galvestonokie
Active Member
i know we have huge preferences when it comes to jackets. i am as biased as anyone else. in the military (USMC flight crew), i was never issued a G-1. at the time, we were at the end of the supply system and, until you could bargain/cumshaw a real jacket, some wore field jackets while flying. i never had the chance to obtain a G-1 but did get and wear a WEP jacket both in Vietnam and later in Okinawa. as i had to be quite active while flying, the WEP allowed great freedom of movement, and i got very used to it, even when the jacket became so filthy (hydraulic fluid, JP4, whatever) that it bordered on disgusting. wasing only faded the grime but i loved the jacket. sadly, can't tell you what happened to it after i became a civilian. now own a couple of WEPs and they still are a joy to wear.
i've tried to wear A-2s, owned several. i'm admittedly hard to fit. recently sold an A-2 that i couldn't get used to and pulled out a used Cooper G-1 (probably D model). great leather and patina, came from the bay with the crappy artificial dynel collar. tried the jacket on and was amazed at how well it fit. the bi-swing back was designed to facilitate movement and boy does it ever. this jacket again felt like it was made for me like a custom suit with multiple fittings. i have since had a trusted tailor replace the crappy dynel with goat, essentially changing the jacket from a G-1 to a bastardized ANJ3?? (not sure of the designation). what i got is a jacket i can wear in warmer weather that has a wonderful fit--much more wonderful and comfortable than any A-2 i've tried. IMHO, the mouton/dynel is a bit much for Texas or the middle east, where i am now.
i know i won't convert any A-2 fanatics to modified G-1s. i'm just saying...
i've tried to wear A-2s, owned several. i'm admittedly hard to fit. recently sold an A-2 that i couldn't get used to and pulled out a used Cooper G-1 (probably D model). great leather and patina, came from the bay with the crappy artificial dynel collar. tried the jacket on and was amazed at how well it fit. the bi-swing back was designed to facilitate movement and boy does it ever. this jacket again felt like it was made for me like a custom suit with multiple fittings. i have since had a trusted tailor replace the crappy dynel with goat, essentially changing the jacket from a G-1 to a bastardized ANJ3?? (not sure of the designation). what i got is a jacket i can wear in warmer weather that has a wonderful fit--much more wonderful and comfortable than any A-2 i've tried. IMHO, the mouton/dynel is a bit much for Texas or the middle east, where i am now.
i know i won't convert any A-2 fanatics to modified G-1s. i'm just saying...