posted 03-20-2007 06:51 PM
Does anyone know a source for these blue NASA jackets (with small black collar) or the desert tan jacket (with small black collar)?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52474 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-20-2007 08:00 PM
I believe they are available from Gibson & Barnes Premiere Outfitters: Classic Uniform Jacket
keelerphoto Member
Posts: 55 From: sherman Oaks Registered: Apr 2007
posted 08-16-2007 06:56 PM
The photos of the astronauts in there blue flight suits and black high top tennis shoes... does anybody know who supplied them, who made them?
The flight suits in the mid-1960s were made by Foster Originals (black pockets). The mustard flight suits were made by Kings Point and the late 60s flight suits were made "Flite Wear" by Land MFG co.
p51 Member
Posts: 1784 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 09-18-2011 05:44 PM
I bought one of the Alpha Industries blue flight suits you can get in the gift shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex but I've noticed a few differences between it and the crew used later flight suits. Does anyone know if someone can buy one of the NASA ones?
I don't want a flown suit (they're only used for training anyway and I know they don't take them on the shuttle) but would like to put together the right kind of one for a display.
Editor's note: Threads merged.
p51 Member
Posts: 1784 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 10-05-2011 11:35 PM
I found this photo of Tom McMurtry and the 747 transporter. I really like these jackets but had never seen photos of this type before.
328KF Member
Posts: 1391 From: Registered: Apr 2008
posted 10-06-2011 08:23 AM
quote:Originally posted by p51: I really like these jackets but had never seen photos of this type before.
As was mentioned above, NASA's current supplier is Gibson and Barnes, which also goes by the name Flight Suits, Ltd. The jacket in that photo is an example of their "Classic" uniform flight jacket.
Now the jacket worn during the early to mid-90's is a little more difficult to track down. I believe these first showed up with the STS-29 mission, but didn't last long. Bruce McCandless still wears his at appearances, but I've never taken the opportunity to ask him who made it.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 1011 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 10-06-2011 03:56 PM
quote:Originally posted by 328KF: Aside from the color, this is the same one worn by the astronauts today.
I think a minor difference is that the current issue NASA jackets do not have flaps over the main pockets. If I recall, they have zipper closures. Take a look at this pic.
I could be wrong though.
328KF Member
Posts: 1391 From: Registered: Apr 2008
posted 10-06-2011 04:26 PM
The version you talking about is Flight Suits' Guardian design. It is essentially the same in design and construction except for the zippered pockets.
These were the standard throughout the mid to late 90's when the Classic was phased in. Look at some pics from the STS-95 crew post-flight and you will see a mix of the two. Today, the flap pockets seem to be the standard issue.
You won't see these as part of the in-flight gear, but the collared version I posted the pic of above was used onboard when they first came out.
Now aside from flight suits and jackets, if you want to get some authentic in-flight gear, you can go shopping at Cabela's and pick up their hiking pants... NASA buys these right off the shelf!
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 1011 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 10-06-2011 04:44 PM
The Guardian design appears to have vertical pocket openings. The pic I linked above appears to show diagonal zippered openings.
p51 Member
Posts: 1784 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 10-06-2011 09:26 PM
quote:Originally posted by Greggy_D: Take a look at this pic.
Interesting photo. I couldn't get past the difference in footwear.
Christer Fuglesang (the ESA crewman to the right) looks like he's wearing civilian boots. Robert Curbeam (far left) is wearing the standard "brown shoe" worn by Naval Aviators ever since the rest of the Navy transitioned to a black shoe.
Mark Polansky (on the mike) looks like he's wearing his old issued boots. Even my much ragged jungle boots from my Army days don't look that bad, hasn't this guy ever heard of shoe polish?
I never paid much attention to footwear before, but this photo was interesting to me in that regard.
Bill Hunt Member
Posts: 406 From: Irvine, CA Registered: Oct 2002
posted 10-07-2011 02:51 PM
What color does NASA specify - Royal Blue? And where do they get flight suits and shoes from?
328KF Member
Posts: 1391 From: Registered: Apr 2008
posted 10-10-2011 09:59 AM
Bill, the current color, since about the time of STS-30, is royal blue. The suits were a slightly darker shade prior to that.
I have in my collection a NASA-issued suit that is somewhat darker blue than the nomex flight jacket, but the shades vary greatly in photos depending on lighting.
As mentioned above, you can find all of the current issued NASA gear from Gibson & Barnes.
p51 Member
Posts: 1784 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 11-03-2011 09:30 PM
Royal blue nomex flight suits aren't that tough to find but they don't come cheap.
I have recently discovered that the U.S. Air Force Academy cadets wear a jacket that looks a lot like NASA ones and can be found really cheaply.
Posts: 3469 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 11-03-2011 10:17 PM
Just as difficult to find are the powder blue flight suits used in the beginning of the shuttle program. I remember buying one in the mid-'90s, but don't remember who made them as I no longer have the suit.
Harder still are the powder blue jacket - the one with the ribbed shoulders - and trouser combination. I remember a photo of Bill Nelson selecting one to wear from a rack of them and wishing I could do the same. I had one which purportedly was a replica made for an unknown movie production, made out of cotton, which was extremely heavy. That, too, I no longer have.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 1011 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 11-07-2011 11:25 AM
The early 80's shuttle launch/entry coveralls (flight suit) and also the jacket/pants were made by ILC Space Systems. Did you own a flown launch/entry coverall?
I would disagree the jacket/pants are harder to find since I've seen a few examples in collections, but they are still extremely rare. I own the launch/entry coveralls that were auctioned off last year by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. I do not know of another launch/entry coverall out there in the "wild."
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3469 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 11-07-2011 12:41 PM
Nope, not flown. The powder blue flight suit (one-piece) I got from a sci-fi convention about 15 or more years ago. The two piece jacket was a replica.
As pointed out in another thread, the Indonesian alternate Taufik Akbar's launch/entry coveralls were originally made for Hank Hartsfield, the tag having red slashes through it. Perhaps this was a flown or training version that was downgraded to training or further used for additional training?
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 1011 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 11-07-2011 01:07 PM
Yes, the launch/entry coveralls were recycled (mine included) from flight to flight. Charlie Walker and Sam Durrance both told me that NASA reclaimed the suits after each flight and put them back in the rotation for reassignment.
I think the red slashes indicate that the suit was downgraded to Class III (training). In the example you listed, most likely Hartsfield wore that suit on STS-41D before it was reassigned to other flights and then downgraded.
The STS-61E suit I have does not have the red slashes and maintained a Class I status.
mack77 New Member
Posts: 2 From: Texas Registered: Jan 2012
posted 01-14-2012 09:31 PM
A couple of days ago I came across a Kings Point mustard flight suit with a NASA patch hanging in a pawn shop in Texas. I suspected it was legit so I picked it up at a really good price. Condition is very good to excellent except the left sleeve is missing the zipper slide.
I was wondering when these were in service and what they were used for?
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 07-02-2012 12:43 AM
It's obvious that Gibson & Barnes is the current manufacturer, and photos from the mid- to late-90's and 2000's show most suits are similar to the current Gibson & Barnes suit (the biggest giveaway is the velcro color and the knife pocket).
Some of these were probably also made when Gibson & Barnes went by Flight Suits, Ltd. However, the suits in the 1990 astronaut group are different (once again, the biggest giveaway is the knife pocket and velcro color).
Chariot412 Member
Posts: 164 From: Lockport, NY, 14094 Registered: Jun 2011
posted 07-02-2012 07:57 AM
Just a quick note concerning the knife pocket on the leg: The g-suit worn in high-performance aircraft had it's own knife pocket, so the first thing you would do when you got a new flight suit was cut the knife pocket off. Not a bad idea functionally, but it was actually a bit of a "hey, I'm a fighter pilot" statement too.
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
Meanwhile, Kalpana Chawla's jacket looks very similar to a GB-1. Though, the pockets look slightly different. It looks like the same kind worn by Bruce McCandless that was mentioned earlier in the thread.
p51 Member
Posts: 1784 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 07-22-2012 05:09 PM
I've grilled a few astronauts and NASA flight crew people recently on where they get their stuff, and of course most don't recall much other than being asked for specific sizes of stuff and, "It just showed up one day..."
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 07-22-2012 05:46 PM
On most things, there should be tags inside listing the manufacturer. Gibson & Barnes (which also used to go by Flight Suits Ltd.) seems to make most of the flight equipment including flight suits, jackets, gloves, helmets, and I think some nametags.
All Gibson & Barnes jackets and flight suits made in the last few years even have a little black tag attached on the outside saying G&B. You can see them pretty clearly in crew portraits and other pictures from the last few years.
I think boots are probably the person's personal taste as I've seen a wide variety of different boots in photographs. Some wear FWU 3/p's or FWU 8/p's (These were made by Addison and used by the Air Force for a very long time), while others wear types of boots that I can't even identify.
p51 Member
Posts: 1784 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 07-22-2012 06:16 PM
Knowing pilots from the various branches of the military, I'd be willing to bet anyone wearing brown boots is probably Navy, as they pride themselves for wearing that color...
Philip Member
Posts: 6259 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 07-23-2012 10:34 AM
The boots are military issue, Air Force, Navy and Army Air Corps have their own. Just check this Mercury 7 photo.
Philip Member
Posts: 6259 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 08-28-2012 10:26 AM
This Heritage flightgear blog has some pictures of the Mercury astronauts in training.
spaceflight institute New Member
Posts: 7 From: Owings, MD USA Registered: Sep 2012
posted 11-11-2012 03:52 PM
We are putting together an exhibit of spacesuits for a museum exhibit, and I am trying to find a source for a good replica light blue launch/entry coverall (pre-Challenger accident). Any ideas?
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 1011 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 11-11-2012 05:11 PM
Some of the early Space Camp flight suits were close but not quite dead-on accurate. I have some PDFs of the original NASA Launch/Entry Coverall design docs that I could e-mail to you. I think they may be detailed enough to where you could have a replica made up.
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 11-15-2012 12:46 AM
Here's some information about a NASA-used BA-22 parachute from the Johnson Space Center.
BA-22 parachutes were used onboard T-38s through the 60's or 70's up until 2003 (when NASA updated their ejection seats and parachute harnesses). The entire unit contains a pilot chute (Type MA-1), main chute (Type C-9), an emergency oxygen bottle, as well as some limited survival equipment. Overall the pack weighs about 30 pounds.
On the front is a back pad which is attached by four snap buttons. Beneath the pad, there's access to the log book, rip cord pins, and oxygen bottle.
The log book is stored inside a small pouch and enclosed in a yellow holder. The log book contains a log of all assembly, maintenance, inspections, and repacks of the parachute unit, along with dates and signatures. Standard procedure is to inspect parachutes every 30 days and to completely repack them every 180 days.
The oxygen bottle, type MD-1, is used in the event of an emergency in-flight or during a high-altitude bailout. It can hold about 10 minutes worth of oxygen. A small meter displays how much oxygen is available. Attached to the oxygen bottle is a small hose, which is looped around the parachute and comes out on the front where it attaches to the CRU-60/p oxygen regulator. Both the oxygen regulator and "green apple" are located on the right strap of the harness.
Pulling the "green apple" activates a lever which starts oxygen flow. Once activated, it cannot be turned off. The oxygen regulator has a male connector (for attaching to the aircraft oxygen supply), a smaller male connector to attach to the oxygen bottle, and a female connector for attaching to the oxygen mask.
Underneath both arms of the harness are zippers and snap buttons for attaching the LPU-3/p life preservers. The life preservers are activated by pulling the black knobs, which are attached to 2 cords: One pulls out a pin (which holds the unit shut) while the other pulls a lever that punches a hole in a CO2 bottle, causing the unit to inflate.
On the front of the harness are two fittings, which attach the parachute lines. After landing, the parachutist can lift up the fittings to detach the canopy.
There are two rip cords on the unit: an automatic ripcord release (red knob) and a manual release (handle). The automatic release, which is stored inside a pouch on the left of the unit, uses a pyrotechnic charge — after a preset timer — to activate the rip cord once the parachutist reaches a pre-set altitude, which is typically between 13,000 and 14,000 ft. In an emergency, the parachutist can use the manual release to instantly release the pilot chute. Both rip cords are fed through flexible metal tubes into the backpack.
The ends of both ripcords are underneath the back pad behind a zipper. At the very end are metal pins which are fed through two loops to hold the pack closed. The other side of the loops are on the very back of the pack, also hidden under a zipper. A spring is used to keep tension in the loops so that the pack will not open.
Also on the back of the pack is a small pouch which holds an SRU-16/p survival kit. The pouch is located on the inside of the pack (meaning it can only be accessed after the chute is opened) and is held shut by a snap button. The SRU-16/p is a minimalist survival kit (and holds some fairly unconventional items as you can see from the video) and is intended as a backup survival kit. The main survival kit would be located inside the ejection seat. The harness also holds a hooked blade (for cutting parachute lines. I'm not entirely sure where it is located on the harness) and a beacon, strobe light, and radio (this particular harness did not come with these items).
Here's some videos from 1989 and 1991 of ASCANS training with the BA-22 parachute and LPU-3/p life preservers:
Also worth noting, the CRU-60/p oxygen regulator and LPU-3/p life preservers pictured were purchased as surplus, and not NASA-used.
therockmachine New Member
Posts: 1 From: Reno, NV, US Registered: Mar 2014
posted 03-25-2014 05:50 PM
Here's a picture of my flight jacket as a SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador; it shows some detail of the unique name patch, the SOFIA patch, and the the SOFIA 12+ km patch given to researchers that fly aboard the observatory.
larry115 New Member
Posts: 7 From: Registered: May 2014
posted 05-02-2014 11:37 PM
As far as who wore what flight suit when, from 1976 through about, oh, 1982 or '83, when flying T-38s the astronauts wore flight suits made by a very small company in the Texas bayou a few miles south of the space center called Qualcraft Manufacturing.
This company consisted of two very nice ladies working in a garage with a couple of sewing machines. It was a pleasure to have them make flight suits for me, as when I'd go to pick them up they'd tell me, "It's in that pile in the corner. The names are stapled to the collars."
It was a pleasure to sort through "Young," "Crippen," "Lousma," "Mattingly," etc., until I found my own name. These suits were made out of the same material the light blue shuttle launch and entry suits were made of, a stainless steel-impregnated cotton called "Mountain Cloth." Three percent of the cloth was steel in order to allow the suit to dissipate static electricity.
Sadly, mountain cloth had the strength of wet Kleenex, and these suits didn't last very long. They could stand maybe three or four machine washings before they became frayed and fell apart.
After Qualcraft went out of business, NASA bought from several small companies in a relatively short period of time, before settling on long term purchase from Gibson & Barnes, which continues to this day.
Those of you wondering about the 1990 astronaut class, these particular flight suits were made by a defunct company called Greenbrier (another company called Lite Industries also made these blue flight suits, but they were junk. Avoid a suit made by Lite). In my opinion, the Greenbrier suits were the best post-Apollo flight suits made. They were simply the USAF, USN, and USCG-issue blue flight suit of the 80s and 90s without the epaulets. Sadly, Greenbrier is long gone.
Lastly, boots. Being Air Force, I can't speak for the Navy astronauts, but I notice that the Air Force astronauts generally wore the standard USAF issue leather FWU-8P flying boot (even with their launch and entry pumpkin suits) until late in the program. Then they started wearing the Belleville 770 flying boot, which was worn briefly by AF crews until those idiotic green boots became mandatory. Both are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn in my life.
I was issued my first pair of 8P leather boots at Sheppard AFB in 1985 and wore the same pair into the late 90s. They were that good. Finally, a few years ago, I bought a pair of the Belleville 770s, and they are as comfortable as a pair of slippers. I understand why the astronauts continue to wear both.
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3952 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 10-27-2016 12:15 PM
The Apollo 15 astronauts were wearing blue flight suits (S71-42065) when they stepped off the recovery helicopter on the USS Okinawa. However, below deck Worden (S71-42191) and Irwin (S71-42197) were wearing green flight suits.
Liembo Member
Posts: 858 From: Bothell, WA Registered: Jan 2013
posted 04-05-2019 12:47 PM
Here's an odd one. This is Pete Conrad's jacket, made to the same specifications as the mustard Skylab crew jackets, but in dark brown. It was made by the same manufacturer under the same contract number as the flown apparel (made within a week of some of the flown items I have managed to track down).
The serial number is "NON FLIGHT". The patches are Beta cloth. The only part that is the same color as the Skylab jackets are the elastic cuffs. I have yet to find another example like it.
Follow up:
There's another post here on cS from a member that found one tied in to the SMEAT project. Same manufacturing month, different contract ID.
JohnSpaceUK Member
Posts: 59 From: UK Registered: Jan 2016
posted 05-28-2019 09:49 AM
If it's any use I managed to get a look at the powder blue "pleated shoulder" version flight suit of Jean-François Clervoy at Cité de l'espace in Toulouse, including the collar tag.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 1011 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 06-25-2019 09:45 PM
This is a rather odd example since STS-31 was the last flight to feature the light blue jacket and trousers, over 4 years before STS-66.
Clervoy certainly did not wear this on his flight. I'd gather NASA randomly donated this jacket and trousers and applied the STS-66 patch and Clervoy name badge. The caption above the jacket, stating the set was worn on Atlantis during STS-66, is incorrect.
Inflight STS-66 pictures show Clervoy and his crewmates wore the dark blue trousers and shorts.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3469 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 06-26-2019 07:51 PM
The same thing is suspected for Linteris' "uniform" at a NJ museum - pleats on the shoulder, and more bizarrely, two different-sized patches for STS-83 and 94! - that the museum asked for something of Linteris and that NASA threw something together.
JohnSpaceUK Member
Posts: 59 From: UK Registered: Jan 2016
posted 07-02-2019 06:39 AM
quote:Originally posted by Greggy_D: Clervoy certainly did not wear this on his flight.
Well that's interesting. So they either claim it has flown status without any provenance, or NASA fabricated the flight suits and the provenance to go with it?
j_holtslander New Member
Posts: 3 From: Vancouver, B.C. Registered: Jan 2021
posted 01-26-2021 01:54 PM
Can someone identify this Sally Ride jacket by its make, model and/or manufacturer? It looks different than the Gibson and Barnes present day jacket seen in more recent photos.
Body appears shorter than normal judging by the sleeves length and it has a snap fastener at the bottom of the main zipper.
Panther494 Member
Posts: 574 From: London UK Registered: Jan 2013
posted 01-27-2021 12:38 AM
This appears to be based on the NASA type 3 jacket that was a gold/mustard color but done in a darker blue than previous type 1 and 2. May have been specially made for her to fit her small stature.
The pocket flaps seem to be very narrow and overly deep, the stud closure is much smaller than usual all this to accommodate the reduced sizing.
Also the STS-41G patch seems to be an extra add on, perhaps not original to the jacket, seems to be a later single piece construction.
j_holtslander New Member
Posts: 3 From: Vancouver, B.C. Registered: Jan 2021
posted 01-27-2021 03:03 PM
It seems this jacket was very "custom NASA." I found this write up which pretty clearly demonstrates that it's not like most others.
posted 03-20-2007 06:51 PM
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