Re: Indiana Dog

Posted by Michaelson from leo2space140.utsi.edu on December 18, 2000 at 16:05:27:

In Reply to: Re: Indiana Dog posted by Indiana Dog on December 18, 2000 at 15:38:04:

: : Do you own a US Wings Jacket? If so what type did you get and did it fit well? They look good in the pictures, but i would like to hear how they are from someone.

: : Thanks
: : T.McBride

: A buddy of mine has it and likes it ok. But now he wants a Flight Suits. His jacket most certainly serves the purpose, but with all the work that Patterson put in to the FS and it's authenticity I think it's definetly worth saving up for. Have you seen it? I've only read a few complaints from US Wings and although not many people have gotten the Flight Suits, I haven't heard a bad word yet. I hate to say anything bad about Wested and the hour that I had the jacket (was to small) it seemed great, but they take their precious time with a response. So, my opinion (for what it's worth) Wested make a good jacket but the CS is rotten, US Wings make a decent jacket but they only come in already made sizes, Flight Suits is made right here in the U.S. (SoCal) and are more than eager to help and make custom fittings. So Flights Suits seems to be the best bet. (They are pricey though) I am telling Wested to refund my money on my return so I can get the Flight Suits.

I personally own a VIP US Wings version, and can't say enough good things about it. It's mil-spec, soft as butter, and extremely weather resistant as I've pressed it into service during these sub zero weather patterns we've "enjoyed" over the past couple of days here in Tennessee. I have noticed today, though, that US Wings is currently out of stock on the VIP, so maybe we've done to good a job talking about that particular one. The goat skin version is a great one as well, but has the same lining as a standard A-2 flight jacket, and isn't as fancy as the VIP, but it's just as tough. The Flight Suit version (oh, Indiana Dog, there were three of us on the FS project, by the way) is also mil-spec, and made exactly to your specs here in the US. Their guarantee is next to none. Either it's right, or they make you another until it's right. Like the Wested, it's also to your specs, but the turn around time is MUCH faster, and the jacket is mil-spec as well. Of the two, Wings or FS, it's a toss up. They're both made like tanks, but price wise, the US Wings jacket is more readily available as it's off the rack sizing. I personally can't call a clear winner here, except for the Indy fan. The only problem with Wested is the distance they have between their customers and their shop. Let's face it, all the mess ups seem to be mostly from orders not being received, or jackets not making it to the customer. Both problems are out of Wested's hands. Another thing to consider....the British and US train of thought regarding the jackets. Peter himself considers the Wested a "costume" jacket. The British manufacturer considers the jacket an item that once it wears out, you'd just go purchase another one to replace it. Not a thing wrong with that thought process. The US process, on the other hand, is that a jacket, once purchased, should be "bullet proof" and last for a couple of generations. Most of the A-2 flight jackets are doing just that. Just different thought processes, neither right or wrong, but can explain why certain things that happen, happen with the materials when they're in use. Just an opinion. Regards. Michaelson

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup:

Name:    
E-Mail:  
Subject: 
Comments:

: : : Do you own a US Wings Jacket?  If so what type did you get and did it fit well?  They look good in the pictures, but i would like to hear how they are from someone.

: : : Thanks 
: : : T.McBride

: : A buddy of mine has it and likes it ok.  But now he wants a Flight Suits.  His jacket most certainly serves the purpose, but with all the work that Patterson put in to the FS and it's authenticity I think it's definetly worth saving up for.  Have you seen it?  I've only read a few complaints from US Wings and although not many people have gotten the Flight Suits, I haven't heard a bad word yet.  I hate to say anything bad about Wested and the hour that I had the jacket (was to small) it seemed great, but they take their precious time with a response.  So, my opinion (for what it's worth) Wested make a good jacket but the CS is rotten, US Wings make a decent jacket but they only come in already made sizes, Flight Suits is made right here in the U.S. (SoCal) and are more than eager to help and make custom fittings. So Flights Suits seems to be the best bet.  (They are pricey though)  I am telling Wested to refund my money on my return so I can get the Flight Suits.

: I personally own a VIP US Wings version, and can't say enough good things about it. It's mil-spec, soft as butter, and extremely weather resistant as I've pressed it into service during these sub zero weather patterns we've "enjoyed" over the past couple of days here in Tennessee. I have noticed today, though, that US Wings is currently out of stock on the VIP, so maybe we've done to good a job talking about that particular one. The goat skin version is a great one as well, but has the same lining as a standard A-2 flight jacket, and isn't as fancy as the VIP, but it's just as tough. The Flight Suit version (oh, Indiana Dog, there were three of us on the FS project, by the way) is also mil-spec, and made exactly to your specs here in the US. Their guarantee is next to none. Either it's right, or they make you another until it's right. Like the Wested, it's also to your specs, but the turn around time is MUCH faster, and the jacket is mil-spec as well. Of the two, Wings or FS, it's a toss up. They're both made like tanks, but price wise, the US Wings jacket is more readily available as it's off the rack sizing. I personally can't call a clear winner here, except for the Indy fan. The only problem with Wested is the distance they have between their customers and their shop. Let's face it, all the mess ups seem to be mostly from orders not being received, or jackets not making it to the customer. Both problems are out of Wested's hands. Another thing to consider....the British and US train of thought regarding the jackets. Peter himself considers the Wested a "costume" jacket. The British manufacturer considers the jacket an item that once it wears out, you'd just go purchase another one to replace it. Not a thing wrong with that thought process. The US process, on the other hand, is that a jacket, once purchased, should be "bullet proof" and last for a couple of generations. Most of the A-2 flight jackets are doing just that. Just different thought processes, neither right or wrong, but can explain why certain things that happen, happen with the materials when they're in use. Just an opinion. Regards. Michaelson

Optional:

Link URL:   
Link Title: 
Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Indyfan Forum ] [ FAQ ]