Which is your favorite G-1?

Flightengineer · Aug 9, 2017

Atticus Finch said:
Another of my favorites. A 1970 Brill D-series. And an old VMF(N)-513 patch. Now they're VMA-513 and based in Yuma.
AF

Very nice Brill!
And I sold my Brill (1973) because of the fact that for some reason they were short sleeves for me.
I'm waiting for my new old Foster (1956 ) from day to day after the mouton replacement ( despite the fact that I always wear 42 in G-1, this 40 fit perfectly and not so roomy in chest). When I'l get it from a tailor - will show here.

Deacon211 · Aug 9, 2017

Ah the lament of the 48 boys.

At some point I really need to find a nice 50/60s era G-1.

But I live between 46 and 48 and they just don't come up much.

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galvestonokie · Aug 9, 2017

here's a cheap idea: put the jacket in the freezer for a few days. worked for me

Gamma68 · Aug 9, 2017

RMF308 said:
Just picked this G-1 up locally; according to its label it's a JA Dubow from a 1951 contract. Overall in excellent shape with a beautiful grainy goat hide.

I've been spending the last few days aggresively cleaning it to get the 'vintage' smell/funk out of it. Through this cleaning process I've learned that these early G-1 jackets are incredibly tough and well put together as I've put this one though quite the ordeal in attempts to clean it. I first started the cleaning process by saturating the jacket inside and out with 50/50 water and white vinegar and then letting it dry in the Seattle summer sun, after that I soaked it in a tub of Woolite for an hour, and then put it outside again for a couple days to let it completely dry. This process took away only about 25% of the smell which wasn't nearly enough for me. The next process was the most successful and took away 98% of the vintage smell yet didn't cause any ill effects to the jacket; I took a spray bottle of Nature's Miracle (yes, the cat stain and odor remover you buy from Pet stores) and saturated the jacket inside and out with it, giving it time to fully soak into the leather, and then sprayed it again and left it in the sun to dry. The enzymes in the Nature's Miracle cleaner really made a world of difference! The smell is really only perceivable at nose contact distance now. Because of my obsessive behaviors... I'm planning giving it one more Natures Miracle saturation and then leave it out in the sun to dry out for a few more days which should get it to hopefully 100% vintage smell free. After that I'll probably apply some Vaseline to the exterior and call it a day. Not saying that this process was scientific, wise, nor the best or right process for all jackets but it worked with this one and might work for yours if you encounter the same issues.

This is a great looking jacket and I admire your tenacity to eliminate its funky odors. The knits appear to be in excellent condition!

I'm wondering if your treatments impacted the mouton collar, knit cuffs or interior lining in any way, or if you somehow took steps to isolate them from the cleaning agents you used?

I'm particularly interested in a technique to clean the mouton. I've been hesitant to try cleaning the collar on my 1968 G-1, fearing that small pieces might fall out. However, I also want to ensure it's clean and free of any moth larvae or other icky things.

Any advice out there?

RMF308 · Aug 9, 2017

The knits and lining were not impacted by the 'process' at all. The mouton collar wasn't harmed either and in fact came out looking better, much cleaner and much fuller in appearance. The USN logo did fade a small bit so I'm trying now not to not put anything else on it. Here is before and after pics

Before (straight on shot) and than after the 'process'

ButteMT61 · Aug 9, 2017

Great find. Looks nice.

galvestonokie · Aug 9, 2017

Deacon: if you get serious about a 1950-60 G-1, i have a very nice California Sportwear in 46 i would sell. bob

CRAZYBUBBA · Aug 9, 2017

My real VTG 50s Cagleco G-1
The mouton is more auburn in real life

galvestonokie · Aug 9, 2017

love the oldie but goodies...

ButteMT61 · Aug 10, 2017

galvestonokie said:
Deacon: if you get serious about a 1950-60 G-1, i have a very nice California Sportwear in 46 i would sell. bob

Measurements? You know, for "deacon"

Brettafett · Aug 10, 2017

Fanch said:

Thanks guys. Cruising through John's sales pages can turn up some really interesting bargains, not least of all this one! When I alerted John to the fit pictures I posted on the Lounge, he had this to say:
"There's something about the jackets from 1960-1963 that looks so cool. They have a tight waist area, and are very big and square in the shoulders. I don't see that much before, nor after that period. It really works, and on you, that jacket is superb. My only fault with that period is the zippers being shorter at the bottom, which seems to be a trait of Irvin Fosters from that particular contract. I've checked others that I've owned, and I don't see them being so short. Otherwise, if you told people it was brand new, you'd get a lot of comments on the nice fit, but no one could tell that it's 55 years old. That's just amazing!"
Not only is John a wealth of detailed information but also is just an incredibly nice guy with whom to communicate. I simply cannot say enough good about him!

Click to expand...

Absolutely to the above.

I initially (should I say ignorantly

felt my AVI G-1 was a little broad in the shoulders, (even though it was built from an original 55J14)... but on reflection and browsing through some old pics from the late 50s and early 60s, I feel they got it right (again... built from an original, why would it not be...). Its very comfortable to move around in, and the waist is beautifully snug, for me at least. Am very pleased with this jacket.

Deacon211 · Aug 10, 2017

ButteMT61 said:
Measurements? You know, for "deacon"

Ah, I appreciate it guys.

But, in returning to my dream of flying for a living, I took a massive pay cut.

So, I've gone from champagne to Schlitz for a little while. ;-)

That was the "at some point" part of my post.

I will return to my search...just not quite yet.

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ButteMT61 · Aug 10, 2017

Deacon211 said:
Ah, I appreciate it guys.

But, in returning to my dream of flying for a living, I took a massive pay cut.

So, I've gone from champagne to Schlitz for a little while. ;-)

That was the "at some point" part of my post.

I will return to my search...just not quite yet.

Cheers to you my brother! That I can respect 100% Best of luck!

Gamma68 · Aug 10, 2017

Inspired by @RMF308's cleaning of his vintage G-1, I decided to take a stab at cleaning the mouton collar of my 1968 G-1.

I mixed a small amount of Woolite with cold water in a small spray bottle. I sprayed the collar damp, gently massaged the mouton, then blotted dry with a clean cloth. Afterwards, I sprayed it again with cold water, blotted most of the dampness away, and gently ran a plastic comb through it to loosen up some matted-down fibers (no tugging). I used a hair dryer on the low setting to complete the drying process.

I'd say the cleaning has brightened up the mouton and revealed even more of a golden/tan color. I also see more of the original darker shades on the underside of the collar. Of course, it feels cleaner to the touch and has less of a funky smell.

Before/after photos below.

Before:

After:

RMF308 · Aug 10, 2017

Excellent. It looks great and glad it worked.

davyjones007 · Aug 11, 2017

galvestonokie · Aug 12, 2017

Gamma: your pics and jacket are quite nice. what is interesting is that you can see the fading of the collar--the part not exposed as much is darker. bob

davyjones007 · Aug 12, 2017

davyjones007 said:
My Star Sportware MFG D series. It is also labeled a 48.

Fanch · Aug 12, 2017

Brettafett said:
Absolutely to the above.

I initially (should I say ignorantly felt my AVI G-1 was a little broad in the shoulders, (even though it was built from an original 55J14)... but on reflection and browsing through some old pics from the late 50s and early 60s, I feel they got it right (again... built from an original, why would it not be...). Its very comfortable to move around in, and the waist is beautifully snug, for me at least. Am very pleased with this jacket.
View attachment 81623 View attachment 81624

Brettafett your AVI G-1 appears to fit you more or less the same as my original 1963 Irvin B. Foster MIL-J-7832B that I just bought from John Chapman fits me. Both of our G-1's have broad shoulders with significant taper below. Anyhow I really like the look of yours and the way it fits you.

HanauMan · Aug 13, 2017

Some real nice jackets on show here.

I'm afraid that I only have one USN G1 jacket and it isn't special, but I love it nevertheless. My jacket is a 1968 dated 7823D made by Star Sportswear and is at least a size too big for me. I usually wear size 42 jackets, it is a size 44. It is a bit loose in the back and the waist isn't as tight as some jackets posted here. However, I think it still looks all right and it is a tad small for a modern size 44. I love its warm mouton collar. The elasticated cuffs are quite long so I wear them folded over. I'd be interested in what some of you folk here think. A keeper, or time to look for a size down?

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Which is your favorite G-1?

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