Club Obi Wan

O.k., I received my jacket today, and wanted to post some quick pics. Here we go!!-

The jacket is the Vintage Cowskin. As you can see, as new, it is a VERY light brown color. This is due to the 'vintage' process, I suspect. It is supposed to take on a more used look every time you wear it(the tag says so). The sizing is fantastic, as this is a medium, and fits perfectly to my liking.Comparable to my size 40 Gibson and Barnes. Still a little room for a sweater, if need be.
NOTE- This is definately a cold weather jacket, as it is thicker than the Gibson and Barnes and Wested!

[img][img]http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2002/0000370zm4.th.jpg[/img][/img] Here is the same pose with my trus ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]


Again the U.S. Wings-

[img][img]http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/2366/0000371tn2.th.jpg[/img][/img] Same pose with Gibson and Barnes- ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]

Backside of U.S. Wings. Not quite screen accurate width of rear panel, but works just fine.-

[img][img]http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/5717/0000373wg0.th.jpg[/img][/img] Here are some comparisons of colo ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]

[img][img]http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/9940/0000380ls4.th.jpg[/img][/img] [img][url=http://img329.imageshack.us ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]


Side by side. Left,dark seal G&B. Middle, russet G&B. Right U.S. Wings-

[img][img]http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/8308/0000382oe1.th.jpg[/img][/img] A little different light- [img] ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]

[img][img]http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3719/0000384gk0.th.jpg[/img][/img] O.k. now,,the jackets' real color ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]

[img][img]http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3761/0000390et6.th.jpg[/img][/img] So, the verdict? I like this jack ... TR

P.S. the service at U.S. Wings was great. They also include a nice baseball cap, a T-shirt, a mug, and a catalog!

EXCELLENT report, TR!

Thanks for reminding me about the Letaps for this kind of surface. I've been thinking about some Pecards on my jacket, but agree with your suggestion of the Letaps instead. I'll do that when I get home tonight. I'm just wondering how much product it's going to take to make an even color, considering this would be more of a dry tanned surface. It will probably soak up a LOT of Letap!

You're right, it's definitely a cold weather jacket. I'm enjoying the heck out of mine after the temps hit the 20's last night!

Regard! Michaelson

Michaelson, Here's your best bet....do another leather product FIRST! Like another jacket, so you have a rag that is good and saturated in Letaps. Then do a once over on the Wings jacket, keeping the rag somewhat moist with more product. This way the application should stay pretty consistent. (this is how I'm planning on doing mine, now that I've seen how the leather will absorb). This leather is definately more lamb-like than cow, as far as conditioning, and actually, the way it feels, too.

TR

Actually, I've always used the suggested dry sponge application on my jackets with complete success.

I'm really torn about whether or not to do that to this jacket. This surface kind of 'grows' on you.

Regards! Michaelson

Right on, right on.

I have to agree with ya on the color. It does go better with non Indy clothing, like just jeans and a shirt and such..

TR

nice jacket TR. the length is very TOD. i have to say though....my eyes were glued to your g&b's.

cheers!

Very good comparison writeup - thanks, TR!

hmmmm i'm torn i'm getting a lil extra cash and considering picking one of these up but i'm not sure if i want the vintage cow or a goat hmmmm

Pickin's are gettin' slim, Rebel. Better decide quick, sizes are disappearing. Though they told me on Monday that they'll be getting about 30-34 more lambskin in two weeks.

TR

Indiana G wrote:

nice jacket TR. the length is very TOD. i have to say though....my eyes were glued to your g&b's.

Thanks! Yeah, it seems like ToD length. As for the G&B's, there is no substitute! When I see another makers jacket like this, it confirms to me even moreso how flippin' spectacular Gibson & Barnes Expeditions are! They are slightly expensive, but the beauty,fit & finish and quality are all thru the roof, and definately worth every penny!!

TR

Hey TR:

Could you provide some measurements of your size medium before you
get rid of it? This way, we can compare it to Wings regular size medium
and large sizes versus these import jackets?

How about an armpit to armpit? A sleeve length from shoulder seam
to end of cuff? And maybe a back length from base of collar to bottom
hem?

Thanks!!

Flathead

Good point, Flathead. I forgot about that, and I, too, would be very interested in the comparison of measurements.

I've always had problems with the standard sizing from Wings, but this clearance jacket surprised the heck out of me in terms fit. Looks to be the same story on TR's medium, but the comparison measurements will tell.

Regards! Michaelson

Sure thing!


Armpit seam to armpit seam- 25 inches

Shoulder seam to cuff- 24 inches (maybe 24 1/8 max)

Back length, from BASE of collar stand to bottom hem- 26 inches


Getting a decent Indy jacket for $149.00?? Priceless


TR

Hey Michaelson,

Just a heads up,, I had to take my Wings jacket to my tailor today. The pocket on one side has torn threads in the handwarmer pocket. Closer inspection revealed to me that the handwarmer pockets are quite weakly sewn, and probably won't hold up very well with putting hands in the pocket. I took mine to my tailor and I'm having her reinforce the pockets in the two corners on each pocket, top and bottom.

thought I'd let ya know. Yours might be better constructed. They are made in China, so the construction may vary quite a bit.

TR

I just checked mine, and I don't have that problem, but then I don't use the handwarmer pockets, so that may be why I haven't noticed any problems. I'm sure if I did use them, this might become an issue for me too.

Thanks for the heads up!

Regards! Michaelson

Armpit seam to armpit seam- 25 inches

WOW, your size medium is actually bigger than Michealsons size large
that he just got!!

I don't care if the jacket is "only" $149.00. If you order a jacket that
you think SHOULD fit, and then you get one that is WAY to big, you will be
stuck with it as there are no returns on these "import" jackets, and thats
not right.

A true size medium person, with a chest of 40 inches, would be swimming
the jacket you just got with those 10 inches of movement room!! And
they would be out $149.00. I know if it was me, I would be quite miffed.

There seems to be no consistancy at all if it does indeed measure out to
what you have posted.

Now a half inch or so off, total, around the chest is not unusual for
jackets in any given size. But 2 inches off? That shows poor quality
control standards.

My regular size large Wings vintage cow jacket has an armpit to armpit
measurement of 25 inches, as well as every other size large regular
Wings jacket that I have seen.

Just a reference, if that jacket was a Wested, with that armpit to armpit
measurement, it would be a size 46!

Flathead

Maybe I'm measuring it wrong.. I layed it flat on its' front side and measured across the back. I assumed this was how it was to be measured. I measured from the seam that is under the armpit (the junction where the vertical seam meets the arm seam itself) to the other side in the same location.

Is there another way to measure?

TR

That's where I measured mine, TR. Interesting you come out a 1/2 inch wider than my Large, and you say you normally wear a size 40? Something's odd here. Interesting indeed! One of us did something wrong, and since my jacket fits me just fine, and from your photos, so does yours, I'm beginning to suspect MY measurements now.

Regarding the weak tack problem at the corner of the side entry pockets, I'm half way tempted to install antique brass grommets in those two corners where the stress points exist (like you find on blue jeans), and that should solve that problem completely.

As has been pointed out from the get-go, these jackets are perfect for folks (like me) who could care less about screen accuracy, but want a solid, functional jacket for hard use, and without sweating bullets over their high priced custom jackets.....specifically those of us who practice the 'Michaelson Schoool of Thought' when it comes to our gear. I don't baby my gear, but then I don't crawl under my Plymouth to change the oil while wear my Wested either. For that $149 price tag, I'm a happy camper.

Regards! Michaelson

Boy, that's a GREAT looking jacket, TR. Looks like it's already been on numerous adventures. I've been wearing my Wings VIP and lamb, since its gotten colder. I do like 'em both. Kinda wish my VIP would "age"a little more, but naturally.

Informative topic. Nice work on the US Wings comparisons. Hey, Texas Raider, what you've got there is a fine Last Crusade collar. Would you mind doing us a favour and giving us a couple of close-up pics of the collar?

Many thanks.

St. Dumas

Do you mean pictures of the U.S. Wings collar? No problem. I pick up the jacket from my tailor on Saturday, I'll get the pics this weekend.

TR

TR, yes, I'd like to see a close-up on your new US Wings vintage cowhide jacket collar, if you wouldn't mind. Wested's Last Crusade collars have the same collar stand/storm flap configuration as its Raiders and TOD jackets. Your collar appears to be a more authentic Crusade collar.

St. Dumas

Michaelson, I conditioned my Wings jacket with Letaps-- NOT fun! Be sure you have an hour or so to kill!

This stuff ***** up the Letaps like it's been in the desert for three weeks in any direction!! I used my Letaps soaked rag technique and it would literally dry up my rag!! If any foam actually got on the leather, it just went "slurp!" at warp factor 2!! I'd hate to see what'll happen to this jacket in the rain!!

Luckily, Letaps doesn't stain,,I soaked the leather pretty good to keep consistent color and condition, used quite a bit of Letaps. If you notice on the can, it says not to use on 'unfinished' leather, which this is, so proceed at your own risk, but after soaking it, it didn't hurt the jacket any. I think the next time won't be so bad, but this first one was a bee-itch! Funny, when damp, this leather reminds me of Westeds Lamb-touch hide.

Darkened the color a bit,,looks nice. I'll post pics with the collar close-ups as well, as requested, tomorrow.

TR

Like I said, that crossed my mind as being the case when I first considered applying anything to this leather. You've confirmed it. Personally I don't want to lose that much of my precious Letaps in the treatment of this jacket, so if I DO apply anything in the future, I have a feeling it will be a Pecards product. THAT I can get in quantity.

Thanks for the report, TR!!

Regards! Michaelson

O.K., it's long overdue, but here are pics of the collar for ya!-

[img][img]http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4746/0000404kq4.th.jpg[/img][/img] [img][url=http://img237.imageshack.us ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]

rear view

[img][img]http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5395/0000406wm0.th.jpg[/img]

TR[/img]

Hey, Michaelson,

If you haven't Pecards'd your U.S. Wings yet, you're gonna LOVE the results!! Here are pics of the jacket after using the Letaps-



before, without

[/img]

You can see it's slightly darker,,

THEN!!

Half the jacket after Pecards, right half only done with Letaps-

[/img] :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: ... .jpg[/img][/img][/url]

Before, next to other two-(it's on the right)



It turned out WAY excellent, and you really don't even have to wipe any excess off the leather, it soaks it right in, and makes the leather like lambskin!! Awesome!! It looks WAY more like an Indy jacket now! I couldn't be happier! I just couldn't stand the pinkish color anymore!


TR[/img]

I've already done the deed, last week as a matter of fact, and yep....GLAD I did!!!
I used the leather 'lotion' rather than the standard Pecards, and came up with the same results.

HIGH regard! Michaelson

Great results. I think I posted elsewhere that I got a Wested lambskin from another member here. The prior owner's predecessor had distressed the jacket, but to my eye it seemed a bit overly (and artificially) distressed. Not damaged, really, just a bit overdone for my taste. So, I pulled out the same Pecards brown weatherproof dressing I use on my Aldens, gave it a coat (not necessarily even -- just trying to blend the distressed vs. non-distressed areas). The results were great. Pecards is amazing stuff. Now the jacket looks more naturally worn, distressed and beat up -- and it's now my favorite!

I'd post pictures, but I haven't yet been able to come up with any that really show what I'm talking about -- age old story: what looks great in person doesn't necessarily show up in pictures or on film. I'll try again to see if I can come up with something useful.


Randy

Thanks for posting those, TR. You also answered my question as to who makes the most authentic Last Crusade collar. Nice work on the finish too.

SD

No problem!!

TR

Are these jackets still available on clearance? Can someone post a link if they are?

You can find what's left of the sale at:

http://www.uswings.com/clearance.asp#SpecialSale

but most of this merchandise is now gone, or the price has gone up since we were given first crack at the items.

Regards! Michaelson

Thanks for the link. I was actually looking for an A2 jacket so I might actually get one off of that page.

Be sure to contact Sgt. Hack and tell him you're an 'Indygear member'. Also check about availability.

Regard! Michaelson