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USAF N-3B parkas - Let's talk about them!!

Jim B.

New in Town
Messages
20
Location
Golf Course
I've got two Greenbriers, one has 80/20 cotton poly mix, the other 100% cotton. Both are a lot less 'sweaty' feeling than 100% nylon. Wouldn't want to wear even a nylon one in heavy rain though.
When it's cold enough to wear an N3B it's not going to rain!
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
Messages
1,012
Location
Kentucky
I can't see any of the pictures, but the short length is probably a design feature.

I see that these are called "aircrew" jackets, but I would say that that term was a probably a little broadly defined. Having a big wind funnel around your waist when you are strapped in an ejection seat would likely not end well and so I suspect the few ejection seat aircrews that fly in the extreme cold, like the Alaska F-15 guys, would be issued the shorter N-2, if they were issued something other than the CWU at all.

The N-3 I would think would be issued to the transport guys and the load masters. You still wouldn't want a lot of generous extra cloth hanging around, but you could afford to have a little behind covering that the fighter guys wouldn't get.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

ingineer

One Too Many
Messages
1,088
Location
Clifton NJ
The snorkel parka was designed to work in conjunction with the USA F-1B AIR Force Extreme COLD Weather FLIGHT PANTS ECW SNOW trousers. Therefore not needed to be long but more like a car coat when in the back of a military flight. a great circle route fly's you over bitter cold even if you destination may be desert
I had a hard time finding a good version
Finally found a NOS Spiewak USA made N-3b/F , which is almost too warm if you are doing any physical work, but it is the same as i remember from the 70's including the coyote ruff.
 
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bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,088
Location
UK
I've got a 50's Masland N-3A which I have yet to experience weather cold enough to wear it in :)
 

Big J

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,961
Location
Japan
The snorkel parka was designed to work in conjunction with the USA F-1B AIR Force Extreme COLD Weather FLIGHT PANTS ECW SNOW trousers. Therefore not needed to be long but more like a car coat when in the back of a military flight. a great circle route fly's you over bitter cold even if you destination may be desert
I had a hard time finding a good version
Finally found a NOS Spiewak USA made N-3b/F , which is almost too warm if you are doing any physical work, but it is the same as i remember from the 70's including the coyote ruff.

Where can I get me some o' those pants?!
 

Dumpster Diver

Practically Family
Messages
952
Location
Ontario
Saw one the other day downtown Toronto in the back of a vintage clothing shop in Kensington market..nice but I shopped around a little more until I found what I couldnt pass up:

a practically NOS..Early Early issue N-2B with Wolfs fur around the hood and label and everything...its the heavier Version with wool liner and its simply MINT! Just couldnt leave it there for the punks to goober up and destroy.

Actually I should post some pics of that one.
 

Grayland

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,059
Location
Upstate NY
I picked up a Spiewak Golden Fleece model at the beginning of summer. Black with real coyote/fox hood trim (although the hood trim isn't removable). I got it for $29.95 shipped. Excellent condition and I look forward to breaking it out in a few months.
 

Worf

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,173
Location
Troy, New York, USA
I scored a Viet Nam era surplus late last winter. It's downstairs waiting for the inevitable Polar Vortices later this year and into next. Real Coyote fur around the opening. It'll be interesting.

Worf
 

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
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3,088
Location
UK
Here's my winter warmer :)
 

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bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
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3,088
Location
UK
And another :)
 

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bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,088
Location
UK
Interesting earlier N-2B
 

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