The Flying Squirrel

[Tyrloch]

Hey guys,

I've been out of the game for a while, and I'm looking to get a jacket to replace the multitude that I regretfully sold over the years. I say regretfully because some of them were great jackets that I didn't find fault with. So now I'm looking g for a good all around jacket, not necessarily the. Most SA one, but a good hard~wearing jacket. My most concerning objective is a jacket with functioning underarm gussetts ~ no flying squirrel effect. I already know that the Gibson & Barnes Expedition has them, but unless I find one used almost $600 is a bit much to spend. So who else is currently making a decent jacket with functioning gussetts? I probably should also mention that I'm partial to goatskin for its ruggedness. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

~Jace

[whiskyman]

Wested's Hero pattern has gussets -available in goat too.

[Texan Scott]

About 3 weeks ago, a very lightly used G&B goat, sold for about $130 more or less on Ebay. It make take a little while, but I think that would be your best option, if you want functioning gussets. As you probably already know, the liner functions with it. If a guy happens on a deal like that, its pure gold.

[Tibor]

Still looking for about a size 40-ish? I'll keep my eyes out.

The Flying Squirrel has a lot to do with how the sleeve opening is cut too. Wested Hero, Steele and Jones, Bill Kelso all do a decent job. Wested and Kelso can do goatskin, and I think Steele and Jones too.

[CM]

I don't think that gussets make any difference to the squirrel look. The G&B sits better because it's a carefully considered pattern based on the company's years of making jackets. As I understand it where the sleeves are positioned on the body and the size of the arm hole make the difference.

[Tyrloch]

Right, the armhole size and the positioning of the sleeve make a difference as well. That was the major problem I had with Wested jackets ~ the sleeves seemed to be sewn to the jacket in too much of a downward angle, like a suit jacket. They should've been attached more like a "T" in shape. So I suppose I should ask who is attaching their sleeves like this? Did Wested get it right with the Hero? And Tibor, yep I'm still pretty much a 40R, lol...

[Texan Scott]

forgot....ummm....who is Rocky..?

[Tibor]

Rocky and Bullwinkle... Cartoon from the 1960s starring Rocky (the flying squirrel) and Bullwinkle (the moose). Antagonists Boris and Natasha...

[Texan Scott]

...Jeopardy....

[Tibor]

..watched it as a kid

[Tyrloch]

Does anyone have any experience with the armhole size and
Sleeve attachment angle on Wested's Hero jacket? Right now
I'm leaning towards getting another G&B, but I'd like to keep
my options open...

[CM]

Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat....

[baddates1]

I don't think that'll work, depending on what felt yer hat,is made from.......

[Tyrloch]

Man, I gotta put more thought into the title of my posts - I got more side comments about Rocky & Bullwinkle than I did answers to my questions...

[Michaelson]

Actually, I'm surprised it took THIS long before they started.

Regard! Michaelson

[trdaggers]

Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat....

"Nothing up my sleeve"

[Texan Scott]

Actually, I'm surprised it took THIS long before they started.

Regard! Michaelson

I know! Never miss a good opportunity, right? Should'a led with it.

[Michaelson]

That said, can anyone field his question about the Wested Hero arm hole position?

Personally I'd suggest you just go with what you know and expect and order another G&B. It will outlast you and your kids.

Regards! Michaelson

[Texan Scott]

...and Rocky too.

[Michaelson]

No. No one will outlast Rocky, Tex.

You might find your answer in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51983&start=1500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regard! M

[Texan Scott]

Speaking of....there is a really nice, new Wested 42 goatskin Hero up for sale on Ebay right now.

Really good price on it!

Just 7 hours left!

Someone better snatch it up before its gone!

[Tyrloch]

Unless I'm looking at a different jacket, I don't think that's a Hero.
Do you have a link?

[Texan Scott]

I thought it said Hero in the ad. Careful, because it is not a true 42. According to the ad, the shoulder is 21", and for it to be a true 42, should be around 19" or around 20" for a 44. 21" is more like a XL.

[Jerome]

I posted this many years ago, here is an example of the flying squirrel effect:

[hovitos loincloth]

That squirrel is not SA. You can tell by where the flaps meet the body.

[Michaelson]

Agreed, and is it grey or brown?

[Pygar]

No helmet, no goggles either...