Buzz Rickson Very Light Flying Jacket, U. S. Navy MIL-J-7758A
Buzz Rickson brand has hit a home run with this classic look from summer service in U. S. Naval aviation history. The design dates back to mid-WWII, designated as the AN-J-2/Spec. AN-6551; it was slightly modified immediately postwar, and the designation changed to M-716/Spec. MIL-J-7758A, where it continued in service well into the late 1950's, with some still being worn into the 1960's.
This flying jacket was intended for summer or tropical use, being constructed of one layer of a super-tight, densely woven, khaki-colored, 4.5-ounce cotton twill that was almost a poplin; lacking a lining, in essence, this jacket was nothing but the lightest of windbreakers intended to function as a vehicle to hold the basics an aviator needed without adding insulation. It is in the aforementioned capacity that this style performed admirably, having exceptional utility and comfort that was matched with no-nonsense good looks. In fact, so desirable were these garments, they continued to be worn upon leaving the service, and they were also quickly gobbled up in surplus stores by a civilian market that had nothing remotely equal; today, vintage examples are nearly impossible to find in nice condition and they fetch significant sums from serious collectors, as they were worn to ruination in the ensuing years.
What Buzz Rickson's created in their rendering of this coveted jacket style amounts to New Old Stock (NOS). Please check out the following authentic features in this New-Old-Stock, museum-grade gem we’ve come to expect from Buzz Rickson’s:
•Exact copy of the contractor label woven on a vintage shuttle loom, with each label being size specific, exactly as found on vintage examples
•Custom production of the original-style, genuine urea buttons, not cheap plastic
•Custom manufacturing of the correct 4.5-ounce, fine-gauge, tightly woven cotton twill (almost poplin) produced on vintage shuttle looms and dyed to the correct khaki shade using original dying techniques
•Pen/pencil pocket on left sleeve
•Authentic collar-reinforcement stitching with an inner lining sewn between both outer layers of collar fabric, exactly the way all high-quality garments are produced, and a key detail of quality and authenticity missing on lesser copies of all forms of reproduction shirts and jackets
•Four flap-closure pockets
•Precision copy of a 1950's, brass TALON zipper, with all-cotton zipper tape (not poly-cotton) folded and glued at the base (no plastic or polymers are used)
•Bi-swing, double-pleated action back for superb range of movement, with half-belt at waist area
•Gusseted armpit for greater range of movement and comfort
•Precise pattern grading matching the exact measurements employed for production of the original jackets, including such critical areas as neck drop, shoulder slope, armhole opening, shoulder width, etc. Because of this uncompromising attention to authenticity in fit and fabrics, this Buzz Rickson’s MIL-J-7758A will fit, drape and look exactly as did the original jackets when worn.
Sizes available: 36-44 Regular in even-numbered sizes. The fit is generous, as found on the original jackets, thus size 44 comfortably fits up to a 46" chest measure. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.
Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan
Buzz Rickson Very Light Flying Jacket, U. S. Navy MIL-J-7758A
SIZING TIPS
About this Style: It is important to keep in mind that this jacket style is extremely light in weight and has no lining, thus it functions as a light layer in true windbreaker form.
Tip 1: Follow the instructions entitled “How to Use Product Measures to Obtain a Good Fit” listed under the PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS tab for this product. After finding no substantive conflicts with your body measures obtained from the tab entitled BODY MEASURING, order this garment with no less than 5” - 6"of room in excess of your chest measure if you prefer a trim fit throughout, thus if you have a 40” chest circumference measure, order size 38. It is best advised for the vast majority of customers to order a size that directly equates to one size down from their chest measure: Chest measures 40”, order size 38. That size selection will maintain the 6” of room between the jacket and the wearer. If a roomier or longer fit is desired, then order the next available size after reviewing all relative measures that pertain to that size. Those whose chest measure falls on an odd number, such as 41” or 43”, will have to determine if they want less room or more room when selecting a jacket size.
Tip 2: Please note that your chest circumference measure is not necessarily the labeled size you wear in another jacket you may own from a different maker or even the same maker, so please take the time to obtain your true chest circumference measure so as to compare to our chart of jacket measures; this will enable us to perform a better job getting you the right size and minimize your chances in having to deal with the hassle and cost of exchanges.
Please ask us for fitting advice if in doubt.
Tip 3: Individuals who prefer looser fits and/or those with a waist measure that is nearly equal to or greater than their chest circumference measure may jump up one size in this jacket for comfort and desired fit (when we refer to waist measure we do not mean your trouser size; we mean the actual circumference measure of your waistline at its widest point). If you are unsure of the size to order we will assist you; please contact us with the following information: Height, waist circumference measure, chest circumference measure, body weight, and type of clothing to be worn beneath the jacket most of the time, as well as the type of fit you prefer: Trim, roomy or oversized.
Buzz Rickson Very Light Flying Jacket, U. S. Navy MIL-J-7758A
PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS
The following table provides actual product measures. These measures are provided as an aid because, in conjunction with the information found under the SIZING TIPS tab for each product, they can sometimes be very useful when comparing the measurements from this garment to the measures of your body; however, acting as an armchair tailor should be done with caution, as well as with knowledge of other important areas of fit that are not displayed here. Armchair tailors frequently fail to take into account other significant elements that impact fit; following the information found under the SIZING TIPS tab for each garment on this web site is strongly suggested, which can be very useful in supplanting or supplementing the listed measures below.
Our measures were derived from averaging measurements taken from many garments of the same size from each specific size in the range of any given product, thus the measures provided are representative for each size but they may not be exactly what you will receive. Some fluctuation in size is normal and to be expected, especially in these garments that have been manufactured on the bench by hand. Size fluctuations are rarely encountered in the width measures and more typically encountered in length measures, and particularly with respect to leather jackets and jackets with knit cuffs and waistbands. Fluctuations in width measures are very rare, and when they are encountered they are typically insignificant: 1/8” – ¼”. Normal fluctuations in sleeve and/or body length + /- a ½” is more common but still rare, and such fluctuations in that increment range are within spec. for jackets of the same size and style.
| Size | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Chest width | 23" | 24" | 25" | 26" |
| Shoulder width | 18.5" | 19.5" | 20.5" | 20.5" |
| Arm length | 24" | 25" | 26" | 26" |
| Back length | 27" | 28" | 28" | 28.5" |
How to Use the Product Measures to Obtain a Good Fit:
1) Using the measurements listed for this product and information found under the tab entitled MEASURING GARMENTS to understand our measuring technique, please double the chest measure to obtain the total external chest circumference of this garment. For example: If the chest measure listed for size 40 is 23”, doubling this measure yields a 46” external chest circumference.
2) Measure your chest circumference as per the tab on this web site specifically addressing BODY MEASURING, then compare your chest measure to the chest measure of this product.
3) Many jackets are cut in such a way that the wearer requires no less than 4” of room in the jacket for a sleek fit that is also comfortable, while other jacket styles require the wearer to have more than 8” of room. If your chest circumference is 40”, a product with a 23” chest width has a 46” external chest circumference and would provide 6” of external room in this scenario (chest measures 40”, external chest measure of jacket is 46”, thus 6” of external room would be realized).
4) Again, using the measurements listed for this product and information under the MEASURING GARMENTS tab to understand our measuring technique, add half of the shoulder width to the arm length. For example: If the shoulder width is 19” and the arm length is 26”, adding 9.5” (half the shoulder width) to 26” (the arm length) will yield an overall sleeve length of 35.5” in this product.
5) Measure your overall sleeve length following the instructions on this web site under the tab specifically addressing BODY MEASURING, then compare your overall sleeve length to this product.
6) If desired, repeat the measuring comparisons for back length.
7) Compare your body measures to the listed garment measures and follow the advice found under the SIZING TIPS tab to obtain a good fit.
IMPORTANT: Because you need room in a garment for comfort, garments with a 44” chest circumference are NOT a size 44, nor are they intended for anyone with a 44” chest circumference. Tee shirts and thermal shirts tend to have the most body-hugging fits of our product offerings because these were originally intended to be undergarments, thus these can be ordered to stretch to fit if that is how you wish to wear such garments. Other shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, jackets, etc. will all have some amount of room incorporated in their designs, thus these will all measure larger than your actual chest measure by varying degrees.
Sometimes-Problematic Way to Determine a Good Fit:
Due to differences in how even near-identical garments are cut by different manufacturers, it is not necessarily a good idea to compare the listed measures of this product to the measures of an existing, similar product in your wardrobe to determine the correct size to order in this product. Though such comparisons can indeed work some of the time, and maybe even most of the time, vast experience with and knowledge of the products we market has proven such practices will sometimes fail. This inaccurate measuring methodology doesn't factor in other key variables of fit relative to you and the garment that includes: Armhole opening, shoulder slope, high-point shoulder, high chest, width of sleeves at all points including the all-important elbow, waist measure, and the thickness, plumpness, and rigidity of the material the garment is made from, naming just some variables influencing fit that do not appear on any list of measurements for a garment or that a customer is likely to account for.
It is best to compare your actual body measures to the listed measures of this product AND follow our advice listed under the SIZING TIPS tab specific to this product to obtain a good fit in this style.
A Good Fit:
This is highly subjective - what one person may think is too big, another may think fits perfectly. Some garments are cut quite generously and others are cut quite trimly. If comparing measurements of one of our products to another you may own, some individuals will surely find that none or maybe only one area of measure is commonly shared or remotely close to being the same. Ultimately, chest measure is the most important area to properly fit, then all other areas of measure will have to fall into place. And some individuals who are extremely tall may find that body and/or sleeve length are more important to accommodate than even chest measure.
It is best to compare your actual body measures to the listed measures of this product AND follow our advice listed under the SIZING TIPS tab specific to this product to obtain a good fit in this style.
We strive to create a crisp fit between our products and the customer, and not a loose, sloppy look. If you prefer your clothing to fit more loosely, then we will do our best to work with you to that end, though, by the very nature of our product designs and fits it may not be possible to duplicate the slack looks found in many mainstream clothing brands even if you go up one or two sizes in our products.
