a 2 jacket history
It became just like its predecessor the N1 an iconic piece. The Type A-2 flying jacket was adopted as standard issue by the U.S. Army Air Corps as the successor to the Type A-1 flying jacket on May 9, 1931, per specification number 94-3040. Original wartime issued A-2 jackets are rare but not unavailable. Some jackets had a map of the mission area sewn into the lining, which could be used (in theory) for navigation if shot down. The official explanation for this is that the paint is flammable and could pose a fire hazard. As a result, many jackets ended up with numerous stitch marks as patches of various sizes were removed and replaced when the owner changed units. The neck clasp was also eliminated. Introduction
Sizes were listed as ranging in even numbers from 32 through 54. 99 This same jacket, manufactured by the studio's costume department, had previously been worn by Frank Sinatra in the film Von Ryan's Express. Reproductions
In the late 1980's the A-2 was resurrected as a U.S. Air Force issue item. Introduction: An introduction to the A-2. And it was impossible to prevent airmen from continuing to obtain and wear the style – as demonstrated by the large number of photos clearly showing Korean War pilots of F-82s and F-86s still wearing the original A-2 issued to them a decade earlier, or newer jackets made to fit their current sizes. The U.S. Army Air Forces Class 13 Catalog listed the A-2 as "Jacket, Flying,
Wartime contract manufacturers of A-2 jackets were numerous and contracts
The history of the A-2 flight jacket is legendary, and so will the tales of your adventures when you wear one! Unlike modern, loose-fitting jackets, the original A-2 looks to us today a rather trim-fitting jacket. But the first step toward the modern flight jacket was made until 1917 with the founding of the Aviation Clothing Board. The A-2 is undoubtably one of the most iconic flight jackets ever made, worn by U.S. Army Air Force pilots and aircrew in action over the skies of Europe and the Pacific during WWII. All contracts used a cotton lining, though various replacements were made over the years. First of all the lining is made of a wool/polyester mix. On April 27, 1943, Type A-2 was declared Limited St… Side entry pockets were added to the patch pockets and inside wallet pockets were added. The U.S. Navy soon followed with the 'Type M-445 Flight Jacket' for both Pilots of the Navy and Marine Corps (later this same model was called the G1 Flight Jacket). However, at Eastman Leather Clothing, we are keeping a gateway to the past open. Throughout the War, as the A-2s popularity grew, so too did the demand for it. The modernized "specification" calls for a
fuller and less flattering fit, and the materials do not have the quality
The U.S. Navy soon followed with the 'Type M-445 Flight Jacket' for both Pilots of the Navy and Marine Corps (later this same model was called the G1 Flight Jacket). The Type A-2 flying jacket was standardized by the U.S. Army Air Corpsas the successor to the Type A-1 flying jacket adopted in 1927. Cockpit USA is proud to offer the exclusive signature edition Mustang A-2©. cancelling any further contracts in favor of newer cloth shell jackets. Most originals used a sizing system considerably smaller than today's comparable sizes, with only 2-4 inches (100 mm) of "slack" over the tagged chest size. The emblem of the Army Air Forces was often sewn, painted, or applied by decal on the left shoulder, while the shield of the specific Air Force (5th, 8th, etc.) The A-2 jackets The A-2 Flight Jacket was made famous by U.S. Army airmen who wore them as a testament to their bravery, independence and skill. The A-2 is undoubtedly the most famous of all existing designs, flight jacket of WWII. as a successor to the A-1. CtriLady Wetsuit Top, Women’s Wetsuit Long Sleeve Jacket, Neoprene 2mm Wetsuits with 2 Zipper Pockets for Swimming Diving Surfing and Boating 4.3 out of 5 stars 348 $37.99 $ 37 . A-2 Jacket is based upon our Rough Wear Clothing Company 1401-P A-2 Flying Jacket. 94-3040. The Type Designation Sheet lists the dates for
The jacket possesses a rich history which can be traced from its military origins through various subcultures including the punk and skinhead movements, gay … (NARA) to obtain documents related to the A-2 Spec. The A-2 Flight Jacket arrived in the early 1930s. Over the years it has varied in style and accuracy relative to the original war-era design, but it has remained visible in popular movies and TV shows of the 1950s and 1960s. Duplicating wartime patterns, often obtained through "reverse engineering" from dissected originals, but using incorrect hides that are veg tanned and aniline dyed, originals were chrome tanned and pigment dyed, all-cotton thread, and even actual the World War II-era-old stock Talon zippers, they have effectively recreated a wartime-era jacket that can be worn daily without fear of damaging a valuable original. [Acme Depot]
Original World War II era jackets sell at auction for between $800 and $8,000, with wearable examples generally running $1,000 and up. A jacket is a garment for the upper body, usually extending below the hips.
The A-2 was one of the early articles of clothing designed expressly to use a zipper. Bomber crews often added small bombs to the right front of their jackets indicating the number of missions they had flown. Also, in the anime Hetalia: Axis Powers, the character America is most always seen wearing an A-2 jacket with the number '50' on the back in white.
Despite the A-2s becoming a symbol of the American pilot, in 1943 General H. H. "Hap" Arnold canceled any further leather jacket contracts in favor of newer cloth-shell jackets like the B-10 and B-15. In the mid-1970s several small companies catering to purists began undertaking the job of designing and constructing somewhat authentic reproductions. Originals: So, you want to own an original A-2. For a more detailed look at the A-2 jacket, read our A-2 Flight Jacket Guide here. 31-1415, 94-3040 issued in 1930. Some manufacturers have even gone so far as to reproduce the particular details of specific World War II A-2 production contracts. No standard system of distribution was used, though generally airmen lined up in front of boxes containing jackets of various sizes and given the appropriate size jacket by the base quartermaster. Both of the A1 and A2 jackets have similar cuts, but unlike the A1 jacket that had buttons, the A2 were fitted with sturdy zippers instead. After the pants, the B-3 jacket would top things off. First of all the lining is made of a wool/polyester mix. A similar jacket used by the United States Army Air Corps / United States Army Air Forces was usually called the A … Bibliography
The A2 jackets were designed with heavy duty fasteners, cuffs and knit waists. Period photos and films reveal a jacket which could be worn fitted and sharp looking or a bit baggy and loose in the body. Jacket Description and Details: All about leather, lining, pockets, snaps, zips, and much more. In 1996 Neil Cooper USA was awarded a contract from the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP), to redesign the A-2 jacket to be more functional and to improve the fit. as, "seal brown horsehide leather, knitted wristlets and waistband (skirt)." The latest design differs from the original design in several ways: it is looser-fitting, made only from goatskin, and produced in only a medium seal brown color (though many older, fitted jackets are still in use). (2-13) Over the F-1 and over the A-4 suit, if desired, came the A-3 leather pants, shown here without the A-4. In the days of propeller aircraft, airmen wore leather jackets including the A-2, which is an important ancestor of the modern flight jacket. For example, the A-1 drawing number is AN-6501 and not 074737, the A-2 drawing number is 30-1415 and not 31-1415, the A-2 were manufactured only with a cotton and not spun silk lining, and so on.) Service tested in 1930, the A2 jacket was adopted as the regulation Army Air Corps flying jacket on May 9, 1931. here a PDF of the pages he received. The A-2 jacket was part of standard issue from May 9 1931 until General Hap Arnold had it replaced in 1942. Popularly priced (approximately US $500 and below) A-2 jackets today only approximate the authentic style, with oversized shoulders and sleeves intended for layering loose clothing underneath, non-spec hand and pen pockets, and softer materials like lambskin. Its style continues to be a perfect example of form following function. This jacket is a classic and is sometimes referred to as a "Bomber" jacket even though its …
The Type A-2 leather flight jacket is an American military flight jacket originally invented and developed for and closely associated with World War II U.S. Army Air Forces pilots, navigators and bombardiers, who often decorated their jackets with squadron patches and elaborate artwork painted on the back. The A-2 jacket was part of standard issue from May 9 1931 until General Hap Arnold had it replaced in 1942. The history of the A-2 began with an Air Corps specification and Drawing No. Cockpit USA is proud to offer the exclusive signature edition Mustang A-2©. By 1978, the brand flourished with “The Cockpit” catalogue. labels found in the jackets themselves show this to be 30–1415. Sometimes casually referred to as a bomber jacket, its original designation was "Jacket, Pilot's (summer)", and its wartime usage was limited neither to pilots nor to bomber crews. The Aviation Section of the U.S. Signal Corps was the military branch that helped the American doughboys fight the Germans during World War I. The flight leather jacketis one of these garments that initially was appreciated inside the military and later its popularity swapped over to the public, where it became a timeless and classic jacket. Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle wore his during the 1942 raid, General Douglas MacArthur wore one at Inchon, and today every Air … However, as the requirement for these jackets grew, supplying seal skin was considered impractical. The Type Designation Sheet lists the dates for Service Test as September 20, 1930, and Standardized (adopted as standard issue) on May 9, 1931. In the 1960s and 1970s the A-2 reappeared in a new crop of big budget World War II films such as The Great Escape and Patton, as well as being the wardrobe of choice for Bob Crane's character of Colonel Hogan in the popular TV series Hogan's Heroes. Interestingly, Cooper had been one of the makers of the original WWII A-2.
Prior to World War II the collar was sewn to a neckband or "stand" like those found in dress shirts, a time-intensive operation. Rough Wear manufactured the A-2 under several different contracts, each varying slightly in color and style.[3]. A teenage C. Thomas Howell wears a black A-2 for nearly the entire length of the classic horror film The Hitcher.
A-2 P.A.Q. It was made by Roughwear Clothing, Air Corp contract 42-5111-2, Size 44 regular. A warm and comfortable mouton collar was an addition authorized in mountainous C-B-I commands. This second incarnation, however, does not measure up to the original in
("V505" coded label), This page was last edited on 3 May 2020, at 20:58. Get the best deals on vintage a2 jacket when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. ), (Note: A primary source of information on flying/pilot jackets was a single summary post-WWII "Type Designation Sheet" (TDS) until the A-2 specification 94-3040 documentation was declassified and published by an anonymous Vintage Leather Jacket forum member in 2017.
The A-2 Jacket In the early 1930s, years before WWII, the U.S. Air Corp was issued the A2 Bomber Jacket, and it became standard issue in 1931. While it was still used by many it did not become part of the U.S. Air Force issued items list again until the 1980’s. The A2 flight jackets were created mainly out of horsehide or goatskin. An anonymous donor, who contacted the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
ANNOUNCEMENT-----After having suffered extended hardships due to the pandemic, the situation is starting to normalize, so we will be ready to resume taking orders starting January 1st, 2021. Until about 1940, Talon zippers with riveted or grommeted metal bottoms were used. Manufacturers included civilian clothing producers such as David D. Doniger & Co., makers of the popular MacGregor brand outerwear, as well as leather-goods companies like J.A. Goat skins used are required to have been born and bred in the U.S., and the leather tanned in the U.S. (All jackets made by Cooper Sportswear, and the jackets made by Avirex in 1999, were made of goatskin imported from Pakistan). Gen. James Stewart's A-2 (a Rough Wear contract 42-1401), an A-2 from the AVG "Flying Tigers," and another worn by one of the few U.S. pilots to get airborne during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The planes of the time had open cockpits, so it was absolutely essential that pilots be well-garbed for duty. The first jacket widely distributed to the pilots of the jet age was the L-2 and despite its place in the history of military aviation, surprisingly little has been written about it. The A-2 jackets The A-2 Flight Jacket was made famous by U.S. Army airmen who wore them as a testament to their bravery, independence and skill. themselves show this as 30-1415. Ltd., Vic. Copyright © 1995-2017 Marc D. Weinshenker. The RW 1401 is a suitable candidate for this unit, having been produced in the last quarter of 1941, thus being available from when the 23rd was first activated. A-2s were initially constructed of horsehide,[2] which was either vegetable- or chrome-tanned. These jackets were made of Seal Skin Leather and cotton lining. "This is a brown 100% goatskin leather flight jacket by Cooper, labeled a size 46 R, large orange label reads "Manufactured Exclusively By The Cooper Defense Contract Division Supplier To The U.S. Air Force," white label reads "Type A-2 Size 46R GAC 201-01-8101M Cooper Sportswear Mfg. If you hear or read about a flight jacket nowadays, chances are it is a more or less modification of the Type A-2 Flight Leather Jacket. The A-2 jacket was awarded to an Army Air Forces officer upon completion of basic flight training, and always before graduating to advanced training. The National Museum of the United States Air Force has a collection of original A-2 jackets, most donated by the families of Air Force pilots. Just as a cottage industry appeared during the war to meet the need for A-2 jackets, so too does such an industry still exist today. Service tested in 1930, the A2 jacket was adopted as the regulation Army Air Corps flying jacket on May 9, 1931. The Type A-2 flying jacket was standardized by the U.S. Army Air Corps
Early wartime pictures show entire bomber crews outfitted with A-2s, although at altitude in a bomber they probably weren't too useful. We created the company A-2 Leather Flight Jacket, to make an exact replica flight jacket A-2 WWII era. I used to work w/ a ex-B-52 navigator whose issue jacket was the Saddlery brand jacket. All rights reserved. The bomber jacket has made appearances in non-war films, as well. Years of effort by U.S. Air Force personnel to get the A-2 jacket reissued finally succeeded when the Air Force began issuing them again in 1988, a decision that may have been influenced by the popularity of the film "Top Gun", and the military apparel it popularized. In certain ETO units and possibly elsewhere a prerogative of the fighter ace was a red satin lining which was added on confirmation of his fifth aerial kill. Type A-2," with Spec. His character wore the jacket throughout the show's 5 seasons. Cockpit USA is proud to offer the exclusive signature edition Mustang A-2©. The Type A-2 flying jacket was standardized by the U.S. Army Air Corps as a successor to the A-1. was often displayed on the right. The experts at Buzz Ricksondeclare that it is “the most rare of all the U.S. Air Force nylon flying jackets.” The jacket came into being near the end of the war in 1945 and was produced until around 1949. As a result, some war-era jackets used by World War II airmen are clearly not true to original AAF specifications, though this makes them no less historic. Even if you weren’t there blasting Zeros and Me-109s out of the skies, you can still experience some of the excitement and glory by dressing the part! Some pages are duplicated due to including copies
Details, Part 3
A-2s were exclusive to commissioned officers until early in World War II, when also issued to enlisted aircrews. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. The A-2 Jacket became the standard issue by the US Army Air Corps in May of 1931. Originals
These A-2 jackets while similar to the original paled in comparison because of the different materials and designs used. Seeing legendary actors such as Gregory Peck and John Wayne on the big screen wearing A-2s only reinforced their popularity. The pilot and copilot had primitive cabin heat on some aircraft and would wear the A-2, while the rest of the bomber crew usually wore heavier fleece-lined Type B-3 or ANJ-4 (and later B-9 and B-11 parkas) which were warmer and better suited to long hours in the severe cold. The A-2 was replaced by the AN6552 (AN-J-3) per a specification 94-3040 reference document dated May 24, 1943 and declared "Limited Standard", meaning replacements were available. 94-3040, has provided for hosting
Its style continues to be a perfect example of form following function. A-2 Jacket is based upon our Rough Wear Clothing Company 1401-P A-2 Flying Jacket. Limited Standard as April 27, 1943. You could do worse for 2 bills for a wearing around jacket with those patches. When the USAF began issuing the A-2 again...for the first time since 1943...Cooper won the bid to make the new jackets, and did so under the Saddlery brand name. Sizes were listed as ranging in even numbers from 32 through 54. Like Sabrejet said these Coopers with the Orange label are commercial jackets produced in parallel w/ what they made for the USAF which are white label "Saddlery" branded. Cockpit USA AF Army Horsehide Leather WW II Style A-2 Flight Jacket, Size 38 . Navy G-1 flight jacket The "G-1" military flight jacket is the commonly accepted name for the fur-lined-collar World War II -era flight jacket of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The A-2 is undoubtably one of the most iconic flight jackets ever made, worn by U.S. Army Air Force pilots and aircrew in action over the skies of Europe and the Pacific during WWII. The military specification number for Type A-2 is 94–3040. Type A-2 Page
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