Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

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

Aloysius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,227

The third one, the NWT Rickson’s N-3 with full mouton lined hood (this changed when it became the N-3B) and coyote trim looks magnificent and an amazing value. I paid more than double that for the Gibson N-3B and it felt worth it.

If you lived in a colder place than BC I’d tell you to buy immediately.
 

Canuck Panda

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,115
The third one, the NWT Rickson’s N-3 with full mouton lined hood (this changed when it became the N-3B) and coyote trim looks magnificent and an amazing value. I paid more than double that for the Gibson N-3B and it felt worth it.

If you lived in a colder place than BC I’d tell you to buy immediately.
The truth is I've been looking at these parkas for a while now. The Goose has served me well through the years, but I thought I switch things up a bit and not wear the standard issue Can Goose.
Buzz Rickson makes great stuff. Crown zips and all. Very high quality stuff. Used prices in Japan is very reasonable.
 

Aloysius

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,227
The truth is I've been looking at these parkas for a while now. The Goose has served me well through the years, but I thought I switch things up a bit and not wear the standard issue Can Goose.
Buzz Rickson makes great stuff. Crown zips and all. Very high quality stuff. Used prices in Japan is very reasonable.

In your position I would still get one. Especially that one with the mouton-lined collar.
 

busstonedfx

New in Town
Messages
46
I know, I know.... go big or go home... but!!!

I know someone! here has tried and compared the "knockoff" versions of the N-3B. The most popular 2 "low-end" repros seem to be the Rothco, and the Mil-Tec Teesar one....

Did anyone, by any chance, compare the two side-by-side? I know that there are way better manufactureres, but I really was curious how these two compared to one another specifically... this whole thread is FULL of "nicer" ones, so I kinda know what I should be aiming for... just wanted to get my feet wet first!
 

MichaelRhB

One of the Regulars
Messages
169
Location
Southern Illinois
I was issued an N-3B in the Air Force after arriving at my permanent station at Whiteman AFB in the early 80s. We wore these in the missile field for penetrating the launch facility. I did not find them to be all that warm. Maybe mine wasn't sized correctly, but the wind on the Missouri plain blew right through, and up that parka.

Maybe if they had issued the insulated trousers to go with the parka I might have felt differently about the N-3B.

The hood was warm though, I'll give them that much. Most of us continued to wear the M-65 with liner when having to work outside until getting downstairs.

My N-2B actually keeps my upper body warmer than the N-3B ever did. We were not issued those jackets though. Only the cops got those because they could still access their weapon. No one in maintenance was issued the N-2B.
 

Doctor Damage

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,261
Location
Ontario
I know, I know.... go big or go home... but!!!

I know someone! here has tried and compared the "knockoff" versions of the N-3B. The most popular 2 "low-end" repros seem to be the Rothco, and the Mil-Tec Teesar one....

Did anyone, by any chance, compare the two side-by-side? I know that there are way better manufactureres, but I really was curious how these two compared to one another specifically... this whole thread is FULL of "nicer" ones, so I kinda know what I should be aiming for... just wanted to get my feet wet first!
My advice is to get the best you can since getting a cheap-o version first will be disappointing and will be a waste of money. Keep in mind these things have a wonky fit, especially the mil-spec ones (old and recent). If you are going to be out in proper winter weather, like the Canadian or US prairies in January, then there are much better options than N3B parkas, old or new, luxury or cheap.
 

Doctor Damage

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,261
Location
Ontario
I was issued an N-3B in the Air Force after arriving at my permanent station at Whiteman AFB in the early 80s. We wore these in the missile field for penetrating the launch facility. I did not find them to be all that warm. Maybe mine wasn't sized correctly, but the wind on the Missouri plain blew right through, and up that parka.

Maybe if they had issued the insulated trousers to go with the parka I might have felt differently about the N-3B.

The hood was warm though, I'll give them that much. Most of us continued to wear the M-65 with liner when having to work outside until getting downstairs.

My N-2B actually keeps my upper body warmer than the N-3B ever did. We were not issued those jackets though. Only the cops got those because they could still access their weapon. No one in maintenance was issued the N-2B.
This is an excellent post and I commend it to everyone. Not that I was ever in the USAF or issued one, but yeah, the design of these things is weird and best worn over 10 other layers. Ironically, the N3 and N3A parkas were probably better than the N3B since the earlier designs had zippers that came down much, much lower than the N3B, including a wind flap that buttoned right to the hem. It's the knits on the N2B that kept you warmer by keeping out the wind. The N3B has no such capacity to keep the wind from blowing right up your skirt, so to speak. And it's the wind that does you in, more than the general temperature.
 

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,086
Location
UK
I’m trying to shift a lightweight N-3B on eBay at the moment from the 90’s Alpha stable, civilian fashion issue. I find it neither warm nor stylish, have ended up wearing my early service issue N-2B with good textiles & heavy (wool/ cotton) insulation. I had an N-3A once & that was decent but far too warm even on a cold UK Winter day.

I may pick up another N-3B but it would be later service issue (with synthetic interlining) which would work in the UK winter & still be a lot more insulating than the aforementioned Alpha.

I also have an original N-2A with heavy insulation so might just stick with the short parkas.
 

Manolito

Familiar Face
Messages
83
Did you know famous and interesting people wear N3B too ? :)

John Carpenter (him again !) and Kurt Russell for a publicity still of "The Thing" !

THINGN3B.jpg


And on the left of this picture of the cult industrial music band Throbbing Gristle, Peter Christopherson, the late musician who worked for other cult bands such as Psychic TV or Coil. He was also one of the main member of the famous Hipgnosis collective, who designed famous record cover for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black sabbath...

throbbing.png



And second from the right of this other picture of the same band, it is Chris Carter who wears a N3B
throbbing 2.jpg


I own a recent navy N3B "Heritage" of Alpha Industries (made in China). It is not the greatest jacket ever, it is very puffy and it is not as warm as a big shearling jacket. I agree that the wind may come up in the jacket. The buttons tend to fall very easily (i have resewn at least three of the big buttons on the front), the fake fur is rather ugly and its smell is not pleasant. But it keeps the warmth well enough most of the time. You can layer as much as you want and with a good sweater under the jacket, it keeps me warm around 0°c in Paris France, sometimes very warm ! I like the hood because it is very large, and i have a long neck and a long face and hoods of parkas and coats are sometimes too small/short for me.
 
Last edited:

Setok

New in Town
Messages
39
Did you know famous and interesting people wear N3B too ? :)

John Carpenter (him again !) and Kurt Russell for a publicity still of "The Thing" !

View attachment 485708

And on the left of this picture of the cult industrial music band Throbbing Gristle, Peter Christopherson, the late musician who worked for other cult bands such as Psychic TV or Coil. He was also one of the main member of the famous Hipgnosis collective, who designed famous record cover for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black sabbath...

View attachment 485709


And second from the right of this other picture of the same band, it is Chris Carter who wears a N3B
View attachment 485712

I own a recent navy N3B "Heritage" of Alpha Industries (made in China). It is not the greatest jacket ever, it is very puffy and it is not as warm as a big shearling jacket. I agree that the wind may come up in the jacket. The buttons tend to fall very easily (i have resewn at least three of the big buttons on the front), the fake fur is rather ugly and its smell is not pleasant. But it keeps the warmth well enough most of the time. You can layer as much as you want and with a good sweater under the jacket, it keeps me warm around 0°c in Paris France, sometimes very warm ! I like the hood because it is very large, and i have a long neck and a long face and hoods of parkas and coats are sometimes too small/short for me.
Extra points for the reference to TG and Coil. Didn't expect to see that on a Fedora Lounge thread!
 

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,086
Location
UK
The Alpha N-3B that hasn’t worked out for me is an old made in USA version, there is virtually no interlining which means it’s no good even in moderately cold weather & lack of insulation gives a lack of shape.
 

Doctor Damage

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,261
Location
Ontario
The Alpha N-3B that hasn’t worked out for me is an old made in USA version, there is virtually no interlining which means it’s no good even in moderately cold weather & lack of insulation gives a lack of shape.
I have one of these USA civvy models and the "fur" lining the hood is as good as the old military parkas, and the "fur" ruff is probably the best looking synthetic fur I've ever seen, and the overall fit/design is accurate to the old military parkas. But you're quite right, the insulation in the parka's body and sleeves is wafer-thin and pretty much useless (although in dry cold it's not too bad), plus the super-roomy fit doesn't trap heat at all. It's obvious to me the originals were always intended to be worn over the matching insulated pants, even if they usually weren't. See Jimmy Stewart in Strategic Air Command for an N3A worn with matching pants when his bomber crashes in the arctic.
 

Doctor Damage

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,261
Location
Ontario
Did you know famous and interesting people wear N3B too ? :)

John Carpenter (him again !) and Kurt Russell for a publicity still of "The Thing" !



And on the left of this picture of the cult industrial music band Throbbing Gristle, Peter Christopherson, the late musician who worked for other cult bands such as Psychic TV or Coil. He was also one of the main member of the famous Hipgnosis collective, who designed famous record cover for Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black sabbath...




And second from the right of this other picture of the same band, it is Chris Carter who wears a N3B


I own a recent navy N3B "Heritage" of Alpha Industries (made in China). It is not the greatest jacket ever, it is very puffy and it is not as warm as a big shearling jacket. I agree that the wind may come up in the jacket. The buttons tend to fall very easily (i have resewn at least three of the big buttons on the front), the fake fur is rather ugly and its smell is not pleasant. But it keeps the warmth well enough most of the time. You can layer as much as you want and with a good sweater under the jacket, it keeps me warm around 0°c in Paris France, sometimes very warm ! I like the hood because it is very large, and i have a long neck and a long face and hoods of parkas and coats are sometimes too small/short for me.
Great photo finds, and a useful review of the recent Alpha parkas, Manolito.
 

Raul

One of the Regulars
Messages
113
Location
Italy
Hi,
I just bought this vintage n-3B that should arrive in a couple of days.
Even though it seems in good conditions I would like to clean/wash it before wearing it.
I am not sure about dry-cleaning fearing to damage the fur and the roundel logo, but I am not sure that washing it in water is a safe option too. For water washing my fear is mainly for the inner filling (that should be wool) and the risk that it can shrink it or that it can leak out some old dirt and stain the nylon. On the other side, is dry cleaning safe for these old decal logos?
Summing up, has anyone experience with water washing (hand or machine) this version of n-3B?
Any advice is welcome
Thanks

1669907987.jpeg
1669907986.jpeg
 

bn1966

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,086
Location
UK
I had an old MA-1 that previous owner must have washed..interlining shrank. Sent my N-2A to a decent dry cleaner who specialised in vintage clothing & it came back great…
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,286
Location
South of Nashville
My N3-B has a care instruction on the label in all caps: DRY CLEAN ONLY.

That is a specific instruction. I would follow that directive.

I probably am going to move this thread to the extant N-3B thread, unless there is a reasonable objection.
 

Raul

One of the Regulars
Messages
113
Location
Italy
OK, thank you all for the advices.
I gave it to a good dry-cleaner that already cleaned well my 1967 n-3B, it should be ready tomorrow.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
106,931
Messages
3,024,675
Members
52,470
Latest member
GokhanB
Top