B-3 Bomber Jacket

[callasexperience]

cool, thank you Bill

[TheKUKAI36]

I'm also guessing that should a bomber be shot down and need to evade on the ground. Removal of rank might be important should one risk capture and interrogation. Rank tabs might be easily cut off and discarded. Leaving warm jacket intact.

[Dionysis62]

Can I get this jacket in just one color or have to get it in the two tone?

[ww2flyguy]

@Dionysis62 Hi D, we only offer it in the two-tone. We've only gotten one other request for it in one color since we put it on the market. Stay well, Dave

[ww2flyguy]

@krankor54 Exactly, one and the same, staring William Holden.

[ww2flyguy]

@krankor54 Yes, with the exception of the Oriskany patch, we copied the patches from the original ones used by the stars in the movie 'The Bridges of Toko-Ri', including the nametags. The Oriskany patch was also copied from an original used in another famous movie. At the time of the making of the movie, the G-! was probably a variant #7832 model...........Dave

[SnowBlind853]

Awesome jacket, but the thing is so expensive that even if I got I'd be too scared of damaging it to wear it. Maybe one day, if I'm ever ridiculously wealthy. ;P

[MegaBeerFart]

I'm getting one this summer

[DT5236]

How much is that

[staryjaszczur]

Im waiting for my B-6 model should arrive this week:) cant wait any longer.

[askAlanNow]

Great to see everything peta is against. Makes me wanna buy it.

[dogiehogan]

At the moment 'B-3 weather' in Europe!

[MusicListener19]

I've got a standard G-1 Flight Jacket, nice and warm. 6 sizes too big, lol.

[grissomairport]

Great for open cockpit flying in winter and motorcycle riding!

[keco28]

can i buy

[RayPluton]

Flyguy, Hey, dude! This thing's beautiful! Can you give us some bg as to why the 2-tone and oddly skewed panels?

[ww2flyguy]

Hi RP, I was out for a few days. To answer your question; here are a couple of basic educated guesses: multi-panels were to protect from frostbite, a possible rip would not extend all the way down the back in a two-pice back. The sleeve reinforcements were needed as sheepskin would be more apt to rip. The offset center shoulder seam I presume was so as not to have a hard seam being rubbed in by the parachute harness. Different makers altered colors somewhat. Hope that helps. Dave

[MPOEO]

hmm if u wear that in holland u will get beat up by foreigners(no kidding)

[beamerZ]

@MPOEO Why do you think so? I wear those kind of Jackets (G1, B6, A2) many years now , if foreigners don't like it they can look the other way no?

[MPOEO]

@beamerZ

u dont live in holland ;) thats the only hint im giving ya

[beamerZ]

@MPOEO Jazeker wel. Ik ben zo Nederlands als kaas mijn vriend. Blank, blond en blauwe ogen ('Arier') . Mijn vader komt uit Amsterdam en mijn moeder uit Rotterdam lol! Nooit problemen gehad met de jassen die ik draag en draag ze al sinds m'n 15e, heb ook nog nooit gehoord dat foreigners (buitenlanders dus) daar problemen mee zouden hebben?

[ww2flyguy]

Hi CFCCP, The only place I have seen them for sale (very rarely) is e-bay. Not as many Luftwaffe sheepskin jackets were made as B-3s, so the difficulty. In general, to my knowledge, these were not a standard issue jacket, and were mostly made in Bulgaria. Good hunting. Dave

[CrazyForCooCooPuffs]

im trying to find a german ww2 jacket like this...so hard

[sicaelegy]

i have this same jacket, if anyone is interested in buying it contact me

[NoChikenStrips]

lovely jacket!

[darness1234]

I have this same coat! i have had it for 20 years! its a mzing im wearing it now, forgot i had it in storage! ill post a vid

[rickbar123]

I just started using mine, this thing is warm.

40 degrees out, doing 60 on my Harley, it felt like a summer day.

[rebelsatcloudnine]

I recently gt one of these, living in Canada it tends to get cold :), this jacket is so warm I don't even know i'm cold, i wish i had the overalls to go with it. Its also givin me the most compliments. Its definitly worth all its price. Wish i had one earlier :)

[bigfresh2001]

i just purchased me a b-3 bomber coat. the coat i know atleast weigh about 6 pounds. i must say ww2flyguy,that is a hell of a coat. good post!

[BigDumbJerk]

Beautiful coat. When I get an extra $800.00 Ill buy one....

[southcop]

I was given my father's leather jacket WWII era one .Gibson and Barnes are the best in the market, top notch!! Congrats!!

[Quadmachine0]

Also, which is your preferred jacket?

[ww2flyguy]

Hi Q, sorry I missed your post, but here I am. No, I did not serve in the military, but am VERY pro-military and support our troop 1000%. Cheers, Dave

[ww2flyguy]

@Quadmachine0

Hi Q, I do have a couple of favorites. The Toko-Ri jacket and a MK 41 goatskin A-2.......yes, I do have a couple of others, but it would end up that they are all favorites. take care, Dave

[lllBoRUSSlll]

beautiful jacket sir

[BIGRockProduction5]

I want to become a pilot and I'm trainning for it and I've always loved these jackets great info thanks

[ww2flyguy]

Hi BRP5, keep at it, I flew corporate aircraft for many years, and have no regrets of having chosen that as a way to make a living. Technology is progressing in leaps and bounds. Interesting times ahead. Regards, Dave

[Quadmachine0]

Hey Dave, did you ever serve in the military?

[Quadmachine0]

It only makes sense why I would keep posting comments on this page, I like this jacket, but anyway does anyone know what an M-65 Field Jacket is rated for with a liner and hood? I have all of this, and wanted to know how it compares against the Gibson-Barnes B-3. Also, if you do a review for another jacket, can you do the F-82 Jacket? Thanks.

[ww2flyguy]

Hi Quadmachine0, welcome back. We enjoy input and response. The M-65 is a totally different jacket and it is hard to compare apples and oranges; but, I can give you a brief F-82 synopsis.

American Airlines uses the F-82 as a uniform flight jacket. It uses the front of an A-2 with handwarmer pockets, and the back of a G-1's Action-Back pleats. It is a very comfy and smart jacket. It will be a little while before we add more jackets to the list though. Thanks for the ongoing interest. Dave

[TAHMURI]

Very interesting!

[ww2flyguy]

Originally, the shearling B-3s, pants and parkas were made from the unpainted natural skin. These held up very well even up to today's examples...in general; the leather breathed. When the AAF head-brass decided to give it a brown finish, it stifeled the leather, and with many years of storage, the leather hardened and the skins broke down;dry rot. Leather has to be worn to keep subtle. Such examples will survive better by being placed in a display case and left alone. Sorry to hear .

[WWIIAustrailianTroop]

i have the a-3 pants...they are horrible. they fall apart and break up.. because the leather is really hard

[ww2flyguy]

Several companies made the B-3,. Aero Lea. ., H. Bernstein., HLB .,Monarch , Perry Sportswear., Poughkeepsie Lea, Roughwear, United Sheeplined Clothing, Werber, that I know of. All combat gear was to be returned, but, in wartime it was not a pushed issue;, just about anything was good enough for gov. work; this really cut down on 'rejects' Locations? Beacon, NY; Boston, Mass.;Middletown, PA.; Newburgh, NY, Philly had plenty of mfgs but I don't think any made the B-3. Hope this helps.

[rickbar123]

Wow, thats great stuff.

thanks flyguy

[rickbar123]

During WW2, how many companys made the B3??

When the men went home could they take the B3 with them or did they have to turn them in???

Did the Gov. allow some leeway with the makers of the B3s and other jackets??

Did any jackets ever get rejected??

Any makers in Phila. Pa. (major area for garments during WW2).

Thanks Flyguy

[ww2flyguy]

Two basic reasons; one is that sewing patches onto sheepskin would end up possibly cutting the leather unless wide stitching was used (7-8 stitches per inch) and two, it was more of an outer combat garment used at high altitudes where the temp was way below zero.

This not to say that it was not done. Most of the artwork, if any, was painted on. If you notice the two leather flaps on the shoulders, these were used to sew the rank onto, then stitches around. This too was rare,

Hope this helps

[rickbar123]

You see lots of patches on A2s, G1s, but I never see patches on B3s??????

[ww2flyguy]

From where the collar is sewn to the torso, the fold-over is about 2" up from that point.. That varies with size somewhat. Hope this helps.

[Quadmachine0]

How tall is the collar on this jacket?

[ww2flyguy]

Hi CrikeySpider, They do show up on occasion on e-bay, but, in general they are inquestionable shape. They may be advertized as in excellent condition, but the trouble with old sheepskinn that may have been stored improperly, is that it tends to dry-rot. You try it on, looks good, you start to stretch here and there...and things fall apart. If you want an original for DISPLAY, that is one thing, however if you want one to wear for years to come...buy a good reproduction. Regards, ......Flyguy

[CrikeySpiders]

Nice jacket. How much do the originals go for? Can you still get them?

[ww2flyguy]

Hey old friend, no, I did not forget about your Christmas visit, I look forward to it.

Don't get too upset with your girlfriend saying you have too many jackets....she's normal...gals can see it much better than the lads, I hear this comment quite often, but then, we guys need to spoil ourselves once in a while.

As for the Expedition jacket, that is a good idea which we will entertain next time we setup for another video shoot. See you soon, and take care, Dave

[AngryNJ1971]

I will definitely ask for you when I visit towards the end of the year (Christmas). By the way, do you plan on doing a video of the expedition jacket? I know the vids were mainly for your flight jackets, Just wondering. Thank you! My one fear about visiting your store is that I will buy like 10 jackets. LOL. My girlfriend thinks I have too many leather jackets already.

[ww2flyguy]

Thanks lilbiggy73, we try, and when we miss something, we try to correct ASAP.

[lilbiggy73]

great vid!!!!!! very informatvie

[Quadmachine0]

Also, does anyone know where I can get a reproduction of the M-1951 Field Jacket?

[ww2flyguy]

Hi Quadmachine0,

Sorry but we do not make the jacket with a deeper pocket. We reproduced an original. The pocket is standard per AAF specs. The military (of any nation) hates to see their soldiers standing around with their hands in their pockets; I suppose it made the Sergeants nervous....hahaha.

[Quadmachine0]

That's cool, just curious. You still have a really nice accurate jacket, even if it doesn't have deeper pockets. At least you have one, I don't think the RAFs got any.

[Quadmachine0]

Just curious, do you make a version of the B-3 with more and deeper pockets?

[ww2flyguy]

Merci bien Marcel

[ww2flyguy]

Hi AngryNJ1971...'Jersey Devil'...

Thanks for the praise on our B-3.

By all means, when you visit G&B in El Cajon (20 miles east of San Diego), ask for me when you get to the showroom.. We'll give you a tour of the facility and give you an in-depth look at how we do things.

Our jackets are made 100% here at our factory....Made in the USA, with pride.

Look forward to your vist.

Regards.

WWIIFlyGuy

(aka Dave Marshall)

[AngryNJ1971]

I am a current owner of a Schott brand B-3 jacket. I have to say that although I love my schott motorcycle jackets, I would say that this gibson and barnes jacket blows the Schott b-3 out of the water. I own the Schott b-3 and it is a great warm jacket, but doesnt have the details or accuracy that this jacket has. I am now considering selling my schott b-3 on ebay and buying this one.

These jackets are very warm. I have worn my schott b-3 in below zero weather and barely felt anything.

[AngryNJ1971]

PS: I will be in San Diego around xmas. I plan on visiting the GB shop in El Cajon. I want to buy an expedition jacket. Hopefully I can try on the B-3 while I am there. Great work!!! Are these made in the USA? That is important to me. Which is why I originally bought Schott. Thanks.

[bubbapoiu]

could i get one cheaper at a surplus store and if so what about condition

[ww2flyguy]

Chances of finding an original in any surplus store are about nill. Some stores may offer a 'look-alike' B-3 with side pockets etc., and these probably would be a little cheaper, but historically miles off the mark. E-Bay is your best bet to hunt for one, however an original in good wearable condition will probably outprice ours.

[Quadmachine0]

How much would one of your B3 jackets be, and where could I buy one?

[ww2flyguy]

Hi Quadmachine0, We sell this jacket for $758, it is item# MV2S1ND Army Air Corps B-3, Air Corps Two-Tone Brown at Gibson & Barnes, (800) 748-6693. Ask for Sales ref the B-3. Glad you like it.

[WWIIAustrailianTroop]

i bought the a-3 bomber pants for $15..they are a couple hundred dollars, they are from a B-17 gunner in WWII

[orl1724]

neo nazis wear those now a days lol who know why.

[heramoth]

not that kind of bomber jacket

[wwIIflyguy]

Thanks too for the kind words jepjep07

[breadring]

would have been good to see a Authentic jacket along side the one shown as a comparison.

[wwIIflyguy]

I agree breadring, however, most of the authentic ones available are in pretty poor shape, and it would not do it justice.

I can tell you though, if you were to put an original in excellent shape next to ours, you'd be very surprised at our authentisity.

[YarrToast]

Thats a sick jacket.

[wwIIflyguy]

Thanks Yarr Toast, wearing it you would feel as warm as 'toast'...thanks for the kind words.

[jepjep07]

thats a nice jacket.