Bronson AL-1

[M. from Berlin]

Happy New Year 2022 gentleman!
has someone bought the new Bronson AL-1 jacket ?

many thanks.
Mario

US Navy AL-1 Flight Jacket

At the end of World War II, U.S. Navy also needed an updated flight jacket to replace the heavy fur jacket, and the AL-1 came into being. The AL-1 (55J13) is a mid-length jacket with a field jacket-like lapel appearance. The jacket is closed by a zipper and had the button-type front fly provides...

bronsonshop.com

 

[CBI]

I flagged this a few weeks ago as I had never seen this model before. Tempting for sure and a great price.

 

[Thomas Koehle]

Never saw one before

 

[Pilot]

On „ Full Gear“

 

[917_k]

AL-1 jackets are superb. Like a deck jacket, but better. They’re Navy flight clothing from the late 40s/early 50s, designed for air crews, but often worn by deck officers and crew. They came with a pair of matching WL-1 trousers for a complete outfit.

I’ve got a named original and had another original that I sold last year. The Bronson version looks pretty decent. Wore my original the other day and whilst I got absolutely soaked, it still kept me warm:

That jacket above is named to an R.G. Mellin, who was commander of HS-1 (Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron) in the mid-late 50s.

Here’s the other jacket I had and subsequently sold:

 

[M. from Berlin]

 

[London Cabbie]

add to list.

 

[B-Man2]

I like it !
Are originals difficult to find?

 

[Pilot]

I like it !
Are originals difficult to find?

They pop up quite often on buyee.jp.
Prime maker repros and originals.

 

[B-Man2]

Thanks Brice !

 

[917_k]

I like it !
Are originals difficult to find?

They do turn up from time to time, but are reasonably rare. As @Pilot says, there’s a few in Japan. Both mine came from the US. Condition can be a problem with these, like all Navy clothing they’re subject to fairly harsh conditions, so get a lot of wear. Repro is probably the way to go if you want something that isn’t smelly, faded, frayed, missing buttons etc (issues with both of the ones I’ve had).

 

[Pilot]

They do turn up from time to time, but are reasonably rare. As @Pilot says, there’s a few in Japan. Both mine came from the US. Condition can be a problem with these, like all Navy clothing they’re subject to fairly harsh conditions, so get a lot of wear. Repro is probably the way to go if you want something that isn’t smelly, faded, frayed, missing buttons etc (issues with both of the ones I’ve had).

Agree! the size might also be an issue, even if they run quite large ( they were designed to allow a lot of layers).
Anyway, yes a BR or TRMcC‘s are excellent and faithful repros and quite frequent in large sizes, with P2P 25-26“ .

 

[CBI]

very tempting but proud of myself for fighting the urge. An original or repro acquisition would just sit in my closet!

 

[CBI]

oops, wrong thread for these pics - deleted

 

[MikeyB-17]

They’ve always intrigued me since seeing one in ‘Suit up!’ Always thought they looked warm and well thought out. Very seldom seen second hand, and up until now not widely reproduced (I imagine one of the Japanese companies will have done it, but can imagine what they would charge). Now Bronson are doing one I am tempted, just not sure how much I would wear it. I love the idea of handwarmer pockets with internal wrist cuffs.

 

[917_k]

They’ve always intrigued me since seeing one in ‘Suit up!’ Always thought they looked warm and well thought out. Very seldom seen second hand, and up until now not widely reproduced (I imagine one of the Japanese companies will have done it, but can imagine what they would charge). Now Bronson are doing one I am tempted, just not sure how much I would wear it. I love the idea of handwarmer pockets with internal wrist cuffs.

The chest pockets with cuffs are superb, very clever idea. I need to get mine fixed (it’s missing a load of buttons), because I’d wear it a whole lot more. It’s by far one of the best jackets I own. Warm, packed full of pockets and looks awesome.

 

[MikeyB-17]

Well I’ve gorn and done it. Ordered one-they didn’t have my size in stock when I last looked, but today they seem to have restocked so I bit the bullet. Never ordered from Bronson before so we’ll see how it goes. Always fancied one, so for 150-odd quid I thought it was worth a punt. I’ll let you know how I get on.

 

[B-Man2]

Well I’ve gorn and done it. Ordered one-they didn’t have my size in stock when I last looked, but today they seem to have restocked so I bit the bullet. Never ordered from Bronson before so we’ll see how it goes. Always fancied one, so for 150-odd quid I thought it was worth a punt. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Mikey
Please let us know how you like it once it arrives .

 

[MikeyB-17]

Burt-do you think for one minute that I wouldn’t?

 

[B-Man2]

Yeah..That was a total lack of thought on my part.....