No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Click through for a look back at the history of the bomber jacket. As early as 1942, the materiel division of the us army air forces was seeking an alternative material to sheepskin for producing flying suits, and by october of that same year. American flight jackets from 1927 to 1946 the complete guide. B 15 flight jacket seeing heavy use in the korean war during 19501954 by jet fighter and bomber pilots, the nylon b 15 bomber jacket became one of the top choices of outerwear by pilots for its warmth and material reduction for ease of movement in cramped cockpits.
So, in case you want to know a little more about the jacket youll be wearing for. A flight jacket is a casual jacket that was originally created for pilots and eventually became part of popular culture and apparel. Made of water repellent dupont type 66 nylon flight satin. Alpha industries mens n2b bomber jacket at amazon mens. The popularity of b15 flight jacket series produced one of the longest continued service careers of any flight jacket in the history of the usaf. Alpha industries b15 flight jacket the b15 is a classic flight jacket made tough to battle the harsh elements. The vintage nylon b15 jacket is available at us wings.
The initial nylon flight jacket was designed about 1944. Cockpit b 15 calfskin leather flight jacket overview. This jacket was worn by a p51 pilot from the 339th fg who was shot down new years eve 1944 by an me262 near ham. Each type of jacket is engineered differently to reflect different uses or purposes. It is the most important jacket this spring, and will likely be a staple next fall. Army air forces, but also by other branches of the u. This comprehensive look at the evolution of the american flight jacket from world war i to desert storm and addresses not only the types worn, but focuses primarily on the art and adornment applied to the jackets. Eastman leather clothing us flight and military jackets. This is my favorite jacket of the bunch since i do not like the big pockets. Army air force type b15 intermediate flight jacket was developed from lessons learned in field use of the highly popular b10 flight jacket of 1943. Vintage flight jacket b 15 ideal zipper flight bomber jacket usaf b 15 us air force jacket b150 jacket flying jacket vintage8090 4.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The only fault i could find with the book is that in many of the photographs it fails to identify the jacket type and specification. Comfortable, practical and stylish, it often became an aviators most prized possession. A flight jacket is a casual jacket that was originally created for pilots and eventually became part. The alpha b 15 features button tabs once used by pilots to connect oxygen masks and headset wires. Jan 17, 2007 here is a variation of the b 15 flight jacket, the b15a, which featured the two leather triangles on the front to clip the oxygen hose to, as well as modifications to the a11a trousers that went with the jacket. Decade after decade, the b3 bomber jacket remains an undisputed icon of american fashion and style. The vintage b 15 flight jacket was the precursor of the ma1. These coats were officially designated as the b14 flight jacket and were intended to be worn in the plane during combat.
Check back regularly to find your next favourite book. The b 15 is a classic flight jacket made tough to battle the harsh elements. How the bomber jacket formed and subverted subculture. Alpha industries coats and jackets for men for sale shop. The ma1 bomber jacket also known as the ma1 flight jacket is an american military jacket which was developed in the 1950s. Flight jacket news newspapers books scholar jstor may 2017 learn how and when to remove this template message. The ma1 and its predecessor, the b 15 flight jacket, were needed at that time because the emergence of the jet age created new requirements for pilot performance, safety and comfort.
Many pilots today are looking for the same thing, so were proud to offer this selection of authentic jackets. The most colorful and creative period for flight jacket art was ww ii, and it is this era that comprises a major portion of this book. Alpha industries coats and jackets for men alpha industries is a brand that makes flight, field, parka, utility, leather, and military spec jackets. It is pricey but since it is made in america it was worth it to me. The material selected for the jacket was a high quality nylon. Made of water repellent dupont type 66 nylon flight satin outer shell, has a removable synthetic mouton fur collar, a tab for an oxygen mask, a utility pencil pocket on the left sleeve, and a welt slash front pockets with fasteners.
Classic leather jackets of world war ii schiffer military aviation. World war two jackets are covered in detail as are korean and vietnam period flight jackets. Concord vintage series b15 intermediate flying jacket. Army air force type b 15 intermediate flight jacket was developed from lessons learned in field use of the highly popular b10 flight jacket of 1943. Nylon jackets are some of the best allpurpose jackets you can own. The flight jacket or bomber jacket used to be a heavyduty aviation garment, with a classic. These jackets were designed by the army air forces after the ike jacket became popular among the troops. Water repellent, 100% nylon flight satin outer shell, 100% nylon flight lining and polyester batting for warmth for use in cold weather. We offer a wide variety of nylon flight jackets and parkas to choose from including ma1s, cwus, b15s, and n3bs. I will take very good care of it and should last me a lifetime. This leather b 15 jacket is an impressive take on a timeless classic.
The b15 had a mouton fur collar and the wool knit waist and cuffs of many. The b15 became the standard issue flight jacket of the usaaf in 1944, originally constructed from olive oxford cloth. Both practical and durable, this shearling sheepskin workhorse earned its wings protecting the brave airmen who paved the way for the liberation of europe during wwii. After a few years, the b15 was discontinued and the ma1 was introduced. The jacket was made traditionally of horsehide, cowhide, or goat and featured two front pockets but no hand warmer pockets hand warmer pockets were considered unsuitable in the military, wool ribbing at the waist, silk or sheep lining, a single leather piece for the back panel, and snap down. The history of the bomber jacket, from wwii to yeezus tour. Jan 18, 2015 the a2, also known as the flight jacket, was first introduced in the 1940s for wwii us army pilots. There are also a ton of history books on a certain battle with details. The cockpit b 15 leather flight jacket was modeled after the issued textile flight jackets that started to see service in 1944 on wwii army air force pilots and aircrew. Features a nylon shell and removable synthetic mouton fur collar. Every original jacket i handle has its own special story. Alpha industries b15 flight jackets b15 bomber jackets.
By the end of wwii the jacket was considered the premier usaf flight jacket. Apr 22, 2015 if you dont already know, its called a flight jacket, or an ma1 in military jargon, and its time has truly come. The b 15 became the standard issue flight jacket of the usaaf in 1944, originally constructed from olive oxford cloth. The result is a jacket that is still brand new, but you get something that has a vintage, livedin, patina that you can continue to add to from the first time you put it on. This book looks at artwork painted on wwii a2 jackets worn by aircrewmen of the usaaf, mostly bomber crews. The book is well set out, has large high resolution photographs and is. It has evolved into various styles and silhouettes, including the letterman. Army air force b 15 intermediate flight jacket was initially introduced as a replacement for the earlier leather flight jackets like the a2s or the b3s. Here is an excerpt from a book about the b 15 jacket.
Classic leather jackets of world war ii schiffer militaryaviation. This is an excellent wwii us army air forces b14 enlisted flight jacket. The modern materials give them a superior warmthtoweight ratio. History of leather bomber jacket american mystique. The ma1 bomber jacket also known as the ma1 flight jacket was first developed in the mid 1950s. Aero real deal 4215142p type a2 unmatched horsehide. The b 15 was one of the first synthetic fabric shell jackets.
Alpha industries b 15 flight jacket the b 15 is a classic flight jacket made tough to battle the harsh elements. It has evolved into various styles and silhouettes, including the letterman jacket and the fashionable bomber jacket that is known today. All of the nonmodified b15 flight jacket designations saw action in historys first jetonjet air battles of the korean war, and although the final variant, the b15d flight jacket, entered service at the close of. During world war ii, a leather flight jacket was more than just a part of the uniform. Jackets dyed in bright, acid colors were especially popular, and created a style that was much more distinctive than its traditional military counterpart. The pilot and her flight jacket the history of the flight bomber jacket. Eastman usaaf b15 flying jacket, rough wear 6338 af. Archie draghi, a group lead navigator for the 15th air force, used impressed gold leaf. Uwu0107 wwii us army air forces b14 enlisted flight jacket size 36s. Buzz rickson has resurrected the b15d flight jacket in exacting detail. Comes in black, sage and navy please note that the original color navy ordered by the u. The n2b parka was introduced in the mid 1950s for u. B15 bomber jacket vintage b15 jacket flight jacket.
The book is well set out, has large high resolution photographs and is a well constructed hardcover. If you dont already know, its called a flight jacket, or an ma1 in military jargon, and its time has truly come. Army air corp brought into being the new standard issue leather type a2 bomber jacket. All of the nonmodified b15 flight jacket designations saw action in historys first jetonjet air battles of the korean war, and although the final variant, the b15d flight jacket, entered service at the close of the korean war and was itself later replaced by the ma1 flight jacket in 1957, it was not uncommon to find an old veteran. The american flight jacket the flight jacket has captured the imagination of kids and adults since the invention of flight. History of the jacket, flying intermediate type b15.
The two most historical american flight jackets are the a2 jacket and the g1. The choice of used books is massive thousands of classic novels and bestsellers, biographies and memoirs, selfhelp, cookbooks, childrens books, affordable textbooks for school, and outofprint titles. The vintage b15 flight jacket was the precursor of the ma1. This article examines the first flying jackets produced by the u. The ma1 bomber jacket is a us air force garment that has endured over four decades. The jacket was a big part of the punk movement, often paired with tshirts, skinny jeans, and doc martens. Nylon jackets have many advantages over leather jackets. The flight jacket has a long and interesting history that spans from the cold war to skinheads to steve mcqueen.
The b15 came as some sort of alternative to the flight suits and became the dawn of synthetic flight jackets. B15 bomber jacket nylon flight jackets cockpit usa. Flight jackets apparel and sunglasses from sportys pilot. Much of what we wear owes its allegiance to military history. Highly favored due to its sharp appearance and higher comfort it was not only worn by fighter aces of the u. Naval institute provides an independent forum for those who seek to advance and strengthen the naval profession. Buzz rickson usaf blue b15c flying jacket br12888 history. The b15 was similar to the ma1 except that it had a mouton fur collar. Here is a variation of the b15 flight jacket, the b15a, which featured the two leather triangles on the front to clip the oxygen hose to, as well as modifications to the a11a trousers that.
Wwii b10 flight jacket worn by a pow in stalag luft i. The ma1 and its predecessor, the b 15 flight jacket, were originally developed and needed at that time because the emergence of the jet age created new requirements for pilot performance, safety, and comfort. Some of the classic milspec features were the front passthrough pockets so that pilots could reach their pants pockets without being exposed to subfreezing temps, split hood that. The b 15 was one of the first synthetic fabric flight jackets, and ours are just like those worn by our usaf f86 pilots during the korean war. This comprehensive look at the evolution of the american flight jacket from world war i to desert storm and addresses not only the types worn, but focuses primarily on the art and adornment applied to the. Nov 23, 2016 a slim, lightweight and yet warm jacket was needed as an answer to the evolved jet technology, and it came in the form of the b 15, often considered the godfather of the modern bomber. Probably the nearest to a wwii a2 made since 1943, made from the original 4215142p contract aero a2 patterns. Buzz rickson usaf b15d flying jacket sage green history. Mar 01, 2011 i picked this up at the show of shows last week and thought it was extremelly cool even though the flight jacket collectors who saw it before me were not impressed with its condition. Uwu0107 wwii us army air forces b14 enlisted flight jacket.