Alpha B-15/MA-1

nick123 · Nov 29, 2015

Here are a few pics I snapped of a few Alpha jackets. These are the modern ones. They have the red pull tags on them which I have removed.

Definitely budget jackets but I like 'em, and they're long enough at 6'2" (minus the sleeves). Feel free to make fun of the fit. :/ Far from perfection, but really comfortable and just cool jackets I picked up at an airport gift shop.

First, the B-15. It has a removable (synthetic) collar which requires six plus buttons to fasten, so I'll leave it on. Bulkier by nature than the MA-1, but these two are essentially made from the same materials and aren't much different in feel.

Next, the MA-1. The sale tag reads "50th Anniversary" but I don't see it superior to the B-15 quality wise. The orange liner is a neat touch.

All in all, they won't blow you out of the water, but cool budget pick-ups.

Doctor Strange · Nov 29, 2015

I've owned both and used each as my main winter jacket for several years. I didn't like the removable collar on the B-15, and found it (an XL) short-waisted and a bit tight at the gut. When the zipper failed, I gave it to a Lounge member who needed a winter jacket and planned to fix it. I got a gunmetal gray MA-1 to replace it. A 2XL this time, and it's definitely a bit larger than an I need, but there's ample room for a wooly pully under it.

I thought the materials and build quality (apart from the B-15 zipper) were okay for the sale prices I paid - around $80 each - and both have held up okay through nasty winter conditions. They're no masterpieces, but are good functional military-look jackets for the price.

Doctor Damage · Nov 29, 2015

nick123 said:
Definitely budget jackets but I like 'em, and they're long enough at 6'2" (minus the sleeves).

What size are these jackets?

nick123 · Nov 29, 2015

Doctor Damage said:
What size are these jackets?

Large

Edward · Nov 29, 2015

That MA1 looks like it has an air of the Pattern REcognition about it, at a fraction of the price. I wish Alpha would bring back the early 90s "Reproduction" line.

tropicalbob · Nov 29, 2015

Edward said:
That MA1 looks like it has an air of the Pattern REcognition about it, at a fraction of the price. I wish Alpha would bring back the early 90s "Reproduction" line.

I just finished the Gibson interview on another thread, and tht's exactly what I was thinking.
Nick, those jackets look great on you. If you don't mind my asking, how much did you pay for them? I used to have an MA-1 that I got at an Army-Navy store and it lasted for years until it faded into a cool kind of irridescent purple. Then I bloated up at one point and ditched it. Wish I still had it.

nick123 · Nov 29, 2015

tropicalbob said:
I just finished the Gibson interview on another thread, and tht's exactly what I was thinking.
Nick, those jackets look great on you. If you don't mind my asking, how much did you pay for them? I used to have an MA-1 that I got at an Army-Navy store and it lasted for years until it faded into a cool kind of irridescent purple. Then I bloated up at one point and ditched it. Wish I still had it.

About $100 a piece. I'm sure they're to be found a lot cheaper elsewhere, but it was a mom-pop shop so...

Doctor Damage · Nov 29, 2015

nick123 said:
About $100 a piece. I'm sure they're to be found a lot cheaper elsewhere, but it was a mom-pop shop so...

Full marks for supporting small business!

The jackets fit and look great. Nice to see Alpha is putting a leather pull on their zips, which for a long time they didn't have. I've really started to like navy blue for flight jackets, but all of mine are green, ha ha

nick123 · Nov 29, 2015

Doctor Damage said:
Full marks for supporting small business!

The jackets fit and look great. Nice to see Alpha is putting a leather pull on their zips, which for a long time they didn't have. I've really started to like navy blue for flight jackets, but all of mine are green, ha ha

I should have clarified. It was a small gift shop at an airport. The proceeds may benefit the FAA for all I know. But eh, if it promotes general aviation in any way, I'm a fan. After watching my dad do his laborious note-taking/IFR training backseat over the weekend, I can confirm this is a great way to keep young people off of drugs. I can't imagine anyone centering the glidescope with even a Coronita in them...

Seb Lucas · Nov 30, 2015

Nick it looks great fit wise. Is it a long size? That's what I got in my black Alpha. People are pretty negative on Alphas. I don't know what mall clothing quality is like in the States but the Alpha is much higher quality than what you can buy here for twice the price in a big store. The stitching and nylon is very robust. Sure it ain't a Buzz Rickson, or a period item but I'm buggered if I'm going spend big money on a nylon jacket. I saw and wore an original - a Skyline - is that the name? and it's a better made jacket, but not by a huge amount and I don't mind the nylon knits and batting of the repros. At least the moths leave it alone.

I hear the in house made Gibson and Barnes use a higher quality flight satin close to original specs. Anyone seen one?

nick123 · Nov 30, 2015

Regular, if you can believe it. They look longer in these photos, but plenty long. That's why I wanted to put them up. Sure, a size up may add some length, but these are decent nylons that aren't short. I'm with you regarding the knits too. They're not troublesome.

Edward · Nov 30, 2015

I think the Alphas were always cut a little bit longer. I have a Reproduction Series B15-C and a Buzz Rickson B15-C mod. The wool knits on the Buzz were lovely until carpet beetles got to them.... now they need replaced. The nylon knits on the Alpha are serviceable. The Buzz is slightly heavier / stiffer, though afaik, both are the correct cotton-wool batting inside. The nylon shell on the Buzz is more accurate, I'm told (never handled an original), but really there's little difference. The Alpha is a little longer, but not so much that it looks 'wrong'. I paid about £70 all in for the Alpha, NOS. The Buzz came second hand, mint, for GBP150. At those prices, I'd probably pony up for the Buzz as it's better, definitely (though I'd hesitate to say for certain it's *twice* the jacket). If, however, I had the option of buying a new Alpha Repro Series B15-D for £150, or a Buzz for £550, I'd probably plump for the Alpha.

I still hope that one day Alpha will see a market for a Reproduction (or slightly better) quality range which will let me pick up an L2A, an N2A and an N2B to complete the set!

nick123 · Nov 30, 2015

If I had the skills, that would be my company. Mid-priced repro nylon flight jackets. I imagine sourcing the proper materials is a chore perhaps, but there's a huge gap and possible demand for them. Someone get on it.

Edward · Nov 30, 2015

nick123 said:
If I had the skills, that would be my company. Mid-priced repro nylon flight jackets. I imagine sourcing the proper materials is a chore perhaps, but there's a huge gap and possible demand for them. Someone get on it.

Could be your big opportunity! I've always wondered whether there is that much of a market for the nylon jackets - as in, if there was abig market to be exploited, would there not be companies arising already to fill the gap? Who knows. Alpha clearly want to concentrate on the mainstream fashion market. There seem to be (a few rare birdies like the L2A and B15C aside) enough originals still out there to satisfy much of the hobbyit market.... but who knows; we're only ever one, big Hollywood picture featuring a nylon jacket and a surge in price/rarity of originals away from an accurate copy being as desirable as a quality A2 repro.... As it sits, the MA1 especially's long service record probably limits to a very small number those of us interested in a proper repro of a pre-orange liner spec jacket, for instance....

If you do ever get it started, mind, count me in for an L2A and an N2A to start off with!

nick123 · Nov 30, 2015

Edward said:
Could be your big opportunity! I've always wondered whether there is that much of a market for the nylon jackets - as in, if there was abig market to be exploited, would there not be companies arising already to fill the gap? Who knows. Alpha clearly want to concentrate on the mainstream fashion market. There seem to be (a few rare birdies like the L2A and B15C aside) enough originals still out there to satisfy much of the hobbyit market.... but who knows; we're only ever one, big Hollywood picture featuring a nylon jacket and a surge in price/rarity of originals away from an accurate copy being as desirable as a quality A2 repro.... As it sits, the MA1 especially's long service record probably limits to a very small number those of us interested in a proper repro of a pre-orange liner spec jacket, for instance....

If you do ever get it started, mind, count me in for an L2A and an N2A to start off with!

It won't be me. I can hardly hold a pencil without shaking, much less use a sewing machine and hold still. But someone should! It would probably be niche, as you say, for enthusiasts, but if it's priced say $500 or under, and marketed correctly it could theoretically appeal to a larger crowd. Someone on here will get the hint. Plenty of talented artisans here.

Seb Lucas · Nov 30, 2015

My expereince is that Alphas are short - my 2003 US made XL Alpha has a back length of just under 24 inches - it looks silly on me at six ft two. I don't think I'd spend more than $130 US on one of these no matter how well made.

nick123 · Nov 30, 2015

Seb Lucas said:
My expereince is that Alphas are short - my 2003 US made XL Alpha has a back length of just under 24 inches - it looks silly on me at six ft two. I don't think I'd spend more than $130 US on one of these no matter how well made.

These two are imported. That probably explains it.

bn1966 · Nov 30, 2015

USA made models = Short & Chinese Alpha in my experience = longer & more generous fit (regular model...not Hipster slim). G&B = BIG & LONG (even regular fit). I had a G&B MA-1 (light-weight) & IMHO it wasn't the same flight satin as my service original jackets.

The Alpha USA 'Vintage' series I've found to be a much shorter fit than my USA 'Replica' series Alpha jackets (I've owned a fair few of both). From a large collection of these I'm down to X 2 Replica XL (Early MA-1 / N-2A type) & X 1 'Vintage' series (B-15D). Quality wise the Replica are much better IMO.

Doctor Damage · Apr 1, 2016

nick123 said:
Bulkier by nature than the MA-1, but these two are essentially made from the same materials and aren't much different in feel.

Just to clarify Nick, your B-15 and MA-1 are the same "weight", same insulation thickness, etc? If so, is it accurate to say your B-15 is the same as your MA-1 except with a fur collar? Thanks.

kowalski · Apr 1, 2016

nice jacket, but i personally prefer a model ma1 and b15 vintage series that is shorter in length
and sory i didn't like the removable collar on the B-15

but first of all only oryginal contract MA1 .(i have contract from 67y) it has still a first class workmanship and material quality

Alpha B-15/MA-1

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