Where To Buy - Indy Jackets

[ron521]

Just a update on US Wings newest jacket...They are now calling it the "Legend", it is available both as an imported jacket, and from a US source (said to be Schott, and for a higher price).

Leathers available include cowhide and striated lambskin (either imported or US), horsehide (imported only), and bison (US only).

A few photos have been posted on COW, and reports sound very favorable. The jacket is much closer to the ROTLA style, while their Hero and Signature series jackets are more LC/KOTC .



Here's the quick link to the page: www.uswings.com/ijlegend.asp

[Pennsylvania Jones]

So the U.S. Versions are made by Schott? Great Scott! No wonder they're more expensive!

Steven

[ron521]

The word going around at COW is that ALL US Wings Indy jackets
(but not necessarily all their flight jackets) which are made in the US are made by Schott.
So...Signature Series are Schott's as well,
however the Hero jackets are not.

[Noah]

Sept 25, 2010 15:26:20 GMT -5 ron521 said:

The word going around at COW is that ALL US Wings Indy jackets
(but not necessarily all their flight jackets) which are made in the US are made by Schott.
So...Signature Series are Schott's as well,
however the Hero jackets are not.

That's what I've heard as well.

[ahigh70]

I just got my ROLA custom jacket from Wested and couldn't be happier. I was going to go with the USWings jacket initially but decided to just go ahead with the Wested. It fits like a glove and it took about a month to receive. The construction is top notch; I really don't see any construction issues as people have talked about before. I went with the antique goat I think is what they call it as lamb skin is really too thin but the goat is a nice gauge of leather. I went with the more tapered custom ROLA and I was not disappointed. I am quite tall and I take a 46 extra long but I am slender at the waist and this is really perfect. I am dressing up tonite to take some friends kids out trick or treating and I will post some photos either tonite or tomorrow.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Great! This story is starting to make me take Wested into consideration. I might actually get a Goatskin Jacket from them, rather than Western Stage Props. If anything goes wrong, though, it'll be back to the WSP Jacket.

Steven

[ahigh70]

Sorry about not being able to post some pics. Went out tonite and went to turn on camera and it was dead. I will definitely get some out tomorrow. But again let me say that it is really well constructed and I actually like the zipper on the left side, very unique. Coloring of the jacket is perfect and I think it will age nicely. Once I get the pics up you can be the judge of what I am saying. As far as your rating scale the jacket is a 4 (not a 5 because it is not the lamb skin and I am not about to sit by my pool and take a pocket knife to a $300 jacket in order to age it I am not in that much of a hurry to "distress" my jacket).

[Pennsylvania Jones]

Oct 30, 2010 21:36:13 GMT -5 ahigh70 said:

As far as your rating scale the jacket is a 4 (not a 5 because it is not the lamb skin and I am not about to sit by my pool and take a pocket knife to a $300 jacket in order to age it I am not in that much of a hurry to "distress" my jacket).

Ahh, so you used my rating scale? I love it when that happens.

Let us know when those pics come!

Steven

[ahigh70]

Here is pic of my new wested jacket.

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[Pennsylvania Jones]

Looks great! Wear it well. And by that, I mean ROUGHHOUSE IN IT.

Steven

[ahigh70]

Wested pics

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[ahigh70]

another pic

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[ahigh70]

pic back

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[ahigh70]

one more my wife is yelling at me. I guess she has been patient enough.

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[Pennsylvania Jones]

Great pics! Great gear, too! 'Kay, it's almost 6:00, so I guess I'd better go. See you later!

Steven

[Noah]

The jacket looks great! So does your gear. Enjoy it.

[ahigh70]

Thanks

[caliche]

hey everyone, I'm new here and new to this hobby. I've been reenacting for a while now so I'm familiar with the search for accuracy and I love hunting down gear with the correct details for whatever impression I'm working on. That being said. I've been doing a ton of reading and would like to get your take on the jacket.

I'm interested in doing a nice Raiders based impression.

I would like to put together an impression that I can do some harder "adventuring," in so I want high quality (durable) gear that will stand up to some abuse while maintaining a high degree of screen accuracy.

I realize that during the original production they had something on the end of 60 lamb skin coats or so, so it wasn't a big deal if Mr. Ford hammered one.

I would like my first jacket to be Raiders Screen Accurate but durable. I recognize that I will probably not want lambskin and I'm willing to sacrafice that bit of screen accuracy for durability.

I'm 6' tall, I weigh 190 lbs., I wear a 44 reg suit coat. I have a 43-44 inch chest. I normally wear a size large in shirts and jackets. I have a Fox Creek leather motorcycle jacket that I wear for riding in 46 Long. I bought the 46L for the longer sleeves while riding with my arms extended and so I could layer underneath it. It's naked leather and incredibly soft and durable but HEAVY. I don't mind the weight though.

For my Indy jacket I don't want to layer, just want to wear a nice screen accurate, well made, Raiders shirt underneath it.

Sorry if this is a necropost, but I figured it would be better than starting a new thread. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks guys I really am liking this forum. I'm still waiting for my COW account to be activated, but would like to stick around here too and contribute as I progress.

[Pennsylvania Jones]

A G&B sounds up your alley. Both their lambskin AND their goatskin are built like tanks. The goatskin is just cheaper, but if you want accuracy, the lamb should still be durable. Our administrator, Ken, has one. I've never heard of him ripping it or anything.

www.gibson-barnes.com/Expedition/id/18/cat_id/18/prod_id/64/

Steven

[caliche]

Awesome thanks for the reply. I've picked up a Bantu Wind from Todd to start. We'll see how it stands up to the rigors of airsofting and more. I've looked at the G&B and I think you might be right. Thanks again!

[Pennsylvania Jones]

You're welcome!

Steven

[eucalyptus]

Hello everyone.
I go by Eucalyptus. I just joined a few moments ago.
Since I'm new and my question pertains to the current thread I thought it polite to first introduce myself and then state my status on the Indy jacket.
I'm darn near 34. 8 years in the army. 3 tours in iraq. Currently in aviation school (one semester hiatus for EMT certification). It took me this long to go ahead and chase down the perfect Indy fedora and jacket. I guess it takes a man to figure he still wants to own a piece of his childhood.
Anyways, I had the pleasure of chatting with Mr. Penman at Penmanhats.com. My Raiders fedora is slotted in!
I wanted that hat, but went with his suggestion that beaver was more durable. I like to purchase things that will give me a darn near lifetime of service. One up front charge, and I'm done.
The same with the jacket. I found your site, browsed the threads and found plenty of places that sell Indy jackets, but almost no custom makers.
I found some work done by Nowak, but I was sorry to hear about his passing.
I'm trying to find a custom maker so I can get my jacket in Kangaroo leather. I know uswings.com had a short stent where they sold them. But are out now. And even though I am trading emails with them on getting one made for me special (over the top price as I was reading in an email from them.) I still need help.
The kind of help that only people like in THIS forum could give me.
So, here's my questions.
1: I am aware that the jackets used in the movie were designed to look good. I am looking for a more functional jacket. Looks ARE important enough for me to have it specially made, but I want to avoid any problems that people on this forum wearing that style my have encountered. Such as common thread tear spots, stress points and more. What points should I bring up from your deeper experiences from wearing the jackets should I let the makers know about?
2: Are there any custom makers of jackets that someone on this forum might be able to direct me to?
3: What are some things that I might need to be aware of when looking into this jacket?
(Since the jacket will likely be modified for the more functional everyday use and the leather will likely give a unique look I doubt that basing it off of a particular movie will be that important. But I could be wrong. Once again, your suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated!)
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE to anyone who takes the time to answer even one of my questions. I am pouring a lot of my money into this quest and look forward to having the jacket and hat as soon as possible!
Feel free to ask me anything.

Eucalyptus.

[jnicktem]

Welcome aboard!

Good choice with going with Penman for your hat. I own 6- and you won't be disappointed!

Why are you looking for kangaroo leather for the jacket may I ask? Kind of an odd choice.

As for custom makers- Tony Nowak Originals might still be in business. We are not really sure at the moment as Riley; Tony's Step-Son, has been running the place but has been planning to shut it down. You still might be able to contact him though about a jacket. [e-mail]

Also, Wested Leather currently has a new model out, called the Hero. Look through some of these threads to view photos of it. They make a good jacket and do make custom jackets.

[eucalyptus]

Thanks for welcoming me!
I want to go with kangaroo leather because of my experience with it in Iraq and the army in general. It's almost legendary in its ability to endure. I had some remarkably thin combat gloves made from it and they did VERY well. Eventually I got ahold of some thicker roping gloves and I fell in love with the strength and durability of the leather.
I want a nuclear tough jacket, plain and simple. I know that goatskin is strong, light and looks ok. But kangaroo is just a league of its own.
I will try the email you gave me, I really appreciate it.
And yes! I am REALLY looking forward to the Penman. And deeply considering the Grey Clipper for a more dressy look. Even getting the suit worn at the end of Raiders.
Does that answer your question?

[eucalyptus]

And about Wested,....
If they can't answer emails I don't know if I can trust them with something so specific.