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As you can see, there are a few questions about the tag. However, in general looks like at least one very good replica, because it come with the NSN, MILSPEC and SPO number. If somebody, with more experience in this jacket, can solve it for me, I will really appreciate, because it makes me more confident to buy it.
It makes common sense that for a while they just put different tags on the same jackets, but only later, once the military was 100% nomex, did they start to alter their products for the commercial market and its different economics parameters.My service issue Alpha N-2B (90's) is indeed similar to the civvy one I owned & the ground pounder MA-1 was very much like the commercial offering.
I am not sure about a few things seen here in the picture, one is that the liner is not orange? Maybe if it is for ground crew? Secondly, why is the tag not in the pocket like in many of the late versions?
I've had a few of their recent jackets go through my hands and they're very well constructed, better than their older USA made jackets by a mile. Materials tend to be thin, insulation thin, and the fit on their non-classic MA-1 are long and snuggish (which is actually good for tall thin people). The quality is there, although the weight isn't, but wool insulation would add $100 to price so I don't blame them for sticking with polyfill. If you want a good 50s or early 60s style MA-1 then you pretty much have to go Buzz, unless you can find one of those oddball Japanese Alpha jackets which I posted pics of a few pages back in this thread.Anyone have any experience of tge current Alpha line? On their website, the Bloochit model MA1 looks quite nice, though I'd prefer slash pockets with no flaps, early sixties style. (I'd really prefer a sage lining too, but for an MA1, Alpha are more on the money for me.) The other one I've been looking at is the "VF59" - vf stands for vintage fit. Looks good, but I hear the inner pockets are 'wrong'?
wow the rep blue alpha in xlarge turned up yesterday 1 day after the order went in and it is a stunning jacket fit is perfect love the colour infact love everything about this jacket . really happy cheers for all your help and advice folks
Here's a couple of photos of a Weintraub L-2A repro in new condition (with Tags), not sure when it was manufactered so maybe NOS as I can't seem to see it being produced any more when searching the net but could be wrong.
It's a pretty decent repro, well made with good stitching and solid harware - smooth zippers and strong press studs.