acknowledgements and thanks to Couchy who recognised my long search for a below rip-off priced L2 in my size and, having procured it, was considerate enough to share his good fortune, it is totally in the spirit of friendly pricing and watching out for each other that makes this forum a fantastic place to associate with.
I took delvery today of a Buzz Rickson L2 jacket and although having had an L2a for a while now (and having preferred the blue as being altogether more 'Korean') the L2 has elevated itself in my estimations from chronological gap filler to out and out top ten.
As a replacement for the A2 it is an altogether better concieved jacket in terms of being able to move in it sitting down without the collar banging your earlobes, and the pocket access when wearing it around and about whichis one area where A2's, B3's and many other ww2 era flying jackets really fall down, especially for modern, non flight casual wear.
It has long been a vision of the USAF 'grownups' to de-militarise slightly in favour of a more corporate image, rightly or wrongly...and this is reflected in the gradual evolution of todays blazer or business suit like appearence of the dress uniform.
Thing being, in its olive drab shade, the l2 shows a clear lineage back to a thoroughly military mindset. It is wearable in a way that the A2 that it superceded can never be. Its design is a classic.
Being a baldy I have always been mindful of the skinhead associations that sadly mar the nylon bomber jacket but I thought that as long as I never match any of my nylon up with oxblood doc martens I shouldnt be causing anyone to believe that I am a neo nazi thug or such like.
anyway, despite being a light jacket, it was fine over a t shirt in todays 8 degrees C and I look forward to a summer of wear for that and its slightly younger brother as the fancy takes me.
what amazes and delights me about this L2, like all buzz jackets is the truly mil spec construction with an incredibly tight thread count and the fact that , unlike more modern nylons, it lacks much of the sheen. I would describe it as being reminiscent of cotton sateen really and alongside my rw B10 there is not a world of difference. I like this as much as I like the shiny appearence of new blue or sage nylon.
A total winner of a jacket and a current favourite. worth top price? maaaaaybe not to me but only because I have so much other nylon. (by my reckoning) This made me hold off paying new price but once offered at a price where it was l slightly ess of an indulgence I was all over it. If that seems tight fisted it shouldnt, I always wanted one but could not budget for premuium price.
Thanks Couchy and well done to Buzz for consistent high quality.
I took delvery today of a Buzz Rickson L2 jacket and although having had an L2a for a while now (and having preferred the blue as being altogether more 'Korean') the L2 has elevated itself in my estimations from chronological gap filler to out and out top ten.
As a replacement for the A2 it is an altogether better concieved jacket in terms of being able to move in it sitting down without the collar banging your earlobes, and the pocket access when wearing it around and about whichis one area where A2's, B3's and many other ww2 era flying jackets really fall down, especially for modern, non flight casual wear.
It has long been a vision of the USAF 'grownups' to de-militarise slightly in favour of a more corporate image, rightly or wrongly...and this is reflected in the gradual evolution of todays blazer or business suit like appearence of the dress uniform.
Thing being, in its olive drab shade, the l2 shows a clear lineage back to a thoroughly military mindset. It is wearable in a way that the A2 that it superceded can never be. Its design is a classic.
Being a baldy I have always been mindful of the skinhead associations that sadly mar the nylon bomber jacket but I thought that as long as I never match any of my nylon up with oxblood doc martens I shouldnt be causing anyone to believe that I am a neo nazi thug or such like.
anyway, despite being a light jacket, it was fine over a t shirt in todays 8 degrees C and I look forward to a summer of wear for that and its slightly younger brother as the fancy takes me.
what amazes and delights me about this L2, like all buzz jackets is the truly mil spec construction with an incredibly tight thread count and the fact that , unlike more modern nylons, it lacks much of the sheen. I would describe it as being reminiscent of cotton sateen really and alongside my rw B10 there is not a world of difference. I like this as much as I like the shiny appearence of new blue or sage nylon.
A total winner of a jacket and a current favourite. worth top price? maaaaaybe not to me but only because I have so much other nylon. (by my reckoning) This made me hold off paying new price but once offered at a price where it was l slightly ess of an indulgence I was all over it. If that seems tight fisted it shouldnt, I always wanted one but could not budget for premuium price.
Thanks Couchy and well done to Buzz for consistent high quality.
