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Proper G-1 Jacket Fit?

Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
Thanks for that. Same length as an A2 size 42 but longer sleeve length.

I have contacted Cockpit USA to find out about the size differences if any between you version and the removable collar version. Photos can be deceptive but the latter looks less trim on theri website. The narrower shoulder width is a real bonus.

What’s interesting is the Cockpit current issue A2 size 42 regular in my closet measures 27” in the body length...

Let me know what you find out. I would be curious to know.

I have their Top Gun jacket on its way to me right now. I will report back on any size differences for that one.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,074
Location
London, UK
The Milspec Cockpit G1 is nice. I've considered that or the Alpha equivalent in the past as a second USN type (after I get my Aero AVG M422a) when I want a plain version. (Though Alpha's enhancement of their branding on all their jackets in recent years rather puts them out of the running).
 

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,445
Location
South of Nashville
Drewdog: Better you in that cockpit than me. My cockpit days are long past. Where I flew we seldom needed a flight jacket—except early morning flights in the winter in Savannah Ga. Directly below your cockpit picture is an F-4 Phantom. Other than the Huey, the Phantom was my favorite aircraft. Always wanted to fly one, but never got around to it. Something else was always going on.

Pharewell to the Phantom: Phinal phlight, December 21st, 2016,
 
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Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
Drewdog: Better you in that cockpit than me. My cockpit days are long past. Where I flew we seldom needed a flight jacket—except early morning flights in the winter in Savannah Ga. Directly below your cockpit picture is an F-4 Phantom. Other than the Huey, the Phantom was my favorite aircraft. Always wanted to fly one, but never got around to it. Something else was always going on.

Pharewell to the Phantom: Last phlight, December 21st, 2016,

Peacoat - I had the opportunity to sit in the F-4 Phantom cockpit. It is much smaller than I anticipated. My knees were almost touching the instrument panel! My favorite is the F-14 Tomcat. Beautiful plane and better when they replaced the engines to address the compressor stalls.

On another note - I recently decided to go after my younger dream of being a Naval Aviator. However, a Navy recruiter said I am too old at 29. The cutoff is 27 with no possibility of an age waiver... :(
 

Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
Just out of curiosity, how warm is the G1 jacket that you have? I'm asking because it seems that everyone in those pictures is in shorts.

The jacket can be worn out in probably down to the 40s-50s. It is more of a windbreaker than a warm insulated jacket. The collar does a good job of keeping your neck warm. There are ventilation holes in the armpits. It was in the mid 60s in those pictures. Keep in mind that it was in San Diego with most tourists in shorts, and I wanted to get pictures among those great planes in my jacket. :)
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Cockpit USA confirmed that the mil spec jacket is exactly the same pattern as their other G1 with the removable collar. It certainly seems a better pattern and more desirable than any of their A2 jackets. I am contemplating one of these now just so I can have a good knock around flight jacket - accuracy isn't important to me, but bagginess is a deal breaker.
 

Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
Cockpit USA confirmed that the mil spec jacket is exactly the same pattern as their other G1 with the removable collar. It certainly seems a better pattern and more desirable than any of their A2 jackets. I am contemplating one of these now just so I can have a good knock around flight jacket - accuracy isn't important to me, but bagginess is a deal breaker.

Good to know. In case you are interested, there are a couple Cockpit G1s listed on ebay right now in sizes 40 and 46. They are the non-removeable collar kind like mine though.
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,343
Location
UK
Saw that Nick... Same as the Forrestal jacket and 100 Missions G-1 sans the fur collar... I have owned these, but they are just too darned short for me! I've been trying to get Cockpit to make me a long version ;) but no bite haha... until now..?
I believe they are now offering their premium Top Gun Hero G-1 in a long! And I further understand that they may/will soon offering the 100 Missions in a long also. This is not Gospel, so don't quote me please ;)
My AVI 55J14 G-1 in a 40 is a bit trimmer in the body than my Cockpit G-1s were in a 40, sleeves about the same, and the AVI is longer in the body also.
ps That Top Gun Hero G-1 without the patches would be great! It is slightly different from the 100 missions and Mil Spec... If only!
 

Brettafett

One Too Many
Messages
1,343
Location
UK
I think thats a really good fit btw.
To answer your queries...
I had both an older Avirex G-1, the 100 Missions G-1 and the Forrestal. The 100 M and Forrestal are the same jacket, the Forrstel without the fur. I found they fit well, were well made and solid jackets.
I personally prefer a touch more length. Cockpit G-1 jackets for me, in my regular size 40, fit fine (I may get away with a 38 long), but are always a touch short on me... Sleeve length was great, shoulders were good, pit to pit had a touch of extra room, but the darn length... Just wish I could magically add an inch.
I know the Mil Spec comes in a long, and the Top Gun Hero now also, but then the sleeves...! I think you will find you'd be the same size in all of these. The patterns are essentially the same, with minor differences (I've been through this numerous times with Cockpit, incl Stanley himself)...
I was hampering after a Top Gun Hero in a size 38 or 40 long, WITHOUT the patches, and this was possible... for a hefty fee, but it just became too complex and the interest wained.
Ordered my Headwind HL Block M422a instead and thats looking the bomb.
I currently have their Government issue WW2 A-2 version in a 36LONG! And it fit very well.
 
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Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
I think thats a really good fit btw.
To answer your queries...
I had both an older Avirex G-1, the 100 Missions G-1 and the Forrestal. The 100 M and Forrestal are the same jacket, the Forrstel without the fur. I found they fit well, were well made and solid jackets.
I personally prefer a touch more length. Cockpit jackets for me, in my regular size 40, fit fine, but are always a touch short on me... Sleeve length was great, shoulders were good, pit to pit had a touch of extra room, but the darn length... Just wish I could magically add an inch.
I know the Mil Spec comes in a long, and the Top Gun Hero now also, but then the sleeves...! I think you will find you'd be the same size in all of these. The patterns are essentially the same, with minor differences (I've been through this numerous times with Cockpit, incl Stanley himself)...
I was hampering after a Top gun Hero in a size 38 or 40 long, WITHOUT the patches, and this was possible for a fee, but it just became too complex and the interest wained.
Ordered my Headwind HL Block M4422a instead and thats looking the bomb.
I currently have their Government issue WW2 A-2 version in a 36LONG! And it fit very well.

Good information! I took advantage of their Top Gun day promo discount and ordered the Movie Heroes Top Gun jacket in both 42 and 44 to try on. If what you are saying is true, then the 42 should work well. However I may keep both to use the 44 for riding with armor underneath on my motorcycle. I have long arms and a shorter torso for my height so I find Cockpit’s cuts fit me well.

The remaining G-1s I am after are the 100 Mission and possibly the Forrestal.

I think it’s always worth it to wait for their occasional sale on all jackets as it is usually 20-25%. And there is no sales tax if you ship outside of New York so the savings adds up if you can’t manage to score a deal on eBay.

I should be getting them by Friday. I will post some fit pictures later this week.
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
What’s interesting is the Cockpit current issue A2 size 42 regular in my closet measures 27” in the body length...

Let me know what you find out. I would be curious to know.

I have their Top Gun jacket on its way to me right now. I will report back on any size differences for that one.

According to Cockpit USA your 27 inch back A2 is a long accidentally marked as a regular. All their regular jackets are 25.5 inches.
 

Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
According to Cockpit USA your 27 inch back A2 is a long accidentally marked as a regular. All their regular jackets are 25.5 inches.
According to Cockpit USA your 27 inch back A2 is a long accidentally marked as a regular. All their regular jackets are 25.5 inches.

Interesting. I found someone selling their Cockpit "current issue" 21st Century A-2 in a size 42 regular like mine on eBay. Their measurements also state a 27" back length from bottom of collar...I did see the 1987 A-2 version from Cockpit on eBay also and I believe it had a shorter back length measurement of around 25.5".
 

Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
So I just received the "Movie Heroes" Top Gun G-1 in the mail today in a size 44 and size 42! Beautiful jacket! My understanding is it is the "100 Mission" G-1 but with the Top Gun patches on it. I concur with Deacon's assessment to go one size up for the "100 Mission" over your usual size. Compared to my other Cockpit mil-spec G-1, this is cut a bit narrower and shorter in the body and sleeves. I could still get away with a size 42 but it is very fitted and leaves little room for much weight fluctuation ;) so I went size 44. Feel free to comment on the pictures.

I eventually plan to get the 100 Mission jacket so I have the option of not wearing the patches depending on my mood. The aged nature of the goatskin makes it perfect for casual wear with jeans and khakis. The "mil-spec" G-1 is dressier and can be worn with dress pants and a shirt and tie.

Unfortunately I found a defect in the size 44 - there was a noticeable cut in the leather near one of the patches. Jacky Clyman at Cockpit promptly responded to my e-mail and is working with me on an exchange - so far their customer service has been good. I am also going to exchange the 42 for a 46 so I can use the 46 over back and chest armor for riding my motorcycle around town.

Size 44

Picture 17_edited_edited.jpg
Picture 18_edited_edited.jpg
Picture 19_edited_edited.jpg

Size 42

Picture 20_edited_edited.jpg
Picture 22_edited_edited.jpg
 

nick123

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,371
Location
California
Oh man those are awesome. The 44 (or even 46) look like the right way to go.

Secretly envying one of those. I know we all poke fun at the movie Top Gun here, but boy, when I was 10 or 11 I must have worn out my VHS copy. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. You’re making me envious.
 

Big J

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,961
Location
Japan
@Drewdog, nice jacket, good fit!
BUT...

What's really interesting is that the 'Movie Hero' Top Gun jacket has the correct horizontal seam in the leather at the waistband, which the '100 mission' jacket does not (AFAIK, only 90's issue Cooper G-1s really omitted this seam amongst issue G-1s).
I checked the pictures on the Cockpit website;
The Top Gun jacket and the 100 mission jacket ARE NOT THE SAME 'except for the patches'. The Top Gun jacket has the horizontal seam that meets the waistband. If Cockpit are telling anyone the only difference is the patches, they are either telling lies, or ignorant of their own products.
And that would make me worry if both of these jackets have completely different patterns and fits.
The devil is always in the details.
 

Drewdog2323

One of the Regulars
Messages
106
Oh man those are awesome. The 44 (or even 46) look like the right way to go.

Secretly envying one of those. I know we all poke fun at the movie Top Gun here, but boy, when I was 10 or 11 I must have worn out my VHS copy. I thought it was the coolest thing ever. You’re making me envious.
I know some people make fun of the movie, but the jacket is surprisingly really cool and nice looking! I got it on their Top Gun day promo for 20% off recently. I think they do that about twice a year so keep an eye out. I already got a bunch of compliments on it today!

I could have worn the 42 but it was very trim - if I gained any weight at all it would be too tight. The 46 will likely be a bit loose but should work nicely on my motorcycle...or if my body decides to grow, lol. :cool:
 

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