Flight Jacket

The flight jacket: there is nothing quite like it. Aside from its classy, vintage style, its history has immortalized it. It can be seen in the pictures of fighter groups and bomber squadrons from WWI and II; these jackets that the pilots wore were intrinsic to them, a part of their story. That, the original insignia, the fine quality of its manufacture, and the fact its reputation has made it a symbol of true, youthful Americanism all contribute to the reason why this item is so treasured by collectors. However, regardless of why, one thing is for certain: the flight leather jacket may have started as a modest enterprise, but it became a timeless and admired item.

The flight jacket, when traced to its beginnings, was created for practical reasons. As aircraft became more advanced, altitudes got higher, speeds got faster, and temperatures got colder. Most heavy bombing raids in Europe during WWII took place from altitudes at least 25,000 ft, where it could reach as cold as negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep the pilots from freezing, nonetheless allowing them to fly comfortably, very warm and protective clothing was needed. In England, Royal Flying Corps pilots had already begun wearing long leather coats in 1915, and the trend caught on. The Army established the Aviation Clothing Board in September 1917 and began distributing heavy duty jackets; with high wrap around collars, zipper closures with wind flaps, snug cuffs and waits, and some fringed and lined with fur. Thus, the American Flight Jacket was born.

The two most historical flight jackets that are most recognized are the A-2 and the G-1. Although General “Hap” Arnold canceled the original A-2 after twelve years because he wanted “something better”, the A-2 remains to be the most recognizable and sought after. The G-1, designed by the Navy to parallel the Air Corps’ A-2, lasted until 1978, where Congress forced its cancellation because its tremendous popularity was overwhelming the Navy’s supply system. Not only were the A-2 and G-1 useful to the serving men who wore them, but in their popularity became symbols of honor, adventure, and style. Hollywood movies like Top Gun boosted sales of the G-1 tremendously, making these once specialized jackets collector and fashion items.

Flight jackets, however, are not limited to the A-2 and G-1. Shearling jackets, originally lined with fur, are recognized for being the warmest ones. Even when the fur was replaced with wool, this coat was insulated enough to keep Lt. J. A. MacReady warm when he set a world record in April 1921, reaching an altitude of 40,000 feet in his open cockpit airplane. Styles range from the B-3, the “bomber jacket”, to the M-445, the Navy’s own shearling coat. Synthetic flight jackets were, and still are, popular in the military as well. These jackets first gained esteem after Gen. Hap Arnold rejected the A-2 in 1942. Styles range from the cotton twill B-series and the standardized CWU series of the Navy. Both synthetic and shearling jackets are both worn and collected by army buffs today, but neither has the historical status as the A-2 and the G-1.

visit our article about Pilot watch here.

Information Links