FS Black Slides...

Prof. Fanara · Post by **Prof. Fanara** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 3:23 pm

I apologize if this subject has come up, but I'm afraid I missed it, if it did.

I wanted to ask what was the COW general opionion of Wested's new slides and those used by Flightsuits (black slides) for the pull tabs.
Which type looks most like what was seen in Raiders?

Best Regards,

-Prof. Fanara

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 3:25 pm

I know the ones on FS are exactly like the Raiders stunt jacket _ saw in the private collection several years ago, if that helps any. Regards. Michaelson

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 8:23 pm

Good enough for me. I think the FS gun-metal rectangular rings are a match to what I see on film. They are definitely rectangular, I'll bet on that. I actually just called FS and ordered just the rings and I'll replace my Westeds' chrome D-rings. Happy me!

MK · Post by MK » Fri Feb 14, 2003 11:20 pm

I am verry happy with my Wested rectagular slides. The work just fine, but given the choice I prefer the FS slides. It is really not that big of a deal. Although.......I will say I don't care for the d-rings at all.

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 12:27 am

agent5 wrote: I actually just called FS and ordered just the rings and I'll replace my Westeds' chrome D-rings. Happy me!

Just curious, why not buy the whole jacket from FS?

I have both brands of jackets, that is two Westeds and one FS. I love Dr. Brody's hats (I have two), but there's room in the stable for more fedora's, they are all different. But Lee doesn't get mad at me for wearing other vendor's hats. Surprisingly it all boils down to experiencing first hand different brands of hats, jackets, whips, etc.

-S

Post by **Mike** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 7:07 pm

Ahh, Sergei, if only we all had unlimited weatlth to be able to do so. I personally would love another FS. But as it is, I had to "settle" for a Wested when Dawg aquired my Chrome Goat. Alas, I do like my Wested... but would still like to now get an "authentic lamb" one.

Maybe I'll win a lottery. I guess I need to start playing to win though.

Mike

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 7:33 pm

Hmmm. I apologize for my tone, Mike. My real message was for those that are in a position to buy the second jacket, and many, many people here do have more than one, they should do a little exploring. I realize that people have different budgets and I humbly apologize to anyone here, if I came across as that. My roots, have a very, very humble beginning in this country where my family immigrated here not knowing a word of English.

-Sergei

Post by **Mike** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 7:41 pm

Sergei, I must appologize as well. I didn't mean to make it seem like you were belittling anyone. Just thought I'd throw out a little caution not knowing people's situations. My message was to be taken lightly. But I guess dry humor doesn't always translate well over written language.

Maybe I should have used my usual wink icon instead of the eyeroll, but I was trying to mix things up a bit.

(back to the old standard.)

Mike

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 8:03 pm

No Mike, I was clearly out of line. This forum should not be about the "haves" and "have-nots". It is for all people.

-Sergei

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 9:31 pm

Sergei wrote:No Mike, I was clearly out of line. This forum should not be about the "haves" and "have-nots". It is for all people.

-Sergei

Sergei,

For what it's worth, I don't think your post came across that way at all. Just the mere mention of Flightsuits seems to ruffle feathers around here. I wouldn't worry about it. Your post was very reasonable.

-Edge

Prof. Fanara · Post by **Prof. Fanara** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 11:18 pm

The_Edge wrote:Just the mere mention of Flightsuits seems to ruffle feathers around here. I wouldn't worry about it. Your post was very reasonable.

I agree.

Mentioning FS does seem to stir up strong emotions in some... As for this subject I will leave alone.

I would like to thank everyone for posting and giving me their perspective on this minor detail.

Best Regards,

-Prof. Fanara

P.S.- Sergei, I think your post was ok too. No worries.

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 1:01 am

FS makes my favorite Indy jacket, bar none. But Sergie makes a point that I happen to agree with. I wouldn't know that I liked it the most if I hadn't compared it to the others. Of course, all the makers make a good jacket. I would tend to agree though that the FS jacket doesn't always get it's due, at least in my opinion. I too don't mean to ruffle any feathers in the oposit direction. Cheers

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 12:27 am

Just curious, why not buy the whole jacket from FS?

Perhaps in the future a FS will make it's way to me. Right now I can get 2 Westeds for the price of one FS. That and because Peter did the originals are why I first went with Wested. As of now though, I have a Wested with UGLY chrome D-rings and they needed to be replaced. I've been wanting it now for a while. I am intrigued by FS because as it's been pointed out here, it seems many members are very 'personally' attached to their FS jackets. Kinda cult-like. I wonder what all the fascination is about?

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 2:10 am

agent5 wrote:
Just curious, why not buy the whole jacket from FS?
Kinda cult-like. I wonder what all the fascination is about?

I started out on the same path. I got 2 Wested's right away. I wanted the jacket from "the man". But after seeing the FS jackets in person for so long around the Indy Fans here in Southern California and after talking to Lee Keppler about it, I bit the bullet on the extra bucks. The clincher was when the pocket placement issue was resolved and the icing was the gorgeous Seal Chrome Goat.

No regrets at all. The fit was perfect. Don't get me wrong, all my Wested 's fit perfect. But there is something about the FS, when you move around in the jacket. The shoulder area, the armpit area and the pleats all conform to the body in either stationary or action oriented wear. Plus you can tell the difference in the military spec manufacturing of the jacket. "Military Spec" actually means something, it's not marketing. They backup the quality of the jacket, with a guarantee on all the stiching and seams for as long as you own the jacket!

FS makes a lot of jackets for military aviators (blue angles, thunderbirds, etc.) , commercial airline pilots (Southwest Airlines, Continental,etc.), private aviation pilots (Harrison Ford's pilot is a regular customer as well as HF owns one), law enforcement (Swat Teams), emergency personnel, etc.

So yes, it's a few more bucks, but that is some guarantee.

I hope this clarifies the "Cult-like" behaviour (and no, I am not a follower of David Koresh - the waco from Peco) . But would I sell my 2 Wested's? No, unless I run into financial trouble.

I don't want to ruffle any feathers either. The jacket vendors we have to chose from, offer great products. We live at a good time, where we have choices.
-Sergei

MK · Post by MK » Mon Feb 17, 2003 11:16 am

agent5 wrote: As of now though, I have a Wested with UGLY chrome D-rings and they needed to be replaced.

You might contact Peter. The rectangle ones he used on my jacket work great. Then it will still be all Wested.

Prof. Fanara · Post by **Prof. Fanara** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 5:56 pm

I think its great that not everybody likes the same jacket manufactuer. If there was only one supplier of a good jacket, of only one type or another that would be boring.
I also like hearing that there are fans out there who have a favorite Indy movie that isn't Raiders. I'm glad we're not all the same.

I would like to thank you all for sharing your advice about the differences in the slides and your opinions, all the while being conscious of how your advice and thoughts were percieved - trying not to offend anyone.

Its been a while since I was on this board and this has been a welcome "breath of fresh air" to me. It comforting to see fans acting like friends and adults! Thank you all for not ignoring this post. I really needed some feedback.

Now that I've just rattled off like a dork...

Best Regards,

-Prof. Fanara

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 12:53 pm

MK wrote:

The rectangle ones he used on my jacket work great.

Are you saying Wested has the gun-metal gray, rectangular rings or are you talking about the sliders Wested uses? I do have the sliders on my last Wested but alas, they came in chrome too when I asked for the gun-metal gray. The D-rings I want to replace are on my first Wested which was made 2 years ago before the latest mods.

Prof. Fanara · Post by **Prof. Fanara** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 3:38 pm

To anyone who owns a FS Expedition...

How many black square slides does each pull tab have or... how many slides are on the jacket total? Thanks.

Best Regards,

-Prof. Fanara

Post by **Mike** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 3:44 pm

Two for each loop, just like the d-rings. So there's a total of 4 "squares" on the FS.

Mike

Prof. Fanara · Post by **Prof. Fanara** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 3:54 pm

Thanks Mike! You rock!

Best Regards,

-Prof. Fanara

Indy_Chris · Post by **Indy_Chris** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 4:04 pm

Can someone comment on their Wested rectangular slides? I thought in the pic of MK's new jacket they are brass - don't they carry black?

Post by **Mike** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 4:25 pm

The Wested slides are more like a dirty penny color, if that makes sense. They're not totally black, but not brass (I think). But I think you have to specify the black sliders when ordering.

There's a scan of my slide at http://www.indygear.com/community/forum ... 8408#28408.

Hope this helps.

Mike

MK · Post by MK » Fri Feb 21, 2003 5:43 pm

agent5 wrote:MK wrote:
The rectangle ones he used on my jacket work great.
Are you saying Wested has the gun-metal gray, rectangular rings or are you talking about the sliders Wested uses? I do have the sliders on my last Wested but alas, they came in chrome too when I asked for the gun-metal gray.

I guess they are "sliders", which are gun metal grey.