FLIGHT JACKET

pineappleshooter

pineappleshooter

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Having been in the Navy for 21 years, and working for the Air Force for several more, I've always been interested in obtaining a leather flight jacket. Anyone know of a vendor of QUALITY flight jackets?
 
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There are a number of companies that make the A-2 (USAF) or G-3 (USN) leather flight jackets, in a variety of versions.

You can get the original WW2 design (small patch pockets and no handwarmer pockets); the current issue jacket (updated design and inside pockets); or several other designs that differ only slightly from the original. You can also get a variety of leathers, including cowhide, sheepskin, and goatskin.

And here's the really good news: Many of these jackets are American-made! Yes, you'll pay more for them than you would for a Chinese-made copy at a department store, but the quality of the USA-made jacket is much, much higher. You do get what you pay for in this case.

My own A-2 is almost 20 years old now. It's an original WW2 model, made of horsehide by Willis & Geiger, a great company which has been out of business for some years. I love the comfort and the looks of the A-2...it is the quintessential American jacket.

Here are some links to merchants selling USA-made flight jackets:

A2 Bomber Jackets | Leather Bomber Jacket | Men's Bomber Jackets

A-2 Leather Bomber Jackets and Flight Jackets from U.S. Wings, Page 1

Motorcycle Jacket, Vest, Chaps & Gear at Legendary USA

A-2 Leather Flight jacket FlightJacket.com

There are others as well...just play with search terms in Google and you'll come up with a lot of different merchants that sell flight jackets.

Hope this helps...good luck! :)
 
Got my leather one from my squadron upon Naval Aircrew Candidate School and seat qualification. Paramedics cut it off of me after a car hit me on my motorcycle.

Schott was an official supplier. They still make 'em. They ain't cheap.

Schott leather jackets and motorcycle apparel

Ya can always find a few on Ebay under 'leather flight jacket'.

The genuine issue ones have the velcro patch over the left breast for your name tag.
 
My Daddy (I can tell this story - statute of limitations has run out) though an aviation machinist mate, for some reason did not qualify for a flight jacket. Went down to the surplus store and bought a trashed-out one, for a few bucks.

Took it back to small stores and told 'em his flight jacket was wore out, and he needed a new one. They said, "You got it, Petty Officer", and swapped it out. He just swapped it out every few months, the rest of his time in the Navy. A week before he retired, he went down and turned the old one in for a new one.
 
They may look cool but in actuality they are cold. Had one as part of my issued flight gear (which I kept when I got out) and every time I really needed it for warmth it was a disappointment. Was in So Cal mind you but nights we were out on a case, from standing in the cargo door hoisting or out on St, Nick Island refueling, the wind would go right through it. I assume that the commercial ones might be better now but in my time in I was not happy with them. I would put my work jacket back on as soon as I could get back to my flight locker. Looks cool feels cool. JMHO
Larry
 
I have a couple of the leather ones that were issued to me. One with no patches and the other with one patch.....

100_1376.jpg


The only patch I ever put on any of my flight jackets, other than a name tag.

Too bad they have shrunk after being in the closet for 20 years.

Given a preference , I would rather wear my old green CWU/45P, but some low life scumbag decided he needed it more than I did about a week before I retired. I wasn't able to get another one issued before the door hit me on the way out!

bob
 
I HAVE BEEN A LOVER OF FLIGHT JACKETS FOR YEARS THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEEN IS AERO LEATHER,SCOTLAND. I have a M442A made by Aeoleather for the TV special on the Flying Tigers and especially Tex Hill....Two were made for the special I have one and Aeroleather director has kept the other. Both have the hand painted leather patch,leather Chinese patch with "Tex Hill" in english and chinese/ Workmanship is unbelivable. Red satin lining and real mouton colar. I have the message sent to me by company stating there were only two made the director of Aero Leather, Scotland has one and I have the other. Of course unworn. The best made now are still Aero, at aeroleatherclothing.com Glaskils Scotland , Lost Worlds leather, NYC, and US Authentics, Sadley the Cockpit has slipped in quality over the years, they had at one time the greatist catalog and reproductions around, for some reason they reduced their business and seem to be making only a couple of styes now........Info only the M442A was the first Navel flight jacket made for navel aviators, later to become the G1. The originals are a heavy weight goat skin and a true mouton collar. The ones authorized now are lighter leather and imitation mouton collars....it is hard to find an original with mouton collar as sadley, unless carful storage moths eat the mouton.info go to Aero's site or Lost Worlds site, very interestin history of the leather flight jacket for both Navy, Army Air Corps and now the Airforce that has re-autherized the wearing by pilots of the A2 style of leather flight jackets.....I think the movie "Top Gun" made the jackets very sought after and helped push the services over to re-authorize them....Ironically the Jaqcket that Tom Cruise wore in "Top Gun"was later stolen from him.. obviously I had or have much to much time on my hands......The jackets have become very expensive over the years and Aero and Lost worlds are probably the most expensive. Origially the Air Corps jackets were horsehide, and all Navel, Marine jackets were made of differing weights of goat skin. The Nvel jackets have a "pistol or map pocket inside left breast, the original Air Corps and I believe the ones issued now to Air Force have no inside pocket...Many reproductions have been made but few stayed with the original contract stats...........Aero used to have a US representive in the US but now deals direct with US customers.
 
Mardon Nametag Company sells jackets as well as nametags and patches for them. I bought flightsuit/jacket nametags from them exclusively during my career. Their prices are very reasonable.

Military Jackets
 
I have my Dad's from when he was in the Navy in the 50's. For years I couldn't wait to grow into it, now it's too small.
 
Taylor's Leather Wear, Tullahoma, TN. Check out their web site. They currently manufacturer REAL LEATHER jackets for USAF, USN and various police forces in the USA. They are made right here in my home town and yes, I have a USAF version that I wear a lot.
 
Another plus for US Wings. Leather Bomber Jackets and Flight Jackets from U.S. Wings
MADE IN USA They used to be supplied by Cooper but ( I believe ) when Cooper closed they bought them or their equipment and make their own.
They also do jacket repair , new cuffs, re-lining etc very reasonably. I sent mt Cooper G-2 ( Navy flight jacket with a leather instead of wool collar) in this year as the original lining was deteriorating and they did a great job.
 
I'll give a second hands up for the Aero Leather products...I have two of theirs. One in what is called the "BarnStormer", I love that one. Double Breasted, with a belt, 3/4 length, just like the Aviators of the 20's and 30's wore. And the other is what is known as a classic type of leather jacket, "Hercules". Made from heavy horsehide..Sears used to make this type of leather coat for men.

.Both were made in Scottland...Not cheap..Top notch quality.That Hercules is indestructable...I can't remember the name of the movie, but Charles Bronson played a 1930's type of guy who was a bare knuckle fighter. He wore that type of a leather jacket many men wore back in the thirty's depression era.

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/products.php?cat=classicleather (mine is the Barnstormer, in a lighter weight instead of the Horsehide, and a lighter color) The Hercules looks the same.

Another but from a different company is similar to the Erving (SP) of the English Flyers jacket...Double Breasted with heavy real fleece lining. I got the pants to go with it too...Made by CIRRUS of England. (Guaranteed you would not get cold with this one...I would have liked to have a larger belt on it though.

http://www.flyingjacket.com/

And there's a jacket similar to the AirForce jacket...This one is made by PERRONE leather, here in the US. It's the same style that pilots of Alaska Airlines and SouthWest wear. The biggest difference between it and the AirForce is the shoulder epaulets, and the way the back is cut for a little more flexibility. Has the two side pockets, with the hand warmer pocket. Two snap close, inside pockets down lower in the coat, and a inside pocket for carrying what ever you would want to carry in a left inside pocket. Also there is the velcro patch on the left front breast for a name tag. Nice coat. It's lasted me for over25 plus years now.

http://www.perroneapparel.com/ Mine is the Pro Aviator (I used to be that too)

One more leather coat, was the Police Horsehide coat. made by Danner leather. I don't know if you can still get that one or not. Took forever to break in, but it seemed like the more you abused it, the softer the leather became.

And lastly, for spring and fall, I'll get out my summer weight sage green CWU.

The go to guy here, in the US for the Aero Leather products used to be Mark Moye....

www.AeroLeatherUSA.AOL.com.

I don't know if he's still the go to guy.. Or go right to the AERO Leather web site...


As was mentioned, the real deal is a Shott Leather. Navy had the fur collar, the Army Air Force didn't.

A good leather jacket is a good heir loom to pass on. They only get better with age.


WuzzFuzz





george minze said:
I HAVE BEEN A LOVER OF FLIGHT JACKETS FOR YEARS THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEEN IS AERO LEATHER,SCOTLAND. I have a M442A made by Aeoleather for the TV special on the Flying Tigers and especially Tex Hill....Two were made for the special I have one and Aeroleather director has kept the other. Both have the hand painted leather patch,leather Chinese patch with "Tex Hill" in english and chinese/ Workmanship is unbelivable. Red satin lining and real mouton colar. I have the message sent to me by company stating there were only two made the director of Aero Leather, Scotland has one and I have the other. Of course unworn. The best made now are still Aero, at aeroleatherclothing.com Glaskils Scotland , Lost Worlds leather, NYC, and US Authentics, Sadley the Cockpit has slipped in quality over the years, they had at one time the greatist catalog and reproductions around, for some reason they reduced their business and seem to be making only a couple of styes now........Info only the M442A was the first Navel flight jacket made for navel aviators, later to become the G1. The originals are a heavy weight goat skin and a true mouton collar. The ones authorized now are lighter leather and imitation mouton collars....it is hard to find an original with mouton collar as sadley, unless carful storage moths eat the mouton.info go to Aero's site or Lost Worlds site, very interestin history of the leather flight jacket for both Navy, Army Air Corps and now the Airforce that has re-autherized the wearing by pilots of the A2 style of leather flight jackets.....I think the movie "Top Gun" made the jackets very sought after and helped push the services over to re-authorize them....Ironically the Jaqcket that Tom Cruise wore in "Top Gun"was later stolen from him.. obviously I had or have much to much time on my hands......The jackets have become very expensive over the years and Aero and Lost worlds are probably the most expensive. Origially the Air Corps jackets were horsehide, and all Navel, Marine jackets were made of differing weights of goat skin. The Nvel jackets have a "pistol or map pocket inside left breast, the original Air Corps and I believe the ones issued now to Air Force have no inside pocket...Many reproductions have been made but few stayed with the original contract stats...........Aero used to have a US representive in the US but now deals direct with US customers.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Mark Moya is no longer with Areo Leather,,,I think as the prices and exchange rate went way up business slowed and Aero didn't need a rep in the states. To bad Mark was very knowlegble about all flight jackets Aero and other brands also.
 
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