Were Redskin B-3s only 2 panel backs?

[Xopher]

This is a really dumb question but...

Were the original Redskin B-3s only 2 piece backs or did they make them with 3 panel backs too?

and

Did all 2 panel back B-3s have the little triangle hip gusset or were there 2 panel backs that had the late war configuration where there was no triangle hip gusset under the belts?

Aero offers both 2 and 3 panel back options for B-3 but neither have the triangle hip gusset, would that be historically accurate?

 

[mr_lits]

Really tended to be dictated by contract. Early contracts (prewar and early war) were two panel backs and were mostly redskin (in a range of tones and finishes varying from rusty orange to dark burgundy purple). As budgets got tighter they refined the pattern (in 1942 I believe) to a three panel back right around the same time they switched to darker finish. I can not say I have ever seen a three panel back redskin but conversely I have seen two panel back seal brown finish models.

Same goes for the waist gussets. Early models have the triangles or none at all and some models (43 HLB contract is a good example) had an added full panel going up the sides under the arms.

First photo is an early war Roughwear show a good bit of variety of redskin panels.

Second photo is the back of the 1943 HLB contract, typical three panel back with full underarm gusset panels.

The Third photo breaks all the rules though. It is a 1937 whiteskin (one of the oldest examples I have come across) It has no gussets on the sides, just a seam where the front panel meets the back panel and the waist strap. Of note as well, it also has a three panel back.

 

[Xopher]

Wow, those are really cool! So its looking like darn near any combination was possible.
Im very intrigued by the whiteskin B3. Do you have more photos and information on that?

 

[mr_lits]

Sure, I have three known contracts for the whiteskins.

The original 1930s Werber pattern (photo 1&2) had no arm reinforcements, a different gusseting in the armpits (more like an RAF Irvin) and it was a two piece back pattern. This is the only photos I have seen of a surviving example.

The next I found is the "No Name" contract from 1937 listed in the above post (picts 3&4).

And the last one I know of was the Scott Field Air Depot (SFAD) contract (photos 5&6). Very distinct contract. Instead of a label on the inside, the contract makers marks are stamped into the collar leather belt. Notable is the buckle on the chest for securing the wind flap. Eastman Leather offers a pretty nice repro: http://www.eastmanleather.com/type-1937-sfad-merino-fleece-p-289.html

As for other whiteskin B3s Im sure they exist I am only citing which contracts I can confirm via my database.

I personally have a Real McCoy New Zealand repro of the 1937 contract which is one of the nicest jackets I own. Unfortunately they are not currently producing anymore. Really too bad they were one of the finest producers of shearling repros out there. http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/rmcnz-b3-whiteskin.87638/#post-2149987

 

[aswatland]

This is an excellent Mr Lits. Having handled many pre-War B-3 redskins most had the two piece back and triangular waist gussets. There was at least one more undyed B-3 contract, the 36-1154-P from the 1936 fiscal year.