B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Hey Guys
A while back Mulceber and I joined forces and wrote up a couple of collaboration posts, wherein we reviewed and compared a couple of our respective A2 jackets for your information and reading pleasure. Well after some thought and discussion with Brettafett, we decided to try something new that hasn’t been tried before. A transatlantic collaboration post with Brett in the UK and me in the US. While that doesn’t sound too difficult, the distance, time zones, written preparation , formatting and synchronized posting of the post presents a new series of challenges that we had to overcome. We are happy to tell you that we’ve successfully taken up the challenge, and we are here to tell you about a tale of two different B-10 repros . The first is the Bronson B-10 , which I am the happy owner of, and the second is an ELC B-10 owned by Brettafett. So Brett why don’t you tell them about your first thoughts of our decision to put this post together.
BRETT;
First off thanks Burt for getting in touch and suggesting this collaboration. I really enjoyed what you and Jan (Mulceber) came up with previously. It’s funny, I had been wanting to post something about my ELC B-10 compared to my recent B-15 for a while now, but other stuff gets in the way . In fact when I owned a Bronson, I was considering doing the same . Just for context, I’ve never owned an original WWII B-10 , but Ive seen a couple first hand. I have owned a Real McCoys Stagg , a Bob Dong, and a Bronson repro for comparison. I will say right from the start that I love my ELC B-10, Its the one flight jacket that I have held on to for all of these years . I purchased it back in 2005, after a visit to their factory in Ivybridge. It’s a 40 long, and I had ELC add an inch all the way around . The jacket fits perfectly. it’s a super warm jacket but only for cooler weather. After 15 years it has hardly aged and the knitwear is still taught and firm. It feels a touch lighter that other B-10 repros I’ve owned, which adds to the ease of wear and moving around in it.
B-MAN2
Ok Brett , Thanks for your thoughts. So let’s begin with looking at a couple of photos of the two jackets in question. The first is the Bronson B-10 which currently sells for $199.99 US and is made in China. The jacket is very warm and can be worn on the coldest of days. for additional warmth a BOB sweater added will get you through the coldest of nights.
ELC B-10 BRETT
COLLARS
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
The collar is thick, soft and plush made from mouton and follows the lines and shape of original B-10 collars . The stitching is solid and well done, similarly to any top tier B-10 jackets, made by the well know makers. On a scale of 1-10, I would easily give this collar an 8 or 9 for quality and attention to detail . Take a look and judge for yourself .
ELC B-10 Brett
ELC’s collar is based off a Roughwear AC965 contract, and sports a unique shape among B-10s, with slightly more elongated collar tips . The collar is made from genuine mouton fur, like the originals . It’s plush and keeps the wind away when worn up on a cold day. The stitch work is impeccable. The mouton is not overly thick or bulbous, nor is it thin. The mouton has proven is durability over time and 15 years later is still in top condition .
SHELL
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
The shell is 100% heavy duty Cotton Twill Fabric . While the fabric is heavy duty the interior label advises not to machine wash the jacket, but hand washing is recommended. The shell is tough and will withstand hard use. That doesn’t mean that it won’t tear if you catch it on a sharp edge or hit the concrete at 35 mph while riding your crotch rocket or Harley .
ELC B-10 Brett
The shell is a 3 ply combed cotton olive drab twill custom made to replicate the correct weight and weave of the originals . One can feel the difference when compared to other B-10 repos . I’m not saying it’s better or worse , but it’s different. Slightly lighter, slightly more flexible , but robust and hard wearing for sure.
LINING
BRONSON B-10 B-Man
The lining is a mix of 75% Wool and 25 percent Polyester that looks and feels very much like a soft Alpaca. It is moth resistant and known as Demotex-Ed. The lining is plush and adds great warmth and thickness to the jacket . The lining runs throughout the interior of the jacket, as well as down the arms .
ELC B-10 Brett
The color matched Alpaca lining is soft and warm, and according to ELC is made to USAAF Specs. The lining covers the entire inside of the jacket except for the armpit area. I have worn this jacket with just a t-Shirt and during some cold winters with a sweater and it really does the job well. My B-15 acquisition out does even this one .
KNITS
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
The knits on a Bronson are well made, 2 ply wool and will outlast many knits on other repro jackets . The OD color is a good match for the jacket and looks like an original set of knits . The cuffs and waistband have good elasticity and resist stretching . They will probably last the life of the jacket with minimal care while putting the jacket on and taking it off.
ELC B-10 Brett
I love the ELC OD 2 ply wool knits. These feel softer in touch in comparison to Bronson , and Bob Dong , but after 15 years are still taught and hold their form. The same can be said for the waist band, it’s not lost its shape . One of my bug bears with my Bronson was that the waist knits felt loose on my skinny frame, but I have not heard that complaint elsewhere .
ZIPS
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
This is an area Bronson has tried to step up their game a bit . The zip they used for this jacket looks to be a reproduction of a Talon M-41 Nickle No5 . I say “ looks” because I tried to match the repro to a photo of the zips in my ELC A2 manual and this is the closest photo I can find . I’m not sure if this is period correct but it looks good .
A while back Mulceber and I joined forces and wrote up a couple of collaboration posts, wherein we reviewed and compared a couple of our respective A2 jackets for your information and reading pleasure. Well after some thought and discussion with Brettafett, we decided to try something new that hasn’t been tried before. A transatlantic collaboration post with Brett in the UK and me in the US. While that doesn’t sound too difficult, the distance, time zones, written preparation , formatting and synchronized posting of the post presents a new series of challenges that we had to overcome. We are happy to tell you that we’ve successfully taken up the challenge, and we are here to tell you about a tale of two different B-10 repros . The first is the Bronson B-10 , which I am the happy owner of, and the second is an ELC B-10 owned by Brettafett. So Brett why don’t you tell them about your first thoughts of our decision to put this post together.
BRETT;
First off thanks Burt for getting in touch and suggesting this collaboration. I really enjoyed what you and Jan (Mulceber) came up with previously. It’s funny, I had been wanting to post something about my ELC B-10 compared to my recent B-15 for a while now, but other stuff gets in the way . In fact when I owned a Bronson, I was considering doing the same . Just for context, I’ve never owned an original WWII B-10 , but Ive seen a couple first hand. I have owned a Real McCoys Stagg , a Bob Dong, and a Bronson repro for comparison. I will say right from the start that I love my ELC B-10, Its the one flight jacket that I have held on to for all of these years . I purchased it back in 2005, after a visit to their factory in Ivybridge. It’s a 40 long, and I had ELC add an inch all the way around . The jacket fits perfectly. it’s a super warm jacket but only for cooler weather. After 15 years it has hardly aged and the knitwear is still taught and firm. It feels a touch lighter that other B-10 repros I’ve owned, which adds to the ease of wear and moving around in it.
B-MAN2
Ok Brett , Thanks for your thoughts. So let’s begin with looking at a couple of photos of the two jackets in question. The first is the Bronson B-10 which currently sells for $199.99 US and is made in China. The jacket is very warm and can be worn on the coldest of days. for additional warmth a BOB sweater added will get you through the coldest of nights.
ELC B-10 BRETT
COLLARS
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
The collar is thick, soft and plush made from mouton and follows the lines and shape of original B-10 collars . The stitching is solid and well done, similarly to any top tier B-10 jackets, made by the well know makers. On a scale of 1-10, I would easily give this collar an 8 or 9 for quality and attention to detail . Take a look and judge for yourself .
ELC B-10 Brett
ELC’s collar is based off a Roughwear AC965 contract, and sports a unique shape among B-10s, with slightly more elongated collar tips . The collar is made from genuine mouton fur, like the originals . It’s plush and keeps the wind away when worn up on a cold day. The stitch work is impeccable. The mouton is not overly thick or bulbous, nor is it thin. The mouton has proven is durability over time and 15 years later is still in top condition .
SHELL
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
The shell is 100% heavy duty Cotton Twill Fabric . While the fabric is heavy duty the interior label advises not to machine wash the jacket, but hand washing is recommended. The shell is tough and will withstand hard use. That doesn’t mean that it won’t tear if you catch it on a sharp edge or hit the concrete at 35 mph while riding your crotch rocket or Harley .
ELC B-10 Brett
The shell is a 3 ply combed cotton olive drab twill custom made to replicate the correct weight and weave of the originals . One can feel the difference when compared to other B-10 repos . I’m not saying it’s better or worse , but it’s different. Slightly lighter, slightly more flexible , but robust and hard wearing for sure.
LINING
BRONSON B-10 B-Man
The lining is a mix of 75% Wool and 25 percent Polyester that looks and feels very much like a soft Alpaca. It is moth resistant and known as Demotex-Ed. The lining is plush and adds great warmth and thickness to the jacket . The lining runs throughout the interior of the jacket, as well as down the arms .
ELC B-10 Brett
The color matched Alpaca lining is soft and warm, and according to ELC is made to USAAF Specs. The lining covers the entire inside of the jacket except for the armpit area. I have worn this jacket with just a t-Shirt and during some cold winters with a sweater and it really does the job well. My B-15 acquisition out does even this one .
KNITS
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
The knits on a Bronson are well made, 2 ply wool and will outlast many knits on other repro jackets . The OD color is a good match for the jacket and looks like an original set of knits . The cuffs and waistband have good elasticity and resist stretching . They will probably last the life of the jacket with minimal care while putting the jacket on and taking it off.
ELC B-10 Brett
I love the ELC OD 2 ply wool knits. These feel softer in touch in comparison to Bronson , and Bob Dong , but after 15 years are still taught and hold their form. The same can be said for the waist band, it’s not lost its shape . One of my bug bears with my Bronson was that the waist knits felt loose on my skinny frame, but I have not heard that complaint elsewhere .
ZIPS
BRONSON B-10 B-Man2
This is an area Bronson has tried to step up their game a bit . The zip they used for this jacket looks to be a reproduction of a Talon M-41 Nickle No5 . I say “ looks” because I tried to match the repro to a photo of the zips in my ELC A2 manual and this is the closest photo I can find . I’m not sure if this is period correct but it looks good .
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