cmjordan77 Posted November 9, 2011 Share #1 Posted November 9, 2011 Hi, I have a question, I finally found a nice Vietnam era G-1 Jacket I have been looking for in my size. Its in excellent shape. The only thing is there are a couple of small holes in the wrist cuffs, and the waist band is a little stretched out. I am going to replace them, as this jacket I will have for a long time to come, and the leather is in excellent shape. I know US WINGS offers replacement Cuffs and waist bands, but I wanted to see if anyone on here has done this, and what has been your experience? has anyone bought the replacement units on US WINGS? Are they excellent long lasting quality? Does anyone else recommend somewhere else to purchase the cuffs/waisbands? I really appreciate any and all help, If anyone has any photos as well, i sure would appreciate it. Also, any recommendations of where I can send the jacket to have the replacements put on? Locally? or a national place, like US Wings? I really do need some help on this and I sure will greatly appreciate any and all replies. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 9, 2011 Share #2 Posted November 9, 2011 I had this done to my 1961 dated G1 for similar reasons to those you describe. I sent it to Eastman Leather here in the UK (the well-known makers of US flight jackets) as they offered such a service at the time. It wasn't cheap but they did a perfect job. There must be similar companies in the US who offer a similar service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmjordan77 Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted November 9, 2011 The only 1 I could find is US WINGS. I am not sure what kind of job they do, thats why I was hoping someone had dealt wtih them before or someone had another US Company. I was thinking about just buying replacement cuffs and waist band from them and have a local woman who has been doing alterations for 50+ years do it. She fixed an M41 Field jacket for me, and helped me with several pairs of trousers and did a perfect job. But I am not sure how she would do with leather...... :think: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 9, 2011 Share #4 Posted November 9, 2011 The only 1 I could find is US WINGS.I am not sure what kind of job they do, thats why I was hoping someone had dealt wtih them before or someone had another US Company. I was thinking about just buying replacement cuffs and waist band from them and have a local woman who has been doing alterations for 50+ years do it. She fixed an M41 Field jacket for me, and helped me with several pairs of trousers and did a perfect job. But I am not sure how she would do with leather...... :think: Leather is a bit more specialised. She may be an accomplished seamstress but sewing leather is a different ball-game which, if done properly, requires an appropriate sewing-machine. Why don't you contact some of the US based companies which offer repro leather flight gear like Eastman in the UK? They would have the necessary parts, expertise and equipment and maybe offer a similar service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1Marksman Posted November 21, 2011 Share #5 Posted November 21, 2011 Many years ago I bought an old horsehide civilian A2 flight jacket with bad cuffs & waistband. Took it to a cleaners who also did tailoring. They did a great job replacing the cuffs & wb for very little $$. Then the jacket got stolen!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted November 21, 2011 Share #6 Posted November 21, 2011 Look no further. http://www.uswings.com/repair.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatl Posted November 22, 2011 Share #7 Posted November 22, 2011 There used to be a business in Pensacola, FL that advertised leather jacket repairs; you can imagine that they had plenty of business there. Try searching Yellow Pages or internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted November 22, 2011 Share #8 Posted November 22, 2011 There used to be a business in Pensacola, FL that advertised leather jacket repairs; you can imagine that they had plenty of business there. Try searching Yellow Pages or internet. I think you're talking about Bill Smith's "Economy Shoe Repair" on Navy Blvd. And yes, he did great work. He had to shut down a while back, another victim of the economy. Bill was third generation. His grandfather used to sew the ear phone cups on the USN WWII flight helmets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted November 22, 2011 Share #9 Posted November 22, 2011 There used to be a business in Pensacola, FL that advertised leather jacket repairs; you can imagine that they had plenty of business there. Try searching Yellow Pages or internet. I think you're talking about Bill Smith's "Economy Shoe Repair" on Navy Blvd. And yes, he did great work. He had to shut down a while back, another victim of the economy. Bill was third generation. His grandfather used to sew the ear phone cups on the USN WWII flight helmets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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