The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work relief program developed as part of FDR’s “New Deal” and established in 1933 under the Emergency Conservation Work Act.  The CCC was largely responsible for working on government outdoor projects, such as creating and maintaining national parks; many of the sites and trails we enjoy in the USA to this day in our national parks are directly attributed to the workers of the CCC. 

Although a civilian organization, CCC clothing was under direct responsibility of the U. S. Army Quartermaster, hence all contracts for clothing were procured and developed via the U. S. Army QM.  Buzz Rickson’s masterfully recreated this extraordinarily rare work coat from the days of The Great Depression (only a few examples of this coat are known to exist today in private collections and not even the U. S. Army Quartermaster museum owns such a coat).  It is noteworthy that a well-worn vintage example of this coat was outfitted on legendary actor James Stewart in the 1953 western film "The Naked Spur," where this classic style easily can be passed off as a style of the 1870's.  Buzz Rickson's is introducing again this classic design that is as handsome and durable as it was over 80 years ago. 

No expense was spared in re-creating this gem from the days of extreme hardship and challenge in American history. Buzz Rickson’s deftly recreated a heavy worsted-wool blanket-like fabric using vintage machinery to both loom and assemble this fabulous work coat, then the waistband, a style common in the 1930’s, was custom made of singe-ply cotton and elastic using special looms indigenous to the era, resulting in amazing clone-like authenticity that is further complemented by the authentic cat’s-eye urea buttons.

Warm and durable enough for most fall and winter outdoor activities, and uniquely styled with a shawl collar once so typical in outerwear of the “good old days,” this Buzz Rickson’s masterpiece is sure to serve you as well as it did those poor-yet-hardworking men of the CCC.  Please note these authentic features found only on a Buzz Rickson’s coat of this pedigree:

• Button-front closure
• Vintage-style shawl collar that can be extended well high onto the lower jaw and ear areas
• Custom manufacturing of vintage-style black urea cat’s-eye buttons
• Custom manufacturing of the correct heavy worsted-wool blanket-like fabric using vintage machinery
• The waistband is typical in design and construction to a style common in the 1930’s. These are woven of singe-ply cotton and elastic using special looms indigenous to the era and our reproduction has spared no expense in recreating this intricately unique waistband style, which includes utilizing the exact vintage looms that can generate this fabric to clone-like authenticity today
• Coat assembly using vintage sewing machinery
• Heavy bar tacks at upper pocket corners for extra strength at these key stress points
• Pocket flaps and interior cuffs on sleeve ends are backed with all-cotton black twill exactly as found on the original jacket style
• Exact copy of the original-style label found on the vintage coat now retained in the archives of Buzz Rickson’s. The label is woven with nomenclature printed in typical U. S. Army fashion. The contract is dated 1935 and clearly indicates the fact that the CCC was outfitted via the U. S. Army as evidenced by the contract number beginning with “W-669-QM” (War Dept. Phila. Quartermaster), followed by “ECW-231” (Emergency Conservation Work contract 231).
• True vintage fit for flattering appearance, not a sloppy, relaxed fit with droopy shoulder seams
• DRY CLEAN ONLY

Even sizes 36-44 Regular (these run large).   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

This is no fashion-colored MA-1 Flight Jacket, but the genuine, real deal worn by Northrop Aviation test pilots in the 1950’s & ‘60’s (Northrop’s official color was red and this showed up in a variety of forms and items dating back to the 1940’s).

The MA-1 Flight Jacket’s lightweight construction, comfortable non-bulky warmth and natural good looks made this style an instant success with aircrew at bases around the world, as well as with anyone who could beg, borrow or steal one of these coveted gems, so it’s no wonder Northrop choose this style for their flight crews.

Northrop’s red MA-1 jackets were made to the basic USAF specs. of the era and by a USAF contractor in a limited commercial production, the result being a Blazing-Red MA-1 Jacket that made their elite test pilots stand out, as seen in our vintage photo of the crew of an F-89H “Scorpion.” This MA-1 is a true shade of red. It is not orange, or pink, or magenta, but Blazing Scarlett Red, outfitted with striking-looking black knit parts, making this not just a Northrop Aviation MA- 1, but also one suitable for alumni of Rutgers University and Haddonfield Memorial High School (go Scarlett Knights and Bulldogs!), as well as anyone looking for a rugged, slick-looking jacket in a brilliant color.

Buzz Rickson’s design team have made various MA-1 Jackets over the years, making this a style they have gained world fame for making exquisitely and for which novelist William Gibson even turned into a sub-character in his novel “Pattern Recognition.” The original MA-1 was intended for wear in climates between 25 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, thus ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter, and this remains true for our offering.

Buzz Rickson’s heavy nylon twill fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy flight satin used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAF flight jackets.  Buzz Rickson's have recreated the original fabric of the 1950’s using vintage looms and following vintage specs. and tests to make their fabric without peer; in fact, the only other flying jackets in the world today made from this nylon are those vintage examples of the USAF!  And full assembly of the exterior is performed with contrasting black thread that looks superb on the red nylon; only the very finest sewing machine operators are up to this task because contrasting thread will blatantly stand out if sewn in crooked form. 

This Buzz Rickson’s MA-1 Flight Jacket correctly captures all the nuances found on MA-1 Flight Jackets once produced in extremely limited numbers for Northop Aviation.  Take note of these authentic features:

• Copy of a commercial-style label in the neck area
• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave nylon twill to precisely match 1950’s USAF specs. and treated to repel water. Outer side dyed to precise shade of Nothrop Aviation’s red and the lining is colored in the earlier shade of silver-grey USAF sage green (this MA-1 is NOT reversible)
• Correct USAF-spec. batting of warm wool-and-cotton fiber filling sandwiched between the outer and inner shell lining
• Full assembly on the exterior with contrasting black thread.  Only the very finest sewing machine operators are up to this task because contrasting thread will blatantly stand out is sewn in crooked form.
• Two snap-down exterior pockets lined with warm 80/20 wool-rayon fabric precisely matching 1950’s USAF specs.
• Two snap-down interior pockets lined with heavy all-cotton twill fabric precisely matching 1950’s USAF specs.
• Exact copy of the heavy-duty 1950’s Crown main zipper and pocket zipper with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton
• Leather zipper pull tabs as found USAF MA-1s, designed for easy functioning with gloves
• Heavy wind flap protector located behind zipper closure with curved top to minimize contact with the chin
• Two snap-down tabs (one on each breast) for retaining headset and microphone wiring leads, exactly as on original 1950’s MA-1 jackets
• Custom manufacturing of the correct, two-ply, 100% worsted-wool knit collar, cuffs and waist skirt in jet black
• Heavy-weight parachute harness nylon in black, correctly sewn to left front chest for attaching oxygen mask retainer clip
• Zippered pocket on left sleeve outfitted with four pen/pencil slots reinforced with heavy bar tacks and outfitted with two anti-puncture pencil caps made of USAF-spec. brass

Sizes: XS – XXL.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan