Collectors Edition US Wings Jackets

[Rick Deckard]

I took another thread off topic... ...so I am starting up a new thread for the Collectors Edition US Wings Jacket. The LC jacket is my favorite movie jacket in terms of looks, and I was hoping to get some opinions as to whether the CE resembles the LC jacket. I think it does in some pics. I have seen, but admittedly it's hard to tell from pics. unless you have some nice high res. close ups. So, if you got 'em, please post 'em along with your opinion of the jacket. I only own one Indy jacket - the naked cow Hero - and if I add another I want it to be made out of a nice thick leather and built to last. One last question, do you think this jacket is more LC looking than the Hero or about the same? Admittedly, th pic below is the LC look I'm after, but I don't think the CE is that dark brown.



Edited to correct name of jacket...I keep conflating Edition and Expedition

[IndyOriginal]

I'll post some pics in a bit hopefully for you....i've got a CE and i'm trying to go for the LC/CS look. I've only done a little bit of distressing to the jacket, but i'll probably do more over time b/c it looked pretty good.

[Michaelson]

I think once snaps are added to the storm flap, the CE pulls off the LC look very nicely myself. Others had said the same in past discussions.

Regards! Michaelson

[ron521]

The CE is part of the Signature Series (made by Schott), so the pattern is more LC than Raiders.
The Hero jackets seem to also be made to this pattern, just imported and of different leathers.
If you prefer LC, the Signature Series or Hero jackets should work, just decide which hide that you prefer.

[Michaelson]

I've found the Hero to be a bit more of a tapered fit in comparison to the Signature Series, but then, that's just been my experience with the two versions.

Regards! Michaelson

[ron521]

That's a good point to remember, while the Signature Series seem to mostly fit the same way regardless of which skin you choose,
the Hero jackets are reputed to fit slightly differently than the Signature Series AND from each other, depending on which skin you select.
According to the website, the Striated Lambskin Hero fits differently than the Antique Cowhide Hero or the Antique Lambskin Hero.

[Michaelson]

Correct and agreed!

Regard! Michaelson

[Rick Deckard]

Ah, I didn't know that the CE was made by Schott. That's another plus. If I purchase I'll call Wings about sizing, but I'm pretty sure I need an XL unless this is a lot bigger than the Hero. I almost fit into a L Hero, but there just wasn't enough shoulder room.

[Chewbacca Jones]

I find the CE WAY too light for an LC jacket. The design is pretty close, but the color is very wrong. I don't have a full-body pic of me wearing it, but here is a link to some detail shots;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27810273@N ... 234817920/

I find that the US Wings "Antique Cowhide Indy-style Hero Jacket" (second on this page http://www.uswings.com/ijhero.asp ) is the best US Wings for the job. It has all of the details that scream LC, and it's darker. I bought it specifically for my LC gear.

These pics were taken just after the jacket arrived. I have since had the sleeves adjusted and did some shaping with the collar;

[Rick Deckard]

Thanks for the pics, Chewie. I love the scalloped pockets on the CE. How do you compare the construction of the imported Hero vs the Schott made CE? I'm currently waiting for my Hero to be exchanged due to the leather facings on the zipper pull side detaching/pulling away from the jacket.

BTW, I sent my jacket back on 09/29 and Wings received it on 09/30. So far it hasn't shipped. What has your experience been like with exchange times with US Wings? I know in another thread a poster mentioned that he had had a long wait too.

[Holt]

I really dig the LC jacket and have studied it for many years. In my opinion, the only one who can really pull of a super good screen accuate LC jacket is the original maker. wested.

but...

I find the naked cowhide USW jacket a very good LC jacket. it is in lack of some screen accurate details but it has the right LC 'vibe' and that I really dig. I love the jacket. its my 'real' life LC jacket and not only a 'prop' jacket.....

I will get another LC jacket down the road..... a very screen accurate one. it will be one of my last Indy jackets. I just need a really accurate LC jacket in my collection. one day.

anyways, you proabably seen it but here is my USW naked cowhide. it has the right LC 'vibe'..pluss one heckuva 'bring it on' construction.







without flash

[Tennessee Smith]

Yeah, I've got to agree with Holt there the USW Naked cowhide (Hero jacket) is a perfect LC jacket. I have that and a CE jacket. The CE is an incredible piece of work though. The leather is very substantial and lighter in color than what Holt is picturing above. The CE was originally made as the USW version of the CS jacket. The 1st batch was made by the same run of leather Nowak used for the film jacket and the subsequential pics I've seen of the later offerings look to be the same type of hide.

-TS

[Dragonlady Jones]

It is a bit light colorwise, but if you take some Pecard shoe/boot oil to it, it darkens it considerably. I'm a big fan of the CE. While not SA, it's one tough LC/CS "close enough".




Linky...

[Chewbacca Jones]

Thanks for the pics, Chewie. I love the scalloped pockets on the CE. How do you compare the construction of the imported Hero vs the Schott made CE? I'm currently waiting for my Hero to be exchanged due to the leather facings on the zipper pull side detaching/pulling away from the jacket.

Well, I haven't really worn the jacket, as it's just starting to cool down enough to wear leather. But as far as I can tell, Wings has maintained the level of quality. All stitching appears solid, and there are no flaws to speak of. If I didn't know that it was an import, the thought would never cross my mind.

BTW, I sent my jacket back on 09/29 and Wings received it on 09/30. So far it hasn't shipped. What has your experience been like with exchange times with US Wings?

Based on my experience, you should give them a call. I mean, they might be running a bit slower these days. After all, they are experiencing a surge in Indy fan business. But it seems a bit long of a wait for them.

BTW: Holt's pics are of the same jacket I favor, above - in case the differing terminology throws any one. The Naked Cowhide is the "Antique Cowhide Indy-style Hero Jacket." Holt's is just a good example of how it looks broken in.

[binkmeisterRick]

DJ, you mind scaling your pics down a bit? That jacket looks good on you, btw.

[Dragonlady Jones]

You bet, no prob.

[Rick Deckard]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I was thinking that the Hero might not be too durable b/c of the experience I had, and so that's what got me looking at the CE. That along with the $100 off for COW members. Holt's been wearing his, though, and I don't think he's had any problems, so I'm sure I just got a defective jacket vis-a-vis the stitching on the leather facing. It happens. Besides, I know lots of people got the Hero and I haven't seen anyone else mention issues with the jackets. Who knows, maybe I'll still go for the Legend even though I'm more a LC jacket fan. I'd really like to have a US made Wings jacket.

[Indydawg]

What is the width of the (dreaded) gap on the CE back panel? Anyone got good pics of that area?

[IndyOriginal]

Holt - that jacket looks fantastic! Definitely LC. Keep seeing more jackets I'd like to own.

I'm trying to wait until I can take a pic outside w/ the CE...keep getting off work late. We'll see if i can do it today. In general though, I'd have to agree that the color is not dark enough for LC. I'm definitely going to be applying lots of Pecard's + sun to darken it up a bit.

[binkmeisterRick]

You bet, no prob.

Thanks! It's still a good looking jacket on you.

[Chewbacca Jones]

What is the width of the (dreaded) gap on the CE back panel? Anyone got good pics of that area?

I don't know if it's consistent from jacket to jacket, or by size, or what... but this is from my XXL.


I don't mind the gaps, personally. I find they help the functionality of the action pleats. But for those who care, there it is.

[Indydawg]

I think 1/2"-1" works well....and is a nice "nod" to "screen accuracy" while, as you note, making the back more functional...personally, I'm more interested in the seams lining up right, BUT some of the Hero jackets that we've seen recently have nearly 2" gaps back there...makes the back panel appear FAR too narrow...I'm not crazy about that. And I've seen several jackets recently where the measurement of that gap didn't match from one side of the back to the other...it would be off...1/8th of an inch or more...

So...it's a bit of a concern...

[Holt]

I agree with dawg. persoanlly I like the seams lining up. But I'd say to anybody, if you want a CE or any other USW of the rack jacket just ask them to pick out a jacket with the smallest gap. you might have luck on your side....when I found out I was being sent a HERO jacket I politely asked Sarge to see if he got measure up a jacket with 26'' backlength and send me that. and I got it .... I believe they are 27'' or 27.5'' standard.(?)

[Rick Deckard]

Speaking of the gap size, the Hero jacket I had to send back had gaps that were different sizes. I also don't like the extremely wide gaps of 2" or so. I'm hoping my new one has gaps that are the same measurement and aren't too big. I think it's a lack of QC b/c they're being made overseas. I bet a jacket made in-house by either Wings or Schott would not have these issues.

[Indydawg]

I think you're right....but they are not a small-market vendor....lots of room for error there if you don't have a consistent QC department that knows what to look for...probably that's part of the problem here...

[CRB]

I'm a bit late to this thread but here's my Collectors Adventurer USW jacket (a) just out of the box and (b) after a few weeks wear and some light distressing techniques. I'll let you work out which is which ...

Got to say I love this jacket more and more as the days go on despite me being extremely skeptical when ordering it. I've got the 30th Anniversary lambskin on order like some of yourselves and then after that I'm pretty sure I've ticked all I'll ever need out of an Indy jacket !