U.S. Wings Antique Cowhide 'Hero Jacket'

taikoubou · Post by **taikoubou** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:46 pm

I've just recently joined these boards for research purposes as I have been a long time Indy fan, but just now have been able to start getting into gathering different props, costumes, memorabilia, etc. from all the movies that I love.

I've looked through a lot of the threads here about the different jackets available and the pros and cons of each before finally deciding to take the plunge on this jacket as my first Indy jacket. (Eventually I'd love to get my hands on a TN jacket.)

I'm super excited about this purchase and can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:49 pm

taikoubou wrote:I've just recently joined these boards for research purposes as I have been a long time Indy fan, but just now have been able to start getting into gathering different props, costumes, memorabilia, etc. from all the movies that I love.

I've looked through a lot of the threads here about the different jackets available and the pros and cons of each before finally deciding to take the plunge on this jacket as my first Indy jacket. (Eventually I'd love to get my hands on a TN jacket.)

I'm super excited about this purchase and can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!

Welcome aboard Taikoubou!!!
You won't regret your US Wings purchase. The jackets they produce are top notch, plus at this price it's hard to pass up.

Enjoy the boards, get ready to loose a lot of cash...

-TS

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:53 pm

Ya, what TS said

John

Adirondack Jones · Post by **Adirondack Jones** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:03 pm

yup, it won't be long that these jackets will retail for $399, so I'm taking the plunge now along with the rest of you. I'm hoping this'll become my 'go to' jacket, taking its place alongside my three Todd's standards, denim Wested, cotton Wested, and 1992 Disney that's pretty well worn out by now

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 2:08 pm

Good news!!! Glad to hear it!

Regards!
Indydawg

Rick Deckard · Post by **Rick Deckard** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:45 pm

So I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a US Wings Antique Cow size L. I figure if a Wested OTR size 44 fit everywhere but the arms, a US Wings L ought to fit just fine. I'm not a big gear head, but for the fun of it I'm thinking about the wool $31.95 Indy hat to go along with the jacket. Anyone have any experience with that hat, and if so would you recommend crushable or non-crushable?

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:15 pm

Rick Deckard wrote:So I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a US Wings Antique Cow size L. I figure if a Wested OTR size 44 fit everywhere but the arms, a US Wings L ought to fit just fine. I'm not a big gear head, but for the fun of it I'm thinking about the wool $31.95 Indy hat to go along with the jacket. Anyone have any experience with that hat, and if so would you recommend crushable or non-crushable?

I have one of the crushables, I like it, but it's rather soft. the fact that you can mangle the thing and it snaps back is kinda nice tho'. I do plan on getting a different one but this one suits me for now.

Spatterdash · Post by **Spatterdash** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 2:39 pm

Alright, I'll confess.

I've always been an Indy fan, and a fan of the thirties in general, but I've never owned an Indy Jacket - until now.

Just ordered the USWings Antique Cowhide.

Hope you guys can forgive me. I've never been driven to own the full costume, but I've always loved the jacket. For years I've read about Wested and it's variants, the development of the expedition, the variety of hides from wings and the screen accuracy studies.

Now, at least I can make a comment on USWings and cowhide every now and then. I just couldn't pass this up, knowing the price would not only increase in normal situations, but that prices overall will be increasing thanks to Michaelsons announcement in the Vendors section.

I have this image of the economy sliding down like a massive stone door, and my arm reaching underneath and yanking a jacket out just before it slams shut.

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 2:44 pm

That's a great visual, dude! And with the coming worldwide leather price increase, quite appropriate!

Congrats on your new purchase!

Regards!
Indydawg

ProfessorHenryWJonesJr · Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:32 pm

Here is the picture of the BACK of the U.S. Wings Antique Cowhide "Hero" Jacket from the U.S. Wings website.

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:21 pm

I just love this jacket more and more

John

Solent MKIII · Post by **Solent MKIII** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:52 pm

That's one good lookin' cow.

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:57 pm

Solent MKIII wrote:That's one good lookin' cow.

Just ain't it tho'

John

Rick Deckard · Post by **Rick Deckard** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 11:28 pm

Add me to the ranks of the Antique Cow purchasers. Thanks to Michaelson pointing me in the right direction of the sizing chart that was posted some time ago, at least I know this one will fit! That's always a plus, no?

John,

I got a crushable wool fedora...but I got it from Amazon.com. Used my credits and viola!...free hat!!!

BTW, if you guys don't already use one, and if you like to read, the Amazon.com credit card is great. You rack up points easily, and if you pay off your bill monthly, thereby avoiding the interest rate charges, you really do get FREE stuff from Amazon.com. And if you're purchase is at least $25, you don't pay shipping either. Just passing the info. along. I'm sure many of you already know this. And no, I don't work for Amazon.com. I just think their website is great.

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 2:03 am

Wow. What's with that massive gap to the biswing back panel? By far the biggest I've ever seen.

theman · Post by **theman** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:52 am

+1 on the gap, huge.

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:55 am

Yojimbo Jones wrote:Wow. What's with that massive gap to the biswing back panel? By far the biggest I've ever seen.

Been covered ad nauseum YJ.

Wings makes Indy jackets for the masses not just us freaks. Sarge makes these jackets to be highly functional Indy jackets and not full of the design flaws that the originals had that many of us have come to love. The wings is not for everybody, I'm loving what I'm seeing myself!

Travis

blueoakleyz · Post by **blueoakleyz** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:05 am

Yeah it looks pretty bad.. the gap that is.

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:36 am

The gap is more for function, the larger gap allows you to move better. US Wings make them for the real world not the movie screen. If indy was real, these jackets would be what he would wear. No it's not all SA but it really works, less binding.And if ya go to their site, It reads Indy style.

I for one love the way it looks.

John

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:45 am

Rick Deckard wrote:Add me to the ranks of the Antique Cow purchasers. Thanks to Michaelson pointing me in the right direction of the sizing chart that was posted some time ago, at least I know this one will fit! That's always a plus, no?

John,

I got a crushable wool fedora...but I got it from Amazon.com. Used my credits and viola!...free hat!!!

BTW, if you guys don't already use one, and if you like to read, the Amazon.com credit card is great. You rack up points easily, and if you pay off your bill monthly, thereby avoiding the interest rate charges, you really do get FREE stuff from Amazon.com. And if you're purchase is at least $25, you don't pay shipping either. Just passing the info. along. I'm sure many of you already know this. And no, I don't work for Amazon.com. I just think their website is great.

Cool, I wear mine all the time, It's more the outback style, bigger brim and the like, have got it soaked crushed and even twisted it get the water out. It just keep popping out to the oraginal shape

Hollowpond · Post by **Hollowpond** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:51 am

John Vaughan wrote:The gap is more for function, the larger gap allows you to move better. US Wings make them for the real world not the movie screen. If indy was real, these jackets would be what he would wear. No it's not all SA but it really works, less binding.And if ya go to their site, It reads Indy style. I for one love the way it looks.

John

+1 on that!

I love the way it looks too. For those who don't like it, thats cool too.

You don't have to buy one, but don't be a buzz kill for us kids who like the jacket...

Travis

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:37 am

I've looked at the pic again and again, I'm not wrong that it has snaps on the storm flap right? I've been looking for a good close enough LC and while I was going to go with Wested LC, US Wings has long been the reason my hand wavered over the order button on the Wested website.

Now with this great offer and with the pic showing me that it has snaps I'm sold (literally). I've owned my Wested for 10 years and think its time to move on anyways....

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 12:42 pm

Play nice, guys...

scot2525 · Post by **scot2525** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 1:17 pm

I agree with both parties regarding the biswing back panel gap. It does look "off" but it does serve a usefull purpose. I am looking forward to this jacket arriving at the end of the week.

Possibly we will see some more "SA" jackets arriving with the news of NC working again with US Wings.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:33 pm

backstagejack wrote:I've looked at the pic again and again, I'm not wrong that it has snaps on the storm flap right? I've been looking for a good close enough LC and while I was going to go with Wested LC, US Wings has long been the reason my hand wavered over the order button on the Wested website.

Now with this great offer and with the pic showing me that it has snaps I'm sold (literally). I've owned my Wested for 10 years and think its time to move on anyways....

Yes, it has snaps on the storm flap.

Regards! Michaelson

Rook · Post by **Rook** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:51 pm

John Vaughan wrote:The gap is more for function, the larger gap allows you to move better. US Wings make them for the real world not the movie screen. If indy was real, these jackets would be what he would wear. No it's not all SA but it really works, less binding.And if ya go to their site, It reads Indy style. I for one love the way it looks.

John

I own one of the "budget" USW jackets that were offered a couple years ago. Frankly, I LIKE the gap. Plus, being able to reach my pistol holster without pulling the jacket up to get to it is a +1 in my book.

Russ

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:18 pm

could someone give me a tip if i am not understanding the mechanics correctly. it has been argued that the gap in the back panel is there for functionality, yet the yoke falls quite low from the shoulders. i could see this style of back panel be more functional if the yoke was higher allowing it to come into play when you move your shoulders....but at the level it is at...will it really make that much difference? it would be interesting to find out.

regardless of how it looks, i think wings is doing one #### of a bang up job with their offerings.....as they always have

keep up the great work sarge!

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:37 pm

Yeah, don't get me wrong. I'm a screen accuracy nut. To me that's a big part of the fun. To get a tough jacket thats also close to "The jacket". It doesn't have any bearing on the fact that Wings makes GREAT jackets from what I've heard. If they fit me, I would have considered their ToD offering myself when it was a possibility. I'd been loosely dipping into the Wings threads and had heard about the gap, but just didn't picture it as being that big - that's all. G makes a good point with the low yoke. Please don't think I'm trying to rain on your parade.

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:29 pm

Yojimbo Jones wrote:Yeah, don't get me wrong. I'm a screen accuracy nut. To me that's a big part of the fun. To get a tough jacket thats also close to "The jacket". It doesn't have any bearing on the fact that Wings makes GREAT jackets from what I've heard. If they fit me, I would have considered their ToD offering myself when it was a possibility. I'd been loosely dipping into the Wings threads and had heard about the gap, but just didn't picture it as being that big - that's all. G makes a good point with the low yoke. Please don't think I'm trying to rain on your parade.

No, no rain here I find it funny that even tho' all their jackets of this type have this gap, all of a sudden people are suprised to see it. Haven't any of ya gone to their site and looked?
John

Yojimbo Jones · Post by **Yojimbo Jones** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:34 pm

I can only speak for myself- I'd seen pictures of USW stuff a while ago and vaguely remember a gap, but my memory of it was that it was more like 1cm, not whatever it is in the pic above. That's why I posted about it just before - I was a bit surprised. Didn't know if it was "normal".

Forrest For the Trees · Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:22 pm

The gap between the back panel and the shoulder seam is very functional. It prevents the the top corners of the action pleats from sticking out like wings.

The gap doesn't look so noticeable when wearing the jacket.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:35 pm

Forrest For the Trees wrote:The gap between the back panel and the shoulder seam is very functional. It prevents the the top corners of the action pleats from sticking out like wings.

The gap doesn't look so noticeable when wearing the jacket.

FFTT, you are speaking of functional fashion whereas my comment is directed to the function of mobility. a bi-swing back panel is effective when there is a high pivot point (up on top of the shoulders). but if you place the yoke that low, you are not maximizing the 'sweet spot' where your shoulders move....and moving the panel inwards from the edges decreases that feature. of course, i'm just picturing this in my head as well as comparing how my other jackets react (different sized yokes, different kinds of bi-swing back panels).

maybe the only way for me to understand is to either find my neighbour who has a us wings jacket...or get one myself......(or ask crismans if i can have his

)

sharkboy · Post by **sharkboy** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:06 pm

this is the back of my vip from I bought a couple months back. the gap isn't very large in my opinion.

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:46 pm

John Vaughan wrote: No, no rain here I find it funny that even tho' all their jackets of this type have this gap, all of a sudden people are suprised to see it. Haven't any of ya gone to their site and looked?
John

I think it's more a matter of the camera angle here. Most of the pictures of the jackets on the Wings site show the jacket flat. This one is at an angle which causes the gap to look more pronounced. That's the difference, I think as it does look larger at first glance.

Forrest For the Trees · Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:16 am

Well, I agree, if the yoke were higher, the action pleat would be more functional. So yeah, functional fashion is a good way to put it, I suppose. Comparing my Westeds to my US Wings, though, the action pleat does somehow function a bit better on the Wings, and it looks better from the side and back as well due in large part to the gap between the shoulder seam and the back panel.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:28 am

No doubt, a higher yoke/pleat gives you better mobility. That's what you see in the Navy 422 and G1. On those the pleat goes all the way up to the shoulder seam and you have total freedom of movement (along with the underarm gussets).

I can see what you mean about laying flat from a fashion point of view, though. Makes sense, though of course, Indy's pleats were often open as well. A little something for everybody these days, and to each his own.

191145 · Post by **191145** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:09 pm

Forrest For the Trees wrote:The gap between the back panel and the shoulder seam is very functional. It prevents the the top corners of the action pleats from sticking out like wings.

The gap doesn't look so noticeable when wearing the jacket.

This will be a plus for me because on my Wested with the 'correct' style, the pleats do stick out bad when I have the side tabs taken up where I need them. I really have high hopes for this jacket.

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:01 pm

It's Monday... Anyone get a call yet?

John Vaughan · Post by **John Vaughan** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:07 pm

191145 wrote:
Forrest For the Trees wrote:The gap between the back panel and the shoulder seam is very functional. It prevents the the top corners of the action pleats from sticking out like wings.

The gap doesn't look so noticeable when wearing the jacket.
This will be a plus for me because on my Wested with the 'correct' style, the pleats do stick out bad when I have the side tabs taken up where I need them. I really have high hopes for this jacket.

Ya, same here with my Wested, if I tug the straps in, it bellows out. Not much mind you, but it does do it. The US Wings will be my everyday jacket. I'll wear the Wested come All Hollows Eve, and the like.

John

scot2525 · Post by **scot2525** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:12 pm

Tennessee Smith wrote:It's Monday... Anyone get a call yet?

I have not.

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:55 pm

...another day...

Waiting with baited breathe.

191145 · Post by **191145** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:34 am

Tennessee Smith wrote:It's Monday... Anyone get a call yet?

USW never gave me a phone call before when shipping. Maybe an email. I just look at my credit card online every day to see if there's a charge pending....nothing yet.

This whole thing is rather unprecedented, isn't it? For the first time in history, many strangers, separated by thousands of miles, casually and instantly share their hopes, fears, anxieties, expectations and apprehensions as they all wait for a certain leather jacket to be shipped to them. The Internet looms larger and larger in everyday life.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:08 am

I guess you haven't paid much attention to the AB status thread over the past year, have you?

Regards! Michaelson

maboot38 · Post by **maboot38** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:26 am

I got an email from Myke last night telling me he would be calling me today.

riothamus · Post by **riothamus** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:26 pm

I emailed them yesterday because I wanted to check again on what size I should get, L or XL since I've dropped so much weight. Myke told me to stick with the XL due to my height (6'2" and 36-37 sleeves). I hope I'm not swimming in it... Oh well, gonna trust the guys that make the jacket. I also wanted to save on shipping and get the NZ lamb and the cow shipped together. I also told them I wanted to pay paypal. Myke said I'd get a paypal invoice later this week.

Anybody else with a large USWings that's around my height/sleeve length?

Excelsior!
Riothamus

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:40 pm

Just to ask, how much do you weigh?

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Tennessee Smith** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:00 pm

Spoke to Myke this morning, jacket should delivered either Thursday or Friday.

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:16 pm

EXCELLENT!!!! Looking forward to your thoughts, TS!

Indydawg

191145 · Post by **191145** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:29 pm

Michaelson wrote:I guess you haven't paid much attention to the AB status thread over the past year, have you?

Regards! Michaelson

Actually have never looked at it since I will not be buying an AB.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:31 pm

OK, good news....and yet bad news for at least 8 people.

I just got off the phone with David, and apparently somehow the count was off, and instead of 150 jackets being sold, 158 were sold! The 8 overage orders were all size mediums. To get those 8 filled will be 21 days out on re-order.

They're going by seniority on the orders right now....the oldest order gets a jacket. Once it all shakes out, the 8 latest medium jacket order folks will be contacted by Wings.

The good news was, they figured they'd sell 100 jackets, but ordered 150 to make sure. Instead, they were jammed with orders, and the naked cowhide jacket inventory is completely spoken for, and then some.

Regards! Michaelson