Jacket eccentricities & nuances...

[Holt]

thats why I told him earlier in the thread to give me a shout when or if he is gonna be ordering one.

[IndianaChris711]

Holt's jacket does look good. But you won't get one like it from Wested by just ordering a Last Crusade jacket.

I agree to that, but Holt rarely shares his specs with anyone so Indydawg you better take advantage of this deal. I wish I could get a jacket like that, but I am a few sizes smaller than Holt, I'm not sure the specs would even apply to me. I am a 40 I think Holt is 44-46 correct me if I am wrong. Nice Wested Holt, wish I could even get one like that.

IndianaChris

[Texan Scott]

Here's one eccentricity of the G&B jacket, as indicated in NS's thread:



The vertical pleats:

[Texan Scott]

Here's one nuance of the USW jacket:

http://www.uswings.com/ncij/neilcooperi ... 20back.JPG

..something that differentiates it from the rest, the back panel-one inch from the seams on either side.

[theman]

Wow that really does look like a cape hanging off the back of a jacket... One of the biggest problems I have is that back panel not going further over to the side seams like an actual Indy jacket should. Not as exaggerated as this one nowadays, but still. I find it weird that Neil Cooper would go so far away from the original Raiders jacket he had a hand in with this pattern... definitely an eccentricity.

[Castor Dioscuri]

Looks like a gearhead's unintended answer to a push-up bra!

[Texan Scott]

My guess is the reason why they went in this direction was to not bog down the sewing machine when running the leather through the machine at the seams. When I was new in the forum, this is how I knew it was a Wings. As a gag, I think some would post pics. of their jacket, naming it as a different brand, calling it a Wested, etc. I think they were just trying to see if anyone picked up on it...

[St. Dumas]

I suspect it is to save money.

[Gorak]

As I`m sure alot of the old-timers can attest to- it will all eventually result in just trying until find the right one. That could be any label. Different makers suit different people it seems.
When I was ready for a jacket, I stayed away from Wested due to all the negative hype I was reading on this website. I initially went with a G&B lambskin which now rests on my display. It was just too bulky and the collar never lay right. Also just didn`t 'feel' like Raiders to me. Then I bought a flightsuits and they too fit more like a High School letterman`s jacket. Got rid of it. Then I bought a Todd`s and ,hile I absolutely love the weight, color, and fit, it was actually poorly manufactured....back panel is about an inch inward on one side and just recently the lining has just started to fall out...and I only wear it about once a month. Still a beautiful jacket with a definite Raiders feel.
Just recently I purchased a used Wested off the Cairo bizzarre just for jolly since I had the extra cash and when it arrived I was a bit dissapointed when I pulled it from the box and lay it on the bed. Then I put it on and WOW! It really seems as though I had it custom made for me personally. Fits perfect, feels perfect, makes me wish I had just bought one sooner. BUT, I cannot say that my experience at that time would have been good...its just all in the experience and the journey is so much fun, especially with all you guys. I`ve been around for a long time (but I 'lurk' alot) and I have seen every brand be the flavor of the month.
So in my opinion- I got away with a very nice Wested jacket and Todd has all the details nailed!

[RCSignals]

I initially went with a G&B lambskin which now rests on my display. It was just too bulky and the collar never lay right. Also just didn`t 'feel' like Raiders to me. Then I bought a flightsuits and they too fit more like a High School letterman`s jacket.

shouldn't they have been the same thing? G+B = Flightsuits?

[Texan Scott]

I think that on the whole, and $150, Todd's Std. is a jacket that captures the flavor. Like others have posted, some cannot wear them, but a different vendor(s) fill that niche.

[CM]

I initially went with a G&B lambskin which now rests on my display. It was just too bulky and the collar never lay right. Also just didn`t 'feel' like Raiders to me. Then I bought a flightsuits and they too fit more like a High School letterman`s jacket.

shouldn't they have been the same thing? G+B = Flightsuits?

Yes they are and the fit ***** unless you've either put it through the washing machine or worn it for a year or two. In that way the G&B jackets are like the initially unwearable, but ultra-high quality jackets of the legendary Aero company.

[CM]

I suspect it is to save money.

Not at all. The Wings back in that photo is like so many bi-swing back cuts that ran from teh 1940's to teh 1970's. It;s a standard way of building a jacket, it just doesn't look right on an Indy jacket which is a really a kind of parody/pastiche of a few jacket styles - the A2 and the half-belt to name two.

[scot2525]

Wow that really does look like a cape hanging off the back of a jacket... One of the biggest problems I have is that back panel not going further over to the side seams like an actual Indy jacket should. Not as exaggerated as this one nowadays, but still. I find it weird that Neil Cooper would go so far away from the original Raiders jacket he had a hand in with this pattern... definitely an eccentricity.

This has been my only complaint of the US Wings jacket to date. I guess I have finally overcome it.

[Gorak]

Then I bought a flightsuits and they too fit more like a High School letterman`s jacket.....Sorry, I actually meant a US wings here!

[HWaltonJonesJr.Phd]

I am late to this post with a response for those of you with LINING PROBLEMS...

My ToD nylon lining was 'puffing' from everywhere but my collar and I never wore it. It fit like it was stuffed with feathers. (I made a disgruntled post about it back then but I can't find those pics.) Finally I took it to the same leather apparel repair shop that glued a torn sleeve on my Raiders.

Pleats were sewn into the lining and sleeves...now it fits perfectly. I have worn it almost daily this past winter and the pleats are holding great. $25 WELL spent.

Aside from this problem I have had great luck with Wested, and I plan to post some pics of my beat-up jackets soon.


Cheers, H

[bigrex]

As I`m sure alot of the old-timers can attest to- it will all eventually result in just trying until find the right one. That could be any label. Different makers suit different people it seems.
When I was ready for a jacket, I stayed away from Wested due to all the negative hype I was reading on this website. I initially went with a G&B lambskin which now rests on my display. It was just too bulky and the collar never lay right. Also just didn`t 'feel' like Raiders to me. Then I bought a flightsuits and they too fit more like a High School letterman`s jacket. Got rid of it. Then I bought a Todd`s and ,hile I absolutely love the weight, color, and fit, it was actually poorly manufactured....back panel is about an inch inward on one side and just recently the lining has just started to fall out...and I only wear it about once a month. Still a beautiful jacket with a definite Raiders feel.
Just recently I purchased a used Wested off the Cairo bizzarre just for jolly since I had the extra cash and when it arrived I was a bit dissapointed when I pulled it from the box and lay it on the bed. Then I put it on and WOW! It really seems as though I had it custom made for me personally. Fits perfect, feels perfect, makes me wish I had just bought one sooner. BUT, I cannot say that my experience at that time would have been good...its just all in the experience and the journey is so much fun, especially with all you guys. I`ve been around for a long time (but I 'lurk' alot) and I have seen every brand be the flavor of the month.
So in my opinion- I got away with a very nice Wested jacket and Todd has all the details nailed!

yep, todd's is really raiders, but if you're rather hefty you aren't particularly screen accurate, so who gives a darn if you buy a non-screen accurate wings, it will look better on you than a screen accurate job.

[Gorak]

Well said!