My "one of a kind" Wested A-1 is here!!

[Doug C]

OK, I just received my custom jacket from Wested. It is part Indy Jacket and part US aircorp A-1.. I made a drawing and sent specification to Wested and they created it exactly as I had invisioned it. I absolutely love it and will treasure it for ever. It has:
- Indy Jacket back panel, side straps and sleeves.
- A1 wool collar, buttons and pocket placement.
- A1 buttons and loops to secure the collar when cold.
- has NO storm flap, zippers, inside pocket, hand warmer pockets.
- Smaller pockets placed high
- Side straps placed 2" higher than normal.
- all cotton lining
- Sliders in brass (not D-rings)
- 80's fit
- Dark brown lambskin

It makes a nice Indyeque jacket while still being a little different. I'm not sure if it'll show in the following pictures but the color of the wool collar is a nice contrast to the dark brown jacket.. giving a well, sort of russett feeling to the whole onsamble. Here are some pictures. God, my camera *****.. these don't do justice.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7448 ... 101nm5.png

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8918 ... 102pl5.png

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/294/westeda103yd3.png

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3757 ... 104pj0.png

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8689 ... 105pq8.png

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9534 ... 106mj3.png

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4797 ... 107ok9.png

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2349 ... 108qk7.png

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6888 ... 109qz4.png

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5743 ... 110wc6.png

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/6777 ... 111yk4.png

Sorry if that was too many pictures. What do ya'll think?

Doug C

[Doug C]

Oh, I forgot to add that the attachment of the straps to the back panel are "hidden" inside the jacket, like the early Westeds (original??) so no need for x-box stitching. You can see this (sort of) in the 4th picture.

Doug C

[Ripper]

FOCUS. .......Nice jacket, I really like that....if you don't mind answering, how much was it for all those modifications?

[Doug C]

Well, basically I had to pay for a complete set of patterns to be made, as this is considered a custom jacket. There is no storm flap which is different from the Indy jacket and there is no collar stand. It's more different than you probably think really. So it wasn't a case of add this, add that.

Doug C

[Jens]

Cool! Very cool!

This jacket looks like made for thrilling airfights and adventure! It breathes the spirit of Pulp novel heroes ... and I mean that in a positive way!

Great!

Now if I just can get besser glasses ... your pictures seem a bit blurry to my academic misty eyes.

[Kt Templar]

That looks a fine jacket, brilliant concept you came up with there!

[Rundquist]

That's actually really neat. There's a bunch of guys on a Flight Jacket Forum trying to get an A-1 made. They should really consider Wested. Cheers

[Ripper]

I understand that it was an original....I was just wondering what an original would cost....

[VP]

Say, that's really nice. Reminded me a lot of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. You should either take your pics outside or learn to hold the camera so that it doesn't move while the pic is being taken.

[Doug C]

This camera is primarily used by my wife who is just as technically challenged as myself... I wonder if a setting has been changed on it by accident at some point 'cause it used to take much better pictures. Just don't know which setting to check.

Doug C

[Jorenz]

Very Cool!!! Thanks for sharing the pics

[Doug C]

Also, something else to notice about my jacket is that the pocket flaps are pointed in the center under the buttons, just as I drew in the picture I sent to Wested. The normal ones are rounded. Look at the 2nd picture.

Doug C

[Mike Bolton]

Sweet looking jacket, looks like it should be on a poster for the saturday serials.

[Doug C]

Thanks for the feedback and kind words, you guys!

Doug C

[J_Weaver]

Very nice!!!! I have to be honest, when you first mentioned this projects I had my doubts. But man, that is a really great looking jacket!

[agent5]

Doug,
Easy question. How much did it cost. Can you just give a bottom line figure, please?

[Indiana MarkVII]

Nice jacket for a custom design. Very thoughtfull and it evokes an adventure waiting.

Try taking a shot with the flash on for indoor settings. That will freeze the motion. The blurriness is caused by camera motion while the camera is trying to capture enought available light to make the image. Alternately, go outside on a sunny or partly sunny day for more available light.

Regards,
Indy MarkVII

[Doug C]

Agent5, it cost me 225 English pounds, plus shipping (about $450USD). That's a somewhat significant increase in the normal Indy Jacket from Wested but that price included the pattern making.... future purchases of this jacket would be about the same as a normal Indy Jacket. And I am considering buying another already, maybe in horsehide this time. I justify the price, by pointing out to myself that some other manufaturer of Indy type jackets and A1s charge more for off the rack sizing, and this one is custom. Sorry for my vague answer to the pricing question earlier but I didn't want to "quote" what Wested would sell them for, Peter has the final say on price of course.

Doug C

[agent5]

That's an incredibly fair price, Doug. Thanks for sharing that. Another nod to Peter on this one.

[Doug C]

Thanks for the camera tips, Indy MarkVII... I took a few more pictures.

Here's a couple shots in the sunlight:
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2051 ... 112ca2.png

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5875 ... 113yl1.png

Here's one of the back... notice the straps are set 2" higher than normal and it's attached internally so no need for x-box stitching (although possibly not as strong as the x-box configuration).
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1618 ... 114yk7.png

Now a couple under the shade tree..notice the peaked pocket flaps.
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/9010 ... 115jn1.png

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/2418 ... 116kj7.png

Doug C

[Ripper]

Wow! That is a really nice jacket indeed. I hope Peter will offer these at some point, I want one.

[Kt Templar]

Maybe Peter should add £10 to each one of these 'special' jackets to go back to the person who payed for the pattern and let them have the proceeds as a credit to their next jacket?

[Ripper]

That actually wouldnt be a bad idea. He was the designer after all.

[Doug C]

BTW, just so you know... the collar does lay down nicely too, though these pics don't really show it very well. So you wouldn't have to wear it "popped" all the time, even if it does add to the look IMO. And you know the reason the A1's had buttons is because it was designed back in the mid 1920s, the time before zippers were used on anything, if the technology was even developed :

Doug C

[Doug C]

Here's a copy of the picture I drew and sent to Wested. Note that even though my chest size measures 42", I asked Gemma to have the jacket made in a size 40 with 80's fit !!

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8492 ... o02zy3.jpg

Doug C

[VP]

Where's page 2/2?

[Doug C]

Well page 2 wasn't a drawing, just specifications..but here it is anyway.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4952/a ... o04yd1.png

Doug C

[Havana]

That's simply a fantastic jacket. I love seeing these unique creations. Hat's off to Wested for working with you and making it happen. Where would we be without them?

[captnjohnny]

ok its very very cool but i think it needs its own name. what are ya gonna call it?

[Skippy]

Airborne Indy Jacket ?

That's a really great looking jacket & a fantastic price for a custom made jacket. Very pleased for you Doug. You have been brave enough to go in a unique direction & it has totally paid off

I on the other hand still need Brian to send that pre-authentic Wested over from the US

[soulman]

WOW! That is so cool I have wanted an A-1 forever. Now that i've seen your jacket i'm thinking who needs to pay bills. Afterall, jackets are more important