Raiders Storm Flap

[JRabbit]

As much as I love my Raiders, I kinda wish there was a snap at the bottom of the storm flap like the LC jacket. When the jacket is zipped, the bottom corner of the storm flap tends to flare out some. Anyone else notice this?

JRabbit

[Michaelson]

SA incorrect or not, I always put one on my Raiders jackets just because it IS functional.

Regards! Michaelson

[JRabbit]

I'm thinking about adding one.... if I can find a good snap, one that is brass but not too shiny. I've done some leather work (making Ren Fest costumes) and have some experience with installing snaps in leather..... but man, to punch holes in my brand new Wested, <gulp> I don't know if I can do it!

[RCSignals]

A local shoe maker/leather repair shop can do it or you probably could yourself. A tailor might be able to make it hidden. The bottom of all my jackets with storm flap like that stays put, whether Raiders type or A-2

[RaidersBash]

My Wested Raiders stays put.

[cowboy827]

I had the same problem, and eventually sold the jacket.

I replaced that jacked with a Wested LC in Novapelle. When I ordered the LC jacket, I gave Peter my waist measurement and told him that I didn't want the jacket to flare at the bottom. He cut the jacket nice and trim, so it fits me just right. I don't even have to bother snapping the storm flap closed.

[Chewbacca Jones]

Yep. I notice this problem. Be careful buying a snap, though. If the storm flap is screen accurate, it might be too narrow for the size of snap used on LC and CS jackets.

[Texan Scott]

A hidden "press stud" at the bottom of the storm flap is a great feature and highly recommended. Of course, the snaps are outside of the storm flap and visible on the LC/CS jackets, so that potential problem takes care of itself. But the Raiders jacket is different that way. Maybe 'M' might know why the Raiders jacket was designed w/o the 'press stud'? It is somewhat of a design flaw, jmho.

Also, the 'press studs' on the pockets are of a different variety than they used to have on the Raiders jacket. The old ones were the "KENG*CHE*NG*" type. The original zipper was a 5 gauge nickel.

[RCSignals]

The Raiders jacket is based on an A-2, and an A-2 storm/wind flap also does not have press studs

[Kt Templar]

This may just be the way the jacket works with your frame, or indeed this particular jacket with your frame. Loosening the straps might help?

I've had a few from various makers and when zipped the flap pretty much stayed put. My first Raider's lamb has a popper at the bottom of the flap and it's pretty much the only thing I'd change on it!

I'd suggest you don't put one on your jacket as the SA bug might get you later and you might regret it.

[Michaelson]

I'd suggest you don't put one on your jacket as the SA bug might get you later and you might regret it.

Well, speaking for myself, 28 years in the hobby and I haven't regretted it yet.

Regards! Michaelson

[Mike]

Maybe 'M' might know why the Raiders jacket was designed w/o the 'press stud'? It is somewhat of a design flaw, jmho.

While not the "M" you were meaning, RC was right. And we have our own Lee Keppler to thank for the LC press studs. He wanted a functional flap on his Raiders jacket so he had them added at G&B. When he sent his sample to Peter to have the LC jackets go into production, the studs were there and the jacket copied.

[Michaelson]

Thanks, Mike, I missed that question.

Regard! Michaelson

[Texan Scott]

M&M's tag teamed that one! That's pretty cool, that one of Keppler's modifications of the Raiders jacket made it into the finished product and film jacket.

[Hatch]

Maybe 'M' might know why the Raiders jacket was designed w/o the 'press stud'? It is somewhat of a design flaw, jmho.

While not the "M" you were meaning, RC was right. And we have our own Lee Keppler to thank for the LC press studs. He wanted a functional flap on his Raiders jacket so he had them added at G&B. When he sent his sample to Peter to have the LC jackets go into production, the studs were there and the jacket copied.

But wasn't there a report of Lucas/ Spielberg calling and asking him for two under an 'alias' since they were for a 'pilot' ??...........seem to remember this from an old thread......

[Mike]

Yep. That's how it started. They then wanted him to do the work for the film. When he realized he wouldn't be able to meet the demand, he suggested Peter.

All will be told once the LC write-up is edited and posted.

[Hatch]

Thanks for the double check Mike .......so like my wife says ,I just have "selective memory loss "....can still remember the important stuff...... .........so was it one of his 'originals' with the snaps that became the 'jacket to start from', that was use for basis Bernie started with for CS ??

[Michaelson]

Short answer, 'yep'.

Regards! Michaelson

[Hatch]

Thought that was the sequence , thanks for the confirmation from the 'Plymouth'.....

[Michaelson]

[Hatch]

Michaelson , do you know if the Keppler 'original' with snaps was cowhide or lamb ??

[Michaelson]

I believe lamb, but where Lee has always been a fan of goatskin, and all I've ever SEEN of his prototypes were made of goat, I'm not sure now.

What he provided Lucas I honestly don't recall.

Regards! Michaelson

[RCSignals]

.........so was it one of his 'originals' with the snaps that became the 'jacket to start from', that was use for basis Bernie started with for CS ??

I'm curious, who/where does it come from that the jacket used for a basis of the CS, and by extension the jacket that was sent to TN with a guard/escort, was a Keppler jacket?

[Michaelson]

It was one of the prototype LC jackets that Lee provided Lucas back in '88, and that Ford/Spielberg picked out of the Skywalker warehouse jacket/costume rack and Pollack then sent out for duplication for CS.

Regards! Michaelson

[Ronski]

I wonder how it would be if you installed an earth magnet inside the storm flap and seam. no studs to ruin SA factor, but still hold the flap shut. Any thoughts?

[Castor Dioscuri]

Ironically, I was thinking the same thing the other day while wearing a Nowak, but I figured it would still probably leave circular distressing marks after some use- you know, the kind that you see on pocket flaps where the hidden studs are located

[Baldwyn]

Ironically, I was thinking the same thing the other day while wearing a Nowak, but I figured it would still probably leave circular distressing marks after some use- you know, the kind that you see on pocket flaps where the hidden studs are located

Speaking of ironically, you'd have to repeatedly clean them of iron filings Is fuller's earth iron filing free?