Alpha Industries

[johnnycanuck]

Looking at picking up a new MA-1 or a B-15. Looking at Alpha Industries models. Anyone have any input/opinions. Any real difference from the Knox to the Alpha? Any on-line venders anyone would recommend. Any information would he helpful. Thanks.
Johnny

 

[deeb7]

Any on-line venders anyone would recommend.

Closeoutpete is great to deal with, not a complete range, but well priced, and he would even give a $5.00 discount to the forum.

His Alpha Replica B-15D MOD was a favourite here, now only available in small sizes, but the 38 fits as a perfect 40.

http://stores.ebay.com/CLOSEOUT-WORLD_W ... esstQQtZkm

 

[watchmanjimg]

Hi Johnny!

In my opinion the current Alpha jackets are OK for the money, but they're really nowhere near the originals. On the one hand you have a choice of colors if you don't like sage green, but on the other hand the quality of Alpha's nylon, insulation, knits, and hardware falls well below true military specs. This has become more noticeable over the past 20 years in my opinion, and even the later issued Alpha MA-1s are a poor substitute for the brand's previous offerings. I can remember when the Alpha repros appeared somewhat better made than what's currently available, especially since they started putting that silly little tag on the sleeve pocket. I don't know too much about the Knox line, but it's possible they're a bit closer to the original type. My main gripe is with the materials used in the more recent Alpha jackets I've seen, but they may have improved this. One thing I can tell you is that Alpha's customer service is excellent in my experience.

Some of the other repro nylon jackets such as Buzz Rickson or Real McCoy's are much nicer than Alpha, but they're also considerably more expensive. Depending on your budget and preference as to color, you may be happier waiting until a good original MA-1 shows up on Ebay or perhaps the Buy/Sell page of this forum. Another option might be Alpha's Authentic MA-1 model, which is a bit more faithful to the original design in that it uses wool knits and so forth. I'm not sure if they're still in production, but I believe some websites still offer them.

Hope this helps!

 

[tamoko]

.

 

[Tim P]

Buzz has the alpha beat to the likes of us but put the two together and the untrained eye would not be able to distinguish at all. I have both.
It is a lot of extra dollar to have a jacket that wins by a length. If it were a one horse race that would be different.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Well I tried a MA-1 Alpha on at the mall the other day. Good thing, I fit a 42-44 so I should be a large, but my arms are long so it looks like I need a extra large. I will have to decide if I am going to mail order or buy one there. All I save is about $10 for a mail order and they dont have any B-15's at the mall. Anyone have any pictures they care to share to help me decide?
Johnny

 

[deeb7]

Anyone have any pictures they care to share to help me decide?

I've sold the Replica Series B-15D, and the modifieds, so here's the B-15C .... pretend it's green.

 

[Atticus]

If you are able to find an Alpha Replica B-15, please be aware that the sizing of these jackets can be strange. I wear XL in MA-1s and size 48 in leather jackets. The Replica B-15C I'm wearing in the photo below is a size 44, but it is much larger than any XL MA-1 I've ever owned. Indeed, it is very close to being too large for me.

AF

 

[deeb7]

After this post this Jacket will be probably more expensive. But it wort good money.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MA-1-Vietnam-era-US ... 0244555762

Winning bid: US $206.06

 

[johnnycanuck]

seems expensive.

 

[watchmanjimg]

I didn't bid because I have quite a few MA-1s already, but this doesn't seem too bad for such a nice example.

 

[tamoko]

.

 

[bw-8]

If you are able to find an Alpha Replica B-15, please be aware that the sizing of these jackets can be strange. I wear XL in MA-1s and size 48 in leather jackets. The Replica B-15C I'm wearing in the photo below is a size 44, but it is much larger than any XL MA-1 I've ever owned. Indeed, it is very close to being too large for me.

I agree: I had one of those in a 44 and it seemed more like a 48-50. I normally wear a 42-44 depending on the cut and I felt like the Michelin Man in that thing! :lol:

 

[johnny english]

Hey Deeb, is that a size 38 Alpha B15 you're wearing in the photo ?
I'm thinking about geting one and I think you and I are about the same size .

I take it you rate the Alpha B15 replica ? it seems really good value !

 

[deeb7]

Hey Deeb, is that a size 38 Alpha B15 you're wearing in the photo ?
I'm thinking about geting one and I think you and I are about the same size .

I take it you rate the Alpha B15 replica ? it seems really good value !

Yes, it's a 38 ... so that's the size for you.

And yes, not quite a Buzz, but great value.

 

[johnny english]

picked up up size 38 Alpha B15 replica today, quite impressed with the quality , though not too sure about the green colour collar.

The guy selling picked up some NOS from a shop that was closing down and he reckoned that Alpha haven't made the B15 replica for about 8 years

He had some good stuff mind, MA1's and N2B's and some B15 vintage which he said were newer than the replicas and were not as good quality. They seemed to be a lighter weight.

 

[Maverickson]

If you are able to find an Alpha Replica B-15, please be aware that the sizing of these jackets can be strange. I wear XL in MA-1s and size 48 in leather jackets. The Replica B-15C I'm wearing in the photo below is a size 44, but it is much larger than any XL MA-1 I've ever owned. Indeed, it is very close to being too large for me.

AF

Hi AF,

I recently received my B-15C jacket. It was not quite as per described by the seller as it is 1/2" to 1" smaller dimensioned than reported. The shoulders are a true 20" and pits exactly 25" and the waist is 46 around ( GUT ROOM ). However, these real measurements are okay for me. It reminds me of a USN deck jacket. By chance these particular patches were in one of the inside pockets in this jacket!

On this coming Friday the 16th I will undergo back surgery. One of my vertabrea is going to be fused. They are going to JACK ME UP 3/8" to 1/2" as a result. But, as explained there is a slow recovery period. A possitive thing as it will push me back up towards the 6' that I oriiginally just missed and get rid of my nagging back pain. This surgery is also going to make carrying this B-15C jacket to the seamstress ( sail maker ) to attach the new knits. Notwithstanding, the B-15C jacket arrived prior to the replacement knits.

I will post all later.

Dave