Alpha MA-1, made in Knoxville, arrived today...are you ready for this?

Edward · Mar 21, 2014

bn1966 said:
Just managed to track down & successfully bid on a 'Vintage' Series Alpha L2B in XL, it's only taken me 3 years to find one....hope it fits . The B-15 C/D do turn up fairly regularly in the larger sizes, sometimes second hand, I picked up a nearly mint one for $35.00, some can be very cheap. Found a Blue one in XL for $60.00.

Good score. They're a nice jacket. The XL is a snug fit on me, as it should be (basically a decent A2 fit, as one might expect given that it was essentially a successor to the A2). Mine is "Vintage Blue" - an L2A (of sorts) - wish I could find one from the Replica series in the Replica Blue midnight colour of the issue jackets.

bn1966 · Mar 21, 2014

I have a few concerns with the 'Vintage' series L2B fit...the 'Vintage' MA1 & B15 are a perfect fit on me in XL, hope the L2B isn't too snug...especially on the shoulders. I do however like a tailored profile like the A2 (now that I do wear quite snug). I have an early service issue CWU 36 (Bi-swing) that has an A2 fit...I love it.

A 'Replica' series L2B / L2A now that would be a score worthy having Edward

.

Picked up a beautiful Midnight Blue MA1 'Replica' Series last week...quality excellent & fit (wool / cotton interlining etc). A bonus was it has never seen the inside of a washing machine (so no problems with 'contracted' interlining)

Edward · Mar 21, 2014

I take a 42-44, depending on cut, and it's fine on me - I think you'll probably be alright. Don't forget it's not designed to be worn over more than a shirt... ETA: From memory, the p2p on mine is 24", if that helps.

bn1966 · Mar 21, 2014

Thanks Edward, hopefully it will be fine...if not at least I have my Spiewak L2B which is an excellent fit.

mihai · Mar 22, 2014

Justhandguns said:
I have this one. It is essentially the exact same measurement of a genuine B-15D mod size 38. The back is really short as well, you will feel the cold if you wear it on top of a pair of low rise jeans.

Is it possible to provide please the chest measurement, right at arm-pit seams level?
Does it have the throat latch on the collar?
Is it from the Vintage series?

I asked belote about this and he argued that he won't send size measurements bc of supposedly past issues with some buyers. Very client oriented

. You could provide those under the some reserve that they might vary. The eBay is full of clothing listings with no measurements indication. They miss some really easy sales, making their stuff sitting there for a long time, bc of this.

mihai · Mar 22, 2014

Does anybody own an Alpha vintage L-2B(http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alpha-L-2B-Vintage-Green-Cold-Weather-Jacket-Medium-New-/320998241340) in size M and can provide a chest measurement please?

TXFlyGuy · Mar 22, 2014

mihai said:
Does anybody own an Alpha vintage L-2B(http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alpha-L-2B-Vintage-Green-Cold-Weather-Jacket-Medium-New-/320998241340) in size M and can provide a chest measurement please?

The size "M" will fit like a small. My size "L" Vintage B-15 is the same as a normal size "M".

In fact, today's Alpha satin jackets in a size "M" are LARGER than my large B-15.

mihai · Mar 22, 2014

TXFlyGuy said:
The size "M" will fit like a small. My size "L" Vintage B-15 is the same as a normal size "M".

Thanks for the reply!

I am a little bit confused. I usually wear:
- G-1 jackets mil spec from 60's-70's in size 42 and I find them pretty snug. I mean they are at the limit, I cannot fully inhale when closing the zip for the last 5 inches let's say.
- the USN pea coat from 1940's size 40 R (measures like 42 inch at arm pits usually) fits me pretty snug also, I can put just a thin sweater underneath at the limit. In this situation when closing the chest button it becomes a little bit restrictive at that level.

I am limited at chest and shoulders level, at waist level I can even go one size down.

Would I fit in the Vintage L-2B size Medium in the link above, given the measurements above?

Doctor Damage · Mar 25, 2014

Here's a handy dandy size chart of Alpha chest sizes from a Japanese website. I have no idea if it's accurate at all.

TXFlyGuy · Mar 25, 2014

Doctor Damage said:
Here's a handy dandy size chart of Alpha chest sizes from a Japanese website. I have no idea if it's accurate at all.

It is accurate...IF you are Japanese!

Seb Lucas · Mar 25, 2014

I'm missing something - Small is listed as 114 to 120cm. Is that the chest size? If so that makes a small a size 44 to a 47.

dudewuttheheck · Mar 25, 2014

I'm sorry you were so disappointed, but you certainly made the right decision in returning it. I can't offer advice as I know little of military jackets.

Doctor Damage · Mar 25, 2014

TXFlyGuy said:
It is accurate...IF you are Japanese!

I checked the MA-1 chest size for size L versus what one of our members has measured for size L and it's the same. And the Rakuten listings for which that chart is used make it clear that they are referring to jackets in U.S. sizes (which they claim are "1 to 2 sizes larger than Japanese sizes" whatever that means). So I think it's probably accurate. Certainly it's probably more accurate than anything what Alpha provides for sizing.

Seb Lucas said:
I'm missing something - Small is listed as 114 to 120cm. Is that the chest size? If so that makes a small a size 44 to a 47.

Those are supposedly actual measurements. Ignore the numbers along the top and look at the numbers in the coloured boxes. Therefore the MA-1 in size S has a 112 cm chest, and so on, at least according to this chart. It definitely makes sense if you consider the chest sizes in the chart with the general view that modern day Alpha jackets seem to fit largish and that one shouldn't upsize despite what Alpha says.

Here's the size chart from that Rakuten site with the Alpha MA-1s:

Here's their comments on sizing, which suggest to me the chart is for US sized jackets:

Because basically the US size 1-2 sizes larger than Japan sizes. the size depends on size. Pilot for tight because, loose 地上作業者用 order, etc. Then Westerners who has long arms, so, making long is the sleeve length than clothes in Japan. On the right hand side has a zipper slider （ sash ）. （ car lane as well as differences in habit is. ）These point differs from the common import goods and Japan clothing so please please refer to.

Edward · Mar 25, 2014

Seb Lucas said:
I'm missing something - Small is listed as 114 to 120cm. Is that the chest size? If so that makes a small a size 44 to a 47.

Sounds about right for the actual jacket size for a small, bearing in mind that these designs (N2 / MA1 / B15 et cetera) are primarily cold weather jackets which will be worn mostly over the top of several layers.

AustinTX · Mar 26, 2014

Doctor Damage said:
I checked the MA-1 chest size for size L versus what one of our members has measured for size L and it's the same. And the Rakuten listings for which that chart is used make it clear that they are referring to jackets in U.S. sizes (which they claim are "1 to 2 sizes larger than Japanese sizes" whatever that means). So I think it's probably accurate. Certainly it's probably more accurate than anything what Alpha provides for sizing.

Those are supposedly actual measurements. Ignore the numbers along the top and look at the numbers in the coloured boxes. Therefore the MA-1 in size S has a 112 cm chest, and so on, at least according to this chart. It definitely makes sense if you consider the chest sizes in the chart with the general view that modern day Alpha jackets seem to fit largish and that one shouldn't upsize despite what Alpha says.

Here's the size chart from that Rakuten site with the Alpha MA-1s:

Here's their comments on sizing, which suggest to me the chart is for US sized jackets:

Because basically the US size 1-2 sizes larger than Japan sizes. the size depends on size. Pilot for tight because, loose 地上作業者用 order, etc. Then Westerners who has long arms, so, making long is the sleeve length than clothes in Japan. On the right hand side has a zipper slider （ sash ）. （ car lane as well as differences in habit is. ）These point differs from the common import goods and Japan clothing so please please refer to.

Well, that cleared it up.

bn1966 · Mar 26, 2014

I up sized on Alphas advice from XL to 2XL & ended up with a:

alsendk · Apr 3, 2014

I couldn`t resist. Emailed Belote, who told me that the medium were only a tad smaller than the size large...and that`s
true, and unfortunally they would not be getting these jackets again - so I ordered one for only 26 US Dollars, and again..no taxes paid, and with just a shirt or Tshirt, it fits me very well.

Doctor Damage · Apr 3, 2014

^ $26 sounds like daylight robbery!

I wish Alpha would make a repro of the McQueen MA-1 jacket with orange liner and vertical stitching on the wind flap. I suspect they could sell a lot of them if they could use his visage in advertising (but not, I emphasize, on the jacket itself as per Barbour!).

AustinTX · Apr 5, 2014

alsendk said:
I couldn`t resist. Emailed Belote, who told me that the medium were only a tad smaller than the size large...and that`s
true, and unfortunally they would not be getting these jackets again - so I ordered one for only 26 US Dollars, and again..no taxes paid, and with just a shirt or Tshirt, it fits me very well.

View attachment 12188

View attachment 12189

What are the jacket's dimensions? What's your body type/size? Good pictures, by the way.

TXFlyGuy · Apr 5, 2014

Doctor Damage said:
^ $26 sounds like daylight robbery!

I wish Alpha would make a repro of the McQueen MA-1 jacket with orange liner and vertical stitching on the wind flap. I suspect they could sell a lot of them if they could use his visage in advertising (but not, I emphasize, on the jacket itself as per Barbour!).

They certainly could make a small fortune doing this, but that would have to go thru McQueen's estate with royalties etc. Too much trouble and expense for Alpha to deal with. And...they are selling jackets about as fast as they make them anyway.

Alpha MA-1, made in Knoxville, arrived today...are you ready for this?

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