Recent content by WingAndaPrayer

SMW wholesale makes a very fine A2 in custom sizes. I have 3 in size 54/56. It’s much better materials and construction than FiveStar. The only thing is SMW is a generic pattern A2 while FiveStar is taken from original patterns.

What is the biggest off the shelf size you will offer?

I’ve always been fond of the Native American motifs personally. 34th BS & Air Apaches in particular

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230526/a-marengo-man-has-spent-decades-rebuilding-a-b-17-bomber-in-his-barn

Too bad the orange dog Cooper is a lousy jacket. I kinda like the art on it. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig as they say

The article said the wing spar has been an issue for going on 40 years now. I’m amazed they haven’t been grounded sooner and permanently. But yeah, some amazing new technology might remedy this situation. But then what other age related problems will pop up? If you keep using fabricated parts on...

I really think this is the first domino to fall on the matter of grounding them permanently.

More on the grounding of the US fort fleet https://www.aerovintage.com/2023/05/17/new-b-17-wing-ad-effective-june-1-2023/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

If I could get any use out of it I would take a flyer on it. The 50 looks like it might be a good fit for me. Too bad we don’t get winter in Kansas anymore.

On the FiveStar issue, I’ve owned at least one of every original maker jacket they make, and the star is the most squared shoulder pattern of them all. I guess the caveat is your body shape. I’m a fairly big and square shaped guy to start with.

And be prepared to go through multiple jackets before you find “the one “

Those 5* jackets are 3 feet thick, I had a very stiff one that I left out on the clothes line in a downpour. It softened up very quickly after that.

They have excellent quality shearling jackets and yes, they do ship worldwide

Well, depending on your budget you might be able to get a shearling jacket from FiveStar. They are customizable for any look that you want. https://www.fivestarleather.us/products/usaaf-type-b-3-bomber-aviator-pilot-seal-brown-sheep-leather-flight-jacket-horsehide-facings

I feel like I’m slowly but surely turning into the FiveStar expert here