Some Large NOS CWU-45's here if you were after one.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-CREATIVE-CWU- ... 5638375e63
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-CREATIVE-CWU- ... 5638375e63
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CWU-45's
- Thread starter rich
- Start date
Atticus
Well-Known Member
If you watch e-bay carefully, you can still get great deals on these jackets. Last year, I bought a mint CWU-36P for $9.99 and a mint CWU-45P for 99 cents. I also bought a not-so-mint, first edition CWU-45P for 99 cents. Since then, I have missed several CWUs that went for only twenty or thirty bucks apiece.
AF
AF
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
This has been my experience as well. I've seen plenty of CWUs sell for over $200 on Ebay, but there's no great difficulty in finding them for a fraction of that. I don't recall paying more than $60 for any of mine, and most of them set me back between $15 and $40. Awhile back I fell into an opportunity with an Ebay seller who shipped me a boxful at around $35 each. I sold off a couple that didn't fit, and still cherish the mint Aussie-spec variant that an upstanding chap from this forum traded me for one of the rattier ones.
Regarding the early bi-swing versions specifically, I have a salty pre-CWU that I purchased for $25 a couple years back. The seller was none other than the controversial Rotenhan, late of VLJ. I paid somewhere in that neighborhood for the mint example (complete with signal flag) that now resides with Greyhound52. All is not lost as I traded it for an early 36 in like condition.
The bottom line is that it shouldn't be too hard to find these jackets cheaply, around $50 or less.
Regarding the early bi-swing versions specifically, I have a salty pre-CWU that I purchased for $25 a couple years back. The seller was none other than the controversial Rotenhan, late of VLJ. I paid somewhere in that neighborhood for the mint example (complete with signal flag) that now resides with Greyhound52. All is not lost as I traded it for an early 36 in like condition.
The bottom line is that it shouldn't be too hard to find these jackets cheaply, around $50 or less.
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
tcwu said:
I noticed that as well. The web address on the label is odd, but I suppose it could have been stamped on post-production. Offhand I'm not sure whether the specifications are otherwise correct, but the jacket appears to be constructed of the proper aramid fabric.
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
It is strange, isn't it? This may not solve the riddle, but I note that Mart Aviation is a UK-based outfit. Could the "CAA-CGS" script refer to an order by the Civil Aviation Authority? This seems consistent with all other indications (UK seller, absence of US SPO markings).
johnny english
Member
This seller has 2 listings for CWU -45's.
The other one which he has 5 of he has designated in the title as (339) as opposed to (340) has a different label.
is there a difference in the spec's ? are the liners removable ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-ALPHA-CWU-45- ... _972wt_940
The other one which he has 5 of he has designated in the title as (339) as opposed to (340) has a different label.
is there a difference in the spec's ? are the liners removable ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-ALPHA-CWU-45- ... _972wt_940
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
Those appear to be typical Alpha-produced military versions with the SPO number crossed off the label with ink. The lining is not removable.
johnny english
Member
nice jacket , but I think large would be too big for me, I take an ELC size 40.
what do you reckon ?
what do you reckon ?
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
deeb7 said:watchmanjimg said:
That would fit ... our RNZAF issued examples still have the SPO number, but then, our air force is kinda small.
David, do RNZAF-issued CWUs use labels identical to those in US-issued jackets? I ask because I checked my Aussie variant and while it has the NSN and MIL-J-8338xx numbers, it is otherwise a unique manufacturer's label (Signal One) without SPO number. Thus, I'm assuming that Creative Apparel was free to put whatever they chose on the label in lieu of the SPO. If my hypothesis is valid, presumably the script could reflect the intended recipient of the jackets. Or not . . . :?
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
johnny english said:
I normally take a 42 in A-2s, but a Large CWU-45 runs roomy on me. I think a Medium would work best for you.
johnny english
Member
Ok thanks Jim , I'll look out for a medium
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
deeb7 said:
It looks like it, David. I'll have to post a pic of the label in the Aussie jacket, but it's definitely in a unique configuration--complete with "broad arrow."
Getting back to CWU-45 sizing, I'm finding that they seem to have gotten this design just wrong. For me the Medium is a good length in body and sleeves, but a trifle snug in the upper chest and shoulders. I drown in the Large. The CWU-36 in Medium works well for length but is way too trim through the upper body for my liking. Large 36s fit OK in the body but exhibit major tunneling of the sleeves. I've actually debated shortening some of mine, but so far I haven't had the heart. Large MA-1s and L-2bs consistently fit me well, subject to the well-known variations in body length from contract to contract.
watchmanjimg said:
Oh yeah ... that will be them.
The sizing works for me, I guess because I'm narrower in the shoulders. That said, it's a pity that it was ever changed from the old chest measurement sizing ... it's illogical that one size garment is ever going to fit everyone across two chest sizes.
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
I was wondering that myself, and I don't think there is a difference. I'm no scientist, but apparently "aramid" is short for "aromatic polyamide" per the following:
http://www.teijinaramid.com/smartsite.dws?id=20094
http://www.teijinaramid.com/smartsite.dws?id=20094
sixties.nut
New Member
Hey, I don't want to sidetrack this man's conversation, but in terms of Aramide/Nomex etc.
Is there any place like a show were you can go to see all the jackets one against the other.
There are at least a half dozen manufacturers within a hours drive from me, all of them top brands etc.
When I email them to see about a retail offering, I always get the No we're not setup for that.
It's like they're saying: We heard you was in the gear buying mode and we're dubya dudya dot closed.
Please send us your four or five hundred dollars and HOPE we send you something serviceable in return.
I'd have a better chance working a deal with a crack-head whore, we'll at least she would have SOME
principals we're the surplus vendors don't.
It's been more than once I've been in Stoney's shoes or the guy who got the 'towels' for his hard work.
I feel much better with a touchey/feelie purchase over a website i.e. Creative Apparel where they don't
even give out their email address just to get the dubya dubya dot closed response.
It's for sure a tough nut to Crack. I read about an event in Philadelphia in June, is that where you
need to go to see this stuff first hand?
Thanks,
Mike
PS: It ain't no different in the watch buying business either. Just so you know.
Is there any place like a show were you can go to see all the jackets one against the other.
There are at least a half dozen manufacturers within a hours drive from me, all of them top brands etc.
When I email them to see about a retail offering, I always get the No we're not setup for that.
It's like they're saying: We heard you was in the gear buying mode and we're dubya dudya dot closed.
Please send us your four or five hundred dollars and HOPE we send you something serviceable in return.
I'd have a better chance working a deal with a crack-head whore, we'll at least she would have SOME
principals we're the surplus vendors don't.
It's been more than once I've been in Stoney's shoes or the guy who got the 'towels' for his hard work.
I feel much better with a touchey/feelie purchase over a website i.e. Creative Apparel where they don't
even give out their email address just to get the dubya dubya dot closed response.
It's for sure a tough nut to Crack. I read about an event in Philadelphia in June, is that where you
need to go to see this stuff first hand?
Thanks,
Mike
PS: It ain't no different in the watch buying business either. Just so you know.
watchmanjimg
Well-Known Member
Mike:
In my experience many government contractors are impossible to deal with directly. Militaria shows are a great place to see items in person, but I suppose you'd have to know what you're looking at in the first place so it's hard if you're not already familiar with the gear. Many Army/Navy stores nowadays sell mostly commercial copies of military items, so that's also a tough place to learn.
If you're particularly interested in fire-retardant military jackets I'd be glad to photograph some from my collection and post them here. I'm sure other forum members will be happy to help as well.
In my experience many government contractors are impossible to deal with directly. Militaria shows are a great place to see items in person, but I suppose you'd have to know what you're looking at in the first place so it's hard if you're not already familiar with the gear. Many Army/Navy stores nowadays sell mostly commercial copies of military items, so that's also a tough place to learn.
If you're particularly interested in fire-retardant military jackets I'd be glad to photograph some from my collection and post them here. I'm sure other forum members will be happy to help as well.
