road less traveled for jacket nuts? the N-2B flight jacket...am i crazy 4 loving it?

[CodeRed]

What is the issue between mouton and dynal? How can I tell the difference? Thx

 

[GHQ1]

What is the issue between mouton and dynal? How can I tell the difference? Thx

Real mouton is wool so if you dig down to the base you'll find skin/leather. Also if you burn a bit it will ash up to softness.

If you dig down into a synthetic collar you'll find fabric (warp/weft threads). If you burn synthetics they will melt to a hard ball.

Just rules of thumb . . .

 

[Atticus Finch]

Real mouton is wool so if you dig down to the base you'll find skin/leather. Also if you burn a bit it will ash up to softness.

If you dig down into a synthetic collar you'll find fabric (warp/weft threads). If you burn synthetics they will melt to a hard ball.

Just rules of thumb . . .

Yes...at some point the hoods on N jackets began being lined with synthetic fur (probably dynal) as opposed to mouton. The Navy G-1 lost its mouton collar in mid 1969...its been dynal since...but I'm not sure when the hood lining of Air Force N jackets was switched.

AF

 

[Jeff M]

Real mouton is wool so if you dig down to the base you'll find skin/leather. Also if you burn a bit it will ash up to softness.

If you dig down into a synthetic collar you'll find fabric (warp/weft threads). If you burn synthetics they will melt to a hard ball.

Just rules of thumb . . .

I recommend the former rather than the latter.

 

[johnnyjohnny]

new alpha n-2b

Looking at an N2-B by Alpha from 1977. Any idea how the quality compares to the current N2-B's by Alpha?

hey jeff...i just bought a new alpha N-2B from alpha online. they are so incredibly helpful and even measured the back for me (slightly longer than their B-15s). even used an online coupon to get it delivered ups for $131. i'm going to do a review, but i can say this jacket is supreme. if you look at aero or eastman for leather jackets, this is constructed with the same integrity to the past, and to great fit and construction, as the best leather jacket makers do moto or mil jacks. i can't imagine the replicators doing a better or more authentic job than alpha, who actually made these for the u.s. military. a joy to wear. gee, almost did the review here.

yes, alas, it is made in china. however, it still says knox, tn on the main jacket label, and made in china is written only on a very cuttable washing guide label (for those such as myself who can't stand that on there). as the customer service reps online stated, and i can see it to be true, the quality and design is highly regulated and overseen by alpha despite this being made in china.

i got the replica air force blue.
ok, i must stop, or the review will have been written.

 

[normanf]

The main difference between the N3B and N2B are the length. The N3B was hip-length and the N2B was waist-length. Functionally, they are extreme cold weather parkas. In the middle of winter, you'll thank Heaven to be wearing it. The early versions of these parkas had a cotton shell with a heavy wool lining and wool batting. Later versions switched to a nylon shell with a polyester lining and polyester batting which was light and still just as warm. They are the best cold weather garments ever issued by the US military. These are the warmest jackets on earth. You can wear them in an unheated freezing room and be amazingly comfortable!

 

[Edward]

What was the issuing strategy for these? I'd assumed that the N2 was aimed at the flyboys in the cockpit, who'd end up sitting uncomfortably on the tail of the longer jacket, while the N3s were groundcrew, though I have found photos online described as "Aircrew" wearing N3s....

 

[johnnyjohnny]

n2b or n2 not to be

What was the issuing strategy for these? I'd assumed that the N2 was aimed at the flyboys in the cockpit, who'd end up sitting uncomfortably on the tail of the longer jacket, while the N3s were groundcrew, though I have found photos online described as "Aircrew" wearing N3s....

from the alpha website:

'N2B cold weather flight jackets.
Originally issued in the late 50’s, the N-2b was designed to provide warmth and comfort for airmen experiencing extreme weather conditions in Northern Air Bases. For use in cold weather or extreme cold weather climates (-50°C).
This jacket was used for the aircrew in transport planes. The hood unzips to lie flat on the shoulders when not in use to allow free range movement in the transport plane cockpit.'

 

[Atticus Finch]

What was the issuing strategy for these? I'd assumed that the N2 was aimed at the flyboys in the cockpit, who'd end up sitting uncomfortably on the tail of the longer jacket, while the N3s were groundcrew, though I have found photos online described as "Aircrew" wearing N3s....

Edward, I think you are correct. The N-2s (both A and B) also had split hoods that, when unzipped, can lay flat across the wearer's shoulders. I think was done to facilitate wearing flight gear and helmets in the cockpit. Of course, the N-3s had regular, unzippered hoods.

AF

 

[nick123]

Johnnyjohnny, I've read a lot of your posts from years ago. Welcome back.

 

[Edward]

from the alpha website:

'N2B cold weather flight jackets.
Originally issued in the late 50’s, the N-2b was designed to provide warmth and comfort for airmen experiencing extreme weather conditions in Northern Air Bases. For use in cold weather or extreme cold weather climates (-50°C).
This jacket was used for the aircrew in transport planes. The hood unzips to lie flat on the shoulders when not in use to allow free range movement in the transport plane cockpit.'

Hi Johnny! I was wodnering recently whether your were still about - haven't seen you post for some time. Alpha are known for occasionally playing a bit fast and loose with the veritas, but in this case I think they're bang on.

Edward, I think you are correct. The N-2s (both A and B) also had split hoods that, when unzipped, can lay flat across the wearer's shoulders. I think was done to facilitate wearing flight gear and helmets in the cockpit. Of course, the N-3s had regular, unzippered hoods.

AF

Yes, the hood issue also struck me with this.... Years ago, the N2 style was briefly fashionable - mostly with girls - here in the UK. always worn with the hood zipped open and flat. I disliked the look of it then, but later on as I came to appreciate the functionality of it I actually found the aesthetic came to be quite appealing to me. Still searching for the 'right' N2A, though I may well be sporting an N2B in the foreseeable future.

 

[Peacoat]

Jsquared, good to see you post again. I imagine you are still in LaLa Land?

 

[bn1966]

Nice to see your post Johnny, have found you a nylon inspiration. I'm really enjoying my N-2B's this winter, 3 service issue and one Alpha Replica. 3 are wool lined and 1 lighter man made (late service issue). Funnily enough the light weight is seeing the most use. I find the split hood useful when driving, have had nothing but positive comments regarding the jacket...even with the Snow White synthetic fur...getting used to wearing it around with the hood split...a Marmite look I suspect. Could do with adding an N-2A next year.

 

[bn1966]

My four: Kings Point MFG CO, Blue Alpha Replica, 75 Alpha Service issue and a 93.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

N2B 1962 Skyline arrived today. No smells, but a bunch of dark stains on the hood and back which have made the nylon very stiff in those spots. The pile lining to the hood is soft, so the stains didn't mess up the pile. Part of the fur trim is gone and a couple small clumps came off in my hand, so that part is doomed. The lining is spotless. The knits are chewed up in one spot, with a few holes here and there, but it appears to my untutored eye that these could be easily fixed by a handy sewing person (like Dumpster Diver). Again, I'm not an expert, but I do not think this jacket has ever seen a washing machine since the seams have not been stretched (like you could get when the wool insulation has shrunk but the shell hasn't) and it's a bit grimy here and there; it's probably never seen a dry cleaner either. Measurements are pretty large, actually, and wearable by me. So... does it stay or go? I want something wearable, so a trip to the dry cleaners will be necessary since I won't wear something with those stains, and fingers crossed they can do something about it.

I've listed this jacket in the classifieds, although if it doesn't move then I'm tempted to give it a hand wash in room temperature water and let it drip dry. A friend of mine does this with his expensive camelhair overcoat from Brooks Brothers and he says it's fine. I think the danger would be if the wool insulation was a shredded wool since getting it wet would make it clump up; this coat has wool pile insulation, which suggests a cloth base and that shouldn't clump or shift around too much as long as heat or vigorous tumbling isn't used (such as in a washing machine). We'll see.

 

[Doctor Damage]

"DO NOT BE AFRAID, EARTHLING - WE COME IN PEACE"
(click for larger)

 

[Dumpster Diver]

HAhah, thats an awesome pic!!!

 

[Doctor Damage]

We all know that the USAF procured and presumably issued N2B parkas well into the mid-1980s, even though by that time the nomex flyers jackets would have been in widespread use. So what were the N2B jackets used for and by whom? Do any ex-servicemen remember seeing them being worn?

 

[Dumpster Diver]

I was watching an Amazing B-36 Video of an Air base up in Alaska and truly Realized why these Jackets were a godsend necessity.

If it has not been washed ever, Expect a LOT of dye to run!!

I have a New era Non-military Alpha N2.B That I sweat in a lot, when the time came it went into the shower with me, and turned the water green-ish. didnt hurt the Jacket, it smelled the same, looked the same etc. no visible change despite the Dye washing out a little. But the machine wash will Destroy one of these easily, I have a Jacket someone literally ruined this way.