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

[Jon Crow]

Spiewak, where have I heard of the company before?

The older Spiewak USA still say Spiewak New York I had a nice B10 once Spiewak USA

 

[Jon Crow]

The older Spiewak USA still say Spiewak New York I had a nice B10 once Spiewak USA

By 1906, Isaac's vests were in sufficient demand around New York for him to establish a small manufacturing space in Brooklyn, calling it "House of the Golden Fleece". The moniker "Golden Fleece" was first branded in 1919

 

[Behemott]

his is the Reed, which I am keeping, but for academic purposes will share some pictures of.

Wow! Both your N-3A's are in superb condition. I think the ''short'' sleeves were by design and meant to be worn with the heavy N-4A mittens that required enough space to cover up the wrist and forearm, longer sleeve would get in the way... just a idea from experience.

Cheers,

D

 

[WolfofStateSt]

The older Spiewak USA still say Spiewak New York I had a nice B10 once Spiewak USA

I’ve been tempted to get a B-15 but I already have so many jackets already and I already have a B-3.

 

[dannyk]

I’ve been tempted to get a B-15 but I already have so many jackets already and I already have a B-3.

A good B-10 has been on my list. The issue is the cheap ones are really cheap and the good ones are very expensive for what they are. Super nice, but nearly the cost of a brand new leather jacket. Originals are harder and harder to come by and kinda the same boat as the repros. The cheap ones are usually cheap because they are falling apart and the nice ones are expensive.

 

[Jon Crow]

A good B-10 has been on my list. The issue is the cheap ones are really cheap and the good ones are very expensive for what they are. Super nice, but nearly the cost of a brand new leather jacket. Originals are harder and harder to come by and kinda the same boat as the repros. The cheap ones are usually cheap because they are falling apart and the nice ones are expensive.

Danny I had two 80s Spiewak b10 on here once are quality

 

[dannyk]

Danny I had two 80s Spiewak b10 on here once are quality

Good to know I’ll keep my eye out for 80s Spiewaks. Add them to the shortlist of good stuff.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

A good B-10 has been on my list. The issue is the cheap ones are really cheap and the good ones are very expensive for what they are. Super nice, but nearly the cost of a brand new leather jacket. Originals are harder and harder to come by and kinda the same boat as the repros. The cheap ones are usually cheap because they are falling apart and the nice ones are expensive.

I think B-15 is much more unique and visually interesting because it has the offset zipper.

 

[Jon Crow]

Good to know I’ll keep my eye out for 80s Spiewaks. Add them to the shortlist of good stuff.

Oh their stuff is on the A list

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I’m selling my vintage 1951 N-3A Parka: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3654072934...zcal7txt8k&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Peacoat]

I’m selling my vintage 1951 N-3A Parka: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3654072934...zcal7txt8k&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

List it in the Classifieds, not here.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

List it in the Classifieds, not here.

Ok

 

[Vodzilla]

Saw several pictures in the news. Appears to be made of more nylon material

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4689/live/e989d1b0-0cb6-11f0-97e3-3568f3d0bae1.jpg.webp

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Saw several pictures in the news. Appears to be made of more nylon material

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4689/live/e989d1b0-0cb6-11f0-97e3-3568f3d0bae1.jpg.webp

The second lady is wearing a modern Alpha Industries parka, with the “red remove before flight tag.” The VP similarly seems to have a cheap repro. All the original authentic parkas I have traded and owned in green are usually a lighter, duller shade of olive drab, closer to khaki olive. Those are also pre-70s parkas, so make of that what you will.

“Alpha Industries jackets are now made primarily in China” — https://www.highsnobiety.com/tag/alpha-industries/

Maybe Vance’s coat is made in the USA. I couldn't tell from this picture; the color isn’t quite the same as his wife's.

Bartender Edit: Please be reminded of the strict 'no politics' rule we operate at TFL. Thank-you!

 

[Doctor Damage]

The VP similarly seems to have a cheap repro.

He's wearing what appears to be a Rothco, so yes.

 

[Edward]

The one on the left of the picture above doesn't look as nice a coat as the Alpha on the right. The green alpha uses these days definitely has a more grass-green hue to it than the actual military colour of old, which had a more muted and greyer-cast to it. Not east to find now (I've had no luck trying to buy a Valley Apparel MA1 since they appear to have stopped production, and the newer Alpha ones do look just a bit odd in colour). If I see one at a good price I might pick up one of the Alpha N3Bs, though in the earlier, dark navy colour (which ,yes, I know is technically an N2B, but if memory serves Alpha sell them all as N3Bs, whatever the colour). The Alphas I've handled feel nice enough - not as good as the Japanese repros, but those are rather hard to find i my size / significantly more expensive than suits me.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

He's wearing what appears to be a Rothco, so yes.

Rothco makes N3Bs? I didn’t know that, thought they only made MA1s

 

[WolfofStateSt]

The one on the left of the picture above doesn't look as nice a coat as the Alpha on the right. The green alpha uses these days definitely has a more grass-green hue to it than the actual military colour of old, which had a more muted and greyer-cast to it. Not east to find now (I've had no luck trying to buy a Valley Apparel MA1 since they appear to have stopped production, and the newer Alpha ones do look just a bit odd in colour). If I see one at a good price I might pick up one of the Alpha N3Bs, though in the earlier, dark navy colour (which ,yes, I know is technically an N2B, but if memory serves Alpha sell them all as N3Bs, whatever the colour). The Alphas I've handled feel nice enough - not as good as the Japanese repros, but those are rather hard to find i my size / significantly more expensive than suits me.

I mean, alpha still makes a decent MA-1, and the originals are just too small and short for most American men on the taller side these days.

As for N3Bs, I would look on eBay for a Skyline brand parka from the 1960s. The actual Military Surplus parkas pre-1970 cost about the same as a new Alpha Industries parka and much better built. They are absolute tanks and weigh up to 6 pounds. I have owned both an Alpha and an original N3Bs from old USAF stock. The originals are much much warmer, and the fur on the hoods is much much nicer, it’s super soft and actually real fur, which means that it will do a better job of keeping the heat in.

Even if you are against animal cruelty or whatever when it comes to using animal products in your clothes, which I feel like for a forum full of people who buy leather jackets like me unlikely, I don’t think there is anything unethical about getting a fur coat second hand. After all, your reusing a jacket that already exists and that reduces demand for new fur coats.

 

[bn1966]

Picked up a DJ Manufacturing N3B for cheap, solid, warm and well made, doesn’t see much action in the UK but thats fine, there if required.

 

[bn1966]

Modern commercial used Alpha N3Bs are cheap generally over here, some big department stores sold them for a while so easily procured from flea Bay. Picked up a USA made one in black for a song. Looks good on and reasonable construction but too light for real cold use as not much insulation