New blue Nomex flight suit

dbaran · December 07, 2008, 01:07:22 AM

With the March, 2009 phaseout of the smurf (ultramarine) flight suit coming up, has anyone found a good source for the new dark blue one?

My experience with the smurf suit from Vanguard was that the material resembled a Kleenex for thickness, and spending another $250 for one from them would not be a first choice. Flightsuits.com has a 6.5 oz Nomex one for about the same price.

And has there been any discussion of a volume purchase for them ... given the number of beards in my Group alone, you'd think that there are going to be a lot of them purchased in the near future.

Any recommendations?

bosshawk · December 07, 2008, 01:11:56 AM

I can't help you with an alternate source for the blue flight suit, but I can tell you that the quality of the one from Vanguard is pretty high. I have seen about a half dozen and they all looked pretty good. I have a very good friend with one and he is happy as a clam.

PHall · December 07, 2008, 01:26:28 AM

Quote from: dbaran on December 07, 2008, 01:07:22 AM
My experience with the smurf suit from Vanguard was that the material resembled a Kleenex for thickness, and spending another $250 for one from them would not be a first choice.

That's the same thickness as the one's I was issued in the military. Nothing wrong with it.

AlphaSigOU · December 07, 2008, 01:44:38 AM

Don't get one confused with the other - there is a (nearly) identical dark blue utility uniform that's cotton and not Nomex that sells for about $40.00 at Vanguard. It looks like a cheap knockoff of the flight suit. The blue Nomex flight suit sold at Vanguard is the real deal.

Eclipse · December 07, 2008, 05:17:56 PM

Quote from: dbaran on December 07, 2008, 01:07:22 AM
With the March, 2009 phaseout of the smurf (ultramarine) flight suit coming up, has anyone found a good source for the new dark blue one?

My experience with the smurf suit from Vanguard was that the material resembled a Kleenex for thickness, and spending another $250 for one from them would not be a first choice. Flightsuits.com has a 6.5 oz Nomex one for about the same price.

Just the sake of clarification (and to avoid anyone pulling out a Smurf suit and trying to wear it again until next year).

The light blue Nomex flight suit has never been referred to as the "Smurf Suit".

The "Smuf Suit" was a short-sleeved utility jumper:

Vanguard has never carried either the Utility Jumper or the light blue Nomex.

There are any number of retail and online sources besides Vanguard for a flight suit, but Nomex is expensive - you're likely not going to see it cheaper than $150 for "normal" sizes (more for tall, etc.), and dark blue is harder to find.

The dark blue utility uniform in pretty thin, but I personally like it, and it was cheap - makes great uniform for a go kit.

MIKE · December 07, 2008, 05:30:10 PM

What is the new url for what was flightsuits.com? They should have it.

ol'fido · December 07, 2008, 09:13:30 PM

Unless you actually need Nomex, try the cotton flight suits at U.S. Cavalry Store. Look and feel like the Nomex ones. Approx. $40 ea.

blackrain · December 07, 2008, 10:58:59 PM

I meet height and weight standards but I went ahead and bought the 6.5 oz Nomex Navy Blue suit from Gibson and Barnes (formerly Flightsuits Ltd). It definitely wasn't cheap. I've flown a couple of times with it and I'm happy with it. The heavier material resists wrinkles and the heavy duty zippered pockets do well holding my smaller items while flying. Definitely warmer but well made. I can see nomex of some sort to become required equipment at some point so I decided to go first class.

Rob Sherlin · December 08, 2008, 02:53:46 AM

I tend to think (no matter what the color), there is a difference between the suits for a reason. I know there's "flight suits" out there for about $40 or so, but you're not going to find "Nomex" for that price. Once again (for you regulation guys), There's nothing stating you have to wear Nomex, it just states the color flight suit and what to wear with it as far as rank, patches, where they go and such. Nomex has a certain advantages (especialy if your dealing with fire), that others don't have.
So, I would tend to think it all matters to the individual. You do a lot of flying and are concerned about safety, you spend the money and get the "Nomex" blues and prey they don't change the colors again for a bit, or you buy the cheaper ones and take the risk.

Eclipse · December 08, 2008, 02:57:09 AM

Quote from: Rob Sherlin on December 08, 2008, 02:53:46 AMOnce again (for you regulation guys), There's nothing stating you have to wear Nomex,

CAWG requires Nomex for aircrews.

Rob Sherlin · December 08, 2008, 03:00:41 AM

I guess I stand corrected...Thank You.

I would consider the other ones (even if they match and are sold as flight suits..."utility uniforms")

afgeo4 · December 08, 2008, 05:14:49 AM

Is the USCG blue nomex flightsuit acceptable?

DNall · December 08, 2008, 09:48:13 AM

yes

O-Rex · December 08, 2008, 01:08:29 PM

Quote from: afgeo4 on December 08, 2008, 05:14:49 AM
Is the USCG blue nomex flightsuit acceptable?

NO!!!

The USCG flightsuit is royal blue, the CAP flightsuit is navy blue

Aureus International sells blue nomex flightsuits for $195: the quality is fantastic-I daresay it's made better even better than green bags. Watch sizing, they run a bit small.

teesquared · December 13, 2008, 05:52:43 AM

With the March, 2009 phaseout of the smurf (ultramarine) flight suit coming up, has anyone found a good source for the new dark blue one?

I believe the flight suit being phased out in Mar 2009 is the Royal Blue flight suit, not the Smurf suit. The Smurf was phased out several years ago. The Royal Blue was a Nomex suit (I have one).

Eclipse · December 13, 2008, 06:11:21 AM

The flightsuit being phased on in Mar 2009 is the one on the right below...

teesquared · December 13, 2008, 06:28:37 AM

Quote[The flightsuit being phased on in Mar 2009 is the one on the right below...

Correct.

Duke Dillio · December 13, 2008, 06:35:25 AM

^^^ Please tell me someone didn't spend money for a leather nametag that says "Mission Scanner" on it... I know the leather tape is required but dang......

Eclipse · December 13, 2008, 06:40:32 AM

Quote from: Sqn72DO on December 13, 2008, 06:35:25 AM
^^^ Please tell me someone didn't spend money for a leather nametag that says "Mission Scanner" on it... I know the leather tape is required but dang......

Yes, that someone would be me - your aeronautical rating is supposed to be on there, and since at the time they did not make the GBD badges, and there is no insignia for Scanner, that's the correct way to do it.

Not saying its not tore up, but its correct.

My tag no longer looks like that.

Duke Dillio · December 13, 2008, 06:45:35 AM

It wasn't anything personal. I just hate to see people have to throw money away. I guess if you just wanted to stop at Scanner, there isn't much of an issue but most people I know try to move out of Scanner to MP or MO. I do like that light blue though...