Source of the Odor in my 55J14 jacket from Five Star.

[B. Willbnks]

I, awoke in middle of the night, when one of my old silent brain cells came back to life. As some here may know I spent some time in the US Navy and the early part was in the Korean war.
About 10 days ago I received my Five Star G-1 spec. 55J14 leather jacket, It had a horrible odor when I open the poly bag. Today, it still have the same about of odor. None has vanished for it.
Now back to the old brain cell coming back to life.
One early morning in December 1951 off the coast of Korea in the Sea of Japan after we just launched from the deck of the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 heading for our vectored area in the AD-4W Skyraider, when a hydraulic line ruptured spewing oil over me and David Marshall: Radarman 2nd class. The broken line sent oil on my A. Pritzker 55J14 jacket and the flight suit. However, that wasn't real trouble we were in. We had to make a rush run back to the carrier for repairs.
The Bon Homme and the other two carriers, the and all the other ships in Task Force 77 was in launch mode for the flight mission of the day. All that had to stop and get in formation to receive aircraft, which meant the Task Force had to chance course. That would take time and we had no time to spare as the pilot informed us his rudder and stabilizers controls was getting weak. The other option was take it down in the drink (sea) and hope we would make it out of the aircraft. I'm here today, so that would make we made it back to the carrier safety.

Fast forward to now.
When DHL delivered the jacket and my wife sign for it, the package had a smell so bad she put it on the washing machine in the utility room. When I open the poly bag, I notice the odor also and gave it no thought. Although, the poly bag was dirty and appeared to have been dragged behind the DHL aircraft.
The good thing, the jacket inside didn't appear to have any damage. I sent a email to Shawn Ali at Five Star telling him that he shouldn't ship flight jacket in poly packages, but, in a carton. He informed my they do have carton, but, it would raise the shipping costs.
So, here's my findings on what odor is on the jacket. It's Hydraulic fluid, the same that that spewed on my 55J14 back in 1951 from the broken line on the AD-4W.
Somewhere between Pakistan and the Port Authority in New York, DHL had a hydraulic line leaking and it got on the poly bag while in flight in the DHL cargo area of the aircraft. It is too lake to file a claim, as the poly package is long gone and I'm sure DHL will not admit to such happening.

So, that is where the matter stands now.

Also, I'm going to make an apology to Shawn Ali that he and his crew didn't have any matter into the odor problem.

 

[Shawn Ali]

I, awoke in middle of the night, when one of my old silent brain cells came back to life. As some here may know I spent some time in the US Navy and the early part was in the Korean war.
About 10 days ago I received my Five Star G-1 spec. 55J14 leather jacket, It had a horrible odor when I open the poly bag. Today, it still have the same about of odor. None has vanished for it.
Now back to the old brain cell coming back to life.
One early morning in December 1951 off the coast of Korea in the Sea of Japan after we just launched from the deck of the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA-31 heading for our vectored area in the AD-4W Skyraider, when a hydraulic line ruptured spewing oil over me and David Marshall: Radarman 2nd class. The broken line sent oil on my A. Pritzker 55J14 jacket and the flight suit. However, that wasn't real trouble we were in. We had to make a rush run back to the carrier for repairs.
The Bon Homme and the other two carriers, the and all the other ships in Task Force 77 was in launch mode for the flight mission of the day. All that had to stop and get in formation to receive aircraft, which meant the Task Force had to chance course. That would take time and we had no time to spare as the pilot informed us his rudder and stabilizers controls was getting weak. The other option was take it down in the drink (sea) and hope we would make it out of the aircraft. I'm here today, so that would make we made it back to the carrier safety.

Fast forward to now.
When DHL delivered the jacket and my wife sign for it, the package had a smell so bad she put it on the washing machine in the utility room. When I open the poly bag, I notice the odor also and gave it no thought. Although, the poly bag was dirty and appeared to have been dragged behind the DHL aircraft.
The good thing, the jacket inside didn't appear to have any damage. I sent a email to Shawn Ali at Five Star telling him that he shouldn't ship flight jacket in poly packages, but, in a carton. He informed my they do have carton, but, it would raise the shipping costs.
So, here's my findings on what odor is on the jacket. It's Hydraulic fluid, the same that that spewed on my 55J14 back in 1951 from the broken line on the AD-4W.
Somewhere between Pakistan and the Port Authority in New York, DHL had a hydraulic line leaking and it got on the poly bag while in flight in the DHL cargo area of the aircraft. It is too lake to file a claim, as the poly package is long gone and I'm sure DHL will not admit to such happening.

So, that is where the matter stands now.

Also, I'm going to make an apology to Shawn Ali that he and his crew didn't have any matter into the odor problem.

Thanks for the detailed message, you are also good in investigation things, I really feel pain when any of our customer share some unexpected issues with our jackets and try to solve them, whatever the reason is I will send you a new 55J14 as per commitment..
Thank you once again for the detailed report

Shawn

Sent from my SM-J701F using Tapatalk

 

[STEVE S.]

It’s amazing how one small drop of hydraulic fluid or gear oil can spread & linger. Back in the old days, if we wanted to get even with someone, we would simply squeeze off a drop of positraction additive under the seat of their car. Living with the heat in FL, that car would stink something awful after being closed up all day.

 

[Otter]

Some oils can be really stinky if they have been in the system a while. I used to work in oil testing a long number of years back, I reckoned the EP type of oils were the worst, smelled like the stuff they put in gas to give it the warning stench.

Glad you got back to the carrier Mr B, that sounds like a close one. I felt privileged to see an AD flying when we visited the States. A mall next to the airport in Ventura, I knew I could hear something pretty powerful, looked up and there it was, floating in on final.

Shawn, exceptional customer service, kudos to you !

 

[Flightengineer]

With all my respect, I can’t imagine where on a plane operated by DHL there can be a leak of hydraulic fluid can get on a cargo.

 

[B. Willbnks]

With all my respect, I can’t imagine where on a plane operated by DHL there can be a leak of hydraulic fluid can get on a cargo.

If I would send the jacket to a Chemist to get an analyst on where it has hydraulic fluid, and it came back as such, there would be no other source other than DHL. As for as I can determine, DHL was the only carrier to handle the package. However, it did get a short time at the Customs authority center in New York.

 

[B-Man2]

With all my respect, I can’t imagine where on a plane operated by DHL there can be a leak of hydraulic fluid can get on a cargo.

Cheers Dimitry!
My understanding was that the jacket was wrapped in a poly bag which had to be opened.
Could oil have penetrated the poly bag on the aircraft while the bag was sealed or does someone have access and open the DHL shipments? As a pilot Does this type of thing happening often?

 

[Lebowski]

Commercial shipping services are always pricey along with quite weak service.
Regular national postal services usually work much better and are noticeably less expensive.

 

[Flightengineer]

Cheers Dimitry!
My understanding was that the jacket was wrapped in a poly bag which had to be opened.
Could oil have penetrated the poly bag on the aircraft while the bag was sealed or does someone have access and open the DHL shipments? As a pilot Does this type of thing happening often?

Hi Burt,
Different liquids can be used in the hydraulic system, some of them are good plasticizers and solvents for many non-metallic materials.
However, usually hydraulics lines pass outside the cargo desk of most modern aircraft.

 

[Otter]

With all my respect, I can’t imagine where on a plane operated by DHL there can be a leak of hydraulic fluid can get on a cargo.

Probably still running C-46's, maybe a 707 on a good day !

 

[Flightengineer]

Probably still running C-46's, maybe a 707 on a good day !

In DHL?

 

[B. Willbnks]

Last Saturday I made a trip to Kansas City, Mo and taken the G-1 Spec.55J14 to Arrow Leather Care, who is one of the best well-known professional leather cleaning specialist in the world. The jacket that Five Star made for me reeks so badly with a toxic odor, that it cannot be worn. The person at Arrow suggested that I not wear the jacket as it contains toxic chemicals to a human being. They said, the would try to remove these chemicals (0d0rs) and the fee would be $125.00. However, they would not guarantee it could be done.
So, I sent email to Shawn Ali at Five Star of the fact. I think it is best that he refund me the costs...$155.00 plus the $28.00 shipping I paid. His reply.. I must send the jacket back and paid the shipping charges. If I read eBay's return policy correctly, the seller pays the shipping on any returns if there is a problem...such as a faulty product. Not only has the jacket with the odor, it also has a bad, faulty mouton fur collar....as the pictures here shows. The fur collar has missing fur and in area that the fur easily comes off the collar. I will not pay any shipping charges to return this jacket. If Five Star wants it back, they pays the shipping charges.
Like I said in another posting on this forum. You may fool me once, but you won't fool me twice.

 

[Southoftheborder]

I thought you had this sorted and he was going to refund you or make you another jacket?

 

[robrinay]

Just open a dispute inside eBay/PayPal and let them decide. ‘Trial by Forum’ is inappropriate in this case.

 

[B-Man2]

It seems to me that Shawn has agreed to replace this jacket with a new one at no additional cost to you. Therefore all you need to do is destroy this jacket, as you’re getting a new one as a replacement jacket. However, I gather from this post that you are unhappy with that arrangement and now feel you should also have your original purchase price refunded as well , and be entitled to a free jacket. What I find particularly distasteful is that from your very first posts on this forum you have attempted to leverage pressure on Shawn, by taking your case to the members of this forum. You negotiate with Shawn through private emails and then bring your complaints here when you feel that your not getting you’re entitled just compensation. You’ve done this now on two occasions, trying to leverage pressure on Shawn by utilizing this forum as your personal sounding board, in an effort to damage Shawn and his business. It’s a shame that a veteran like yourself, who we all admire and respect, resorts to this type of activity.
Since your arrival here you’ve complained about this jacket non stop . Are you aware that Shawn has made several jackets for members of this forum and no one has had an issue with them or any “Toxic Odor” . The simple fact that you are getting a replacement jacket should have shown you that Shawn has attempted to do what’s right to resolve this issue, but you keep having a go at him whenever your not getting the proper feedback from Shawn. You have a number of alternative options to voice your complaint, from eBay to Pay Pal, but you continue to “bad mouth “ him here . What other purpose would you have in mind, other than to damage his business with the members here. Very distasteful in my opinion. And for the record I don’t own any 5 Star products , nor am I planning on purchasing any in the future.

 

[Technonut2112]

I may have missed a post or two, but I find it odd that a 'good-luck' coin was tied to the pull on a jacket which is too toxic to wear, or even keep in the house:

 

[Micawber]

1. Consumer reports problem with goods received - garment has a strange smell allegedly caused by unknown contaminant, source unknown.
2. Supplier made aware.
3. Supplier publicly states they will send replacement garment.

Summary: Based on what has been posted publicly that should be the end of it.

 

[B. Willbnks]

Follow-up. That "good-luck" coin was given to me by the Air Dept. CO in 1950, and has been attached to two) original 55J14 jackets from 1950-1955, and to two (2) G-1 7823 series 1955-1966. It was attached to this Five Star jacket upon receiving it. Now, it seems that was some "bad luck" in doing so. Maybe that is the reason the odor will not leave the jacket... I will remove it.
From the beginning, Shawn wanted to refund me the cost of the jacket, less the shipping charges and make another one. I sent email to Shawn that I would not except a refund, but, a new jacket provided the replacement would not have the same odor. He would not guarantee that, as he would be using the same reddish brown goatskin as the one I have now. I thought we both had the agreement that would be the case here. However, since he cannot allow me any assurance on the odor problem, it's a stand-off on what is next. Returning the jacket isn't so easy. Not like shipping it to a location the USA where there are no customs fees, etc. Plus the fact the costs of shipping to Pakistan.

 

[Earloffunk]

B-Man2 is totally right. Noting more to add.

 

[Shawn Ali]

Last Saturday I made a trip to Kansas City, Mo and taken the G-1 Spec.55J14 to Arrow Leather Care, who is one of the best well-known professional leather cleaning specialist in the world. The jacket that Five Star made for me reeks so badly with a toxic odor, that it cannot be worn. The person at Arrow suggested that I not wear the jacket as it contains toxic chemicals to a human being. They said, the would try to remove these chemicals (0d0rs) and the fee would be $125.00. However, they would not guarantee it could be done.
So, I sent email to Shawn Ali at Five Star of the fact. I think it is best that he refund me the costs...$155.00 plus the $28.00 shipping I paid. His reply.. I must send the jacket back and paid the shipping charges. If I read eBay's return policy correctly, the seller pays the shipping on any returns if there is a problem...such as a faulty product. Not only has the jacket with the odor, it also has a bad, faulty mouton fur collar....as the pictures here shows. The fur collar has missing fur and in area that the fur easily comes off the collar. I will not pay any shipping charges to return this jacket. If Five Star wants it back, they pays the shipping charges.
Like I said in another posting on this forum. You may fool me once, but you won't fool me twice.

Dear Billbnks

Thanks for all of your messages, well I mentioned I would like to make you happy whatever the way you will be, also communicated with you on a lot of problems, but I am unable to catch the real issue working with you, I am not sure the Odor is in Leather, Mouton Collar, Waxes, or anything else, I came to the conclusion that even I can not satisfy you with another jacket, So I decided to refund you the complete amount you paid include shipping, You also don't need to pay any shipping charges for return to New York or Pak. Please destroy this jacket. Your whole refund will be in your account within 24 hours.

At the end I apologize for not to fulfill your requirements, I will work to improve all the area's you suggested.

Best Regards

Shawn