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China Air civi B3 by Thedi

John Lever

Moderator
After several years gestation my China Airmotive B3 has been copied.
I sent the jacket to Thedi, Theo liked it so much he agreed to copy it and to make one for himself.
This is a horsehide shell jacket with a 10 mm sheepskin liner, zipped cuffs with snaps, B1 type collar fastening and waist adjusters. It is a heavy jacket on par with a B2 or B6.
Theo sourced the sheepskin solely for this jacket from an Italian tannery. The original has golden brown fleece, this one matches it perfectly. The outer shell is exactly matches the original.
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Original
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Silver Surfer

Well-Known Member
jeezelouise, that's Purdy. do ya know what co. made the original? if its actually "china air motive", does that mean that it was Chinese made? also, is Theo now making and offering this jacket? heavy, how heavy? John
 

MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
Beautiful jacket, some neat little details like the tapering stitching on the pocket. What’s the history of the original jacket, never come across one before, presumably a private purchase item as opposed to issued? Connected to the CBI and the Hump flights?
That is crying out for a bloody good hammering, it’s going to look amazing when it’s broken in.
 

John Lever

Moderator
jeezelouise, that's Purdy. do ya know what co. made the original? if its actually "china air motive", does that mean that it was Chinese made? also, is Theo now making and offering this jacket? heavy, how heavy? John
Vic,
I bought the original in 2014.
Heavy because it has two layers of hide, sheepskin and horsehide.
The label says ' CHINA AIRMOTVE SHANGHAI AND NEW YORK '
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If you remember you dated the zip as being circa mid 1930's

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It was originally for sale at over 1000 gbp....it didnt sell , I bought it for 150 gbp. It came from a UK house clearance. I have seen another one like it and assume it is a rare item. The original jacket was tiny about a 34 chest.
Theo made specifically for me, but I am sure he would make one for you if you asked.
 

John Lever

Moderator
Beautiful jacket, some neat little details like the tapering stitching on the pocket. What’s the history of the original jacket, never come across one before, presumably a private purchase item as opposed to issued? Connected to the CBI and the Hump flights?
That is crying out for a bloody good hammering, it’s going to look amazing when it’s broken in.
I'd like to think a cargo pilot wore the original in a Dak mid 1939's, perhaps a mail plane ?
 

Bombing IP

Well-Known Member
John some nice details on this jacket the colors look scrumptious and the workmanship is excellent . Very nice enjoy it my friend .

BIP
 

Silver Surfer

Well-Known Member
does the football [under arm insert panel] bunch up or feel like it's tight? I ask because I would guess that I keeping true to the design, was the jacket was made with high arm holes, as is most often the case with us 1930s-40s jackets.
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
John
I just want to echo everyone’s comments , that jacket is outstanding . I’ve never seen anything like it and I’m sure that the history of where that jacket has been and who’s worn it, is just as amazing as the jacket itself . You have a keeper for life .
Congrats !
 

John Lever

Moderator
does the football [under arm insert panel] bunch up or feel like it's tight? I ask because I would guess that I keeping true to the design, was the jacket was made with high arm holes, as is most often the case with us 1930s-40s jackets.
Vic,
No bunching up at all, I hadn't noticed the arm holes being high as I was so happy to look closely, but you are most probably correct. The arms are a snug fit not baggy like B3 or Irvin but similar to an A2 or B2.
The jacket is beautifully made, the colours are spot on, a perfect copy in fact.
 
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