MA-1 Flight jacket

[HPA Rep]

Life can be real hard sometimes!

Oh, boy, can I ever relate to this! It is what we make it, no doubt in my mind, but the nibbles it takes from us can really add up, if allowed.

My mom left us Nov. 2016, my other half's mom did the same 3 days after Thanksgiving this year, and I've been making progress against debilitating health issues this past year, I am so grateful to say, but prevailing in any of these matters is work and hard work should indeed be rewarded when possible. I now have one new present coming to myself for my WWII Luftwaffe collection, and it feels as if there could be something else among the many WWII collectibles I'm looking at right now that needs to make a new home here.

 

[Big J]

I'm sorry to hear that you're still battling I'll health Charles. Yes, a positive attitude is a large part of the fight, but it takes a lot of support to keep it going. Family are really important. And when those people are also looking to you for the support they need, it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. So I want to offer you and your wife my sympathy, and deepest condolences for what must surely be another difficult holiday season for you both.
I don't know if you have kids Charles, but trying to meet my responsibilities to them meant that some of my more extravagant dreams immediately went out of the window (no regrets), and now I'm pretty content to spoil myself with a jacket or a cigar. Otherwise, what's the point?
I have to be serious about my responsibilities to my family, so aside from that, I want to just say 'what the hell' and do what I want as much as I can.
I hope 2018 brings you and your wife good fortune.

 

[HPA Rep]

I'm sorry to hear that you're still battling I'll health Charles. Yes, a positive attitude is a large part of the fight, but it takes a lot of support to keep it going. Family are really important. And when those people are also looking to you for the support they need, it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. So I want to offer you and your wife my sympathy, and deepest condolences for what must surely be another difficult holiday season for you both.
I don't know if you have kids Charles, but trying to meet my responsibilities to them meant that some of my more extravagant dreams immediately went out of the window (no regrets), and now I'm pretty content to spoil myself with a jacket or a cigar. Otherwise, what's the point?
I have to be serious about my responsibilities to my family, so aside from that, I want to just say 'what the hell' and do what I want as much as I can.
I hope 2018 brings you and your wife good fortune.

Thank you so very, very much, Big J, for those heartfelt sentiments, condolences, and words of profound wisdom.

We believe that everything is always working out for us because everything is always working out for us, even when it's hard to see at times. The extreme challenges of the last year represent the storm before the calm, this I truly believe. And there are no kids in the picture; it's all we can do to keep the cacti and begonias and the occasional stray spider from going on life support. ;-)

Peace, Big J!

 

[Edward]

Anyone ever heard of the Jinrushi brand? Discovered these on eBay last night, sort of Alpha money. They certainly look nice, though, insofar as you can tell from the photos. It's the first time I've seen a non-Japanese repop with the option of a green liner.

MA1s - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USAF-Arm...hash=item4d6bdca705:m:mp5-QWXvTwCZOy6iV5gzNbw

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USAF-Arm...d=332522104581&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[bn1966]

Anyone ever heard of the Jinrushi brand? Discovered these on eBay last night, sort of Alpha money. They certainly look nice, though, insofar as you can tell from the photos. It's the first time I've seen a non-Japanese repop with the option of a green liner.

MA1s - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USAF-Arm...hash=item4d6bdca705:m:mp5-QWXvTwCZOy6iV5gzNbw

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USAF-Army-WW2-Mens-Polit-MA1-Flight-Bomber-Jacket-Military-Fall-Cotton-Coat/232619043070?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=49895&meid=468276d766594b6e8912f4119f9dc91c&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=332522104581&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Saw these last night Edward, look good for the money, numbers don't work for me or I'd have a punt (bloody shoulders).

Looked into the DD Nylon range too & after calculating final costs (inc import) concluded that at present for me....they are too rich for my blood.

 

[ButteMT61]

It's a PITA for big guys. Japan doesn't make 'em big, and the ones here are top-dollar.
Most options are cheaper jackets. That and some better older ones I've found on ebay...
China seems to be making some headway, and some I've seen look pretty good. My neighbor does a lot of custom business with a Chinese company and gets amazing stuff - fast and cheap. The stuff I've seen is pretty good quality. Certainly not awesome, but it's made for profits, which is his goal.

 

[bn1966]

Agreed Butte PITA!!!! A DD with the present Brexit exchange rate is close to ELC new A-2 money. Still looking for a 'grail' MA-1 / B-15 Mod

 

[ButteMT61]

Agreed Butte PITA!!!! A DD with the present Brexit exchange rate is close to ELC new A-2 money. Still looking for a 'grail' MA-1 / B-15 Mod

That's the one! It's lovely, and a wife-approved color. Although I'm still not over Lockheed Red

 

[bn1966]

That's the one! It's lovely, and a wife-approved color. Although I'm still not over Lockheed Red

Reckon I'd be into £700 territory on a DD door to door..Bloody Customs The AF Blue gets me every time...

 

[Boyo]

@bn1966 Have you tried using a proxy to avoid the custom charges? ie. have the jacket shipped to a "friend" in the US who will then ship on to you in UK with a vague description of value etc?

 

[ButteMT61]

Reckon I'd be into £700 territory on a DD door to door..Bloody Customs The AF Blue gets me every time...

BTW, the DD and BR jackets are really in the same price range. At least when DD was giving a sale price to start the line. Haven't seen him around, so I don't know what's up there.
But yes, you can get someone here to buy/send to you...

 

[bn1966]

BTW, the DD and BR jackets are really in the same price range. At least when DD was giving a sale price to start the line. Haven't seen him around, so I don't know what's up there.
But yes, you can get someone here to buy/send to you...

Very Cool

 

[bn1966]

@bn1966 Have you tried using a proxy to avoid the custom charges? ie. have the jacket shipped to a "friend" in the US who will then ship on to you in UK with a vague description of value etc?

Sounds a plan

 

[Boyo]

Sounds a plan

I offer my services if needed..

 

[Blackadder]

Anyone ever heard of the Jinrushi brand? Discovered these on eBay last night, sort of Alpha money. They certainly look nice, though, insofar as you can tell from the photos. It's the first time I've seen a non-Japanese repop with the option of a green liner.

MA1s - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USAF-Arm...hash=item4d6bdca705:m:mp5-QWXvTwCZOy6iV5gzNbw

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USAF-Army-WW2-Mens-Polit-MA1-Flight-Bomber-Jacket-Military-Fall-Cotton-Coat/232619043070?_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIM.MBE&ao=2&asc=49895&meid=468276d766594b6e8912f4119f9dc91c&pid=100005&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=332522104581&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

https://world.taobao.com/item/542501724554.htm
Shops like ATF, WPG Sessler and Houston etc have been sourcing from China some years ago. The factories that produce for them might have make these under own label or for local shops. IMO Bronson and Bob Dong put in the most efforts and produced better products than the rest (except leather jackets).

 

[ButteMT61]

And I want to clarify my stance (as if it matters) on buying from China/India/Vietnam, etc. I have no qualms buying quality items made anywhere. However, my first choice, assuming equal or better quality, is to help keep Americans employed. I'm not ashamed to say it or believe in it. I would wager most adults feel that way about where they live. I grew up with grandparents who always called stuff "Jap crap". At the time, it was. But look at Japan today.
I want the people making anything I buy treated well, and making a living wage. Ken @ Aero just posted up a bit about this on VLJ this week.
Sadly, here in the States, the labor needed to make things we like is a shrinking pool of talent. Aside from these rogue young folks learning trades, we've abandoned them in our schools, etc.

 

[bn1966]

I offer my services if needed..

Thank You Sir You are a Gent

 

[Seb Lucas]

And I want to clarify my stance (as if it matters) on buying from China/India/Vietnam, etc. I have no qualms buying quality items made anywhere. However, my first choice, assuming equal or better quality, is to help keep Americans employed. I'm not ashamed to say it or believe in it. I would wager most adults feel that way about where they live. I grew up with grandparents who always called stuff "Jap crap". At the time, it was. But look at Japan today.
I want the people making anything I buy treated well, and making a living wage. Ken @ Aero just posted up a bit about this on VLJ this week.
Sadly, here in the States, the labor needed to make things we like is a shrinking pool of talent. Aside from these rogue young folks learning trades, we've abandoned them in our schools, etc.

Agree/ That's true here as well.

 

[HPA Rep]

That's the one! It's lovely, and a wife-approved color. Although I'm still not over Lockheed Red

You mean Northrop red, right???

 

[ButteMT61]

You mean Northrop red, right???

oops. yes