Club Obi Wan

Hi fellas, it's been awhile.....well I kept going back and forth between a new WOW jacket and the Indy Jacket. I made my choice and it's the Indy Jacket. Always been a big fan of the Indy films, even chosen as an extra at the Indy Jones attraction at Disney.....it was fun!
Anyway, I just ordered the special edition vintage cowhide Indy Jacket by US Wings. It is made from the same batch of leather the jackets for the new film are made of.
I can't wait..........

I'm really excited to see how this turns out, and I would TOTALLY get one for myself... But I'm unfortunately saving up for a Tony Nowak! Still, I really would like to see what these end up looking like...

I wish I could get one of these! I need a 44 Long, and they said they won't make any longs out of the leather. -But I see you can order a 3XL-

So, does anyone know if anything is different about the pattern on this jacket? I did read the note from their site, but just curious as to whether anyone knows about any small differences (other than the leather itself and the lining).

Here's their info:

"This jacket is based on US Wings' standard Indy jacket pattern; it is not based on the Indy jacket pattern seen in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull™"

In order to keep in the good graces of LucasFilm, they stayed with their tried and true pattern that they've used (and was approved by Lucas) for the past 20 years, or so it also says on their website.

So, other than the cotton lining, and the provenance of the leather, it's a standard Wings jacket pattern.

Regards! Michaelson

Of course, we will have to see the movie to get a better idea, but from what I've seen so far in the available pics and videos, the standard Wings pattern can't be too far off. To me, it looks alot like the KotCS jacket.

Weston

The more I think about this, the more I'm tempted to order one. But the lack of custom sizing and specs makes me reconsider, since I'm afraid it would be too big on me.

What I'd really like to know is how Wested's Novapelle measures up to the 'official' (so to speak) hide, since the main reason I got my Novapelle Wested was because I had presumed it was the same (or very similar, anyway) kind of hide used in the new film.

Either way, I seriously hope Tony Nowak still uses the same kind of hide for his future Indy jackets come May!

Castor

You seem to be about my size so I would recommend against ordering the US Wings. I had the vintage cow and it was HUGE on me.

-Nebraska

Did you try the next size down, Nebraska? I wear a 44R, and find a 'large' fits me fine, even though their chart recommends a medium for my size and weight. A Medium fit ok in the body, but I found the sleeves were to short, so I sized up and have been quite happy with the results.

Regards! Michaelson

Great Michaelson now you are making me think about trying a different size. And just when I thought I could scratch US Wings off of my "list of things to buy". Thanks for nothing

-Nebraska

I would definetly try sizing down, but having smaller sleeves would just bug me too much... Similarly, having a good sleeve length with a ballooned up torso like Brad found out would not make me a happy camper...

Since these are pre-orders and they don't have the jackets yet to give us actual measurements over the phone, what would be the best way to figure out their size? I've never trusted their chart, but was happy with one of the made-in-China clearance mediums. Judging from previous posts on the subject, neither their chart nor a comparison between clearance vs. signature would seem to be very accurate. Would a comparison between signature vs. limited edition be a good way to figure out size this time around?
Thanks.

When I ordered the jacket I ordered an XL being I normally wear a 46L. They also asked for my height and weight......

"This jacket is similar to our standard Vintage Cowhide Indy jacket, but what sets it apart is the leather: these jackets are constructed from the very same batch of leather that was supplied to the studio to create the on-screen Indy jackets for the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull™. The tannery that supplied the studio had 3,000 ft of this leather remaining, so we purchased the remaining run and will produce only 100 Indy jackets using this original vintage cowhide leather. Once these are gone, this jacket will no longer be available."

"...supplied to the studio" ?

Anyways, if you look at the wardrobe shot, it appears that there was not one "batch of leather" supplied. At least going by the rather wide color variations. Or that one batch had severe quality control problems.



That also means that since there is a limited supply for this run and U.S. Wings purchased it, Nowak's own replicas will not be able to use it.

So how important is the batch of leather?

It does not seem like it makes a difference other than a sales pitch. U.S. Wings is using very accurate leather to make a less then 100% replica of the CS jacket, and Tony Nowak will have to use leather from another batch to make screen-accurate jackets.

True, but using the same argument, Tony had the same opportunity to purchase the left over leather, but did not, as he IS the officially licensed Lucasfilm CS jacket maker and 3000 feet would only make 100 jackets for his work too. Not NEARLY enough for a global market of a licensee of Lucasfilm.....so you have a limited run by the jacket company who DID purchase the remaining lot.

To address one more thing:

U.S. Wings is using very accurate leather to make a less then 100% replica of the CS jacket....

The Wings version is NOT a replica of the CS jacket, but is just using the leather left over FROM the CS jacket film production. They wanted that to be perfectly clear in the ad.

As you say, you can either have a jacket from Wings made from the actual leather used in the film for $400, or you can have a jacket made by the man who made the actual film jackets, but from other sourced leather for $1500, but from the CS patterns.

Why Tony passed on picking up the left over leather we can only wonder....but at least we have choices.

Regards! Michaelson

I meant they are using Crystal Skull leather to make a non-Crystal skull jacket, but I never said I was articulate. I realize that Wings does not differentiate between any of the movies.

It would not surprise me to find that Tony will be using a different leather anyways. One would expect an officially licensed jacket to be somewhat more affordable and I would expect some cost cutting to do so. Materials are usually the first victim.

It is just that it is a shame to see this. I am not knocking U.S. Wings at all either. It is just like another esteemed hatter picking up all the unused hat bodies from a run of AB Crystal Skull bodies and making Temple of Doom hats from them.

It is probably just me, but I do not understand why anyone would go through the trouble of using the exact same materials to make a different product. It removes the value of the intial materials. Like using Ferrari parts to restore an old Plymouth

Like using Ferrari parts to restore an old Plymouth

Who told you what I was doing? :evil:

Regard! Michaelson

The price of the jacket from U.S. Wings is what I found appealing. No, it is not an exact replica of the movie jacket, but they are using the same leather. It comes out to be about $20.00 more for this jacket than their other pre-distressed cow hide jacket. With shipping it was under $400.00. If I wanted an exact replica I probably would have ordered it through Wested. The whole thing about taking my measurements and having one custom made made me a little nervous. So, I'm getting one that is not an exact replica, but looks pretty ### close, with the same hide used in the new film, and for under $400 bucks. I think I'm doing alright.

rick5150 wrote: Like using Ferrari parts to restore an old Plymouth

yeah i mean who would want to ruin a perfectly good plymouth with ferrari parts? what you want to make it break down more often?

My bet is that there'll be easily 100 people who will buy the new Wings jacket largly for the very reason that it's made from the same batch of leather as the film jacket. Not the usual bragging rights seen around these parts, but bragging rights nonetheless.

SD

mgarrison02 wrote:So, I'm getting one that is not an exact replica, but looks pretty ### close, with the same hide used in the new film, and for under $400 bucks. I think I'm doing alright.

Please do not understand. None of what I stated is meant to discourage you or make you feel slighted. U.S. Wings is a great jacket and as you stated the price is right and so is the leather. I am sure you are getting a wonderful jacket. I was just musing about the how's and why's as we could have had some 100% accurate replicas... everything is available, but for some reason it was dropped.

I wonder if those 100 jackets will come with certificates of authenticity, a statement about the original leather, or a limited edition tag.

or you can have a jacket made by the man who made the actual film jackets, but from other sourced leather for $1500

Is that the official price for his jackets? Just curious since I hadn't heard anything else after the first email I sent him.

That's the price that's been circulating. Guess we'll know for sure once the movie has been released.

Regards! Michaelson

rick5150 wrote:
Please do not understand.

Who says you're not articulate?

Hahahaha. Man, it has been a hectic day

mgarrison02 don't let anyone rain on your parade

I'm sure you'll be getting a great Indy jacket and $20 doesn't seem out line to get the KotCS leather. I'm not sure what if any value that adds to the resale of the jacket but if it means something to you that's what really matters. I was thinking about ordering one myself but I can't really afford it right now. I'm sure other batches of the KotCS type leather will be made but it would have been cool to have a jacket related to the movie jacket even marginally.

Be sure and post pictures and a review of your jacket when you receive it.

I ordered one of these a few days ago - it will be my first Indy-style jacket. I was having trouble deciding on a jacket, and I just liked the idea of the KOTCS leather being used.

To me, it's kind of like getting a piece of the film hat trimmings that Fedora was so kind to offer to the community - it wasn't actually used in the film, wasn't actually part of any film costume, but it was there, kinda sorta.

And beyond all that, I like how the leather looks - in the pictures anyway. Has a nice "worn" vibe.

Leather batches come out different from year to year, even if you use the exact same tanning techniques and methods to a T. Even so, I bet that the leather tannery can do a satisfactory job of producing that leather again, especially if it’s popular. Cheers

Rick.....no worries, I know what you meant, and thanks to all of you for your encouragement. I will post my review of the jacket as soon as I get it. I will also try to post some pictures as well. According to their site the jacket will not be available till sometime in April.

I'm on order for one of these as well. As I have 3 jackets in my stable at the moment, one for each movie. My G&B Flightsuits is my Raiders, my USWings Goat is my ToD, and my Wested LC is my, well, LC...

This will be my CS jacket as it's the same leather, and it's "close enough" for me. The USWings patterns is what we mainly see in Temple of Doom, althought they were tweaked a bit from the original Cooper patterns. The only thing that pops in my mind is the storm flap snaps, and I could always add those later. Not sure if there's room or not, but it's a possibility. And if not, no biggee. This is a jacket I'm really looking forward to. I've had a cowhide from them before and it was a nice heavy, rugged jacket. It was a shame when I got rid of it. Now I'll have another one, and this time, the leather's dead on for the new movie.

Just got this tonight:

There has been a increase in the 1V leather...
I will hold the old price as long as the Fans in the remarks tells me they are a Indy Gear Fan when they send in the Order.. I will not adjust the bill later!! They must tell me when they fill out the online order! All the orders pending will get the old Price!!

Sarge

Regards! Michaelson

wow, that's an increase of almost a $100.00....I contacted us. wings and they confirmed previous orders would not be charged the difference. I asked the sales associate why the increase but she did not know.
Thanks for the heads up.

Dang, that's a big difference. I'm surprised, since it sounded like they had already purchased the remaining leather from the provider. If it's a limited amount already bought and they're not planning on buying more, how can the price of that leather go up?

How heavy is the cowhide compared to the lambskin?

yea, I don't know the reason for the price difference. The person I spoke to on the phone at US Wings said Sgt. Hack had called and was increasing the price. She didn't give a reason. I'm curious though.
As fas as the difference between lamb and cow hide from my experience is the lamb isn't as thick a skin as the cow. I could be wrong.......maybe someone else could elaborate?

feathers73 wrote:How heavy is the cowhide compared to the lambskin?

Yes, the cowhide will be much heavier and thicker than lambskin by far. Definately a real world get-dragged-behind-a-truck leather compared to lambskin.

Arca Perdida wrote:Dang, that's a big difference. I'm surprised, since it sounded like they had already purchased the remaining leather from the provider. If it's a limited amount already bought and they're not planning on buying more, how can the price of that leather go up?

mgarrison02 wrote:yea, I don't know the reason for the price difference. The person I spoke to on the phone at US Wings said Sgt. Hack had called and was increasing the price. She didn't give a reason. I'm curious though.
As fas as the difference between lamb and cow hide from my experience is the lamb isn't as thick a skin as the cow. I could be wrong.......maybe someone else could elaborate?

Guys, people are in business to make money. That leather is special (at least in the fans eyes). Why shouldn’t they charge more for it? Don’t answer with “because we’re all neat guys and deserve to get it at a cheap price”. US Wings went out of it's way to get that leather for a reason. Good for them. Cheers

...supply and demand- basic concept at work here folks. I applaud them upholding their word for the pre-orders from COW members, though, that speaks of integrity. I just hope they'll make me one on a 'Long'.

as stated above

wings site
Vintage Indy, S-2XL
Leather: Cowhide
Item#: IJ4VIN
Color: Vintage Brown
Price: $469.00

Vintage Cowhide, Regular
Leather: Cowhide
Item#: IJOC
Color: Vintage Brown
SALE: $342.00

Now all of a sudden thats $127- more for a different sourced leather, sorry to be critical but i think thats scalping...

I will hold the old price as long as the Fans in the remarks tells me they are a Indy Gear Fan when they send in the Order..

If I understand Sarge's email correctly, though, the old price is still available for IndyGear members as long as you indicate it in the order comments.

Rundquist wrote: Guys, people are in business to make money. That leather is special (at least in the fans eyes). Why shouldn’t they charge more for it? Don’t answer with “because we’re all neat guys and deserve to get it at a cheap price”. US Wings went out of it's way to get that leather for a reason. Good for them. Cheers

I don't hold it against them for increasing the price for reasons of supply and demand or even just because they can. I just didn't understand the reason given being an increase in the price of that leather. It's not like they're purchasing more of it, right?

Arca Perdida wrote:

Rundquist wrote: Guys, people are in business to make money. That leather is special (at least in the fans eyes). Why shouldn’t they charge more for it? Don’t answer with “because we’re all neat guys and deserve to get it at a cheap price”. US Wings went out of it's way to get that leather for a reason. Good for them. Cheers

I don't hold it against them for increasing the price for reasons of supply and demand or even just because they can. I just didn't understand the reason given being an increase in the price of that leather. It's not like they're purchasing more of it, right?

Gotcha. I guess they weren’t going to say "the price increase is because the market can bear it."

ortiz344 wrote:as stated above

wings site
Vintage Indy, S-2XL
Leather: Cowhide
Item#: IJ4VIN
Color: Vintage Brown
Price: $469.00

Vintage Cowhide, Regular
Leather: Cowhide
Item#: IJOC
Color: Vintage Brown
SALE: $342.00

Now all of a sudden thats $127- more for a different sourced leather, sorry to be critical but i think thats scalping...

Who knows what the difference in the price of the CS leather is? I’m sure we’d all like a jacket for 5 dollars. If they weren’t going to charge more for the jacket, what would be the point in them even sourcing the leather? Why not stick to what they already have?

They have every right to charge more for the jacket - it is after all a special limited edition due to the lineage of the leather being used. I have not seen any mention of any kind of documentation with the jacket like a COA referencing the leather. I guess the question is can they provide a COA without getting in trouble with the KS trademark? Probably depends on how they word it (like the posting on their website advertising the jacket). On top of that it sounds like he is going to hold to the original price quote for members so I'm not sure what all the concern is about the price. It sounds like his source decided they wanted more for the leather. Glad I got my order in early and had the foresight to include my COW ID in the "other information" on the order. I think he will sell all 100 jackets easily. Can't wait to get it.

Paul

COW ID?

mgarrison02 wrote:COW ID?

The screen name I use here. Like a lot of people, I have different names I use on other sites. Also my Paypal name is different. Just evolved over time. Since my Paypal name is different I wanted to make sure they knew I was a member here by referencing my COW screen name.

Paul

Oh.......OK, thanks.

I e-mailed U. S. Wings today, Easter Sunday, asking about a jacket and the price. I received a response from Sgt. Hack, himself, on Easter Sunday. He allowed that, as a member of COW, the original price will be held for COW members. They need to specify that they are members in the Special Instructions or they will be charged the original price. He has every respect for the member of this Forum and considers them his friends. He also asked me to post this on COW so all would know.

I'm impressed and ordered a jacket tonight. I've always wanted a U.S. Wings jacket, just to complete my collection. Since screen accuracy is not all that important to me, I think I'm going to be very happy with the screen accurate leather in my new jacket. Sgt. Hack also said that he recognized this leather immediately, since he used to use it in his jackets. Some guy named Mark knew all about it. What say you Michaelson?

I hope a lot more of the esteemed members of this forum will do the same.

Many Thanks
Randoman

Yep, that would be me. This leather looks exactly like his pre-distressed cow, but it's a bit heavier in weight. It's still lighter in weight than his VIP, so it falls right between the two jackets weight wise.

I've been in Ohio since Thursday, and am glad you posted this for him. Thank you.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson,
I was aking Sgt. Hack about this on Friday but he had to go and I didn't want to bother him again. In your opinion what could be used on this leather (Spec Ed. jacket) to waterproof it without changing the color. I was up in the air about getting one because I live in Florida and it rains a lot (Sunshine State my A**) so I was hesitant. I would love to have one but I may have to go with goat. What say you?

From the comparison on the website I think the KOTCS leather is somewhat darker than their standard pre-distressed cowhide, which is a good thing in my opinion since the standard pre-distressed is a little lighter in person. Of course, Pecards can temporarily darken colors as someone may see fit.