The new Eastman B-3

[paulgt3]

Well here is the new B-3, my son took the pic on my phone. Not lit well.
But even tho I am too old to wear a hip length jacket, I like it (54 Years old soon)
This is the one I was going to put the subdued patches on.

 

[wdw]

That's one fine looking jacket and a good fit. Looks great on you.

 

[53Effie]

I agree...very nice indeed.

 

[Asienizen]

That looks like a very well built jacket. It looks like you got the horse hide to match the sheepskin. I always thought the contrasting hides looked a little tacky. Nice!

Too bad the climate I live in prevents me from getting a sheepskin, I only wear my A2 two months out of the year as it is.

 

[Sloan1874]

Personally, I think it looks great the way it does - I like the way you've toned the body of the jacket with the leather - but I tend to go for the 'less-is-more' look when it comes to clothes.

I'm surprised there's even a two month window to wear a leather jackets in Vietnam! Quite honestly, given the weather up here just now - it's about -3C at the moment - I'd happily exchange my soul for a B3.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Looks great..!!
HD

 

[majormajor]

Looking good!!

 

[Asienizen]

Personally, I think it looks great the way it does - I like the way you've toned the body of the jacket with the leather - but I tend to go for the 'less-is-more' look when it comes to clothes.

I'm surprised there's even a two month window to wear a leather jackets in Vietnam! Quite honestly, given the weather up here just now - it's about -3C at the moment - I'd happily exchange my soul for a B3.

The western perspective of Vietnam is often colored by the experience of the US in the southern half of the country which is indeed tropical. The center is tropical with a cool season in the winter (15-25C); however the north around Hanoi (where I used to live) is actually subtropical. Hanoi has temperatures from 4-20C for the months of December to April. So especially in the north, people can wear jackets. In fact in the northern mountains, winter temperatures get below freezing. To every new comer's surprise, there are times and places where jackets are wearable and even needed.

Personally I cannot wear even an A2 warmer than about 24C.

 

[saucerfiend]

Perfect!!!!!

 

[Foster]

It looks great! I find the design / pattern of the B-3 adds enough character, that patches and painting seem to detract from the style of the jacket on its own. But this is just my opinion.

 

[paulgt3]

Thank you all gentlemen. I live in the mojave Desert and I have a mountain retreat in Mammoth Lakes at 8,000 feet.
I dont have to tell you it gets cold there. Even here in the Desert it gets cold from Nov through May sometimes and in the
Mountains we get 400" of snow a year. THe most of any ski resorts. I have been snowed on there every month of the year
including August. I can be 120 F in the Desert and 40 F in the mountains (at nite) But today it was 48 here. We are getting
ready to go to the mountains for Christmas and there is several feet of snow there already.
But I want to thank you guys and the forum for the guidance and help you gave me (even tho you might not have known so)
to help me find the correct one and the correct company.
Yes I got the horsehide over the sheepskin as per Eastman. It really makes the sleeves stiff but that will settle in.

So now I will wrestle with the patch idea. I would really like my airforce patches on. Funny, I spend 30 years working on
different Naval and Marine Corps programs, AV-8B (the Royal Harrier), F/A-18, Tomahawk, AMRAAM, JSOW, Joint Strike Fighter, AH-1,
NASA and GPS systems for many different programs, UAV projects and I still feel more attached to my Military service Group in the Air Force
than all the different programs I designed things for in the Navy. I could have patches all over the jacket instead of the 4 that came from
my four years of service in the Air Force. But its different when you are IN the squadron as opposed to being a civilian attatched to the program.
Weird. Like some of you said, I should just leave the jacket alone.

 

[kyboots]

Jacket is great! Would love to have one myself. John

 

[rocketeer]

But even tho I am too old to wear a hip length jacket, I like it (54 Years old soon)

What a load of B*****s, you look great in it and as you say "I Like it", you are about the same age as me, the jacket looks great so wear it.
Luckily[sic] it has been down to -7º here at night, wish I'd had my B3 last Tuesday night/wed morn. I love wearing this jacket in the winter, I dont like layers and I can just wear a 'Tee' shirt under it.
John

 

[karhu21]

The jacket looks great on you Paul, excellent fit and until Congress brings in an age restriction on flight jackets, wear it with pride.

 

[Worf]

Lookin' good, next year I'll get one, but I'm leaning towards a "Redskin" B-6. At least it's cold enough to wear one out where you are. That color B-3 would have me looking like "Bigfoot" and probably get me shot at in the woods. Sleeves and body seem the perfect length.

Worf

 

[paulgt3]

LOL Worf, You know I am into Bigfoot? Since I retired, I have been reading alot about the big fella!

Thanks John, I was just having some fun. I got to wear it at dinner last nite and its down to 50 as a high here
so here comes the cold. We go to Mammoth next week and Lots of snow and cold!
I just wore in and youre so right! Just a Tshirt and youre right perfect fit!!

Last nite I saw a real Navy G-1 from a deceased Pilot that his wife donated to the Weapons Museum here.
Beautiful Piece!

 

[paulgt3]

Karhu youre right, its only a matter of time before Congress takes my jacket and my weapons! They are already looking at my
pension!

 

[Foster]

Congress can't even pass a budget, is it reasonable to think they are organized enough to seize flight jackets?

 

[paulgt3]

Excellent Point Foster, I will sleep well tonite.

 

[karhu21]

Paul,

Now you have to start thinking about an A2 (when the weather is too warm for the B3), or how about a G1?
Time to look into the book of justifications!!!