Post by garylafortuna on Aug 19, 2012 15:06:07 GMT -5
Recently I took delivery of a G&B Expedition jacket, and while its quality was excellent in every way, there were some sizing issues, so
they advised me to return it. Rather than altering the jacket to fit, they decided to start over from scratch. In view of this, I asked them if they would consider adding some custom features to the new jacket. It is now but a distant relative to the screen accurate ROTLA jacket that they currently market, and probably unlike any other Indy jacket made.
It is made of dark seal brown goatskin. The collar is pure A-2, with collar point snaps, and a hook & eye fastener at the throat. On the inside, wide leather facings are fitted, with a pocket on each side cut vertically into the facing itself. Left pocket has a snap fastener, and the right pocket has a zipper. The lining material is 97% cotton, and 3% spandex, in vivid cardinal red. But the pièce de résistance is an AVG 'Flying Tigers' pure silk blood chit, and a WW II USAAF leather
name tag, both sewn to the lining before fitting it to the jacket. And
like all G&B Expeditions, it has under arm gussets. Aside from these
design mods, they did some sizing alterations as well. I wanted the jacket to be a little longer, so they added an inch to the length. My
left arm is slightly longer, so they were able to adjust that accordingly.
So now I have the jacket of my dreams. The basic features are still
Indiana Jones, but for me it is a little more user friendly for regular everyday wear, and it has some features that make it unique. A lot of thought went into the creation of this jacket, and heaven knows, I
changed my mind a few times. But I'm here to tell you, it sure is some beautiful.
A very special thank you to Drew, and Rita, and designer Cathy at
Gibson & Barnes, whose heads I know I caused to ache a few times.
Without your help, I could not have realized this crazy dream of a perfect jacket. You the man Drew............ Gary
they advised me to return it. Rather than altering the jacket to fit, they decided to start over from scratch. In view of this, I asked them if they would consider adding some custom features to the new jacket. It is now but a distant relative to the screen accurate ROTLA jacket that they currently market, and probably unlike any other Indy jacket made.
It is made of dark seal brown goatskin. The collar is pure A-2, with collar point snaps, and a hook & eye fastener at the throat. On the inside, wide leather facings are fitted, with a pocket on each side cut vertically into the facing itself. Left pocket has a snap fastener, and the right pocket has a zipper. The lining material is 97% cotton, and 3% spandex, in vivid cardinal red. But the pièce de résistance is an AVG 'Flying Tigers' pure silk blood chit, and a WW II USAAF leather
name tag, both sewn to the lining before fitting it to the jacket. And
like all G&B Expeditions, it has under arm gussets. Aside from these
design mods, they did some sizing alterations as well. I wanted the jacket to be a little longer, so they added an inch to the length. My
left arm is slightly longer, so they were able to adjust that accordingly.
So now I have the jacket of my dreams. The basic features are still
Indiana Jones, but for me it is a little more user friendly for regular everyday wear, and it has some features that make it unique. A lot of thought went into the creation of this jacket, and heaven knows, I
changed my mind a few times. But I'm here to tell you, it sure is some beautiful.
A very special thank you to Drew, and Rita, and designer Cathy at
Gibson & Barnes, whose heads I know I caused to ache a few times.
Without your help, I could not have realized this crazy dream of a perfect jacket. You the man Drew............ Gary
! I talked to them eight years or so ago, about a custom-style 'Indyish' jacket and was turned down point blank, as they said they were too busy to customize any patterns. So, I dropped the idea of working with them, but now you show me this and it heighentens the hopes! I have always thought that it would be really cool to take the Expedition changing the pockets to the 'Raiders' (rounded zipper at top with slash hand wamers) to replace the standard cargo pocekets on the Expedtion and also add the collar from the Raiders, with an all cotton lining, in the distressed cow hide offered for the Raiders. 
