The Great Flight Jacket Thread (wearing/buying Leather, NOMEX, WEP jackets/patches)

[mb1k]

At North Island circa 1987-88, you couldn't wear a flight suit unless you were at the squadron/flight line that day. No flight suits at medical, the Exchange, or even the gas station! I remember leaving the house with the sleeves tied around my waist and slouching really low when driving through the front gate!

For all the good things in the Navy/Marine Corps... they do completely asinine things like this and make me glad (sometimes) that I jumped ship.

 

[mb1k]

Blues

Haven't had a chance to even notice until this last winter... but, what's up with the leather jackets the Blues wear? Looks like a basic Navy G-1, but with an Air Force style A-2 collar, and custom slanted pockets slashes with hand warmer pockets.

They make their Marines wear khaki covers... so I suppose just about anything goes. I for one am proud of the pimpy wool mouton collar, it's what makes Naval Aviators jackets unique.

 

[MasterBates]

Also, flipping the collar up and buttoning it to make a "seal" with your helmet is great for commuting on a bike on cold days.

 

[A4sForever]

At North Island circa 1987-88, you couldn't wear a flight suit unless you were at the squadron/flight line that day. No flight suits at medical, the Exchange, or even the gas station! I remember leaving the house with the sleeves tied around my waist and slouching really low when driving through the front gate!

Ditto for ALNAV during the '60's/'70's until we woke up one day and decided: "What are they gonna' do to us?? Send us on cruise"???

It was shortly afterward that the swerving of autos while approaching the Main Gate began to drop exponentially ...

 

[Red Anjin]

Patch covered (Green NOMEX) flight jackets

What is the take on patches on the green flight jacket? I get the impression that in the tacair world its primarily an NFO thing but I've seen some pilots covered in old patches. Not trying to start a single vs dual anchor argument I'm just curious how it works in other communities.

Thanks,
RA

 

[Mumbles]

I'm not sure why you think it's just a double anchor thing.

 

[HH-60H]

I'm not sure why you think it's just a double anchor thing.

+1

 

[Pilot123]

I know of a few helo pilots who have their green jackets covered in squadron and det patches. I'm not saying its exclusive to them; they're just the only ones that I have noticed so far.

 

[A4sForever]

The drill: patches all over the green jackets (whatever type is in vogue) ... save the leather jackets from the pain of all those little holes.

 

[usmarinemike]

Do I have to put the cover of Top Gun up here? I don't think I ever saw a Marine aviator with more than a few patches.

 

[HeyJoe]

What is the take on patches on the green flight jacket? I get the impression that in the tacair world its primarily an NFO thing but I've seen some pilots covered in old patches. Not trying to start a single vs dual anchor argument I'm just curious how it works in other communities.

Thanks,
RA

It is a personal decision (I agree and have abided by choice made by A4s) and has nothing to do with what type wings you wear. Communities tend to have trends though:

Anyone claim this one? Tip for grasshoppers: NEVER leave your flight jacket unattended!

 

[Pugs]

Anyone claim this one? Tip for grasshoppers: NEVER leave your flight jacket unattended!

Nope, but with TR and Hoover patches I'm guessing it's a VS-24 guy

 

[bunk22]

My green flight jacket is covered in them. I certainly don't have the record. I think that goes to my old mini-boss on the Vinson back in 01 who seemed to have no green color left. There's another COD driver at VT-6 and he's got patches as well so the only psudeo tailhookers have a lot of patches. I'm used to it so maybe it's tailhooker thing, I don't know. The JO's make fun of the other COD guy when he walks in the ready room though. Being I'm an O-4, they make fun of me when I leave the room

 

[phrogdriver]

It's not a pilot/NFO thing; it's a Navy thing. Don't do the Joseph's amazing technicolor nomex in the Corps. Not saying it's better/worse, just different.

 

[HeyJoe]

Nope, but with TR and Hoover patches I'm guessing it's a VS-24 guy

Have to find the story (may even be here), but a Hoover guy got selected for Super Hornet transition as I recall, but left his flight jacket unattended before departing for Lemoore. He raised holy hell, but only made it worse and left for Lemoore without it. Meanwhile, it underwent a "Pimp my Ride" transformation and was sent to VFA-122 for presentation upon his arrival. I believe I saw a Powerpoint presentation that accompanied it.