WW2 Coat/Parka? Warmer than A/2?

[Bmiller01]

So i love the A-2, My aero is fantastic. The problem with it is that it’s not the most warm jacket. Surely it does the job down to 0°C/32°F, but beyond that it starts to get chilly pretty quickly. I’ve recently been looking and found out about the B-10 and i’m super intrigued by it. The cotton shell i love, the alpaca fur i love too! my questions are,

1)Is the B-10 a warmer jacket than an a2
2) if so who should i get one by? I do love accuracy and i’ve seen that Buzz are great but pricy, And that Gizemo makes a really nice one.
3) Finally, is there an even bigger coat/parka that was issued during WW2 that is essentially a long version of the B-10? meaning the cotton shell and alpaca fur?

 

[coolhandluke_7]

So i love the A-2, My aero is fantastic. The problem with it is that it’s not the most warm jacket. Surely it does the job down to 0°C/32°F, but beyond that it starts to get chilly pretty quickly. I’ve recently been looking and found out about the B-10 and i’m super intrigued by it. The cotton shell i love, the alpaca fur i love too! my questions are,

1)Is the B-10 a warmer jacket than an a2
2) if so who should i get one by? I do love accuracy and i’ve seen that Buzz are great but pricy, And that Gizemo makes a really nice one.
3) Finally, is there an even bigger coat/parka that was issued during WW2 that is essentially a long version of the B-10? meaning the cotton shell and alpaca fur?

#1. Yes, the B-10 is a warmer jacket, hence the B vs A designation. Depending on the base layers underneath, you could comfortably wear a B-10 in 20-30°F weather whereas an A-2 gets tough to keep warm in, in temps below 40-50°F (not for you, but for most people).

#2. The best B-10 copies are produced by Good Wear, Eastman, and Real McCoy's. I would place Buzz Rickson below that tier. Their knits aren't great, the cotton shell of the jacket isn't the right shade of green (should match knits) and it also fades to a yellowish color quite easily. I've been considering a Stagg repro from Gizemo, but I've heard conflicting reports about the quality, which is disappointing. Based on photos, I was hoping for something a step above Buzz Rickson, even though it is a lower price.

#3. Check out the B-11 and B-9 if you are looking for a parka. The B-15 / B-15A is also an option, even though it is not a parka.

If you're not specifically married to an Air Force model, also look into the N-1. My blue RMC N-1 is probably my most used cold weather jacket.

If you are not opposed to having a nylon shell jacket, the N-3A and N-3B parkas will likely be one of the warmest jacket options that you'll find.

 

[Peacoat]

There is a B-11 for sale in Classifieds. It is a parka and is alpaca lined.

 

[TLW '90]

Yeah, most things are warmer than the A2.
Even a flannel lined denim jacket is a bit warmer than an A2.
Still you gotta have a leather jacket around for when you don't need much of a jacket, really all types of jackets for all types of weather / situations honestly.

 

[Edward]

The B10 was intended to replace both the B3 and the A2; imo it hits somewhere between the two. For serious cold when you want something longer than a bum-freezer, one of the N3A/B nylons is a good option (more a ground crew jacket than a pilot's model, obviously).


Good pointers above on the top end B10 repros, though if you're not shooting for living-history / re-enactment level accuracy, I think there's a lot to be said for the Pike Brothers version. Arguably over-built to some extent, but a great, period-looking jacket and very durable.

 

[Bmiller01]

thank you so much for all the info everyone. i am considering a b-10 or a b-11, anyone making a solid b-11? or would i have to go the vintage, original route.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

thank you so much for all the info everyone. i am considering a b-10 or a b-11, anyone making a solid b-11? or would i have to go the vintage, original route.

Gizemo also makes a B-11 repro...

https://gizemo.net/products/flying-jacket

There's also this budget option from Eastwood. They are somehow Chinese subsidiary of Bill Kelso. I haven't purchased anything from them as their branding is a blatant rip off of Eastman Leather Clothing's name.

https://mreastwood.com/eshop/product/b-11-parka/

BTW @Bmiller01, I have a Buzz Rickson Superior Togs B-10 listed in the marketplace that should fit you. If you're interested, shoot me a pm and I'll make you a very fair deal on it.

 

[raf]

Back to the A-2 for a moment, please.

I have had some very decent recent success in using USGI FREE EWOL Gen 3 fleece jackets inside both my A-2 and G-1 jackets. Surprisingly warm even though thin and Gen 3 versions are flame resistant. Not for arctic use but will allow use of the uninsulated leather jackets in colder weather than one might first think.

The "secret" is to use a genuine military sizing chart. In almost all cases, these fleece jackets are sized both for chest size and height. The official chart is very generous in chest size, so going down a chest size is often possible, and "snug" fit allows less bulk. Never mess with the optimal height; usually spot-on.

Example: I'm 46" chest, and 6'3" tall with longish arms/torso. "Official" GI size is XL Long, but a Large Long is a perfectly good fit. If I want, and room inside the jacket allows, I can wear both a LG/Long fleece jacket and wear an XL/Long fleece jacket over it as well.

These fleece jackets are all over EBay. See pix of the sewn-in tag to verify Flame resistance, no tag, no guarantee.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I notice nobody has yet mentioned the Army tanker jacket.

While they were never officially issued to fliers, they're a very warm, very comfortable cloth jacket that plenty of WWII aviators were thrilled to get their hands on in place of A-2 jackets.

I've had one of ATF's tanker jacket repros for twenty years and it's remained one of my cold-weather faves.

Tanker Jacket

The source for authentic, quality reproduction WW2 uniforms and field gear, since 1992.

www.atthefront.com

 

[Bmiller01]

Gizemo also makes a B-11 repro...

https://gizemo.net/products/flying-jacket

There's also this budget option from Eastwood. They are somehow Chinese subsidiary of Bill Kelso. I haven't purchased anything from them as their branding is a blatant rip off of Eastman Leather Clothing's name.

https://mreastwood.com/eshop/product/b-11-parka/

BTW @Bmiller01, I have a Buzz Rickson Superior Togs B-10 listed in the marketplace that should fit you. If you're interested, shoot me a pm and I'll make you a very fair deal on it.

View attachment 767169

View attachment 767170

hey man, i’m for sure interested, i’ll pm.

 

[Bmiller01]

Back to the A-2 for a moment, please.

I have had some very decent recent success in using USGI FREE EWOL Gen 3 fleece jackets inside both my A-2 and G-1 jackets. Surprisingly warm even though thin and Gen 3 versions are flame resistant. Not for arctic use but will allow use of the uninsulated leather jackets in colder weather than one might first think.

The "secret" is to use a genuine military sizing chart. In almost all cases, these fleece jackets are sized both for chest size and height. The official chart is very generous in chest size, so going down a chest size is often possible, and "snug" fit allows less bulk. Never mess with the optimal height; usually spot-on.

Example: I'm 46" chest, and 6'3" tall with longish arms/torso. "Official" GI size is XL Long, but a Large Long is a perfectly good fit. If I want, and room inside the jacket allows, I can wear both a LG/Long fleece jacket and wear an XL/Long fleece jacket over it as well.

These fleece jackets are all over EBay. See pix of the sewn-in tag to verify Flame resistance, no tag, no guarantee.

gotcha!! yeah i guess i never really though about a specific under layer to pair with too. i would be willing to bet they wouldn’t be hard to find at all.

i do like to make sure they are natural fibers, no poly blend in it. i’m sure a wool sweater of some kind would also do the trick.

 

[Peacoat]

gotcha!! yeah i guess i never really though about a specific under layer to pair with too. i would be willing to bet they wouldn’t be hard to find at all.

i do like to make sure they are natural fibers, no poly blend in it. i’m sure a wool sweater of some kind would also do the trick.

If I wear my A-2 when the temps are below 50°, I wear a wool sweater under the Jacket. A good pairing down to about 40°, but not much below that, at least not for me.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

gotcha!! yeah i guess i never really though about a specific under layer to pair with too. i would be willing to bet they wouldn’t be hard to find at all.

i do like to make sure they are natural fibers, no poly blend in it. i’m sure a wool sweater of some kind would also do the trick.

A wool C-2 sweater will definitely do the trick. Unfortunately, my Bronson isn't 100% wool. A C-2 from Real Mccoy's is on the WTB list. I believe that the RMC and Buzz Rickson versions should be 100% wool...the Pike Bros version may be as well. I can't remember.

 

[coolhandluke_7]

If I wear my A-2 when the temps are below 50°, I wear a wool sweater under the Jacket. A good pairing down to about 40°, but not much below that, at least not for me.

Same here. I was shocked that the OP is comfortable down to 32°F in an A-2. He definitely has warmer blood than I do. A curse of growing up in the south central U.S..

 

[Peter Mackin]

Depending on the temps you experience, Bronson B9,,can thoroughly recommend one,added advantage of having a hood,I also have a Bronson B10.again great value.

 

[Edward]

Back to the A-2 for a moment, please.

I have had some very decent recent success in using USGI FREE EWOL Gen 3 fleece jackets inside both my A-2 and G-1 jackets. Surprisingly warm even though thin and Gen 3 versions are flame resistant. Not for arctic use but will allow use of the uninsulated leather jackets in colder weather than one might first think.

The "secret" is to use a genuine military sizing chart. In almost all cases, these fleece jackets are sized both for chest size and height. The official chart is very generous in chest size, so going down a chest size is often possible, and "snug" fit allows less bulk. Never mess with the optimal height; usually spot-on.

Example: I'm 46" chest, and 6'3" tall with longish arms/torso. "Official" GI size is XL Long, but a Large Long is a perfectly good fit. If I want, and room inside the jacket allows, I can wear both a LG/Long fleece jacket and wear an XL/Long fleece jacket over it as well.

These fleece jackets are all over EBay. See pix of the sewn-in tag to verify Flame resistance, no tag, no guarantee.

Interesting option. I'm more a C2 style guy myself, though in truth when I had a couple of A2s, I always wore them as per originally design in terms of layers - i.e. over a shirt, often a shirt and tie (non-military, though), and very occasionally with a waistcoat. But that's me - I do tend to prefer a longer jacket for when it gets really cold anyhow. These fleeces look interesting, though, not seen them before. (I used to pretty much dress out of the local surplus place back in the day, but I'm very out of touch with current surplus (which, by my reckoning, would probably be 1990s stuff and onwards now?).

I notice nobody has yet mentioned the Army tanker jacket.

While they were never officially issued to fliers, they're a very warm, very comfortable cloth jacket that plenty of WWII aviators were thrilled to get their hands on in place of A-2 jackets.

I've had one of ATF's tanker jacket repros for twenty years and it's remained one of my cold-weather faves.

http://[URL]https://www.atthefront.com/product-p/usujtank.htm

[/URL]

Funnily enough I've been looking at those again with half an eye for something fun for the Spring. I still have my old Spearhead Travis Bickle model from some years back. Doesn't go over more than a shirt now as it has somewhat, eh, shrunk in the wardrobe over the years (looks fine, just can only wear it over a shirt the way I'd wear a Harrington). It has its place. Been considering getting a bigger size that could be worn over a sweater, noseying at the MKI version from Soldier of Fortune, which they also sell marked up as the 'Wardaddy' jacket Pitt wore in Fury. I'm not normally given to wearing rank, but there's no danger of being accused of being a Walt here in London if I turn up in one of these and denim... https://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/fury-1st-pattern-tankers-jacket-badged-as-brad-pitt-s.html Looks like a bit of fun. The patch pockets would also be fairly practical for all the bits and pieces I need to carry out with me when I'm taking the dog out in the morning.

Same here. I was shocked that the OP is comfortable down to 32°F in an A-2. He definitely has warmer blood than I do. A curse of growing up in the south central U.S..

It's a very subjective thing, certainly. I'm great in a B3 in London from about November to mid February; others can't look at them. Even now when we take the dog for a walk on a Saturday, I'm in knitwear and a hefty Winter coat, while the wife throws a hoody on over a T-shirt... Despite her growing up in Bristol, significantly farther South than the Causeway Coast, I feel the cold a lot more that she does.

 

[raf]

Interesting option. I'm more a C2 style guy myself, though in truth when I had a couple of A2s, I always wore them as per originally design in terms of layers - i.e. over a shirt, often a shirt and tie (non-military, though), and very occasionally with a waistcoat. But that's me - I do tend to prefer a longer jacket for when it gets really cold anyhow. These fleeces look interesting, though, not seen them before. (I used to pretty much dress out of the local surplus place back in the day, but I'm very out of touch with current surplus (which, by my reckoning, would probably be 1990s stuff and onwards now?).




Funnily enough I've been looking at those again with half an eye for something fun for the Spring. I still have my old Spearhead Travis Bickle model from some years back. Doesn't go over more than a shirt now as it has somewhat, eh, shrunk in the wardrobe over the years (looks fine, just can only wear it over a shirt the way I'd wear a Harrington). It has its place. Been considering getting a bigger size that could be worn over a sweater, noseying at the MKI version from Soldier of Fortune, which they also sell marked up as the 'Wardaddy' jacket Pitt wore in Fury. I'm not normally given to wearing rank, but there's no danger of being accused of being a Walt here in London if I turn up in one of these and denim... https://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/fury-1st-pattern-tankers-jacket-badged-as-brad-pitt-s.html Looks like a bit of fun. The patch pockets would also be fairly practical for all the bits and pieces I need to carry out with me when I'm taking the dog out in the morning.





It's a very subjective thing, certainly. I'm great in a B3 in London from about November to mid February; others can't look at them. Even now when we take the dog for a walk on a Saturday, I'm in knitwear and a hefty Winter coat, while the wife throws a hoody on over a T-shirt... Despite her growing up in Bristol, significantly farther South than the Causeway Coast, I feel the cold a lot more that she does.

Personally, I prefer the much more practical (7mm thickness fleece?) M-444 Navy jacket to any B-3 or Irvin, but YMMV. Perhaps slightly "upsized" to allow additional layers underneath it in very cold temps. Possibly a B-6 for same "Intermediate" temps, the "Action Back" possibly eliminating the need for "Upsizing". An AN-J-4 "heavyweight" for truly cold temps.

Side-Note: I almost always wear a thin inner fleece jacket inside any winter jacket. Reason for this is that during winter, home and business owners often "turn-down" temps inside buildings. Doffing the outer jacket makes the inner fleece jacket far more comfortable in such "cool" environments.

As for Flame-******ant (FR) fleece jackets, sewn-in tag will state either "Nomex" or "Aramid" majority of fabric content. Some earlier generations of nearly identical fleece jacket were not FR. Having had some fleece jackets ruined/damaged by campfire embers, and even wind-blown embers from nearby pipe/cigar/cigarette users, I'm going with FR. The snaps present at the collar/sleeves of these GI fleece jackets allow them to be worn inside mating GI raingear/windbreakers--often Gore-Tex. Depending on the Generation of the outer jackets, may/may not be also FR material. If having a fleece jacket ruined by embers is problematic, having a far more expensive G-T outer jacket is troublesome.

Yes, FR garments are a "rabbit hole" and not for everyone.