Flight Jackets

The flight jacket was created for practical reasons in the years of the First World War. They were distributed by the US Army Aviation Clothing Board.

The classic sheepskin flight jacket was first designed and manufactured by Leslie Irvin in 1926. As aircraft became more advanced, altitudes got higher and temperatures got colder, so flight jackets were essential.

Shearling jackets, originally lined with fur, and later – with wool, are still considered to be the warmest ones. Styles of these jackets vary from the B-3 to the M-445, the Navy's own Shearling jacket. Synthetic jackets are also popular in military. Styles vary from the cotton twill B-series to the CWU, the standardized jacket of the Navy.

Today flight jackets are usually associated with the MA-1, a USA military jacket, mostly found in black or sage green. The military version is made from Nomex, while the normal version is made with silk flight nylon. It has 2 slanted flap pockets on the front, 2 inner pockets, and a zipped pocket with pen holders on the left sleeve.

Leather Flight Jackets

Leather flight jackets are authentic flying jackets tried, tested and adopted as regulation by the Army Air Corps. The two most well-known American flight jackets are the A-2 jacket and the G-1. These two jackets were not only useful to the serving men who wore them, but they also became symbols of honor, adventure and style.

The A-2 flight jacket was adopted in regulation in 1931. It is generally made of goatskin and comes in different sizes. The details that make the A-2 flight jacket different from other jackets include military-specified quality zippers and fasteners, regulation snap-down collar, shoulder epaulets, snap-close pockets and knit bottom and cuffs.

The G-1 flight jacket was adopted as regulation in 1938. It is made of water-repellent goatskin, carries military specification zippers and fasteners, synthetic pile collars, inside map pocket, wool knit cuffs and waistband and nylon lining. The G-1 flight jacket is the actual jacket used by United States Navy Aviators.

Luftwaffe Flight Jacket Insignia

The current Luftwaffe jacket is made from gray goatskin. Its wide rib-knit collar is typically worn open, but the front zipper zips to the top of the collar. In an emergency, the jacket can be worn with the orange lining out. Luftwaffe jackets can be found in both military and civil versions. The military version comes with an orange lining and without the hand warmer pockets, while the civil version's lining matches the leather color and it has two welt pockets to keep your hands warm.