USAF N-3B parkas - Let's talk about them!!

[WolfofStateSt]

The sleeves on my N3A sit just at the base of my palm with the knits down. Unfortunately, being an original, the knits have lost some elasticity. My issue is that when I raise my arms above my head, the sleeves ride down. Then, the sleeves stay stuck on whatever layer I wear underneath them. I was considering selling it and looking for a longer-sleeved variant, but I love the quality of the jacket and maker and the color. She is a beauty. I wondered if the issue doesn't lie with the sleeve length but with the cut of the arm holes. Has anyone else with an original N3A or even N3B experienced this? Like I said, the sleeve length is almost perfect, with my arms down at my sides.

Also, I heard that before they started making these in Sage, they were made in a Gray color. Is that just a shade of Sage?

 

[Jon Crow]

The sleeves on my N3A sit just at the base of my palm with the knits down. Unfortunately, being an original, the knits have lost some elasticity. My issue is that when I raise my arms above my head, the sleeves ride down. Then, the sleeves stay stuck on whatever layer I wear underneath them. I was considering selling it and looking for a longer-sleeved variant, but I love the quality of the jacket and maker and the color. She is a beauty. I wondered if the issue doesn't lie with the sleeve length but with the cut of the arm holes. Has anyone else with an original N3A or even N3B experienced this? Like I said, the sleeve length is almost perfect, with my arms down at my sides.

Also, I heard that before they started making these in Sage, they were made in a Gray color. Is that just a shade of Sage?

I saw a nice one the other day made by Corinth mfg contract since 1943 Corinth mississippi

 

[Jon Crow]

I saw a nice one the other day made by Corinth mfg contract since 1943 Corinth mississippi

 

[bn1966]

The sleeves on my N3A sit just at the base of my palm with the knits down. Unfortunately, being an original, the knits have lost some elasticity. My issue is that when I raise my arms above my head, the sleeves ride down. Then, the sleeves stay stuck on whatever layer I wear underneath them. I was considering selling it and looking for a longer-sleeved variant, but I love the quality of the jacket and maker and the color. She is a beauty. I wondered if the issue doesn't lie with the sleeve length but with the cut of the arm holes. Has anyone else with an original N3A or even N3B experienced this? Like I said, the sleeve length is almost perfect, with my arms down at my sides.

Also, I heard that before they started making these in Sage, they were made in a Gray color. Is that just a shade of Sage?

Is it worth getting the knits replaced? MASH Japan do some great replacements. Just had one nylon jacket treated to new knits & about to get a second sorted.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Is it worth getting the knits replaced? MASH Japan do some great replacements. Just had one nylon jacket treated to new knits & about to get a second sorted.

Yes if it is cheaper than getting a Bronson or Real McCoy parka. Would prefer a place in the US to do the replacement, it can be a pain to send stuff off to Japan and back.


So any body knows of any quality knit replacers in the US please tell me. I love Real McCoys I would like to go a while without purchasing any new jackets.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I’ve recently got an Albert Turner repro N3B in size Medium, and the P2P and hem is 29” wide. Very big versus the already big N3A in same size Medium. Sleeves are also on the shorter side but that could be the shrinking wool. Very cool design, I will stand out in a sea of Arc’teryx Canada Goose parkas for sure with this one.

The sleeves on military spec N3 parkas are short, while the chests are wide. Great fit for short, well-fed people; bad fit for tall, skinny people.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Yes if it is cheaper than getting a Bronson or Real McCoy parka. Would prefer a place in the US to do the replacement, it can be a pain to send stuff off to Japan and back.


So any body knows of any quality knit replacers in the US please tell me. I love Real McCoys I would like to go a while without purchasing any new jackets.

Idk if the sleeves on this are too short ‍

 

[WolfofStateSt]

C.H. Mashland and Sons N-3A MIL-J6279 size Medium 26" P2P
REED N-3A MIL-J6279 size Medium 26" P2P
View attachment 668802
View attachment 668803
I have the early 2000s repro version by RMC, and also in medium and also 26" P2P.
There is external waist cinch to bring thing in together. Very cool jacket design.
View attachment 668804 View attachment 668805 View attachment 668806 View attachment 668807
coat length is 31"

What is your sleeves measurements and the sleeve measurements on the RM?

 

[bn1966]

Yes if it is cheaper than getting a Bronson or Real McCoy parka. Would prefer a place in the US to do the replacement, it can be a pain to send stuff off to Japan and back.


So any body knows of any quality knit replacers in the US please tell me. I love Real McCoys I would like to go a while without purchasing any new jackets.

I order my knits from MASH but found a very skilled tailor near where I live who does the work of replacing knits at a cheap price for me

 

[Jon Crow]

I order my knits from MASH but found a very skilled tailor near where I live who does the work of replacing knits at a cheap price for me

I also have ordered Mash knits for A2 jackets, my local tailor did a good job putting them on, can't go wrong with Mash

 

[bn1966]

Well, my latest set of knits arrived from MASH this morning and that’s about a week from ordering to door …. pretty good for small airmail package Japan to UK. Full set of knits for a repro early MA-1.

 

[Jon Crow]

Well, my latest set of knits arrived from MASH this morning and that’s about a week from ordering to door …. pretty good for small airmail package Japan to UK. Full set of knits for a repro early MA-1.

Always a good deal from Mash, last set I got was rust red knits, look the business

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Always a good deal from Mash, last set I got was rust red knits, look the business

What do their knits cost?

 

[Jon Crow]

What do their knits cost?

4300 yen

 

[Jon Crow]

What do their knits cost?

Just the cuffs like for parka 1800

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Just the cuffs like for parka 1800

$1800?

 

[Jon Crow]

$1800?

Japanese Yen haha

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Japanese Yen haha

So like $12

 

[Jon Crow]

So like $12

Yep

 

[Canuck Panda]

What is your sleeves measurements and the sleeve measurements on the RM?

The N3A nape (center back to end of cuff along the curve) is 33" before the knits, knits is about 2.5" to 3" but wears shorter.
The N3B nape is 35.5", so about the same as the N3A but nylon sleeve all the way and no exposed knits.
The nape sleeve length on these parkas are not long. I wear dress shirts with 34.5" to 35" nape length and these parka feels short to me but tolerable. You're a taller dude and need longer sleeve length like Iron Heart fits or other motorcycle brands that does the longer sleeves, I believe their nape sleeve length is at least 36" or longer.
N3A Medium

N3B Medium

I think with size Large you get another 1/2" in sleeve length but the body can be over 30" P2P depending on contract.
Both parkas has black leather trims on them, and I am thinking of adding leather cuff extensions to both so I get a bit more sleeve length... We will see...