move along, nothing to see here.

The thread lasted a hell of a lot longer than Andrew did

 

[Grant]

It's a shame he doesn't choose to post here anymore.
Andrew was a great source of information when it came to original Irvins.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

On that note, today I've been mostly wearing the ELC Irvin I picked up from @Micawber . It's doing sterling work thank you Steve!

 

[blackrat2]

I agree he posted up some amazing originals and having met him was a nice enough bloke, sadly been a few over the years that have gone elsewhere…Ken over at Aero always put up some good posts/ info

 

[John Luder]

Stockbridge Sewing Works

Stockbridge Sewing Works

www.stockbridgesewingworks.com

Haven't done a deep dive, but I bet these folks have your cap.

Thanks much. Looks promising at a quick glance. I'll have to email about caps without ball teams' initials.
John

 

[mulceber]

It’s supposed to hit 55 / +13 today, which is the best weather for originals we’re likely to see in February, so what the heck: Aero 21996:

 

[Tattoo A2]

Thanks much. Looks promising at a quick glance. I'll have to email about caps without ball teams' initials.
John

They do make blank caps at Sturbridge, ordered from them and was very happy with the end result.

 

[Tattoo A2]

It’s supposed to hit 55 / +13 today, which is the best weather for originals we’re likely to see in February, so what the heck: Aero 21996:
View attachment 137663

That definitely has the look everyone trys to replicate Jan, love it.