An Expedition To Call My Own

[Ragingblues]

Look what came in the mail today.... a G&B Expedition!

These are some "fresh out of the package" photos, so please excuse the odd wrinkle here or there. I plan to take some better pictures later, along with some Wested comparison shots.

I just wanted to finally own one of these beauties for myself. This one is a dark brown lambskin and arrived in 8 business days! BTW, ordering off the website was flawless and the price has not gone up one bit. They even placed a courtesy call to make sure it arrived and everything was alright.

So, is it everything you heard it was? Is the Gibson & Barnes/Flightsuits Expedition really that nice? It really is folks.

It's much softer than the Wested goat or lambskin jackets I have. The screen accurate cut is already there, right off the rack. No fuss, no worries, just an awesome Indiana Jones jacket that really looks the part. Underarm gussets, perfect pocket size and shape, screen accurate collar stand and yoke seam, shallow pleats, higher cut sleeve sockets for better movement, black sliders, and a truly wonderful color and construction.

These are a few of the reasons an Indy fan should own the very best jacket. Much like the Adventurebilt Deluxe is the finest Raiders fedora you can buy, so is the Expedition for Raiders jackets.

As I stated above, better photos with actual gear to follow, as time allows. I just wanted to share my excitement about it right now!

Ken

[COWBOY]

WOW! What a Keeper! . When you can, let us know some key differences you notice between this and wested (besides the items listed above)..

[IndyBlues]

That is a beautiful jacket, Ken. Hard to believe how people can speak so highly of these jackets, until you have one in your possession, huh? Well, enjoy it, and as they say, wear it in good health,.......just not in this crazy heat, lol ;D
Welcome to the fold.
'Blues

[Deleted]

Hey Ken,

Glad to see you have joined the ranks of...The Few, The Proud, The Expedition Owners.

It looks exactly like mine did when it was new.

In this case it's wearing is believing.

To Qute Mike "Wear it in good health"

Cheers,
John

[Alabama Jones]

Congrats Ken! Jacket looks great and fit looks perfect.

best available IMO, totally worth the price.

[GCR]

Awesome looking jacket, Ken!!!

I've always wanted one of these beauties, myself and your pics here have certainly done nothing to help me keep that desire in check! ;D

Despite the newness and the odd wrinkle that is clearly a magnificent jacket! I can't wait to see how it looks with all your gear!

-GCR

[pastimesteve]

Isn't that a stupendous looking jacket? It looks great on you Ken! I know I love mine and have already worn the heck out of it. It was well worth the investment and is probably the only leather jacket I'll need for a long time.

Congrats on one fine looking jacket. What does your wife think?

Steve

[Ragingblues]

Thanks very much Guys!

It truly is worthy of everything you have heard about these jackets. I forgot to add that the inside of the pockets is leather as well, instead of being cloth like on the Wested. I'm not saying that like it's some kind of upgrade.... just pointing out a difference one might never hear about. I'll save a few other details for my comparison post.

Steve, actually my wife probably thinks I'm nuts, but is too sweet to say it. ;D

Seriously though, I sold a few things I didn't need... you know, the old cost cutting way to get ahead.

Many thanks guys. I can only say it's great to be in the club and not just staring with a sad face through the window from the street any longer.

Ken

[pitfallharry]

The only hiccup I see as far as ordering one myself is trying to figure out what jacket size I am. Off the rack I usually order an extra large that works just fine and my Wested doesn't have a size tag in it.

So the price on the site IS the correct price for the jackets?

I've been thinking a lot lately about the jackets.....especially after my little "problem" that developed with my Wested and I've been thinking about just getting the cash together and getting one of these. Seeing yours now just gave me the nudge I needed.

These jackets really seem like they're "built to last..." like a certain hat and they just look great.

Well, here's something else to help motivate me while I'm on the job working.


Congrats , RB

[Ragingblues]

Thanks Pitfall! It's a mighty fine jacket, I must say.

Here's the sizing chart from their website:

www.flightsuits.com/leather_sizes.html

Just take your own measurements to see how they match up, or use the base jacket size you gave for your Wested as a good start. I know you are still in the thinking phase right now, and have to put away some money too. But, this could help you plan. As fas as size worries go, there aren't any. It's the exact opposite of buying a custom made jacket. You just pick your size and push the order button, it's that simple. If for some reason it doesn't fit right, you can return it and re-order. Indy Blues did that, as a matter of fact.

And yes, the price remains unchanged... despite the news that was delivered over the phone to someone several months ago.

Thanks again guys,

Ken

[pitfallharry]

That's good to know, RB. I love it when they make ordering gear that easy. I don't like to hassle with a lot of this stuff. I guess I'm lazy. ;D

That's one of the reasons I like Hatsdirect so much. Despite some SA issues with the Feds I love being able to just pick the hat size order and then get it in a week.

Now that's not a jab at any of the other vendors out there.....If you want the best you have to be patient and wait......especially when it comes to the hat.

I'm wondering if the price will go up on these once the movie hits the theaters next year? Maybe I should try to get one of these first.......Dang.....If I just had $1000 bucks I'd order both this jacket and an ABD.

I guess it's finally time to put one of the kids up for sale on Ebay... ;D

[conceitedape]

Ken, that is niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!

[Kaplan]

Ken, that jacket made me get my wallet out. I talked myself down though. ;D I can't wait to see pics of that baby broken in.

EDIT: One question, do they have the collar meeting the stormflap halfway? It's hard to tell from the pics.

[Jorenz]

That really is a good looking jacket Ken. And of course, you wear it well.

[GCR]

Well Ken, you've gone and done it now. I've been thinking about picking up a G&B for a while myself, put these awesome pics have pushed me over the edge! I've taken the plunge and placed an order of my own...it's all your fault! ;D

Well, you and G-MANN and IB and PastimeSteve and all those other guys out there who have these awesome looking jackets!

I am gonna be so broke now... ;D

Seriously though, that's a hell of a sweet jacket! I'm really looking forward to more pics plus your full review!

-GCR

[Ragingblues]

Thanks for the support guys!

Being that it's so new, the jacket is basically wearing me at this point! But, that will change with a couple of days of wear and just allowing it to de-wrinkle from it's journey.

I'm pretty sure the collar is the way it should be, but I will check and post a photo this evening to be sure. Of of the other Expedition owners around here should be able to answer before I even get home, as all the jackets are the same. That's one of the big wins for this jacket..... continuity. What you order is exactly what you get every time.

Thanks again,

Ken

[Ragingblues]

gcr said:

Well Ken, you've gone and done it now. I've been thinking about picking up a G&B for a while myself, put these awesome pics have pushed me over the edge! I've taken the plunge and placed an order of my own...it's all your fault! ;D

Well, you and G-MANN and IB and PastimeSteve and all those other guys out there who have these awesome looking jackets!

I am gonna be so broke now... ;D

Seriously though, that's a hell of a sweet jacket! I'm really looking forward to more pics plus your full review!

-GCR

Wow... another Expeditionist huh?

I'm sure the group of fellow owners are happy to have us join. It can be lonely at the top sometimes.

Seriously though.... how do you convince a new Indy clothing/gear enthusiast that they should skip all the other brands and just buy an Expedition and an Adventurebilt Deluxe? The chances are they will never jump in that deep to start with. But, if they stay in the interest for very long, they will ultimately end up with both anyway. Only then, will they conclude that they should have just bought both to begin with an called it a day.

Congrats on your order and I look forward to seeing your new one as well!

Thanks again,

Ken

[pitfallharry]

admin said:

gcr said:

Well Ken, you've gone and done it now. I've been thinking about picking up a G&B for a while myself, put these awesome pics have pushed me over the edge! I've taken the plunge and placed an order of my own...it's all your fault! ;D

Well, you and G-MANN and IB and PastimeSteve and all those other guys out there who have these awesome looking jackets!

I am gonna be so broke now... ;D

Seriously though, that's a hell of a sweet jacket! I'm really looking forward to more pics plus your full review!

-GCR

Wow... another Expeditionist huh?

I'm sure the group of fellow owners are happy to have us join. It can be lonely at the top sometimes.

Seriously though.... how do you convince a new Indy clothing/gear enthusiast that they should skip all the other brands and just buy an Expedition and an Adventurebilt Deluxe? The chances are they will never jump in that deep to start with. But, if they stay in the interest for very long, they will ultimately end up with both anyway. Only then, will they conclude that they should have just bought both to begin with an called it a day.

Congrats on your order and I look forward to seeing your new one as well!

Thanks again,

Ken

I don't own either yet but I have to agree that as far as the jacket goes it wouldn't have taken me much longer to save up for this to begin with instead of ordering the Wested.....

Now as far as my hat goes.....That AB rabbit was a darn good deal for the price and I love it. I just want to get my hands on an ABD because I want to own a least one.

[Marc]

Ken, that jacket looks GORGEOUS WOW

Congrats on a mighty fine jacket my friend. Wear it in good health, snow and rain, so we can see it broken in real fast

I currently have a very promising project regarding a new jacket that I put a lot of hope into (not an AB jacket - forget it ;D). I'll let you know, once it's done

Congrats again,

Marc

[COWBOY]

Ok, to Ken, G-Man and all other Expedition owners. Tell me the following:

• Do the sleeves fit like a Wested, i.e. snugger fit (taper)
  
• How tough are the lambs vs Goat
  
• What is NOT SA about it?
  

I love the look of this one Ken

[Marc]

What is NOT SA about it?

Since I have never seen an Expo first hand, I can only tell you from what I see on the pictures...

The front part of the strap is attached at the INSIDE of the front panels. It should be on the outside.

The zipper should go down almost to the hem.

The underarm gussets should be made from ONE piece instead of two pieces of leather (even though some might disagree on that on, but I haven't seen anything that convince me of the opposite).

Not sure if the pocket placement is off center as it should be though.

That's all I could think of in terms of not being s.a.

Regards,

Marc

[GCR]

Hey Marc, you forgot the silver zipper! ;D

Also, in case you didn't realize it, Cowboy, the G&B's are only supposed to be replicas of the Raiders style, so they won't be SA to the ToD or LC jackets.

-GCR

[COWBOY]

gcr said:

Hey Marc, you forgot the silver zipper! ;D

Also, in case you didn't realize it, Cowboy, the G&B's are only supposed to be replicas of the Raiders style, so they won't be SA to the ToD or LC jackets.

-GCR

Yeah, I knew that part, but thanks again. GCR----Thanks for the info.

[Ragingblues]

The Expedition was copied from a screen used Raiders stunt jacket, so it won't match the quirks of the jackets from TOD or LC, as GCR said.

The sleeves fit better than the Wested, mainly because the arm socket placement is higher on the bottom side. This allows for much better arm movement without affecting the rest of the jacket as much.

The silver zippers were replaced with brass ones for durability sake. The cheap nickel zippers used on the Raiders jacket failed during filming, if that gives you an idea of how reliable they are.

As far as the strap attachment goes, it was modified for durability as well. The rest of the jacket remains exactly as the screen used Raiders stunt jacket was, with regards to things like where the zipper ends, the 2 piece gussets, etc... I believe the off center pocket placement was corrected as almost everyone sees that as a design flaw, not a SA plus.

Does is match every nuance of every screen used Raiders jacket? No. No single does or even could, as they were all a little different. The same goes with the hat in some cases too.

Ken

[Prof.Wex]

RB,

Man thats a great looking jacket, I'm inspired to order one in a 42 regular now. My old ones a 40 and Im passing it on to my brother. So seeing these pics has sped up my decision to order a new one, be very proud of that jacket, it looks great.

Sincerely, Prof.Wex