Few/ McCoys B2 Werber Leather Coat Inc.

[John Lever]

My long awaited and anticipated B2 arrived today. I decided to order one of these about 6 months ago, and since then Paddy and I have exchanged about 20 e-mails discussing size and slotting the order in the busy manufacturing schedule which is largely dedicated to the Japanese market. As I already own two other B2's from Lost Worlds and Buzz Ricksons this was to be the icing on the cake. I did have reservations concerning the actual size of the 44, but Bevan assured me that this was the one to go for as it is exactly the same as the original jacket the pattern came from, which was slightly small for him, and therefore should fit me.
The horse hide is vegetable and chrome tanned with a hand applied aniline finish. The colour is a dark warm brown called Garam [ after the spice] The heavy duty zip a pre-war Talon pinlock and the lining is wool worsted. The fit is absolutely perfect and the belt tightens up to give a draught proof seal. The belt buckle has a beautifully shaped tongue which looks very 30's.
Compared to the BR, this is a heavy jacket with a heavy duty feel of superb quality. Almost as heavy as the LW version but not quite, it is much more wearable off the peg, but not soft like the BR and will get softer with wear. The leather surface already has fabulous grain and character and the colour is breathtakingly beautiful.

 

[Rufus]

Fantastic jacket, John!

It's interesting to see all the variations in lining,fasteners, and colour on the various B2s... for such a rare jacket... there seems to be a lot of variation.

Does the LW have an Irvin style elastic strap on the back of the collar?

My BR B2 doesn't, but I remember seeing photos... (Possibly on VLJ) of the strap version B2...

Interesting that the Few version also lacks this...

Beautiful jacket, I'm very, very jealous!!

Please post more pics as it breaks in!

Rufus

 

[John Lever]

Rufus, there is no strap on this one. It is a copy of an original so I assume it did not have one either. It's the best of the three.

 

[feltfan]

Gorgeous jacket. Thanks for posting such nice pictures.

 

[HDRnR]

That looks awesome, the B-2 is one I've always wanted but never pulled the trigger on. Does Few/McCoys sell direct to the USA ? I'm just reluctant to deal with Stuart anymore.

 

[PENSACOLA]

What a masterpiece of wear! Your B-2 and you as one in the cool mornings and evenings of the English countryside, thinking about the history behind B-2's--all those men crying and dying and living...tremendous jacket for all the years to come.

 

[Fletch]

"all those men"? You know very few airmen ever wore these things...they were a skeleton force with no enemies to fight, no strategies to plot, not much to do but try for record books, play war with the ground troops, write magazine articles and fly the mail.

Still, they were to be admired for being there at all then, gambling (and some losing) their lives with silly outdated aircraft and battle plans for lousy pay and begrudged promotion. It was a romantic, even brave, era somehow.

 

[MudInYerEye]

"all those men"? You know very few airmen ever wore these things...they were a skeleton force with no enemies to fight, no strategies to plot, not much to do but try for record books, play war with the ground troops, write magazine articles and fly the mail.

Still, they were to be admired for being there at all then, gambling (and some losing) their lives with silly outdated aircraft and battle plans for lousy pay and begrudged promotion. It was a romantic, even brave, era somehow.

Thus spake Wikipediathustra from far atop Mt.Google...

 

[Jovan]

Never seen a B2 before. That collar is HUGE! I like it though. I presume it and the button loops are to keep one's mouth, nose, and ears warm at high altitude? It reminds me of when Jude Law had his collar up at the beginning of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

 

[John Lever]

That looks awesome, the B-2 is one I've always wanted but never pulled the trigger on. Does Few/McCoys sell direct to the USA ? I'm just reluctant to deal with Stuart anymore.

Yes they do, but be quick if you want one as most of the production is geared to fulfilling Japanese orders. It is my understanding that materials are ordered in batches for runs of pre-ordered jackets. When they run out there is a wait until the next batch.

 

[rumblefish]

Real nice jacket John! You've got to be happy with that fit.
This is a 44 without anything custom cut?
Would you recommend this one over the other two?
Thank you for posting the pictures.

 

[John Lever]

Real nice jacket John! You've got to be happy with that fit.
This is a 44 without anything custom cut?
Would you recommend this one over the other two?
Thank you for posting the pictures.[/QUOTE

No custom fit, just a direct copy of an original size 44 from the 1930's. All three jackets are great and it is very difficult to choose between them. The McCoy is a mid-way house between the very, very heavy Lost worlds and the soft Buzz Rickson. here are some comparative photos -

 

[rumblefish]

^
Big differences between the three. Looks like they're lined up McCoy, Buzz then LW, correct? These photos show alot, thanks again!

 

[HDRnR]

Damn, thats alot of horse right there ! John, are they all 44's ? If so how do they compare in cut ?

 

[rumblefish]

I just showed Mrs. M. your jackets and asked "what do you think?" (meaning how about another flight jacket for me?) I didn't get a reply, but I think she making an appointment for me to have my head candled.
Your having three B-2s does help my cause .

 

[HDRnR]

Interesting that the rivet at the bottom is different on all three.

 

[Naphtali]

John:

Please furnish a URL for the manufacturer. If it does not make you uncomfortable, please identify its purchase price.

 

[John Lever]

Damn, thats alot of horse right there ! John, are they all 44's ? If so how do they compare in cut ?

The LW is very square and probably slightly large for me. The waist belt at full tightness is quite open. The Buzz is a relaxed very comfortable fit almost like a fashion jacket but that's because the leather is so soft. . The McCoy is a perfect trim cut which I think reflects the style and fit of an original the most accurately. The leather is aniline and is stunning. it's quite difficult to photograph leather due to reflections and colour balance. The Garam brown is like melted dark chocolate with a dash of cinnamon.

 

[HDRnR]

Spectacular stuff John, this should become an official B2 thread. These pictures are great for reference. Anyone on here own or have pictures of an original ?

 

[John Lever]

Massa has one at Real McCoys.