Much ado about not much

[Ravenswood]

Gotta love having extra time on ones hands. If this isn't a reflection of that, I don't know what is.
That said:
I went ahead and did some photo-shopping to see what my new hero jacket might look like had it been ordered "standard Raiders length" if there could ever be such a thing, impending sleeve length adjustments notwithstanding.
On the left in each picture is my new Wested Hero jacket in the 25 inch back length that I ordered. On the right, a slightly modified body length based on what is seen in the film.







I'm kind of torn between the two "options".
What do you guys think?

[Indiana Strones]

I prefer the short version.

[jnicktem]

Me too. I think the shorter version looks best

[trdaggers]

I personally think they both look good.
Gailen

[nicktheguy]

I have to go with the short version - the longer one seems a bit car-coatish.

[Ravenswood]

The "shredded wheat" approach with the proper length Raiders jacket satisfies the conservative, traditional Indy fan in me, but the kid in me prefers "frosted side" indulgence that the extra length offers.
But seriously, I'm really riding the fence on this. I can definitely see the "car coat" thing happening, but I think it's not too off base to where it loses the Raiders look altogether. To think though, it was just an inch that really made the difference.

I have always wanted a Raiders jacket with just a little bit more length to it, anyhow. I can't explain that. Kind of like a "Raiders Jacket plus" mentality. Now I got it.

[Forrest For the Trees]

This sort of thing can drive you nuts. The Indy jacket and other vintage styled jackets out there (proper A2s, Aero, etc) are short by today's standards, falling just below the belt buckle. There are times I prefer the short jacket, and other times I prefer it a tad longer.

What surprises me is how long your 25" jacket looks! I have a standard Wested that is 25" long in the back, but it is among my shorter jackets (I'm 5'10"). Is the Hero pattern that dramatically different? How long is the front length, along the storm flap?

[Ravenswood]

You know what's funny? I just took some pains to find my tape measure, and experienced a classic "senior moment" when I suddenly realized the item I wanted to measure is currently off at the leather specialists for some sleeve length adjustments ....The target date for re-receivership is the 21st, this Saturday....tape measure will be at the ready

[Canasta]

Body length aside,
I really like the longer sleeves and love the size of that collar.

I'm a mix between the long and short. Like 'em both.

C

[Ravenswood]

Thanks Canasta And on the note of the sleeve length adjustments~ For these pictures, the sleeves were pushed up intentionally to give the illusion of proper length. If I let 'em down, the sleeves just about cover my hands completely.

[Ravenswood]

Interesting turn of events. I broke out my OTR ROTLA jacket (the ones made in India) and measured it's storm flap, because I recall when I got this new Hero, I compared it's storm flap length to other Raiders jackets that I have. Interestingly enough, the OTR ROTLA's storm flap, identical in length to the current Hero that I have, is precisely 23 inches.

[MARQ]

Shorter version is better,way better,definetly better,better better,indeed better,far out...Get it

[Ravenswood]

Shorter version is better,way better,definetly better,better better,indeed better,far out...Get it

I think I do....longer jackets=unhip? Well dig these threads, man!
http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy33 ... er-006.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ravenswood]

In all seriousness, I think I made out like a bandit on this puppy, and I can't wait to get it back. Threeee moorrrreee daayyys

[Ravenswood]

I got it back! Three days prior to the target date! And I lied about the storm flap. ..It measures out to be 24 inches, while the back measures to be 24.5 inches.
It's REAL nice, and the sleeves are at that "first thumb knuckle" mark Praise the guys at Bedo's Leatherworks!
Pictures forthcoming, certainly.

[Ian]

Glad you got it sorted out!! ...Can't wait to see the photo's with the new sleeve length....You've defo earned this jacket...

Ian

[tomek9210]

I have a question. Does the storm flap measures the same as the back in Hero jacket like in Nowak's Raiders jackets? Did you measure storm flap with the collarstand?

[Forrest For the Trees]

I have a question. Does the storm flap measures the same as the back in Hero jacket like in Nowak's Raiders jackets? Did you measure storm flap with the collarstand?

Sure sounds like it. That would explain why the front length looks long.

[Ravenswood]

I measured the storm flap with the collar stand....the back, I measured from the bottom of the collar stand to the bottom of the back panel...In retrospect, I might should have included the collar stand with the back length measurement just to be fair.
One reason I went for the longer body length was to keep it consistent with the sleeve length, so the jacket itself did not end up looking "disproportionate" if you will. I got monkey-long arms after all

For some reason, I have had a weird fascination with getting a Raiders Jacket that was ever so slightly oversized, too...I wanted that back panel to come down a little bit further, to insulate my back against those cold winter breezes that I would endure all too often at the Metro Bus stop. Of course, that doesn't play at ALL into my obsession with wanting to wear the jacket at all times

Eventually, I will get a Raiders jacket with the proper measurements (despite the sleeve length) and have that hemline come about two inches below the belt buckle.

In short (no pun intended) this was an attempt I made to make the jacket fit ME, not the other way around.

[Ravenswood]

Here's the first picture out of the shoot

[Ian]

Well, to me that looks great and the hand warmers are in a place where you can actually use them.....

Sleeve length looks perfect!!

Awesome dude!!

Ian

[Ravenswood]

Thanks Ian! Yea I noticed that about the hand warmers! I don't have to scrunch my arms up to use em! Plus, I can tell the side-straps are about an inch lower than where they "should" be...but that's cool, cause my elbow/fore-arms don't brush up against them. Plus, the straps are set further back as compared to prior Raiders jackets I have owned, so they are even less of an issue in terms of being "in the way".

On the note of the hand warmers, even though the patch size of the pockets is larger than all my other jackets, the hand warmers themselves are quite small, or, not very deep. Barely able to contain my entire hand, in fact. BUT I think that works out for the best, because I'm not stretching at the front panels as much, if at all, because my knuckles aren't allowed to stretch out the leather in that area.....lol (am I overthinking? I don't think so. We all know how much I ((read we)) can ruminate on these details until our heads virtually explode!!

Thanks for your thoughts and ruminations!
More pictures to follow, after I get back home from the job!

[Holt]

I think the left sleeve looks longer then the right. maby send it back to have them take in about an inch on the left sleeve?

kidding, kidding.

jacket looks great!

[Ravenswood]

you GOT me. No joke, I got that feeling in the pit of my chest cavity when I read that line!
I was all like OKAyyy HERE we go again!

you got me GOOD Holt
And also thanks! High praise coming from one of the most devoted in this field!

More pictures to come, but I'm gonna let this jacket do more "work" for me. It did a FINE job protecting me from the elements, at the bus/metrorail stop. 35 degrees fahrenheit and a less than tropical breeze, put my new threads to the acid test. They surpassed with flying colors. Granted, I was a tad chilly, but with the aid of a scarf (which I'm happy to say this jacket comfortably accommodates), the longer sleeve length, and the longer body length, I was able to keep a comfy cozy core temperature .
I know it's bound to shrink up a bit, too. The sleeves have already lost a teeeeeensy bit of length. The crinkle factor is taking over
It's fun to watch how this jacket is deciding how and where to settle. I can see tons of character coming up, both in how the leather conforms, and in the grain.

That's half the appeal of these awesome jackets. Breaking them in!

[Ravenswood]

Ta-Daa!!

[Ravenswood]

I did the water treatment, and then sat in front of the space-heater to let it dry while it was on me. Heat, hot water and steam played major factors. Basically sprayed the jacket down in the bathroom, while running hot water all the while to get a good steam going. While doing this, I decided I might try and remold the colar...lo and behold, it held! Made the classic demon roll t'boot

[ThatManFromRio]

TMFR

[kwad]

Ravenswood,

The end result was well worth the effort!
That looks great!

[Ravenswood]

Thanks guys!
Annnd, lol....couldn't stop myself. I went that distance. In keeping with the spirit of this thread, and again with the aid of phototrickery, I present to you the "SA length" torso (or at least, closer to it):



This is more for the hardcore SA enthusiasts than anything else
I think it's nice to get this perspective, however. Ultimately I'm happy I went with the extra length in the body. It balances out those longer sleeves, and just fits me better. It's bound to shrink up and conform more over time, in any event

Thanks again for the comments! As you might imagine, I took plenty more pics, both indoors and outdoors. I will give a full review of this jacket in the Hero thread soon.

[Dr. Nebraska S.]

Just a reminder, since you're at 7 photos of your jacket at present:

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=41780

...You will not post more then SIX photos per thread (not per post). Not to exceed 640x480 pixels. You can also post UP TO SIX ADDITIONAL LINKS to photos as well. Again, per thread, not per post. We highly recommend having ONE LINK to a page offsite to either your web page or hosting service where the remainder of your photos are for viewing...

[Ravenswood]

Sorry! Got carried away. Should I convert this last one to a link?
THanks for the reminder!

[Ravenswood]

I'll convert the "Easy Rider" pic to a link.

[Holt]