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D1 vs B6

Dover

Active Member
After looking at some great pics in the thread "what are you wearing" I am considering buying a fleece jacket.
I love the look of the B3 and the Irvin however winter temps here rarely stay below 15F (-9C) for very long.
Therefore I'm thinking something like a D1 or B6 may be more appropriate. These jackets look very similar to my untrained eye. So my question: Can some of you who have owned these jackets compare the two for me?
How do they differ in fit? Is the fleece similar? Which do you prefer and why? Thanks for your thoughts.
 

CBI

Well-Known Member
Dover - you can also consider an Irvin from What Price Glory. They are very lightweight and have the feel of a B6/D1 Actually lighter!
 

mr_lits

Well-Known Member
I like both the D1 and B6 jackets but in a head to head I would rank the B6 higher. It has more style with the bi swing back and side zips and epaulettes. I feel like its fit is a bit more trim and that the D1 can often look "boxy". The D1 is great in terms of its simplicity of design and is a great understated design. I find that my B6 is go-to in the winter months and can even be worn with a wool sweater down into the coldest of temps.
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
Sorry mr_lits, I have a slightly different view, and rank the D-1 over the B-6.

Personally I find the D-1’s simplicity and boxy fit part of its appeal. The B-6 (IMHO) looks good from the front, but the back looks overly fussy and, dare I say it, slightly “girly” :confused::oops: (sorry!) with its waisted fit.

A D-1 too and can be worn in the coldest weather with a sweater, and ideally an A-1 mechanics sweater!
 

Brent

Well-Known Member
dare I say it, slightly “girly” :confused::oops: (sorry!) with its waisted fit.

Say what?


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MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
I’m with Stanier-I’ve always liked the B-6 from the front, but I hate it from the rear. Never looks right to me the way it hugs the body at the back. I also remember seeing a pic in one of my many AAF books showing a crew in front of their aircraft, mostly wearing B-3 suits, but one guy was wearing a B-6, and it just didn’t look right. TBH, like the guy wasn’t really one of the crew. Like a visitor who had been loaned his kit for the trip. I’ve had two D-1’s, and I know many swear by them, but never wanted a B-6.
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
I guess I’m the odd man out here. I’m a B-6 guy for all of the reasons you guys aren’t . I like the fitted back look and the overall trim look of the jacket . I also like the way the jacket tapers around the waist with either the leather adjustment tabs or the zippered models. The D1 seems a little blousy around the waist . Just my opinion.
 

Dover

Active Member
That's two votes for the B-6 and two votes for the D-1. You guys aren't helping! lol;)
 

asiamiles

Well-Known Member
I also like the way the jacket tapers around the waist with either the leather adjustment tabs or the zippered models.
I like the leather tabs but not the zippers, which look really odd to me. I think it all comes down to personal preference, and also what you would wear it with; the D-1 is a very casual jacket, workwear if you like, while the B-6 has a more tailored look...the former you can just throw on and off, while the latter needs care. I own a Buzz D-1.
 

falcon_ib

Well-Known Member
ground_crew.31150805.jpg

I'll cast my vote for the D-1. Usually I prefer more form-fitting styles, but I find the D-1's boxiness more rugged and the simplicity of the overall design subtler. I also love the painted on nicknames and art that often adorn ETO and MTO D-1's with the wearer's personality. At the end of the day, to each their own:cool:
 

ButteMT61

Well-Known Member
I'm partial to D-1 as my Dad wore that in the USAF in Bicester, England. Want to get one someday when I'm flush and know who/what etc.
 
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