The Abominable Snowman, The Unicorn, and The G-8 Flight Jacket, Do They Really Exist ?

[B-Man2]

Russet Indy looks good…

Stu
I think that’s the US Authentic version of their Indy in Russett .

 

[Chandler]

You know, looking at the M421 thread (and thinking back to those diamond elbow patches) -- isn't the G-8 basically a leather M421?

*Edit -- it doesn't look like the M421 has the waist belts and the open, pleated sides like the G-8. And I never saw the zips on the sleeves before, as the US Authentic G-8 seems to have.

 

[B-Man2]

You know, looking at the M421 thread (and thinking back to those diamond elbow patches) -- isn't the G-8 basically a leather M421?

I never thought about it, but that’s a good question. It certainly is constructed along those lines and you could certainly make a discussion that it’s based on that design. Then add in that the G-8 is associated and listed as a USN early 1920-1930s flight jacket. It’s very plausible for sure.

 

[bseal]

 

[B-Man2]

View attachment 79031

I actually saw that, but it’s a marketing or selling advertisement. I researched this jacket a bit and nothing other than something along these lines popped up. Never any past military photos or anything that could be considered as documentary or photographic proof that this jacket ever existed . If you do happen to find a period photo please post it.

 

[B-Man2]

So … I did a quick photographic comparison between the “USN G-8” jacket and the Wings Indy jacket. While similar in several ways, there are subtle differences between the two. Both are goatskin. First off the arms of the G-8 have the large diamond shaped patches that cover a good part of the arm of the G-8 jacket. There are no such patches on the Indy jacket . Both jackets have cargo pockets which also function as hand warmer pockets. While the G-8 jacket has buttons similar to a G-1 style jacket, the Indy jacket has snapped pockets .

The cuff of the G-8 is a button cuff while the cuff of the Indy jacket is void of any closure system.
The next noticeable difference is the underarm gussets of the G-8 jacket which function nicely and give the G-8 freedom of movement . The Indy jacket is void of underarm gussets .

Moving upward toward the shoulder areas, both jackets simply have a shoulder seam with no epaulets.

Checking the collars of both jackets the G-8 has the smaller collar of the two jackets .

Lastly the both jackets have body retention side buckles with gussets, which give the jackets a very similar appearance .

 

[B-Man2]

Ok so that’s the comparison. The jackets look very similar with a few subtle differences. Who came up with the design first is anyones guess, but there’s no doubt that there’s something going on here, that makes these jackets look like one or the other, was used as a basis for the other. Ok that’s my opinion . What’s yours ?

 

[Chandler]

View attachment 79031

Perforated wind flap in the late '20s. Hmm.

 

[Chandler]

@B-Man2 -- gotta say the Avirex jacket's hide is pretty nice. I always looked at the jacket with an eye for purchase, especially after Raiders came out because it was so close to Indy's jacket, but the lack of real authentic provenance always turned me away.

So how does it fit? My early 90s 44 Avirex A-2 is more of a 42, so I have to wonder how they were sizing a jacket with no real pattern to follow.

Also interesting, why that horizontal seam splitting halfway through the pockets on the G-8? Haven't looked, is that on the M4221?*

*Doesn't look like it.

 

[B-Man2]

Good questions …. The size 46 fit is pretty much a trim fit. It fits very similar to the Indy jacket . Those horizontal seams are anyones guess.

The strange thing about the Diamond elbow patches on the G-8 is that they run down the side of the arm and don’t cover the elbow.

 

[Silver Surfer]

I concur. avirex invention of circa 1983-85, [possibly based on the cloth m-421, as mentioned] when they made jackets here in nyc, and the show room was a little bit bigger than an elevator car. if I remember correctly, they began issuing catalogs around this Time, and took out ads in flight mags.

 

[Chandler]

The strange thing about the Diamond elbow patches on the G-8 is that they run down the side of the arm and don’t cover the elbow.

Very odd. Sounds like an engineering glitch.

 

[B-Man2]

1983-1985 …..?
So I’ve always wondered when can a jacket be considered as “vintage”?
Twenty five years ?
Thirty five?
Longer ?

 

[Chandler]

1983-1985 …..?
So I’ve always wondered when can a jacket be considered as “vintage”?
Twenty five years ?
Thirty five?
Longer ?

Isn't it 25 years with automobiles?

 

[B-Man2]

Isn't it 25 years with automobiles?

Yes . That’s the cut off for vintage cars .
Is it the same with clothing ??

 

[Chandler]

Yes . That’s the cut off for vintage cars .
Is it the same with clothing ??

VLJ is the go-to source for Flight Jacket info, let's make it so!

 

[B-Man2]

VLJ is the go-to source for Flight Jacket info, let's make it so!

Sounds good to me.
Anyone else have an opinion on this ………….,,,,,Anyone?…………..Anyone?…………,,,,………….Bueller??

 

[Chandler]

25 years puts my ELC 1401 pretty close to "vintage."

And my Avirex HH is now a "collectible!"