1980 Bi Swing Back CWU 36 - P Summer Flight Jacket.

[bn1966]

Thrilled with this purchase: 1980 Bi Swing Back CWU 36 - P Summer Flight Jacket. Made by Centre MFG Co in XL. This is more fitted than my later CWU's & the material is softer. The Bi swing 'action back' allows great movement. Shell and knits are in good shape for their age.

 

[Sloan1874]

Nice one. Looking forward to getting my 1980s MA-1 next week. How would you compare the quality with more current versions?

 

[Smithy]

Thrilled with this purchase: 1980 Bi Swing Back CWU 36 - P Summer Flight Jacket. Made by Centre MFG Co in XL. This is more fitted than my later CWU's & the material is softer. The Bi swing 'action back' allows great movement. Shell and knits are in good shape for their age.

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Sweet BN, very F-4 driver material that

I had a 90s 36 for a very short time but the fit was too baggy for my liking. Are the 70s and early 80s versions trimmer than the more recent contracts?

 

[bn1966]

The above jacket as I say is much trimmer IMO, sleeves included. The polyamide is softer than later models & feels more comfortable on. The Bi swing allows for comfortable arm & shoulder movement, others would probably know but I would guess they might have been more expensive to produce with the extra engineering in the 'action back'. Funny but it reminded me a bit of my ELC RW A2 in fit...which IMHO is a very good thing. .

I hope your 80's MA1 is all you want it to be Sloan.

 

[Smithy]

The above jacket as I say is much trimmer IMO, sleeves included. The polyamide is softer than later models & feels more comfortable on. The Bi swing allows for comfortable arm & shoulder movement, others would probably know but I would guess they might have been more expensive to produce with the extra engineering in the 'action back'. Funny but it reminded me a bit of my ELC RW A2 in fit...which IMHO is a very good thing. .

Thanks BN. My one was a 96 contract if memory serves and my first 36. It put me off a bit as the fit was "blousy" and straight off the bat it just felt wrong. Sounds like an earlier one might be the go.

Cheers,

Tim

 

[bn1966]

Do try one of the early contracts Tim, I don't think you will be disappointed ...I wasn't

I paid about £55.00 for the jacket from the USA but then had postage and import on top which probably took it to about the £90.00 mark.

It took me about 2 months of daily searching on the Bay to find it. It came up as a 'run of the mill' CWU in my search, but the 1980 date gave it away. There have been Bi-swing versions recently on the Bay with Bi Swing in item title and prices 'BIN only' approaching £200.00 before postage & other costs.

What size are you? I'll keep an eye out.

 

[Smithy]

What size are you? I'll keep an eye out.

Usually a large but sometimes an extra large with some shorter/trimmer contracts.

Thanks mate!