My U.S. Wings Limited Edition Just Arrived!

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:14 pm

Well, here it is in all its glory - the jacket made from the leftover KOTCS leather. It's a Large, and fits great. The leather is soft and I really like how it looks. This is my first Indy jacket (notice I said first - I think collecting this stuff infects your brain) and I am very pleased with it.

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:17 pm

Beautiful! Can't wait to see mine come tomorrow when it's delivered.

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:22 pm

NICE!

I'm really quite envious....It looks great!

*Sigh* Wish my G&B would arrive...

gladd96 · Post by **gladd96** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:18 pm

That is a great looking jacket

Man I wish I would have ordered one.

rrhanselka · Post by **rrhanselka** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:20 pm

You say it's a Large and it fits perfectly. What are your measurements, if you don't mind me asking? I was told to get a large by Sgt Hack himself and have one coming, but I'm afraid it's going to be too big. Please let me know.

Many Thanks
Randall

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:57 pm

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

rrhanselka wrote:

What are your measurements, if you don't mind me asking?

Chest is about 43", shoulder-to-wrist is about 23". Sorry I don't have exact measurements from a tailor, I just took those as best I could just now.

From the jacket:
Sleeves:25-1/2".
Armpit-to-armpit across the front: 23-1/2"
Seam across the back: 19"

Hope that helps.

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:06 pm

the Jacket looks great...you have the CS leather.....if I were you I had taken my jacket to a tailor and let them custom make the press studs on it...then it would be even more CS.

great jacket
Holt

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:12 pm

Was just handed mine by our shipping clerk. $\:D/$

Looks just like the one above, and fits me like it was tailor made. I opted to go the next size down from my usual size, as I wanted to wear this more of a mid-season jacket rather than one I layer clothing under in cold weather.

VERY VERY nice!!!

Regards! Michaelson

Holt · Post by **Holt** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:12 pm

I knew I should have gotten one when I had the change....again that looks so terrific!!

congrats Mark....you know I am gonna ask for some pictures

I am just so curious about the look of this jacket on a person...

if you have the chance to share some pictures that'd be great if not...that's fine too...

congrats
Eric

thatguyno1 · Post by **thatguyno1** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:22 pm

Did it come with any kind of documentation or certification? Looks great - now how does it look on?? Can't wait to get mine (18th).

Michaelson - just how soft is this cowhide leather.
Paul ô¿ô

gmarthe · Post by **gmarthe** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:48 pm

Vindy wrote:Thanks for the comments, everyone.

rrhanselka wrote:
What are your measurements, if you don't mind me asking?
Chest is about 43", shoulder-to-wrist is about 23". Sorry I don't have exact measurements from a tailor, I just took those as best I could just now.

From the jacket:
Sleeves:25-1/2".
Armpit-to-armpit across the front: 23-1/2"
Seam across the back: 19"

Hope that helps.

I THINK he meant YOUR height and weight. I too have to wait until the 18th. Congrats!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:05 pm

Michaelson - just how soft is this cowhide leather.

VERY soft! I'm very pleased, needless to say!

Regards! Michaelson

thatguyno1 · Post by **thatguyno1** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:25 pm

Michaelson wrote:
Michaelson - just how soft is this cowhide leather.
VERY soft! I'm very pleased, needless to say!

Regards! Michaelson

Thank you for that feedback - I was hoping you would say that. I had some reservations about the cowhide but now I'm even happier I decided to get this jacket.

Paul ô¿ô

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:27 pm

Regards! Michaelson

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:31 pm

I THINK he meant YOUR height and weight.

Oh, gotcha - I'm 5'11", about 190 lbs.

Sorry, my earlier post wasn't clear.

The first 2 measurements are of my chest and arms, the other 3 are right off of the jacket.

thatguyno1 · Post by **thatguyno1** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:37 pm

Vindy or Michaelson

Did it come with any documentation on the source of the leather or are we to just keep a copy from the website describing the source?

Paul ô¿ô

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:40 pm

You best print off the documentation from the site.

Mine did not come with anything in that regards (then I haven't had time to root around in the box that much yet), but I really didn't expect one myself. Remember, they couldn't make a direct connection to the CS jacket, let alone do so in writing.

Regards! Michaelson

thatguyno1 · Post by **thatguyno1** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:53 pm

Yea - I remember they couldn't make the direct connection. I was just hoping they could come up with some wording that would not violate the trademarks but still document the source of the leather similar to what they did on the website. Oh well, I will just screen shot the website and keep that handy.

Paul ô¿ô

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:03 pm

leather looks nicely weathered

the site still shows them as available in all but xl

added:What exactly was the total COW price if you can say?

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:05 pm

From the jacket:
Sleeves:25-1/2".
Armpit-to-armpit across the front: 23-1/2"
Seam across the back: 19"

That sounds like an awfully small size large, its more along lines of their
normal size medium jacket except for the sleeve length.

Their normal size large usually has a pit to pit of 25 inches, and their
medium pit to pit is 23 inches.

If what you are posting is accurate, these jackets run MUCH smaller than
their normal offerings.

Michealson, if you normally wear a size large Wings jacket (per your
posts in the past reguarding your size) and you ordered a size smaller
for yourself, did you order a size medium for this jacket?

And if so, can you post some measurements for us to compare to the
size large that was already posted.

I can't imagine that these new jackets would run almost 3 inches smaller
total around the chest than what they normally have. Thats quite a lack
of quality control if it is.

Flathead

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:07 pm

Correct, and will do, Flathead. I'll do it when I get home.

Regards! Michaelson

Kokopelli · Post by **Kokopelli** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:31 pm

YOU ALL ###

ok, sorry...I'm just jealous they wouldn't make one for me in 'orangutan long'.

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:44 pm

I can't imagine that these new jackets would run almost 3 inches smaller total around the chest than what they normally have. Thats quite a lack of quality control if it is.

This jacket seems very well made, so I wouldn't put it down to slipping quality control. I'm sure it's that I'm not measuring properly.

I'm new as to how best to communicate these details, I'm afraid. Apologies for any confusion on the sizing!

I'm sure Michaelson can clear this up. Thanks!

Anyway, the jacket rocks!

ztmario · Post by **ztmario** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:33 pm

every time I see a USW jacket in cowhide, I'm struck by how heinie they look. much more than a wested, in my opinion. it just looks like a jacket you wear if you know you're about to be punched through a window. it ALMOST makes me want to cancel the wested order and get the vintage cow.. but if I'm going to spend over $300, I really really want a perfect fit. great jacket, tho.

JC1972 · Post by **JC1972** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:17 pm

I would've gotten this but I needed a tall. So I went with a G&B Lambskin Expedition instead

.

Vegeta · Post by **Vegeta** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:25 pm

HOLY @#$% I LOVE IT!!! This is the jacket I'm gonna get for sure.....when I get money

Tron7960 · Post by **Tron7960** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:32 pm

Congratulations Vindy, it looks great!

Will you be wearing it when you see KotCS?

Tron

INDIANA_7 · Post by **INDIANA_7** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:59 pm

Hey,

I also just got my US Wings KOTCS jacket today. I love it and it seems to be a little more darker brown than pictured on the site.

Best regards,
Indiana 7

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:49 am

This jacket seems very well made, so I wouldn't put it down to slipping quality control.

Quality control is alot more than just whether a product is made well.
It also means that the product conforms to other criteria as well, such
as form, fit and function.

They have the form and function down, but the fit seems to be all over
the place.

I suppose you could be measuring it wrong, but armpit to armpit
measurements are pretty hard to get wrong, and if your jacket is indeed
only 23.5 inches, that makes it 47 inches total around the chest, which
would put it a just about a perfect size 42, and just a bit too small for
a person who wears a size 44, which is what a Wings large should fit.

I am waiting for Michaelsons measurements on his size medium for
comparison.

I think its a fantastic looking jacket, and you should get YEARS of wear
out of it. My bone of contention is the wacky sizing from one jacket to
another. It makes it very hard to try to zero in on your proper size when
each jacket seems to have such inconsistencies in measurements from
what is supposed to be the same size.

Flathead

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:38 am

Flathead,

I take your point about the sizing, and thanks for the nice comments about the jacket.

----

INDIANA_7,

Nice pics!

----

Tron,

Thanks, and yes, I hope to be attending the premiere with other gearheads in the Atlanta area wearing this jacket.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:14 am

Ok, I'm FINALLY getting around to measuring my jacket.

My medium armpit to armpit is 24 inches, which as Flathead points out, makes my jacket a true 42 (as it should be).

Sleeves are 25.5 inches long from shoulder seam to end of cuff.

Seam across the back is 17.5, so there's the difference between the large and the medium.

It appears, Vindy, you have more material in the shoulder area than across the chest.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:18 am

Vegeta wrote:HOLY @#$% I LOVE IT!!! This is the jacket I'm gonna get for sure.....when I get money

Well, unfortunately, unless they get some returned, there WILL be no more of these made. This was a limited edition, one time jacket, remember?

That said, though, it compares favoribly to their pre-distressed cowhide in stock.

Regards! Michaelson

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:43 am

Mine is on the truck for delivery today (I'm checking the tracking status every ten minutes it seems). Hopefully I'll get some pictures up this weekend as I have a few other photos I need to get online as well and I'll do it all at once.

Love the color. It appears a little darker than their normal distressed cowhide. I liked my first cowhide from them (even thought I sold it), this one will NOT be sold. I'll let my estate deal with it in 50-60 years (unless I'm buried in it...).

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:55 am

It appears, Vindy, you have more material in the shoulder area than across the chest

The only problem with that is that Vindy's is a size LARGE, not a medium
like yours.

This is what I am talking about with the sizes they make.

We have a size medium that is actually slightly bigger than a large.

The back seam sounds right, but every other dimension states that
Vindy's jacket is actually a medium.

So, either Vindy actually got a medium that was mislabled a size large, or
the person in the quality control position let a jacket that was labled a
size large get by them with obvious pattern mistakes.

This is why its so hard for people to get a good fitting Wings jacket.
Their sizes are all over the place. And for this to happen to a jacket that
is a limited run is even worse.

If you have to send the jacket back for another one, you may be out
of luck, because there might not be any more of the special leather
left.

Flathead

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:58 am

Yeah, I'm trying to wrap my brain around how Vindy's jacket would fit, since our chest measurement specs are the same, but the shoulder seam measure differs by several inches. It sounds like a medium, but with broader shoulders. Interesting. Are you SURE you measured the shoulder seam right, Vindy?

I need to measure my VIP large as a comparison to Vindy's specs.

Of course, once again, that won't happen until I get home again.

Regards! Michaelson

Minnesota Jones · Post by **Minnesota Jones** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:55 pm

Well, it was "delivered" according to UPS, since I waived the signature. I couldn't wait, so I took an early lunch and ran home.....

It was there.

I wore it back to work.

If Indy IV (the movie) is as good as my US Wings "Adventurer" (Indy IV leather) jacket is.... I may very well BE buried in this jacket.

I can't get over how buttery smooth this cowhide is. It's absolutely gorgeous. Fits like a glove, just like my other US Wings did/do. I will have to move up the sleeve 1 inch (I did this on my other one I still have), but otherwise, they match up perfectly size wise. So no size differences on my new cow XL from my older goat XL I have. Again, I'll get some pics up by this weekend.

I have to give a HUGE nod of my fedora to Sarge at US Wings. One, he got this leather, AND two, made an Indy jacket out of it. I'm now one of 90 (as he didn't have enought leather for 100) proud owners of this "Indy IV Leather" Adventurer Jacket, and I'm literally as giddy as a schoolboy.

So thank's Sarge!

thatguyno1 · Post by **thatguyno1** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:37 pm

Michaelson wrote: Well, unfortunately, unless they get some returned, there WILL be no more of these made. This was a limited edition, one time jacket, remember?

According to the Wings website they still have jackets available in S, M, L, 2XL and 3XL. I thought they were sold out?

And something else that puzzles me - why do they call it a "Signature Series". Usually that term is reserved for replicas that some star or celebrity of some type actually signs. I don't think anybody is signing this jacket or any documentation about it.

Paul ô¿ô

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:39 pm

The 'signature series' is their flagship jacket name. Nothing more.

It appears they've haven't updated the website as to the sell out.

Regards! Michaelson

Mossyrock · Post by **Mossyrock** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:08 pm

Well, they have at least one extra "medium" because I was forced to cancel my order...thanks to our friendly, neighborhood Internal Revenue Service.

thatguyno1 · Post by **thatguyno1** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:08 pm

OK Michaelson - which are you going to use on your new Wings "Signature Series" (without the signature

) jacket - Dressing, Jell or Lotion?? And why? I'm trying to decide between the Dressing to give it some water repellancy (but it will darken the leather), or the Lotion that won't darken the leather but won't add to the water repellancy. I threw the Jell in there too as another choice.

Paul ô¿ô

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:12 pm

At the moment, nothing at all.

Anything used on this type of pre-distressed leather is going to change it's appearance, though I agree that the water based lotion will have less impact than anything else Pecards sells.

I have enough different jackets I can wear at the moment, I just won't wear this one in bad weather unless I have to.

Regards! Michaelson

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:13 pm

Mossyrock wrote:Well, they have at least one extra "medium" because I was forced to cancel my order...thanks to our friendly, neighborhood Internal Revenue Service.

Sorry to hear that.

David did say that the only ones that would be left would be either returns or non 'pickups', so that probably explains the few extras that appear on the website.

Regards! Michaelson

Shishak · Post by **Shishak** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:08 pm

I called today to ask about availability. I got the last 2XL, the XL's are definitely all spoken for unless there are some returns. I didn't ask about the other sizes.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:12 pm

Well, don't give up hope folks. These are just now hitting the front porches of folks who ordered them, so there may be returns yet....but based on the 90 production number, there may be a waiting list now.

Regards! Michaelson

Honolulu Jones · Post by **Honolulu Jones** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:46 pm

I ordered a large about 5 weeks ago, then cancelled because I was concerned it would be too large (consensus is that they tend to run larger than normal sizing). So I'm interested to hear if these do as well.

interbak · Post by **interbak** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:10 pm

I got my XL yesterday. Very soft and fairly heavy leather. My wifes first comment was it is the nicest looking brown leather I've got, and that says a lot considering the number of jackets in my closet. The XL is a little big on me though, and I'd like accurate measurements from a large. Maybe someone here will be interested in a straight up trade if the measurements work out.

Brian

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:15 pm

Well, you have Vindy's measurements of his Large above, so there's something to work with.

Regards! Michaelson

interbak · Post by **interbak** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:47 pm

I read Vindy's measurements, then I read your older medium being an inch larger p-p. The XL measures 52" chest, 26" p-p. If the large was more like 49 - 50" it would be about perfect. Let's get out our measuring tapes and try to compile a list how they really run. I'll take a full set tonight.

Brian

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:55 pm

'Older' medium? No, those measurements I posted were taken from my brand new limited jacket I just received. There was only 1/2" difference p-p between mine and Vindy's. That could have been an error on my part due to the lay of the jacket on my bed and the cloth tape measure I was using too. They may match p-p. I'll zip the jacket up and double check later.

I plan to try and take measurements from my 'older' VIP large tonight to compare to Vindy's specs from his new jacket.

Regard! Michaelson

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:09 pm

If the large was more like 49 - 50" it would be about perfect. Let's get out our measuring tapes and try to compile a list how they really run. I'll take a full set tonight.

The Wings standard size Large should measure out to 25 inches pit to pit,
and thus it would be 50 inches total, just like you would like.

My Wings large jacket, plus several other people that I know who have
size large Wings Adventurer jackets (Indy jackets from years past) all measure right
around 25 pit to pit for the large.

Most of their mediums measure out to 23 to 24 inches pit to pit, and their
XL's should measure out to 26 to 27 pit to pit.

This is the info I got not only from my own experience (my jackets, and
friends jackets) but from doing a search of this website and finding the
info here.

Flathead