fishmeok
Well-Known Member
I finished modding a US Authentic B-3 last night. I won this jacket on e-bay when I forgot to withdraw a bid- the perils of using a sniper program. It is a decent enough jacket, but not very "authentic" so I decided to make it a little more so. Changes include:
Removing and re-attaching the cuffs properly
Removing, shortening, and re-attaching the zippers correctly (originally covered with tape and both on the outside)
Making the jacket body almost 4 inches shorter
Adding the square reinforcements at the bottom of the zippers
Adding the triangular reinforcements at the top of the zippers
Making the insignia tabs a more reasonable size (they were almost 4" by 4"!)
Dyeing the arm, pocket, and straps darker (just looks better)
Adding an AAF decal
Moving the pocket up and alongside the zipper
I am pleased with the results, though it was a LOT harder than I thought it would be. It's still more of a B-3 look than exact replica as the straps are way off, the tape is too dark, and I cheated on the body length by just cutting off the bottom and moving the tapes and pocket up instead of installing a panel of 1/4" fleece around the base. The insignia tabs are too far forward as well...
Not NEARLY as spectacular as an Aero or Eastman B-3, but good enough for daily wear.
Cheers
Mark
Before:
After:
Removing and re-attaching the cuffs properly
Removing, shortening, and re-attaching the zippers correctly (originally covered with tape and both on the outside)
Making the jacket body almost 4 inches shorter
Adding the square reinforcements at the bottom of the zippers
Adding the triangular reinforcements at the top of the zippers
Making the insignia tabs a more reasonable size (they were almost 4" by 4"!)
Dyeing the arm, pocket, and straps darker (just looks better)
Adding an AAF decal
Moving the pocket up and alongside the zipper
I am pleased with the results, though it was a LOT harder than I thought it would be. It's still more of a B-3 look than exact replica as the straps are way off, the tape is too dark, and I cheated on the body length by just cutting off the bottom and moving the tapes and pocket up instead of installing a panel of 1/4" fleece around the base. The insignia tabs are too far forward as well...
Not NEARLY as spectacular as an Aero or Eastman B-3, but good enough for daily wear.
Cheers
Mark
Before:
After: