MA-1 recommendations?

[MrProper]

That's a pity. Please do a comparison with the Bronson when you receive it.
I am at my parents house at the moment as unfortunately my dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly a week ago. I found my old civilian alpha and my red tornado ma-1 which I think is better than the Bronson. Maybe less historically accurate but really thick and warm.
View attachment 752706 View attachment 752707 View attachment 752708

My condolences.

 

[Technonut]

That's a pity. Please do a comparison with the Bronson when you receive it.
I am at my parents house at the moment as unfortunately my dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly a week ago. I found my old civilian alpha and my red tornado ma-1 which I think is better than the Bronson. Maybe less historically accurate but really thick and warm.
View attachment 752706 View attachment 752707 View attachment 752708

My condolences to you... Unfortunately, I understand. My mother passed in August, 2024. After all of this time, it still isn't getting any easier...

Yes, I still plan on doing a comparison with the Bronson and start a thread covering Chinese textile jackets after it arrives (hopefully next week).

 

[Harris HTM]

My condolences.

My condolences to you... Unfortunately, I understand. My mother passed in August, 2024. After all of this time, it still isn't getting any easier

Thank you gents, really appreciated.

 

[Edward]

Okay, sand isn't exactly a winter colour, but I like it anyway.
A MA-1 Heritage from Alpha Ind. in color Vintage Sand.
The slim fit suits me a bit better because this one has quite a lot of fabric around the stomach, but surprisingly it works better than I expected.
View attachment 752348 View attachment 752350

I like it, looks good on you. IMO, these jackets look a bit wrong if sized down for a slim fit; the designed room for a flightsuit is what makes them great jackets for less-severe winter days: plenty of spaced for layering.

There is a sub-genre of MA-1 jackets, those worn by NASA astronauts. See various types of jackets here: https://lunareplicas.com/collections/jackets

Note the addition of the bottom snap, which reduces wear on the zipper due to the waistband trying to pull it apart.

At least some of these jackets are offered in "Flame Resistant" fabric, which is likely reflected in their price.

Having had an MA-1 (NOT FR) ruined by campfire sparks, such fabric may be worth considering.

Good thought. Aren't the NASA jacket really more based on the L2 / L2A / L2B? Any case, they are nice. Their A2 and G1 jackets look interesting for the price too.

Received the Real Simons MA-1, and was disappointed to find that the Chinese e-Bay seller's sizing conversion was unnecessary and incorrect.

I placed the order based upon the listed sizing chart, and ordered a size XL. I expected a tagged size XL, but the seller converted it to an "Asian" size **XL, which in most Asian sizing would have worked for my 44" chest.. BUT, in this case it appears that Real Simons sizing chart is correct to USA / Western standards (not Asian), and the tagged **XL matched the sizing chart's measurements.... WAY TOO LARGE for me!....

That said, VERY well-made jacket here folks. The Thinsulate batting is a bit lighter in weight than the wool-blend batting in my Bronson B-15C, but also has a substantial "feel" to it as well. I am still waiting on the Bronson MA-1 to arrive, but I can't see it being much better than this Real Simons.

It's a shame that I will be needing to list the Real Simons in the classies soon (USA only) at a discounted $$. It would be a great MA-1 for someone in the size 46-48 range. Keep an eye out if interested...

View attachment 752529

Encouraging for us bigger lads that have fancied a Bronson for a long time but are just a touch too large for their top end sizes... Good to know the lining has the right 'body' to it too... as previously said, I'm cool with that as a deviation from the original that's 'invisible' as long as it doesn't impact the overall look and feel. Sounds like they've done it well.

 

[Technonut]

The Bronson MA-1 arrived earlier today. The fit is great as expected for the tagged size XL ordered. A perfect size 44R IMO... The Bronson is well-made and quite warm. I've been out-n-about in 24F weather with brisk winds today, and was very comfortable with just a waffle-weave henley. Here's a few quick pics EDIT: Swapping a couple of previous pics with better ones... :

I will get started on the Chinese Textile Jacket thread with comparisons and better pics as time permits with Christmas closing-in too quickly for my liking....

 

[Technonut]

Quick update regarding the Bronson MA-1. Since this is an MA-1 recommendation thread, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Bronson. Very well-made, very close to an original 50's MA-1 in detail, comfortable, and warm. GREAT value for the $$, especially if caught during a 15% off sale... Also, if comparing quality / pricing to other MA-1's available out there.

I can also recommend Bronson's customer service. Although the jacket feels like a comfortable size 44R to me, and has plenty of room while wearing a thermal undershirt and sweatshirt, I don't like how the nylon appears to be pulling around the chest in pics. Makes the jacket look tight, while it isn't to me at all.... I would rather bump up a size, and have a bit more of a traditional relaxed look.

I reached out to Bronson's customer service to see about at least getting another 15% discount on a size larger jacket, and was pleasantly surprised to get a reply offering me a FREE exchange.. I was supplied a postage-paid USPS return label to a New Jersey address, and will have a size **L on the way after the return is confirmed and inspected. Pretty damn good service IMO...

Thank you for contacting us about a return. Please follow the instructions below to complete your return.

1. Pack the items you're returning.

2. Print your return shipping label.

3. Attach the label to the package.

4. Cover or remove any old shipping labels.

5. Give the package to the carrier identified on the label.

6. Keep the receipt and send the photo to [email protected].

 

[Jon Crow]

The Bronson MA-1 arrived earlier today. The fit is great as expected for the tagged size XL ordered. A perfect size 44R IMO... The Bronson is well-made and quite warm. I've been out-n-about in 24F weather with brisk winds today, and was very comfortable with just a waffle-weave henley. Here's a few quick pics EDIT: Swapping a couple of previous pics with better ones... :

​

View attachment 754015

View attachment 753711

View attachment 754016

I will get started on the Chinese Textile Jacket thread with comparisons and better pics as time permits with Christmas closing-in too quickly for my liking....

Quick update regarding the Bronson MA-1. Since this is an MA-1 recommendation thread, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Bronson. Very well-made, very close to an original 50's MA-1 in detail, comfortable, and warm. GREAT value for the $$, especially if caught during a 15% off sale... Also, if comparing quality / pricing to other MA-1's available out there.

I can also recommend Bronson's customer service. Although the jacket feels like a comfortable size 44R to me, and has plenty of room while wearing a thermal undershirt and sweatshirt, I don't like how the nylon appears to be pulling around the chest in pics. Makes the jacket look tight, while it isn't to me at all.... I would rather bump up a size, and have a bit more of a traditional relaxed look.

I reached out to Bronson's customer service to see about at least getting another 15% discount on a size larger jacket, and was pleasantly surprised to get a reply offering me a FREE exchange.. I was supplied a postage-paid USPS return label to a New Jersey address, and will have a size **L on the way after the return is confirmed and inspected. Pretty damn good service IMO...

Looks good, the Bronson B10 and B15 are not bad either

 

[Technonut]

Just noticed that Waiper (Japan) has a nice collection of MA-1's currently available, including their Alpha Heritage copies:

MA-1フライトジャケット メンズ

MA-1フライトジャケットはおまかせください。ミリタリー通販ならミリタリーショップWAIPER。メンズミリタリージャケットの品揃えに自信があります。

www.waiper.co.jp

From what I gather, Waiper is a Japanese budget / mid-tier brand with decent quality. I have personally owned their B-15A Modified jacket for around 10 years, and it has held-up quite well. In fact, it's one of my favorite chilly weather "chore" jackets that I obtained for around $75.00 USD back then:

米軍 B-15A MOD フライトジャケット WAIPER.inc OD【WP35】 ミリタリーファッション

米軍 B-15A MOD フライトジャケット WAIPER.inc OD【WP35】 ミリタリーファッション

www.waiper.co.jp

They also have many English-dubbed YT videos showcasing their jackets:

WAIPERチャンネル

福岡のミリタリーショップWAIPERのスタッフがお送りするYouTubeチャンネルです。 ミリタリーやファッションにまつわるアイテムの紹介やそれらにちなんだ小話を投稿していきます。 よかったらチャンネル登録よろしくお願いします！ This is a YouTube channel brought to you by the staff of WAIPER, a military store in Fukuoka. We'll be introducing military and fashion items, as well as sharing some stories...

www.youtube.com

 

[itsme]

Just noticed that Waiper (Japan) has a nice collection of MA-1's currently available, including their Alpha Heritage copies:

http://[URL]https://www.waiper.co.jp/SHOP/95118/129830/list.html

[/URL]

From what I gather, Waiper is a Japanese budget / mid-tier brand with decent quality. I have personally owned their B-15A Modified jacket for around 10 years, and it has held-up quite well. In fact, it's one of my favorite chilly weather "chore" jackets that I obtained for around $75.00 USD back then:

http://[URL]https://www.waiper.co.jp/SHOP/waiper-wp35.html

[/URL]


They also have many English-dubbed YT videos showcasing their jackets:

http://[URL]https://www.youtube.com/@WAIPER/videos

[/URL]

Do you have any experience ordering from Waiper? From my understanding the total cost will be quite high for Made in China Jackets:

Waiper MA1: 140€
Service cost/Worldshopping 10%: 14€
Shipping: 25€
Import Sales tax (GER 19%): 34€
customs (~10%): 17 €

Based on my assumtions you would pay about 230€ for a Made in China MA1, while you get the Bronson or Red Tornado MA1 for half of it at the moment without any hassle (let alone, when something goes wrong).

It might be a good deal when your are a Japan but for ordering from Europe it does not look that good.

Another Question: They seem to have Valley Apparel MA1 in stock, but there is no MiUSA-label or remark. Do you know if someone bought the brand name?

 

[itsme]

The Bronson MA-1 arrived earlier today. The fit is great as expected for the tagged size XL ordered. A perfect size 44R IMO... The Bronson is well-made and quite warm. I've been out-n-about in 24F weather with brisk winds today, and was very comfortable with just a waffle-weave henley. Here's a few quick pics EDIT: Swapping a couple of previous pics with better ones... :

View attachment 754015

View attachment 753711

View attachment 754016

I will get started on the Chinese Textile Jacket thread with comparisons and better pics as time permits with Christmas closing-in too quickly for my liking....

Looks great! Just a little tight around chest/shoulder? After reaching out to Bronson they recommended 3XL for my 45 inch chest, ordered today, so I'll have to wait a few days...

 

[itsme]

That's a pity. Please do a comparison with the Bronson when you receive it.
I am at my parents house at the moment as unfortunately my dad passed away suddenly and unexpectedly a week ago. I found my old civilian alpha and my red tornado ma-1 which I think is better than the Bronson. Maybe less historically accurate but really thick and warm.
View attachment 752706 View attachment 752707 View attachment 752708

Does the Tornado have flap pockets? I'm interested in a McQueen-like MA 1 version. If yes, could you tell me whether it runs small/large? I compared size charts with the Bronson MA1 and the RT is supposed to be way bigger (chest) than Bronson.

 

[Technonut]

Do you have any experience ordering from Waiper? From my understanding the total cost will be quite high for Made in China Jackets:

Waiper MA1: 140€
Service cost/Worldshopping 10%: 14€
Shipping: 25€
Import Sales tax (GER 19%): 34€
customs (~10%): 17 €

Based on my assumtions you would pay about 230€ for a Made in China MA1, while you get the Bronson or Red Tornado MA1 for half of it at the moment without any hassle (let alone, when something goes wrong).

It might be a good deal when your are a Japan but for ordering from Europe it does not look that good.

Another Question: They seem to have Valley Apparel MA1 in stock, but there is no MiUSA-label or remark. Do you know if someone bought the brand name?

No, I purchased their B-15A Mod from AliExpress. I noticed their MA-1's while browsing around, and added them as a potential resource for those interested.

Looks great! Just a little tight around chest/shoulder? After reaching out to Bronson they recommended 3XL for my 45 inch chest, ordered today, so I'll have to wait a few days...

It appears a bit snug in the pics, but had room while worn with a sweatshirt, and felt like a comfortable 44R to me.... However, due to how the jacket appeared in the pics, I decided to exchange it for a size **L to have a more traditional, relaxed look.

I also have a Bronson B-15C in size 42 which fits very well with no pulling or appearance of tightness while worn. Perhaps it's because of the underarm gussets which the MA-1 doesn't have. I mentioned this to Bronson before I initially ordered the size XL MA-1, and they did recommend that size.... I'm just happy the exchange was totally free, and going smoothly so far. The other jacket has just arrived in the US, and should be in my hands by early next week.

It figures that Bronson just had a "surprise" restock of their B-15C Modified a few days ago with a 15% off offer..... So, I now have one of those on the way as well.....

 

[itsme]

No, I purchased their B-15A Mod from AliExpress. I noticed their MA-1's while browsing around, and added them as a potential resource for those interested.




It appears a bit snug in the pics, but had room while worn with a sweatshirt, and felt like a comfortable 44R to me.... However, due to how the jacket appeared in the pics, I decided to exchange it for a size **L to have a more traditional, relaxed look.

I also have a Bronson B-15C in size 42 which fits very well with no pulling or appearance of tightness while worn. Perhaps it's because of the underarm gussets which the MA-1 doesn't have. I mentioned this to Bronson before I initially ordered the size XL MA-1, and they did recommend that size.... I'm just happy the exchange was totally free, and going smoothly so far. The other jacket has just arrived in the US, and should be in my hands by early next week.

It figures that Bronson just had a "surprise" restock of their B-15C Modified a few days ago with a 15% off offer..... So, I now have one of those on the way as well.....

Happy new year! Yes, the Bronson offer also got me to order ... marketing still works

By the way guys, be careful when shopping for MA1 on ebay (or heritage stuff in general). I was just checking ebay for McCoys MA1 and found this used jacket (supposed to be a Toys Turner MA1):

https://www.ebay.de/itm/18741757846...WV9BYE&hash=item2ba2f54bde:g:Tq8AAeSwcqxnzGRH

Some details seemed of and when I used google reverse search, I found the exact same model (with the same wrong features) at Aliexpress:

Then I checked other offerings of the seller at ebay and almost most of it seems not legit. I'm shocked because the seller seems trustworthy at first glance and sold many items with positive feedback.

https://www.ebay.de/usr/monki-osaka

 

[Jon Crow]

This is a vintage Spanish made 80s jacket but the patches on it, the Spanish guy who sold me it years ago bought the official TV movie made patches, anyone recognise the patches?

 

[Jon Crow]

This is a vintage Spanish made 80s jacket but the patches on it, the Spanish guy who sold me it years ago bought the official TV movie made patches, anyone recognise the patches?

I like the jacket anyway, I always get asked where I bought it from when I'm wearing it

 

[itsme]

This is a vintage Spanish made 80s jacket but the patches on it, the Spanish guy who sold me it years ago bought the official TV movie made patches, anyone recognise the patches?

Nice jacket! But this is not an MA1, isn't it? Looks more like a B15

 

[Harris HTM]

Happy new year! Yes, the Bronson offer also got me to order ... marketing still works

By the way guys, be careful when shopping for MA1 on ebay (or heritage stuff in general). I was just checking ebay for McCoys MA1 and found this used jacket (supposed to be a Toys Turner MA1):

https://www.ebay.de/itm/18741757846...WV9BYE&hash=item2ba2f54bde:g:Tq8AAeSwcqxnzGRH

Some details seemed of and when I used google reverse search, I found the exact same model (with the same wrong features) at Aliexpress:

View attachment 758621

Then I checked other offerings of the seller at ebay and almost most of it seems not legit. I'm shocked because the seller seems trustworthy at first glance and sold many items with positive feedback.

View attachment 758622

https://www.ebay.de/usr/monki-osaka

View attachment 758623

The jacket at ebay you posted looks way better than a bronson to be honest!
As for the aliexpress item: obviously you cannot buy a toys mccoy for 134e!
Out of curiousity, what are the details at the ebay jacket that look off?

 

[raf]

There are some versions of this general style of jacket which include a small triangular snapped external flap at the bottom of the zipper. Deleted in later iterations, this flap helped prevent the bottom of the zipper being gradually damaged/pulled apart by pressure exerted by the waistband.

 

[Harris HTM]

There are some versions of this general style of jacket which include a small triangular snapped external flap at the bottom of the zipper. Deleted in later iterations, this flap helped prevent the bottom of the zipper being gradually damaged/pulled apart by pressure exerted by the waistband.

You mean the small flap at the L2 series? I didn't know that these flaps were also applied at the ma1 jackets.

 

[itsme]

The jacket at ebay you posted looks way better than a bronson to be honest!
As for the aliexpress item: obviously you cannot buy a toys mccoy for 134e!
Out of curiousity, what are the details at the ebay jacket that look off?

Yes, the quality might be “good,” but I don’t think it’s authentic. Also, the following details are identical to those on AliExpress (and different from the official pictures).


It might sound a bit nerdy, but I pay close attention to details when buying online.


For reference, I used photos from this website and from Toys McCoy’s Instagram:

1) The Toys McCoy version has this part in a greener tone, with less contrast to the nylon. Only Buzz Rickson uses a more brownish material.

Ebay:

Original:

2) Take a close look at the zipper (it’s completely blank) and the stitching quality.

Ebay:

Original:

3) The letters are "off" (see for example the "C")
Ebay:

Original: