Buzz Rickson USAF MA-1 Flying Jacket, 1963 "D" Spec.
The MA-1 Flight Jacket's lightweight construction, comfortable non-bulky warmth and natural good looks made this style an instant success with aircrew at bases around the world, as well as with anyone who could beg, borrow or steal one of these coveted gems. It was intended for wear in climates between 25 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, thus ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter. The popularity of MA-1 Flight Jacket series produced one of the longest continued service careers of any flight jacket in the history of the USAF. The MA-1 Flight Jacket would see combat life during the Cold War and Vietnam War, as well as in fashion life that, in many forms and colors, continues to this day.
Two snap-down exterior pockets lined with warm 80/20 wool-rayon fabric precisely matching 1963 USAF specs.
Two snap-down interior pockets lined with heavy all-cotton twill fabric precisely matching 1963 USAF specs.
Sizes: XS – XXL. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
The U. S. Army Air Force Type B-15A Intermediate Flying Jacket was developed as a replacement for the earlier B-15 Flying Jacket, being officially standardized in November 1944. The B-15A incorporated a few additional features found to be necessary from combat experience with the B-15 jacket, those features being two triangle-shaped leather patches on each breast for clipping the oxygen mask hose to, a larger pencil pocket on the left sleeve and two snap-down tabs on each breast for retaining the wiring leads from the microphone and headset. Other than these three new features, the B-15A was identical to the B-15.
The designation of "mod." stands for modified, meaning the B-15 Flight Jacket has been "modified" by a USAF Materiel Command Depot in accordance with a USAF directive of 1954. The directive called for all of the types of B-15 Flight Jackets on issue or in stock to be "modified," whereupon the factory-installed fur collar was to be removed and a wool knit collar installed in its place. This modification was intended to reduce the flight jacket's flammability that was considered greater with a fur collar in place. B-15 Flight Jackets so modified were to have a new label indicating this new "modified" status sewn either directly over the original factory label or located somewhere under the original label. The label information could be printed, typed, hand written or applied with a stencil or ink stamp on any available fabric. Since the modification was performed after the jacket was originally made, it is typical to find the thread color around the collar area not matching the thread that assembled the B-15 Flight Jacket, and it is also common to find the new knit collar color to be in a shade that doesn't quite match the knit on the rest of the jacket. In all other ways, the flight jacket remained a B-15 Flight Jacket of whatever spec. it was originally - B-15A, B-15B, B-15C or B-15D.
Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave three-ply combed-cotton Olive Drab twill outer shell to precisely match 1944 USAAF specs.
Two snap-down exterior pockets lined with warm, all-cotton, heavy corduroy fabric precisely matching 1944 USAAF specs.
Two snap-down interior pockets lined with heavy all-cotton twill fabric, precisely matching 1943 USAAF specs.
Exact copy of a 1944 blackened-brass vintage zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton.
Sizes available: 36-44. Fit is true to slightly generous. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
The U. S. Navy's Hook-Front Deck Jacket from 1943 remains a classic. Just as with Buzz Rickson's Heavyweight, Non-Stenciled N-1 Deck Jackets, this style has been meticulously and precisely copied from vintage examples in every way, with the exception of not printing the "U. S. NAVY" text on the jacket's back. All of these Buzz Rickson deck jackets utilize the same period-correct, heavyweight, corded-cotton fabric found on the heavyweight N-1 jacket, but blue is the only color the hook-front style was originally made in. In every other way, this is a jacket style that is faithful to the original design and materials utilized.
Buzz Rickson's philosophy is always to reproduce an item as authentically as humanly possible, which means utilizing the original machinery of the era and making the item so it doesn't just look the part, but producing the item so it can actually function in the same way the original item was intended, thus Buzz Rickson's is never engaged in making costumes; they are engaged in recreating rugged, functional history! A cellulose plastic inner liner is sandwiched between the corded-cotton outer fabric and the blanket-wool lining to help keep cold winds from penetrating to the wearer's body, and heavy, military bar tacks are sewn at every key stress point specified and found on the original deck jackets, thus pocket corners and storm flap are constructed to function and endure in the same adverse, challenging conditions of combat that the jackets produced back in 1943 so did.
Sizes available: 36-44 Regular in even-numbered sizes. The cut is generous, thus enabling us to comfortably fit chest measures up to 46" or even 48" with size 44. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
The U. S. Navy's Hook-Front Deck Jacket from 1943 remains a classic. Just as with Buzz Rickson's Heavyweight, Non-Stenciled N-1 Deck Jackets, this style has been meticulously and precisely copied from vintage examples in every way, with the exception of not printing the "U. S. NAVY" text on the jacket's back. All of these Buzz Rickson deck jackets utilize the same correct heavyweight, corded-cotton fabric found on the heavyweight N-1. However, unlike the N-1, in this specific model the use of the fabric in so-called khaki is a fantasy since this style was only originally produced in dark blue, but the design team at Buzz Rickson's thought offering this color choice would be warmly received. In every other way, this is a jacket style that is faithful to the original design and materials utilized.
The Buzz Rickson design team has taken a vintage flying jacket design that was one of many civilian styles of the late 1920s and early 1930s, most of which were similar in appearance to the A-1 Jacket of U. S. Air Corps fame and likely produced in a finished horsehide, cowhide or sheepskin, and given the style a hide finish that is contemporary and likely not offered by any other manufacturer to date, thus we introduce Buzz Rickson's nubuck horsehide!
Horeshide has long been cherished for its durability and related equine prowess. Nubuck leathers combine the natural great looks of suede but with the durability and more of the soil resistance associated with finished leathers and not associated with suede. Classic suede is made from the softer, less durable flesh side of an animal's hide, while nubuck is made from the hide's exterior skin and NOT its flesh side, hence the skin side is far more durable and much less prone to soiling and much more easily cleaned. The exterior skin is what is typically finished smooth and dyed to craft leather goods from, but by sanding this same side of the leather, the tannery is able to produce the beauty of suede but with a finer texture and far greater durability – the type of long-term durability one normally associates with the skin side of finished leather.
This Buzz Rickson's nubuck horsehide jacket is crafted from the finest vegetable-tanned horsehide imported from Italy; Italy is renowned for producing most of the best vegetable-tanned horsehide in the world. The hides are all 1.3 mm in thickness, and after tanning they are finely sanded and turned into nubuck horsehide to give the end user a jacket that is as unique as it is good looking and durable.
Even sizes 38-42 Regular. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Clearance Blowout Sale - Last Few Left - Regular price was $3, 250.00, now sold at actual cost! Prices will NOT get any lower on this once-only production!!!
This style combines the original features of the USAAF B-7 Hooded Flying Jacket with styling and tailoring from Buzz Rickson's William Gibson Collection. The original standards of quality and material types have been strictly adhered to by Buzz Rickson's with a distinct slant toward supreme luxury and durability, of course, and you have William Gibson's personal approval of each item in the collection.
The original B-7 was designed for use in Alaska and other Arctic-like areas, but the designers at Buzz Rickson's determined that offering something for climates that are seriously cold, yet not as severely cold as those for which the B-7 was originally intended would yield a more versatile, marketable jacket while still offering profound insulation, cold-weather resistance, and unparalleled luxury.
A sleeker fit has been incorporated in this B-7 vs. the original B-7 design, whereby the armholes have been raised slightly higher, the sleeves more tapered, and the body greatly slimmed down vs. the full cut of the original design. Additionally, the jacket's length has been shortened and the depth of luxurious sheep's wool reduced to ½" vs. the 1" found in the original jacket. The fit is sensibly tailored to still allow for some layering (which is not likely needed for most of the world), yet also stylish.
The B-7 design is particularly renowned for its hood, which is lavishly trimmed in very expensive, luxurious, genuine coyote fur dyed jet black; coyote and wolf fur are test proven to be the best material to use for wicking away moisture that may freeze on the trim of hooded jackets intended for wear in snowy conditions. And when the drawstring is pulled securely and the latch secured at the throat, only a minimal portion of the wearer's face is exposed, thus completely sealing the wearer in warmth and keeping out snow, moisture and winds.
Of course, the Merino sheep's wool, coyote fur, and the water-resistant lacquer core seal applied to the exterior is jet black and dyed all of the way through for color retention even after years of wear and use. And Vegetable-tanned, aniline-dyed horsehide imported from Italy is used for the exterior pockets, throat latch, and all seem taping.
This Buzz Rickson William Gibson B-7 is a masterpiece of wearable jacket art crafted in sumptuous Merino sheepskin. Wear this on your winter forays on the job, to the opera, or for your conference with Vladimir at the Kremlin.
This is yet another stylish, utilitarian item of clothing from the Buzz Rickson William Gibson Collection. The outer shell is crafted from a superb back satin and the inner fill is 100% spun polyester of the same type used in manufacturing the famous U. S. Army M-65 Field Jacket removable liners, making this vest is an ideal winter companion for wear on its own over shirts or sweaters, or as an extra layer of high insulation under a jacket.
Buzz Rickson's brand is renowned for producing truly standout copies of the famous G-1 Flying Jacket and they really went over the top on this gem! This limited-edition style combines the original features of the U. S. Navy G-1 Intermediate Flying Jacket (spec. 7823 from 1950) with styling from Buzz Rickson's William Gibson Collection. The original standards of quality and material types, except the leather type, have been strictly adhered to by Buzz Rickson's, but with a distinct slant toward supreme luxury and durability, of course, and you have William Gibson's personal approval of each item in the collection.
The leather type is really at the heart of making this jacket so supremely magnificent. G-1 jackets of the 1950's were originally produced in one of the strongest, most desirable leather types - goatskin - which was keenly sought after and which cost more than hides such as horse or steer. The designers at Buzz Rickson's wanted to match the heavy grain and durability found in vintage goatskin when planning this jacket, but without actually employing goatskin. The answer was shrunken buffalo hide!
Shrunken buffalo hide is sometimes referred to as goatskin on steroids. The hide is even tougher than goatskin, yet it remains pliable, and the grain is larger and even more coarse than what is found on goatskin. Shrunken buffalo hide is also considerably more costly than goatskin, largely because one is paying for the footage of hide that starts out before it is shrunken, then adding on the costs to perform the shrinking process, where one then has less hide to work with at a cost per square foot that then exceeds the original hide's cost per square foot. Shrinking the hide increases the grain per square inch and the strength of the hide, hence why the process is employed.
This sumptuous buffalo leather is sourced from the best leather country in the world – Italy- where a preeminent tannery selects only the best-of-the-best hides, all 3.5 ounce in weight, and fully vegetable tanned for a firm-yet-supple hand, then aniline dyed jet black for a luxurious, character-rich finish. Assembly follows original specs. using all-cotton thread, and vintage looms are used to create the heavy, rayon acetate lining. The sum of all of this is an heirloom jacket that can be handed down to the next generation - there's nothing disposable about a Buzz Rickson's leather jacket!
Two button-down exterior pockets lined with all-cotton twill precisely matching 1950 USN specs.
One snap-down interior pocket lined with heavy-weight, all-cotton duck twill precisely matching 1950 USN specs.
Even sizes 36-44 Regular. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.