Technonut
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It's been quite awhile since I've made a thread here.. Hopefully this one will be interesting for fellow Loungers, and leather jacket aficionado's. 
I recently ran across a thread here showing a VERY nicely done reproduction of the classic M422-A Navy flight jacket. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-w-g-m-422a-repro.84710/ The member was more than pleased with his purchasing experience, and the quality looked to be top-shelf. I thought I was familiar with most of the talented 'jacketmeisters' around, but have not heard about Steve Sellers (Greatest Generation Clothing Co), whose jacket creations can be seen at Headwind MFG Co.... *Edit: I thought that Headwind was Steve's company when originally posted.. corrected*
http://www.headwindmfg.com/jackets.html
Being drawn deeper into the 'rabbit-hole' after seeing the M422-A, and practically drooling over it, I decided to search out more info regarding Steve's work. While browsing threads at VLJ for the first time in years, I spotted a couple of threads from last spring discussing the total disassembly / reassembly of an original Willis & Geiger AN-J-3 flight jacket. For those not familiar with the 'A-2 replacement jacket that almost was' here is a brief description taken from Steve's jacket listing:
I have always admired the functionality / looks of the AN-J-3. In fact, years ago, I had Gibson & Barnes modify one of their historic M422-A's for me by substituting a leather collar for the mouton, and adding epaulets.. While looking pretty sweet, it didn't quite do it for me. I still have it... just not quite what I wanted. I read a follow-up thread at VLJ showing a full prototype of the AN-J-3 constructed by Steve, using patterns made from the original W&G he deconstructed. In my eyes, a dead-ringer for it..
I contacted Steve to discuss a possible purchase, and next thing I knew, I was sending over my measurements.. A deposit followed shortly to get some goat cut! I read in the previously linked M422-A thread that Steve was good about keeping one updated throughout the jacket making process. I placed my deposit only a couple of days ago, and have been VERY pleased to find daily updates so far to my e-mail addy, including pics. Seems I caught Steve at a good time, and he was able to get right on it..
For leather selection, seal or russet brown 3oz goatskin was offered. I decided upon the not so common russet. I was given a choice of linings.. either wine color rayon like the M422-A, or the 'correct' brown. I chose brown. The knits are original type 'rib racks', and again, I went with the classic brown. It should give a nice contrast against the russet goat.
I've read before that many of the original AN-J-3 jackets surfacing are missing their labels. This is more than likely because the military contract jackets were never officially issued, and may have had labels from the Aero Medical Laboratory Clothing Branch, as 'Experimental Test Samples' while evaluated. When the jackets were disposed of, the ones from the lab had labels removed, and other contract jackets which the manufacturer still had, sold-on to various stores, such as Abercrombie & Fitch..
I was impressed to find that the 'Experimental Test Sample' label is being reproduced by Steve to be used in his AN-J-3:
Instead of keeping updates to myself, I thought I would start this thread to share the ongoing process with fellow Loungers.. For reference, here is Steve's original W&G AN-J-3 (Rust-color knits were found to be original with the jacket):
As posted, I decided to go with a russet-brown goatskin. I almost fell out of my chair when looking at pics of the hide.. Outstanding! Looks very much like some that I've seen John Chapman use on a couple of A-2 contracts. Steve said it is French goatskin, and AFAHKs from the description, vegetable tanned. (There was a language barrier when he ordered from France, and to him, the hide is soft like chrome-tanned).. Nonetheless, an excellent looking hide with much character IMO.. Here are a few pics of the work done in the past couple of days....
If there's interest in my project, I'll continue posting progress pics up until the jacket ships.. Then of course, the fit pics...
I recently ran across a thread here showing a VERY nicely done reproduction of the classic M422-A Navy flight jacket. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/new-w-g-m-422a-repro.84710/ The member was more than pleased with his purchasing experience, and the quality looked to be top-shelf. I thought I was familiar with most of the talented 'jacketmeisters' around, but have not heard about Steve Sellers (Greatest Generation Clothing Co), whose jacket creations can be seen at Headwind MFG Co.... *Edit: I thought that Headwind was Steve's company when originally posted.. corrected*
http://www.headwindmfg.com/jackets.html
Being drawn deeper into the 'rabbit-hole' after seeing the M422-A, and practically drooling over it, I decided to search out more info regarding Steve's work. While browsing threads at VLJ for the first time in years, I spotted a couple of threads from last spring discussing the total disassembly / reassembly of an original Willis & Geiger AN-J-3 flight jacket. For those not familiar with the 'A-2 replacement jacket that almost was' here is a brief description taken from Steve's jacket listing:
I have always admired the functionality / looks of the AN-J-3. In fact, years ago, I had Gibson & Barnes modify one of their historic M422-A's for me by substituting a leather collar for the mouton, and adding epaulets..
While looking pretty sweet, it didn't quite do it for me. I still have it... just not quite what I wanted. I read a follow-up thread at VLJ showing a full prototype of the AN-J-3 constructed by Steve, using patterns made from the original W&G he deconstructed. In my eyes, a dead-ringer for it.. I contacted Steve to discuss a possible purchase, and next thing I knew, I was sending over my measurements..
A deposit followed shortly to get some goat cut! I read in the previously linked M422-A thread that Steve was good about keeping one updated throughout the jacket making process. I placed my deposit only a couple of days ago, and have been VERY pleased to find daily updates so far to my e-mail addy, including pics. Seems I caught Steve at a good time, and he was able to get right on it..For leather selection, seal or russet brown 3oz goatskin was offered. I decided upon the not so common russet. I was given a choice of linings.. either wine color rayon like the M422-A, or the 'correct' brown. I chose brown. The knits are original type 'rib racks', and again, I went with the classic brown. It should give a nice contrast against the russet goat.
I've read before that many of the original AN-J-3 jackets surfacing are missing their labels. This is more than likely because the military contract jackets were never officially issued, and may have had labels from the Aero Medical Laboratory Clothing Branch, as 'Experimental Test Samples' while evaluated. When the jackets were disposed of, the ones from the lab had labels removed, and other contract jackets which the manufacturer still had, sold-on to various stores, such as Abercrombie & Fitch..
I was impressed to find that the 'Experimental Test Sample' label is being reproduced by Steve to be used in his AN-J-3:
Instead of keeping updates to myself, I thought I would start this thread to share the ongoing process with fellow Loungers..
For reference, here is Steve's original W&G AN-J-3 (Rust-color knits were found to be original with the jacket):
As posted, I decided to go with a russet-brown goatskin. I almost fell out of my chair when looking at pics of the hide.. Outstanding!
Looks very much like some that I've seen John Chapman use on a couple of A-2 contracts. Steve said it is French goatskin, and AFAHKs from the description, vegetable tanned. (There was a language barrier when he ordered from France, and to him, the hide is soft like chrome-tanned).. Nonetheless, an excellent looking hide with much character IMO.. Here are a few pics of the work done in the past couple of days....
If there's interest in my project, I'll continue posting progress pics up until the jacket ships..
Then of course, the fit pics...
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