Club Obi Wan

I’ve noticed that Peter offers replicas of the B3 flying jackets used in the original “Memphis Belle” film, both on ebay, and on Wested’s site. The wool is available, it states, in “Cream or Ginger Wool” for this jacket. In merely looking at the pictures of the wool on ebay they appear anywhere from cotton ball white to a tawny beige, while those pictured on the site itself appear to be more brown or perhaps the Ginger color spoke of although it’s hard to say for certain as is the hide itself which is described as a nondescript “Dark brown leather.”

Does anyone have any knowledge of the leather and wool used on these jackets? I have not seen the film for some time and I really should give it a look if I can get a hold of it, but, it looks more like the B3 offered by G&B and USWings than an authentic WWII jacket (even without both pockets). Of course the pictures displayed leave something to be desired, but it would be nice to at least know what the back looks like.

Wested's version of the B-3 is not authentic to a real WWII B-3. Its a
modern version of the most classic bomber jacket every created.

A real B-3 has only one outside map pocket, and arm reinforcements on
the outside of each sleeve over the elbows. These reinforcements and
the map pocket are made of horsehide.

The Wested version, as well as most other less authentic versions do
not have the arm reinforcements, and they also usually have two hand
warmer pockets.

Also, the real B-3 repros will have the shoulder rank insignia tags on
the tops of the shoulders. The less authentic versions do not have this
either.

A real B-3 repro will have two heavy cowhide adjustment belts on
the collar of the jacket, and one each on the bottom side hem of the
jacket. These belts are very heavy duty, and very thick with heavy duty
hardware.

Most of today's less authentic repros use lightweight goatskin or even
lambskin for these adjustment belts, and the hardware is no where near
as heavy duty as a real B-3, or a real authentic repro.

The Wested B-3 is a modern version of the jacket, not an actual, real
repro by any means. If you want to see what a real B-3 repro looks
like, go to Aero Leather, or Eastman Leather, or even Real McCoys, and
you will see what a real B-3 is supposed to look like.

That being said, I know Peter would work with you if you wanted to
make his version a little more realistic looking. He could add the arm
reinforcements if you wanted. And he could make it with just the one
map pocket. It will look better, and be closer to what a real B-3 is
supposed to look like.

Oh, and about the back of the jackets. Real B-3's had two different
versions when they were being made. The first one incorporated a
two piece back, with a single seam going straight down the center of the
back. This would require very large sheepskins in order to make them
this way.

The second version has a 3 piece back, with a vertical seam going from
the collar to about mid-way down the back, and then it had a horizontal
seam going from underarm to underarm. The vertical seam would meet
with this horizontal seam in the center of the back of the jacket. This
made it easier to use smaller sheepskin hides as the war went on.

The more modern verions, like Wested, U.S.Wings, and G&B all have
backs made up of 4 to 6 pieces of sheepskin. This makes it easier to
use smaller and smaller hides which are cheaper than the larger hides,
and thus the cheaper prices verus a real repro.

As to wool color, real B-3 jackets did vary from almost milk white wool to
a very nice dark ginger color.

I have an Aero Redskin B-3, which has the ginger wool. I think the
ginger color is the way to go, as it does not show dirt as easily as the
lighter color would, and personally, I think it just looks better!

Peters B-3 is a nice jacket that will keep you warm in the coldest of
weather, but it is not an authentic repro by any means. Its a nice
modern version of a classic jacket.

Flathead

Interesting. Peter always told me they copied originals in the British Military museum for the movie. I'm betting they made those changes to the design to better fit the needs of today....as been done to the Indy jacket over the years.

Regards! Michaelson

Here is a picture of the Eastman repro in Seal with russet trim. This is
the 3 panel back:



Here is what a modern version, like the Wested looks like:



This second picture does not show the back of the jacket, but you can
see how the newer, modern jacket looks similar to a real B-3, but the
details are not there.

The jackets made for the movies are not that accurate because to be
honest, there are not a whole lot of people who know the difference.

Its kind of like our Indy jackets. People who do not know better think
that any old, brown, distressed leather jacket is an Indy jacket. But we
know how wrong that really is.

Its the same for the B-3. Most people know only that the WWII versions
were made of sheepskin and don't really know about what makes a true
reproduction stand out from an inaccurate copy.

Flathead

pity we do know the difference...it'd be cheaper if any old brown leather jacket would do =)
but it's the price we pay for the knowledge that we are wearing genuine indy jackets!