During WWI, when pilots rode in open cockpits, pilots were quick to wear whatever they could find that was warm.   There were very few 'Service Issued' articles issued to pilots and their crews.  There was nothing such as a bomber jacket or flight jacket at that time.   What was issued to them besides the planes themselves was clearly functional, but often these garments fell far short in practicality and warmth.   While serving in France and Belgium, the Royal Flying Corps pilots had already begun wearing long leather bomber jackets in 1915, and the trend caught on.   The US Army established the Aviation Clothing Board in September 1917 and began distributing heavy duty leather flight bomber 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 bomber jacket was born.

     Years before WWII, the U.S. Air Corp was issued the 'Type A2 Bomber Jacket', Standard Issue on May 9, 1931.    The U.S. Navy followed later with the 'Type the M-445 Flight Jacket' for Pilots of the Navy and Marine Corps ( later to be called the G1 during the war ).    The issues were made of Seal Skin Leather and a functional cotton lining.   However, as the Air Corp gained popularity and enlisted ranks swelled, the sealskin was deemed unpractical to fill such large orders.  The then Department of War went to making the Type A2 Bomber Jacket out of Horsehide, which at that time was plentiful in the United States Leather Tanning Markets.   Today, the A2 and G1 are made to Department of Defense Standards for Military Issue using only Goatskin and Cowhide Leather.

     The Type A2 was a waist length leather jacket that featured two front patch pockets toward the bottom, a stretch webbing attached to the bottom of the jacket and at the end of the sleeves to close out the air, shoulder epaulets, and nothing else.   It was a real plain Jane intended to look just good enough for the Generals, and be barely functional for the wearer.   However, at that time, there were several different types of styles for use within the U.S. Army and the Type A2 Bomber Jacket made of Leather added a wonderful distinction to the U.S. Air Corp.

     The Type G1 was somewhat different than the Type A2.  Its body was more form fitted with a longer waisted Webbing at the bottom and a Mouton Collar.   Where the A2 used metal snaps on the front patch pockets, the G1 used buttons.   The Type G1 also featured a By-Swing Back for easier arm movement, or so thought the U.S. Navy Department.

     Leslie Irvin first designed and manufactured the Classic Sheepskin Flying Jacket.   In 1926 he set up a manufacturing company in the United Kingdom, and became the main supplier of flying flight jackets to the Royal Air Force during most of the Second World War.    However the demand during the early years of the war was so great that the Irvin company engaged sub-contractors, which explains the slight variations of design and color, which can be seen in early production Irvin flying flight jackets.

     As aircraft became more advanced, altitudes got higher, speeds got faster, and temperatures got colder, warmer clothing for air crews was needed.    Most heavy bombing raids in Europe during the Second World War took place from altitudes at least 25,000 ft, where it could reach as cold as minus 50 degrees Celsius.     Aircraft were not insulated and so the cockpits would get just as cold.   Heavy flight jackets were essential.   A2's were alright, but soon, the advent and need for Shearling was apparent.   Then came the B-Series Synthetic Jackets and the heated flight suites.

     Still,  two most historical and well-known American Flight Jackets are the A-2 and the G-1.   Although General “Hap” Arnold cancelled the original A-2 after twelve years because he wanted “something better”, the A-2 remains to be the most recognizable and sought after American flight jacket. The G-1Flight Jacket, designed by the US 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.      However, because of its popularity, the Navy G1 Flight Jacket made its military comeback as an 'Department of Defense, Naval Department Official Military Issued Jacket' during Desert Storm and is still issued to pilots and Naval and Marine Officers today.

      Stylish flight jackets, however, are not limited to just the Type A-2 and Type G-1.   Shearling Flight Jackets, originally lined with fur, are recognized for being some of the warmest jackets and coats on the planet.     Even when the fur was sometimes replaced with wool, this flight jacket was warm 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 of Shearling Flight Jackets range from the B-3, the “Bomber Flight Jacket” to the Navy’s own Shearling Flight jacket ( basically the same jacket but with different designation ), and the ANJ-4 Shearling worn by many B-17 and B-24 Pilots.    The ANJ-4 was a copy of the B3, only with outside Patch Pockets worked into the design.    The ANJ-4 is pictured mostly on Officer Pilots, so it may have been only issued to Officers at first during its early  use.     Still, the old standby leather jackets were fast growing out of favor as an item to wear in the upper altitudes.   The newer, warmer, and lighter synthetic bomber and flight jackets were gaining their own popularity among the flyers.

     The synthetic B-Series Bomber Jackets first gained esteem after Gen. Hap Arnold rejected the A-2.    The B-10 was the first of the non-leather jackets to become popular with the air crews are featured in many war photos of the period.  The B10 Issued Jacket was considered far lighter and much warmer than the Type A2 Issued Leather Jacket which came with just a thin lining that did not offer the wearer much warm at high altitude.   The B-15 was issued in late 1944 and soon replaced the B10 as the issued jacket.  Styles range from the cotton twill B-series and the standardized flight jacket of the Navy, the CWU-series.  

     Both synthetic and shearling flight jackets are both worn and collected by WWII buffs today, but many do not contain the social status as the A-2, the G-1, or the Shearling B3.  

     Sometime around March of 1944, some bomber crews dropped the A2 and B3 Leather Jackets in favor of the newly issued heated flight suites, principally the F2 heated Flight Suit and the later upgraded F3 version .   Everything about this suite had a plug-in, except for the rubberized  May-West, a neck and chest fitted floatation B2, B3, or B-4 Life Vest.    It was lighter, easier to move in, and much warmer.

     During 1943 to 1945, there are lots of military and personal photographs that show particular air crews wearing a wide plethora of flight gear and different jackets.    Officers of one crew might be wearing an A2 or ANJ-4 jacket while several other lower ranks might be wearing an A4 Flight suit with a B-10 or B15 Jacket over it.   Two other crew members may have on a B3 shearling.   The assortment of jackets worn on any one mission by different crew members is astonishing and it seems that keeping warm was a very personal thing for each crew member.

     The A2 Bomber Jacket, the G1 Flight Jacket, and the B3 Shearling Bomber Jacket, not only were these three flight jackets useful to the serving men who wore them, but in their popularity became symbols of Honor, Legend, Adventure, and Style.     Hollywood movies are filled with them, making these once specialized flight jackets Collector and Fashion items.   The Leather Fashion Market still loves their simplistic and rugged looks as does the consumer buying public.    These three jackets styles have become synonymous within the men's leather market as the 'little black dress' has become for the women's  dress market.    General Arnold not withstanding, the Type-A2 Bomber Jacket is still issued to Pilots in the U.S. Air Force today.   So is the G1 Flight Jacket for the U.S. Navy & Marines.    Today, they are made of Goatskin and American Cowhide.

     Most modern jacket styles today have their start with these favorite military styles.   Even the original issued B-10 and B-15 Bomber Jackets have provided the base designs for most nylon and cotton blend jacket styles found on the market today at your favorite stores.  Even many of today's parkas and trench coats have a military ancestor in their style linage.   

     Still, who ever wears a bomber or flight jacket creates a new and affirmative persona for themselves.   This can be both a rugged and adventurous look, or a legendary and honorable bearing.  No mater which bomber or flight jacket you wear, it all boils down to how people will see you in it.   When a man is seen wearing a good leather bomber jacket, it conveys a unique esteem, and those looking on cannot help but think to themselves, "there walks a man".

Leather Jacket Repair & Restoration

Often folks contact us concerning an older leather jacket that is a treasured or prized heirloom, something Dad wore in the Service, or just a special Leather Jacket they purchased years back and is now showing serious wear.   Although we do not do perform such repairs or restorations, we recommend Willow Evans for all repairs and restorations of leather jackets.    Willow does meticulous work, ---repairing webbing, zippers, collars, cuffs, snaps, and even difficult leather restoration.   Even old dried out Leather can actually be restore to its original state or close to it.  So, if you do have an aged or damaged jacket, American Mystique directs you to Willow Evans, a full Tailor specializing in the repair and restoration of damaged Leather Jackets, be they Bomber or Flight Jackets, or even prized Motorcycle Jackets and Vests .

Please feel free to contact us about your experience with Willow.