L.W. Foster, G-1, 7823(AER); DA-36-243-QM(CTM)2134; anyone familiar?

[MaydayWei]

Hey everyone,

Unfortunately, it appears that I've caught the leather jacket bug; I've got it particularly bad for the G-1. Oh no, how tragic.
Anyways, I've always been curious about an original early-years G-1 and am contemplating one in pretty good nick in a size 38.
As such, I was wondering if anyone here owns this particular contract (L.W. Foster Sportswear, 7823(AER), DA-36-243-QM(CTM)2134) and could give some insight as to the sizing.
Was this contract particularly long? Did it have broad shoulders? Any particular flaws with this contract? I also understand that vintage sizes usually ran a little smaller than the tagged size.
Any input or comments are appreciated, thanks in advance!

On a side note, I found that JFK's recently auctioned G-1 also belonged to this particular contract too; so, that's pretty cool.

 

[Flightengineer]

I had a jacket from this contract in 42 size (sold) and now I have it in size 40.
V-siluette typical for this contract from 1958, it has narrow torso and broad shoulders (which is why 42 were sold).
At size 40 the shoulders are WIDER than on my G-1 1968 Bril Bros in size 42. This 40 fits like 38 in the torso and like 42 in the shoulders.
Sleeve length and jacket length are usual for G-1.
These are very nice jackets with great cool leather, but for slim athletic guys without a belly

This is how size 40 fits in the photos.
I am 1m 80 cm height 76-78 kg, athletic build.

Hope this helps.

Sorry if I can't answer other questions quickly, after forum was updated every visit to the forum turned into a lottery for me and now I can't write here as often as I would like.

 

[MaydayWei]

I had a jacket from this contract in 42 size (sold) and now I have it in size 40.
V-siluette typical for this contract from 1958, it has narrow torso and broad shoulders (which is why 42 were sold).
At size 40 the shoulders are WIDER than on my G-1 1968 Bril Bros in size 42. This 40 fits like 38 in the torso and like 42 in the shoulders.
Sleeve length and jacket length are usual for G-1.
These are very nice jackets with great cool leather, but for slim athletic guys without a belly

This is how size 40 fits in the photos.
I am 1m 80 cm height 76-78 kg, athletic build.

Hope this helps.

Sorry if I can't answer other questions quickly, after forum was updated every visit to the forum turned into a lottery for me and now I can't write here as often as I would like.

That's incredibly helpful! Thank you very much for your response and that insight.
I have to say, that jacket fits you bang on; you nailed that fit.
It seems from the pictures that it would be a relatively long one too; which is perfect for your height!
From what you've said above, I'm guessing you'd normally opt for a 42 in issued G-1s but a 40 in this contract was the better fit for you in the shoulders?

And on a side note, I've also been having problems logging on to the VLJ since the update; sometimes it works, sometimes the page just fails to load (I had thought it was my Wifi, but its not)

 

[Flightengineer]

Glad to help.Yes, you are right. LW Foster 40 fits better in shoulders.
All my flight jackets are size 40 (A2s, B-15s, MA-1, etc.) but my G-1s usually size 42. This Foster is an exception. Yes, it fits perfectly, and this jacket has a big history.
I always thought JFK had a contract from Ralph. Or am I missing something?

 

[MikeyB-17]

I used to have one of that contract, one of several over the years, mine was a 42 and fitted like it. I’m not particularly slim or athletic, but I don’t recall any sizing issues. I have had other G-1’s that didn’t fit as tagged (a Gregory Sportswear 42 which was way to small, like a 38, and an Irvin B. Foster 44 which fitted like a 42), but this one was fine. I wish I didn’t sell it, which is a phrase you may become familiar with if you keep this nonsense up.

 

[MaydayWei]

Glad to help.Yes, you are right. LW Foster 40 fits better in shoulders.
All my flight jackets are size 40 (A2s, B-15s, MA-1, etc.) but my G-1s usually size 42. This Foster is an exception. Yes, it fits perfectly, and this jacket has a big history.
I always thought JFK had a contract from Ralph. Or am I missing something?

I think Jorge said somewhere that JFK had 2 jackets; that might be why.
I'm pretty sure that one of them is an LW Foster; the other maybe a Ralph Edwards then?
But correct me if I'm wrong haha.

 

[MaydayWei]

I used to have one of that contract, one of several over the years, mine was a 42 and fitted like it. I’m not particularly slim or athletic, but I don’t recall any sizing issues. I have had other G-1’s that didn’t fit as tagged (a Gregory Sportswear 42 which was way to small, like a 38, and an Irvin B. Foster 44 which fitted like a 42), but this one was fine. I wish I didn’t sell it, which is a phrase you may become familiar with if you keep this nonsense up.

I sure hope I don't fall too far down the rabbit hole!
Please warm me with tales of caution to curb my enthusiasm now!

 

[B-Man2]

I sure hope I don't fall too far down the rabbit hole!
Please warm me with tales of caution to curb my enthusiasm now!

Ahhh .. To late for that May ...