To bi-swing back or not to bi-swing back?

[FredS]

So don't all Bi-swingback jackets have an elastic band in them? Are there jackets with an elasticless bi-swingback and does this work equally well? I don't like the idea of the elastic band as it seems to me it could be the jackets weak spot. After a while the elastic might loose it's original stretch or even snap. On the Schott leather jacket site there is a case where this happened.
http://www.schottnyc.com/forum/posts/biflex_problems.htm?

 

[ButteMT61]

None of mine have any elastic. Thank goodness

 

[FredS]

None of mine have any elastic. Thank goodness

Ok and no problems such as the "famous" bat-winging?

 

[Dinerman]

None of mine have any elastic. Thank goodness

Many of the originals did.

 

[Fanch]

I love it on my Aero ANJ-3. All pluses, no cons.

Stand By, do you have any pictures of your ANJ-3? My personal experience with a couple of G-1's is the much better freedom of movement with the combination of bi-swing back and gusseted underarms than with A-2 jackets.

 

[Sloan1874]

My bi-swing has not a stitch of elastic in it, and it works a treat. I think the bat-wing problem only arises if the jacket doesn't fit properly, usually if it's too small for the wearer and it puffs out.

 

[ButteMT61]

Ok and no problems such as the "famous" bat-winging?

None of that. You have to have reasonable expectations though as to being able to lift your arms. Great slim fit or more room and some excess.
Gussets can help bat wing. But bi swing is different there.

 

[Stand By]

Stand By, do you have any pictures of your ANJ-3? My personal experience with a couple of G-1's is the much better freedom of movement with the combination of bi-swing back and gusseted underarms than with A-2 jackets.

Yes, but only the photos of my original posting and I didn't have any taken from the back - will try to remedy that for you as soon as I can.

 

[Stand By]

The only photos I have are still here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?71410-My-Aero-ANJ-3

Will add a few more of the back panel etc the next time I wear it to work (I normally ride mountain bikes in all weathers, all year 'round to and from work, so I'm in modern MTB-tech gear - so not so easy to get photos of me in my leather!)

 

[Stand By]

Stand By, do you have any pictures of your ANJ-3? My personal experience with a couple of G-1's is the much better freedom of movement with the combination of bi-swing back and gusseted underarms than with A-2 jackets.

As requested, here you go, Fanch.
I got a pal to take these yesterday after a very cold boat ride out on Stoney Lake, ON - she was just snapping away and said "Give me an action picture!" - so I did my best "Bale the f*ck out NOW!" pose. No prizes for guessing which one it is.
Anyway, I tried to do as many poses as possible to give you (and anyone else who's interested) as good an idea as possible of how the bi-swing back on my ANJ-3 looks in a variety of movements.
I also included one of the chestnut brown liner - it's very neat and tailored on the inside.

 

[Fanch]

Stand By those are great pics of the ANJ. Thanks for alerting me and for sharing. :thumb:

 

[Stand By]

My pleasure, Fanch. In fact, it's been good to see these pictures myself as I'd no real idea of how it looked from behind - and I'd already decided to paint on the back panel and, from eBay, I just recently received an original leaf of an Esquire calendar from September 1952 (for reference) to copy the pin-up girl and the template for her and the lettering is already done ... but looking at the photos my friend took, I'm suddenly second-guessing myself and wondering whether to just leave it as-is !?! Hmmm....

 

[Crinkle]

I've been wondering about the biswing backs for a while, this thread answered a lot!

Just wondering if anyone could clarify, does the bi-swing only make a difference only if the jacket is zipped up or do you notice it with the jacket unzipped as well? And is it more of a difference on shorter jackets than longer jackets? Would it even make sense on a longer jacket?

 

[ButteMT61]

I've got long coats with variations on the bi-swing. I love it. And it does help zipped, or not.

 

[Stand By]

I've been wondering about the biswing backs for a while, this thread answered a lot!

Just wondering if anyone could clarify, does the bi-swing only make a difference only if the jacket is zipped up or do you notice it with the jacket unzipped as well? ?

The bi-swing design feels great if the jacket is fully zipped, partially zipped or completely undone - it makes no difference. All you'd notice is the extra ease of movement and comfort. Period.

 

[bn1966]

I have just scored an early Propper International Nomex CWU 36-P Flight Jacket with 'bi-swing back'. I love everything about the jacket apart from the 'elastic band' across the back which is all too evident during certain movement ranges.

 

[MuyJingo]

Quick question regarding elastic out of curiosity...if a bi-swing design uses elastic, will it still be functional without the elastic? If not, what would be an alternative?

 

[Highwaymanman]

Quick question regarding elastic out of curiosity...if a bi-swing design uses elastic, will it still be functional without the elastic? If not, what would be an alternative?

No, it'll flap out.

 

[MuyJingo]

No, it'll flap out.

There are people in the thread though saying their bi-swing backs have no elastic.

 

[Sloan1874]

My bi-swing has no discernible elastic in it and works brilliantly - no bat-wings in sight. [huh]