Alpha b-15: What a waste of time, energy, and money

[bn1966]

Hi TXFlyGuy,

Good luck with your purchases.

Something I've found, is that the 'Vintage' series appear a slightly bigger fit than the standard USA made MA1's. I tried a standard XL...slightly too small & then an XXL..much too big...then a 'Vintage' series MA1 XL...just right

In the last week I've purchased an L2B (replica) & an N2B (service issue) & am attempting to purchase a second L2B....don't know where I'll store all of them

The nylon bug can bite deep.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Hi TXFlyGuy,

Good luck with your purchases.

Something I've found, is that the 'Vintage' series appear a slightly bigger fit than the standard USA made MA1's. I tried a standard XL...slightly too small & then an XXL..much too big...then a 'Vintage' series MA1 XL...just right

In the last week I've purchased an L2B (replica) & an N2B (service issue) & am attempting to purchase a second L2B....don't know where I'll store all of them

The nylon bug can bite deep.

Both jackets are to arrive next week. I'll post a full review then.

 

[TXFlyGuy]

Here is one from the Bay...when did Alpha put the USAF patch on the left sleeve?

 

[TXFlyGuy]

The Vintage Alpha B-15, made in USA, just arrived. For the full review, see my thread "Alpha MA-1, made in Knoxville, arrived today, are you ready for this?"

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a pic of two original MA-1s, a 1976 and a 1958. The second pic is of 2 Alphas. You can see the difference in the length as well as the pocket placement. The Alphas are cut longer. All these jackets are approximately the same size.

Are the "new" Alphas in the second groups of photos Regular length? They certainly look longer than the USA made ones above (I've got three of the USA made ones and they're perfect for me).

 

[mihai]

I just received an used Vintage B-15 jacket (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-Jacket...ries-B15C-Flight-Jacket-X-Large-/271514651545). Tagged as B-15C, blue color. What seems strange to me is the size: I laid it flat and measured from side to side at the the arm pit seams level. It resulted a staggering 30 inches while tagged as XL!
Anybody experienced such measurements with USA made Vintage B-15 size XL?

 

[the loco]

I'm 6'0", 190 lb and 40.5" chest and use a M Alpha Injector jacket. L was too baggy, but the sleeves are a bit short. It doesn't bother, though. I get compliments for this jacket, mostly from the ladies. The black shell with dark red lining is really nice. When it rains, the jacket gets shiny. It's a good quality for the price.

 

[bn1966]

Both USA Alpha Replica & 'vintage' series B15 & MA1 jackets come up big on the pit to pit measurements. I have several of each & they are all like this (size XL).

 

[Edward]

My Replica Series is cut big, but nowhere near that big! Mine is probably a close fit to my size 44 ELC 42 pattern Irvin. Which is what I wanted - it's a Winter jacket for me, and I wanted enough space for a sweater. Works okay without on too, though. My B15CMod is a Buz Rickson, and it's slightly neater, though not hugely so. Maybe also one inch shorter.

I'm 6'0", 190 lb and 40.5" chest and use a M Alpha Injector jacket. L was too baggy, but the sleeves are a bit short. It doesn't bother, though. I get compliments for this jacket, mostly from the ladies. The black shell with dark red lining is really nice. When it rains, the jacket gets shiny. It's a good quality for the price.

The Injector is a nice, modern take on the B15 - it's how I imagine the jacket would look if it had carried on instead of the Mod versions being introduced and then the MA1 coming into play.

 

[Edward]

Anyone seen one of these?

http://www.alphaindustries.com/mens-flight-jackets/alpha-industries-ma-1-skymaster-flight-jacket.htm

Alpha touting it as a lightweight ma1, though very closecto an L2A. Did the L2A ever come without epaulettes? If so, this could be a very nice option. I've long admired the Buzz one, but they're closimg in on the price of a very nice leather.....

 

[nick123]

TBH I really like the Alpha B-15. It was the catalyst that got me to order a Buzz L-2 (American Pad & Textile) from HPA. Waiting for that bad boy to arrive.

 

[nick123]

Another scary thing I realized was that while I was going on about how the modern Alphas are cut long, I gave some bad advice. Turns out the Alpha B-15's back length is only about the 24" range, but feels quite longer on my 6'2" frame (probably because it's too big). Anyhow, as earlier said, the nylon bug has caused an itch. How about "The Hunters?" I took this screenshot yesterday; not really sure why...

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ That's a great nylon porn film, recommended watching for when the wife is out with her friends. I have a couple of civilian Alpha MA-1s the older made in USA ones, only 24" but yeah even though I'm 6'1" they don't feel short. But other jackets, which are longer, feel too short. It goes to show that "fit" is a very, very complex matter with a lot of moving parts, so to speak.

Edward, that jacket you linked looks dumb, frankly. Alpha until about 6 months ago was selling modern L2B in nylon which were quite nice for modern jackets, although they seem to fit largish, so you might want to hunt around for one of those. They looked good and had traditional details and were obviously cheap when lined up against Buzz (I had one for a few days, it was too big). Like you, I'm finding it hard to accept Buzz nylon prices, even though by all accounts Buzz's quality is solid.

 

[bn1966]

I purchased a modern L2-B (Chinese) Alpha & the fit is BIG, much prefer the scale & fit of my BR L-2A Though not the price :-(

 

[Smithy]

^ That's a great nylon porn film, recommended watching for when the wife is out with her friends.

It's a fantastic film for Sabre footage and nylon porn but it's a travesty that it carries the name of Salter's novel. Please do yourself a favour and read James Salter's (he was James Horowitz when he flew with the 335th FIS as a F-86 pilot during the Korean War over MiG Alley in the USAF) original novel, "The Hunters", it's one of the greatest books to describe the mentality of fighter pilots and the experience of air combat. He also happens to be one of the most beautifully articulate and evocative authors.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ Thanks for the reminder about that novel. It's been on my 'wish list' at Amazon for a while now and with a gift certificate from Christmas I'll give it a shot.

 

[bn1966]

It's a fantastic film for Sabre footage and nylon porn but it's a travesty that it carries the name of Salter's novel. Please do yourself a favour and read James Salter's (he was James Horowitz when he flew with the 335th FIS as a F-86 pilot during the Korean War over MiG Alley in the USAF) original novel, "The Hunters", it's one of the greatest books to describe the mentality of fighter pilots and the experience of air combat. He also happens to be one of the most beautifully articulate and evocative authors.

Thanks Smithy just purchased a Kindle copy via Amazon

 

[Smithy]

Thanks Smithy just purchased a Kindle copy via Amazon

I really hope you enjoy it BN. It's one of my most favourite books, I simply love it.

Let me know what you think when you finish!

 

[Flightengineer]

Hi
Has anyone seen this repro B-15 from Alpha?

 

[Doctor Damage]

Hi
Has anyone seen this repro B-15 from Alpha?

Replica Series... probably 1990s... although maybe late 2000s. Quality of the 90s versions was tip-top. Our own vintage nylon expert Atticus has said his Alpha Replica from the 90s is almost as good as an original. Sizing is weird though, so be cautious. Be patient; other members here will chime in with advice. Have you got any more info on the jacket? listing, etc?