What would make the PERFECT Flying Jacket?
Talking of cold and Wessex: at Leuchars (Scotland) in the'80's our SAR cabs were fitted for heated gloves and socks! You plugged in your wired Mk3 flying jacket and trousers and dialled up the warmth required!
Very good when winching some poor unfortunate out of Gardyloo gully on the Ben when it was minus 20.
I've still got the jacket (with plug ends at the cuffs for the gloves)
Very good when winching some poor unfortunate out of Gardyloo gully on the Ben when it was minus 20.
I've still got the jacket (with plug ends at the cuffs for the gloves)
Bertie,
Lucky you! When we started playing with the Sea King in the 60+ latitudes, we found that the cabs were wired for heated gloves etc, so we managed to get a few goon suits mod'd accordingly.
Extremely embarrasing to get in the driver's seat and hunt around for the box to plug the suit into, only to find that Pusser had decided not to procure the control box under the seat as part of the wiring system
Lucky you! When we started playing with the Sea King in the 60+ latitudes, we found that the cabs were wired for heated gloves etc, so we managed to get a few goon suits mod'd accordingly.
Extremely embarrasing to get in the driver's seat and hunt around for the box to plug the suit into, only to find that Pusser had decided not to procure the control box under the seat as part of the wiring system
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I never saw this thread before.
I have had two jackets - the Mk3 in Mil days and my own UK police style leather jacket.
The Mk3 suited me very well apart from being green and looked a bit Compo. (I can't say it was the warmest in really cold weather either).
The leather one is too heavy for cool but non-wintery weather. I would have preferred it to be a lighter build with a zip out liner. But it looks the bolleaux.
Better ventilation under the armpit on both would be an improvement.
I hate badges these days and will not where them on a jacket but I am supposed to wear the tabs.
Many airports insist upon high vis jackets which look naff anywhere else so I would like a very light high reflective waistcoat that folds tiny into a pocket in the jacket but can be pulled out and donned over the top easily.
I would like lots of pockets of variable size particularly inside. Some will work better than others depending on straps and LSJ etc.
Anyone else, like me, who uses those cuff velcro tabs on the Mk3 and flying suits to rub the chino/water soluble scrawlings off the kneepad? Why is there never a cloth when you need one!
But anyway - where are we with the new "Rotorheads" jacket?
I have had two jackets - the Mk3 in Mil days and my own UK police style leather jacket.
The Mk3 suited me very well apart from being green and looked a bit Compo. (I can't say it was the warmest in really cold weather either).
The leather one is too heavy for cool but non-wintery weather. I would have preferred it to be a lighter build with a zip out liner. But it looks the bolleaux.
Better ventilation under the armpit on both would be an improvement.
I hate badges these days and will not where them on a jacket but I am supposed to wear the tabs.
Many airports insist upon high vis jackets which look naff anywhere else so I would like a very light high reflective waistcoat that folds tiny into a pocket in the jacket but can be pulled out and donned over the top easily.
I would like lots of pockets of variable size particularly inside. Some will work better than others depending on straps and LSJ etc.
Anyone else, like me, who uses those cuff velcro tabs on the Mk3 and flying suits to rub the chino/water soluble scrawlings off the kneepad? Why is there never a cloth when you need one!
But anyway - where are we with the new "Rotorheads" jacket?
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I still have an old Mk3 jacket, just the job, it would be great in a few different colours! I have two leather jackets and the only comment I have, and this goes for most flying suits aswell, is that the manufacturers always insist on stiching the arm pen pocket right into your elbow joint! It needs moving up a bit and slightly back to stop it from being annoying.
One leather jacket I have has elasticuffs which are so bloody tight I gave up wearing it, shame 'cos it cost a fortune.
Heavy zipped pockets can be annoying when it's really cold because you end up taking half your skin off when you put your hand in
Rick
One leather jacket I have has elasticuffs which are so bloody tight I gave up wearing it, shame 'cos it cost a fortune.
Heavy zipped pockets can be annoying when it's really cold because you end up taking half your skin off when you put your hand in
Rick
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The lovely Claire from RFD Beaufort was canvassing Police crew's opinions on a cold weather jacket on their stand at Heletech, so maybe there will be a civvy Mk 3 in the pipeline too?
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Was thinking of moving this back to the top myself...again. Also wondering if anything has come up?
Mrs. Topp decided I needed a new flying jacket, as mine is someone grubby. VERY grubby. I couldn't decide what to get, so referred her to this thread. She's going to make me one, based on Mk3, with any adjustments I'd like. Will post a piccy once its done. My only problem is that I can't decide on a colour.
Mrs. Topp decided I needed a new flying jacket, as mine is someone grubby. VERY grubby. I couldn't decide what to get, so referred her to this thread. She's going to make me one, based on Mk3, with any adjustments I'd like. Will post a piccy once its done. My only problem is that I can't decide on a colour.
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Jacket
Best flying jacket ever is the US military CWU 45P.
A Google will find scores of sites selling this classic.
The CWU 45P dates from the 70's. Many copy it in blue and also in leather.
Transair do something similar in blue I recall?
Mine, a green Nomex original, is now very tatty. An unissued surplus item costs IRO $275. I have one coming! If medium is your size then Mart Aviation should still have a few left.
So.....
A civilianised version of this jacket, say, in the same fabric/ weight as the excellent Timberland lightweight golfing(?) jackets.
And perlease...no pilots wings on the breast. Ugh.....
Hairyplane.
A Google will find scores of sites selling this classic.
The CWU 45P dates from the 70's. Many copy it in blue and also in leather.
Transair do something similar in blue I recall?
Mine, a green Nomex original, is now very tatty. An unissued surplus item costs IRO $275. I have one coming! If medium is your size then Mart Aviation should still have a few left.
So.....
A civilianised version of this jacket, say, in the same fabric/ weight as the excellent Timberland lightweight golfing(?) jackets.
And perlease...no pilots wings on the breast. Ugh.....
Hairyplane.
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Any ideas on where I could source MK3?
I missed this thread 1st time around and have now followed it with interest now it's getting a little chilly up here, and I'd like to check out the RAF mk3 jacket.
Have looked on the interweb but can only find UK suppliers....
Anyone know a US vendor for these, new or previously owned?
Cheers
Have looked on the interweb but can only find UK suppliers....
Anyone know a US vendor for these, new or previously owned?
Cheers
With regard to the cut, a good coat needs to be long enough to cover the waist/kidney area while seated. A freezing waist area while flying with the doors off mustering etc is a huge problem. It also needs to be thin enough to prevent discomfort while strapped in & trying to lean out the door to see the sling load. I've also had problems with "bomber jackets" having a rough collar, & after a while looking out the door at said sling loads I get a chafed neck. If you come up with a winner I'd suggest advertising in the mustering/Ag/outback market as all of our flying is with the doors off, & a good coat is worth it's weight in gold. Good luck.
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The CWU-45/P is a nice jacket, but waaaay too short. Elastic knit waist rides up too much. That, and it soaks up water like a sponge.
Highfinal: nope, noone on this side of the pond carries the Mk3. Apparently Alpha made a copy, but I've never been able to find reference from them, only the occasional rare listing on ebay.
Another option is the Canadian Mk4 winter-weight, which has basically the same cut as Brit Mk3. Much, much warmer too. It does, however, have a natty fake-real fur collar (which can be removed on the newer version. Great piece of kit. With a new gore-tex/nomex version being issued, the original cotton/wool ones are becoming readily available, just check out ebay.
For southern climbs heliduck, the Canuck intermediate jacket is excellent. We call it intermediate, but its about the same weight as the brit Mk3. Velcro tabs on the waist, not elastic, keeps the jacket from riding up. Long enough so it covers the kidneys nicely. For those who like extra pockets, it can't be beat. Two on each arm, one upper, one lower. Two inner pockets, plus two front slash pockets. Apparently, surplus guys here sell quite a few to helo types in Hawaii!
One guy on Ebay sells alot, though he has nothing up at the mo'. Just look for "aa-surplus", or search "canadian military".
MKIV from ebay
Lightweight (color on surplus are normally AF blue, like buddies wedge cap).
Highfinal: nope, noone on this side of the pond carries the Mk3. Apparently Alpha made a copy, but I've never been able to find reference from them, only the occasional rare listing on ebay.
Another option is the Canadian Mk4 winter-weight, which has basically the same cut as Brit Mk3. Much, much warmer too. It does, however, have a natty fake-real fur collar (which can be removed on the newer version. Great piece of kit. With a new gore-tex/nomex version being issued, the original cotton/wool ones are becoming readily available, just check out ebay.
For southern climbs heliduck, the Canuck intermediate jacket is excellent. We call it intermediate, but its about the same weight as the brit Mk3. Velcro tabs on the waist, not elastic, keeps the jacket from riding up. Long enough so it covers the kidneys nicely. For those who like extra pockets, it can't be beat. Two on each arm, one upper, one lower. Two inner pockets, plus two front slash pockets. Apparently, surplus guys here sell quite a few to helo types in Hawaii!
One guy on Ebay sells alot, though he has nothing up at the mo'. Just look for "aa-surplus", or search "canadian military".
MKIV from ebay
Lightweight (color on surplus are normally AF blue, like buddies wedge cap).
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Mart Aviation
I mentioned Mart Aviation earlier. They only have small sizes in stock - the last of a bulk purchase.
These are great jackets. If you dont need anything bigger than a medium, grab one quick. If you find a genuine XL in the UK, please let me know.
BTW - does anybody know the real purpose of the zipper pocket on the sleeve ( in some flying suits too)? Ever wondered what the hell you put in there?
It was designed to hold cigarettes!
Pen pockets - I think these were also designed to hold short wax pencils ( Chinagraphs to you and me) hence the little plastic 'cap' sewn into the bottom of each of the 2 pen holders. These are too narrow for anything wider than the classic biro.
For those who need reading glasses in the cockpit...
I have modded the sleeve zipper pocket to allow my narrow reading glasses tube to fit behind the zipper pocket ie by slitting the thread that joins the pocket to the sleeve. Works a treat.
So... As we dont really need a fag pocket, use fatter pens these days and maybe like to stick our readers somewhere...
The sleeve pocket could be modded accordingly. Its pretty useless as is.
It needs to be deeper, with a top- entry pocket and capable of accomodating standard length pens, thus preventing them snagging on the belts.
Make a modern 'civilian' version of the CWU - in a decent modern fabric and thus more like a casual jacket - and I'll buy one.
As it is, the cheap modern repros currently on the market dont float my boat.
All the best
Hairyplane
These are great jackets. If you dont need anything bigger than a medium, grab one quick. If you find a genuine XL in the UK, please let me know.
BTW - does anybody know the real purpose of the zipper pocket on the sleeve ( in some flying suits too)? Ever wondered what the hell you put in there?
It was designed to hold cigarettes!
Pen pockets - I think these were also designed to hold short wax pencils ( Chinagraphs to you and me) hence the little plastic 'cap' sewn into the bottom of each of the 2 pen holders. These are too narrow for anything wider than the classic biro.
For those who need reading glasses in the cockpit...
I have modded the sleeve zipper pocket to allow my narrow reading glasses tube to fit behind the zipper pocket ie by slitting the thread that joins the pocket to the sleeve. Works a treat.
So... As we dont really need a fag pocket, use fatter pens these days and maybe like to stick our readers somewhere...
The sleeve pocket could be modded accordingly. Its pretty useless as is.
It needs to be deeper, with a top- entry pocket and capable of accomodating standard length pens, thus preventing them snagging on the belts.
Make a modern 'civilian' version of the CWU - in a decent modern fabric and thus more like a casual jacket - and I'll buy one.
As it is, the cheap modern repros currently on the market dont float my boat.
All the best
Hairyplane
I think this Pilotenjacke covers a lot of the requirements given above.
I haven't got one, yet, but at that price I'm happy to try one and report back. Even if it is likely to be a shabby polyester nightmare.
I'll be comparing it against:
My Irvin - feels and looks like the most beautiful thing ever created betwixt sheep and man (don't go there) but you look a prat if you're getting out of anything with an enclosed cockpit or newer than a Hurricane.
Issue Leather jacket - Nice and warm with most of the pockets you'd need; but rather bulky.
My old issue Mk3 Cold Weather Jacket - Looks like an oily rag but ticks most other boxes.
AFE flying jacket - looks okay (just okay) but is short on pockets and hoods for walkrounds.
Alpha copy of the Mk3 - still looks a bit iffy and has buttons the size of dinner plates.
CWU - sad spotter gear if you didn't arrive in an F-15.
Beaufort copy of Mk3 - might be blue but still looks crap.
USN leather jacket - too short.
Very old civvy leather jacket - actually quite good but short on pockets and hoods.
A tatty old fleece - as for civvy leather jacket.
Canadian summer weight jacket - can't really fault it but it is summer weight.
Yes, I have acquired all of the above at some point in the last twenty-odd years and, despite that, the search goes on.
If the link doesn't work for you try item #7568605477
I haven't got one, yet, but at that price I'm happy to try one and report back. Even if it is likely to be a shabby polyester nightmare.
I'll be comparing it against:
My Irvin - feels and looks like the most beautiful thing ever created betwixt sheep and man (don't go there) but you look a prat if you're getting out of anything with an enclosed cockpit or newer than a Hurricane.
Issue Leather jacket - Nice and warm with most of the pockets you'd need; but rather bulky.
My old issue Mk3 Cold Weather Jacket - Looks like an oily rag but ticks most other boxes.
AFE flying jacket - looks okay (just okay) but is short on pockets and hoods for walkrounds.
Alpha copy of the Mk3 - still looks a bit iffy and has buttons the size of dinner plates.
CWU - sad spotter gear if you didn't arrive in an F-15.
Beaufort copy of Mk3 - might be blue but still looks crap.
USN leather jacket - too short.
Very old civvy leather jacket - actually quite good but short on pockets and hoods.
A tatty old fleece - as for civvy leather jacket.
Canadian summer weight jacket - can't really fault it but it is summer weight.
Yes, I have acquired all of the above at some point in the last twenty-odd years and, despite that, the search goes on.
If the link doesn't work for you try item #7568605477
Last edited by J.A.F.O.; 2nd Dec 2005 at 12:40.