B-G INC. 55J14 KOREAN WAR USN G-1, NEW LEATHER FLIGHT JACKET REPRODUCTION BUILD

Description

You are now admiring some of my custom made B - G INC jackets. Offered here & custom made to suit in sizes 36 through 48. Please take the time & let me tell you all about it.
The B - G INC was a 1950 model 55J14 USN type G-1 flight jacket. As a one time premier flight equipment maker, this jacket represents their one and only mil spec flight jacket contract.  Notably the 55J14 model G-1 was the first redesigned series of USN jackets immediately following WW-2. Presumably this model jacket was let once WW-2 era flight jackets were used up. Better tailored to fit it's intended use over most earlier WW-2 era jackets.
This B - G INC. jacket is truly a between the Wars mil spec made jacket, issued just prior to the Korean War and during a time when naval aviation had been diminished to pre WW-2 levels. By 1950 the number of active duty aviators were at an all time low. Likewise, this particular make jacket is from an extremely low volume contract and as a result seldom if ever seen come available.
Currently, I've been only fortunate enough to come across three of these beyond rare original B - G INC. jackets. All accumulated over a twelve year period. All three of
of which were used to accurately make this particular 55J14 model G-1 reproduction jacket's pattern.
One of those same original jackets is seen here as an example was In fact combat worn during the Korean War. That same original B - G INC jacket once belonged to a WW-2 veteran. That same veteran once flew a Douglas SBD Dauntless in support of the Island hopping campaign with VB-5 while aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10)
in the Pacific Theater
. This jacket being was his second issued jacket and worn when he flew the F-9F Panther during the Korean War. Later this same individual was lost in a unfortunate operational accident. Thus making this particular model jacket build all the more interesting.
Please note, that combat worn B - G INC jacket is seen with several of my B - G INC 55J14 reproduction builds for comparison purposes. My particular original jacket is not included with this sale.
As with all of my reproductions I have taken the time to study this B - G INC
jacket's original design. Not just by using a picture nor simply by handling and measuring. Rather by taking an original jacket down to it's individual pieces, then patterning and in this case then rebuilding it complete. In essence, I know this jacket both inside and out. Not withstanding & since I own this same make jacket in
multiple
sizes, completely understand how it was originally
sized.
This particular maker utilized the classic design as the WW-2 era M-422A.  Yet, with it's maker's own spin. To include having multiple individualized unique
characteristics and transitional by design
. In addition, the changes
implemented
to create this 55J14 model jacket verses the WW-2 type can be found in the sleeves. With more taper set into sleeve ends and having an ever so slightly shorter body length. Yet that body length is still slightly longer than all later model G-1s.
As an early G-1 design this jacket has a relatively small back panel as opposed to it's front panel. That longer
length
front panel extends back past the underarm & connects to the back panel behind the sleeve. A
quintessential
USN design that dates back to the first model M-422 flight jacket. However & in this case done with a more modern tapered cut by not using all 90 degree angles to create it's panels. Thus eliminating the inherently more boxy looking earlier design utilized by most but not all WW-2 era jacket makers.
In addition, this B - G INC. and not unlike another (
Aviators
Clothing Co.) early 55J14 jackets, this maker incorporated a slight drop to the front panel. All of which creates a blousy look to the jacket. On the other hand, a more radical drop was
implemented
with Aviators Clothing Co's from the same 55J14 series and another of the more rare USN  jackets I now also offer. So please look for that jacket along with the other jackets I offer!
As a result of those fore mentioned changes make this model jacket is much less boxy and yet still lends it's self well to the classic look of an early WW-2 flight jacket. If sized correctly this particular make jacket inherently has more creases & folds than the modern G-1. Ultimately creating that trend setting blousy look when worn.
Another interesting fact about the original B - G INC jackets was it's hide. In this case, arguably the last maker to utilized vegetable tanned goat hides for their builds. Not seen with every jacket from this same maker but more often than not. The beauty behind it & much like those originals, your jacket will develop patina and actually get better looking with wear. One of my late father's (Korean War to Vietnam veteran attack pilot) & one time wing man summed up his first issued jacket from this era by stating, "my first flight jacket wore like iron". Basically, something no just later made model USN jacket with simple chrome tanned hide can offer.
If you like this make jacket & as seen with the two of my B - G INC reproduction jackets seen here in the descriptive images please contact me to discuss your build. Currently, I have three vegetable tanned hides on hand you can choose from to do this build correctly. Those hides vary in weight. The chocolate colored hide is seen used on the size 40 being the heaviest and the other done in light and pliable a seal brown colored hide. While that image seen last and taken with that original B - G INC jackets laying on top of another seal brown colored vegetable tanned hide and option example.
Your proposed jacket's mouton will come from a same era vintage garment. Carefully selected by me and then expertly attached.  Thus better correctly recreating that just right look and like no other.
The rayon lining material that will be used for your build was sourced out of the UK. This proposed high end lining is the same type originally used on early USN type flight jackets. That sourced lining material to be used is the absolute thickest and correctly colored rayon I have ever encountered & available in correct shades of brown.
Your jacket will come equipped with a correct era NOS brass Talon zipper assembly. This fine zipper is a hold out & last of it's kind. An absolute through back, as this same zipper was used by most all late WW-2 era AN model USN type jackets. Also in keeping with being transitional, this jacket was the absolute last G-1 to use a combination of cotton and nylon thread to stitch it together and followed here with this build.
Same era buttons and just like original 100% wool knits. Not to mention, I had my B - G INC's original knits same color and design reproduced to my specification. As a result my custom made knits perfectly duplicate those found on the 55J14 G-1. For a better description please go here  (eBay item # 402273109725)
To further the authenticity of this build there are a couple of other original features that will be found on my jackets to include (main & size) labels originally found on this same model 55J14 jacket that I have had duplicated.
All of my jackets are built using a correct vintage Reece 101 keyhole buttonhole machine. Just like originally used back in the day by these USN jacket builders. Used to created their pocket flaps and throat latches. Most notably I am one of the few jacket reproduction manufacturers capable of offering this service. As I have restored one of those same keyhole buttonhole machines used back in the day to perfection. Even more importantly self taught on how to maintain it.
Should you want a new build I there will be a waiting period.  At the stated price point this jacket can be built in size 36 through 48 as needed.
If you are interested in either this B - G INC built to suit please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss it's sizing and to ensure a good fit. I also have other examples of this same jacket that I have built previous if you would like to see that example. Also, done using a different hide that you might consider for your build.
In addition, please look over my other jacket options I have available.
Cheers, Dave Sheeley