G1 Flight Jacket Thread

[Drewdog2323]

I don't own a G1 yet but I have been looking, I'm not sure if I prefer them over the A2 but think they're equally as cool and won't know how I really feel until I can get one.

The A-2 is probably the “dressier” of the two. The coolness factor subjectively for me goes towards the G-1. Plus the bi-swing back, deep map pocket, and fur collar are very practical features.

 

[barnabus]

The coolness factor subjectively for me goes towards the G-1

I agree with this.

The G-1 feels like a more deliberate choice, somehow.

Edit: I should add, I own neither and know nothing about either. My opinion is worth next to nothing.

 

[Kunja]

I find that the G1 fits better and is more comfortable than the A2.

 

[Jon Crow]

I find that the G1 fits better and is more comfortable than the A2.

Yep the warmer jacket also, I had a A2 that looked good but being styled like a short cavalry tunic every time I bent over it was up my azz haha better as it was designed though with high waisted pants

 

[Kunja]

Yes the longer body on the G1 prevents that, and the underarm “footballs” make shoulder movement easy. Plus I like fur collars too so this design is a winner for me.

 

[tamoko]

Historical USN have a more quality uniform then AAF. It was more comfortable and better material.
A-2 very simple work jacket.

 

[TLW '90]

This is interesting, because to me the G1 mostly always just looked like an A2 with a fur collar and no epaulets.( I do like the lack of epaulets as a change of pace ) I obviously can see the differences with the back and arms...etc but from the front they look mostly the same.
The one thing I don't really like about the G1 is the action back, elastics wear out which is one more condition issue to watch out for and I've never really noticed a difference in mobility with action backs.

I do still definitely want a G1 though, and will continue my search for a good condition example to pop up for the right price.

 

[Drewdog2323]

This is interesting, because to me the G1 mostly always just looked like an A2 with a fur collar and no epaulets.( I do like the lack of epaulets as a change of pace ) I obviously can see the differences with the back and arms...etc but from the front they look mostly the same.
The one thing I don't really like about the G1 is the action back, elastics wear out which is one more condition issue to watch out for and I've never really noticed a difference in mobility with action backs.

I do still definitely want a G1 though, and will continue my search for a good condition example to pop up for the right price.

A good deal on a quality G-1 from the second hand market should be between $200-$300. It won’t put you in the high end reproduction brands but a solid mid jacket.

 

[Kunja]

I actually favor a 70’s Brill Bros G1 over two of the high end reproductions that I’ve handled. The Brill Bros feels like a tool, while the others felt like fashion.

 

[TLW '90]

A good deal on a quality G-1 from the second hand market should be between $200-$300. It won’t put you in the high end reproduction brands but a solid mid jacket.

I have seen 70's issue G1's under $200 on eBay in the past year, and between $150-$200 is what I'm looking to spend but I just need the right deal to come along before prices generally rise beyond this possibility.
If that doesn't happen I'll just forget about it, because I want one but not enough to spend more than that before tax & shipping.

I'm a tight budget jacket enthusiast ( I have multiple hobbies sharing my disposable income) that likes to find deals on good quality users that I don't plan on reselling.

 

[Jon Crow]

I actually favor a 70’s Brill Bros G1 over two of the high end reproductions that I’ve handled. The Brill Bros feels like a tool, while the others felt like fashion.

The Brill Bros was decent, I see nice reasonable price ones on Japanese sites

 

[Camel24hrs]

I own two Eastman RW A2s and two original G1 jackets a 1949 55J14 Pritzker and a 1959 7823 LW Foster.

The G1s tend to be a little warmer but not but much. As far as looks go the A2s just have that classic styling. There are tons of pics and videos from WW2 of airmen wearing them. Not so many pics or videos of airmen wearing G1s. It was the movie top *** that brought them to notoriety.

The G1s are more practical to wear from the design and are cool in their own right. I enjoy wearing both but favor the A2s even though the G1s are own are original government issued jackets. However when it turns really cold I switch to a B10 as I tend to get cold in both the A2 and G1.

My advice to anyone looking to buy a G1 is to look at getting an original. Usually if you are patient you can find the earlier ones with the mutton collars cheaper than you can find repos new.

As long as the leather is in great condition you can have the knits changed if needed and even the mutton collars and zippers. There are guys that are very good at doing that. So good they hit the exact same stitch holes.

 

[Jon Crow]

I own two Eastman RW A2s and two original G1 jackets a 1949 55J14 Pritzker and a 1959 7823 LW Foster.

The G1s tend to be a little warmer but not but much. As far as looks go the A2s just have that classic styling. There are tons of pics and videos from WW2 of airmen wearing them. Not so many pics or videos of airmen wearing G1s. It was the movie top *** that brought them to notoriety.

The G1s are more practical to wear from the design and are cool in their own right. I enjoy wearing both but favor the A2s even though the G1s are own are original government issued jackets. However when it turns really cold I switch to a B10 as I tend to get cold in both the A2 and G1.

My advice to anyone looking to buy a G1 is to look at getting an original. Usually if you are patient you can find the earlier ones with the mutton collars cheaper than you can find repos new.

As long as the leather is in great condition you can have the knits changed if needed and even the mutton collars and zippers. There are guys that are very good at doing that. So good they hit the exact same stitch holes.

You wouldn't see a airman wearing a G1 in ww2 because it was a M422a

 

[Jon Crow]

I own two Eastman RW A2s and two original G1 jackets a 1949 55J14 Pritzker and a 1959 7823 LW Foster.

The G1s tend to be a little warmer but not but much. As far as looks go the A2s just have that classic styling. There are tons of pics and videos from WW2 of airmen wearing them. Not so many pics or videos of airmen wearing G1s. It was the movie top *** that brought them to notoriety.

The G1s are more practical to wear from the design and are cool in their own right. I enjoy wearing both but favor the A2s even though the G1s are own are original government issued jackets. However when it turns really cold I switch to a B10 as I tend to get cold in both the A2 and G1.

My advice to anyone looking to buy a G1 is to look at getting an original. Usually if you are patient you can find the earlier ones with the mutton collars cheaper than you can find repos new.

As long as the leather is in great condition you can have the knits changed if needed and even the mutton collars and zippers. There are guys that are very good at doing that. So good they hit the exact same stitch holes.

A B10 and a B15 nice, I've owned a toys Buzz Rickson of each model with real alpaca lining, very warm in winter, I do agree though if I was getting a G1 again I'd go for a 60s original, I have a old Chinese guy here has a shop who does all my work for me, he's done lots of knit changes with knits from Mash Japan

 

[RDS]

I have both a G-1 and an A-2 and find that each one is as comfortable as the other.
Even though the A-2 doesn’t have the ‘action’ gusseted back of a G-1 I never notice it feels any different around the shoulders or that movement is restricted.
Also, as both are thin leather jackets neither is really designed for cold weather, however as a G-1 is a slimmer fit around the stomach/midriff area the looser A-2 does allow some room to layer a sweater.

I’d be hard pushed to choose one over the other but if it really came down to it I’d probably go with the A-2 as I find it could be just a little bit more versatile.

 

[Oscarb]

I’ve had a G-1 Irvin B. Foster 7823A for a few days now and I have to say this jacket is incredible.
Easily one of the most comfortable jackets I’ve ever worn, and I really love the look.

I haven’t own an A-2 yet, so I can’t really compare but the G-1 definitely exceeded my expectations.

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[Camel24hrs]

You wouldn't see a airman wearing a G1 in ww2 because it was a M422a

Pretty much the same jacket. Along with the AN-J3A. While G1 doesn’t appear on the label of those two for all intents and purposes they are G1 jackets.

 

[Camel24hrs]

I’ve had a G-1 Irvin B. Foster 7823A for a few days now and I have to say this jacket is incredible.
Easily one of the most comfortable jackets I’ve ever worn, and I really love the look.

I haven’t own an A-2 yet, so I can’t really compare but the G-1 definitely exceeded my expectations.

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7823A jackets are some of the rarest out there. Congratulations on getting your hands on one.

 

[Jon Crow]

Pretty much the same jacket. Along with the AN-J3A. While G1 doesn’t appear on the label of those two for all intents and purposes they are G1 jackets.

Technically

 

[Camel24hrs]

Technically

Beginning in 1943, while still in WW2 Navy jackets were assigned the G1 identification although it did not appear on the label till 1947 with the advent of the 55J14 spec.