Authenticity
There is no set of criteria to determine the authenticity of an A-2 flight jacket, but there are a few things to look out for. It is essential to examine the quality of the leather. Although horsehide was initially the primary specification, a significant number of A-2s were made from goatskin or steer. The shoulder seams should not be pulled back from the shoulder and the epaulets need to be placed on top of the shoulder. Lastly the pockets should have a top entry point and be positioned at a good distance from the zipper.
The style of the jacket is one way to determine if it’s authentic. Keep in mind that the A-2 Jacket was the first fitted, trim garment. Although it appears loose on the majority of modern men, it looks a little more snug in films of the past and photographs. This is because the jacket was made for thin men of the time.
Another way to determine the authenticity of your A-2 is to scrutinize the manufacturer of the jacket. If you are buying an air force flight jacket, make sure you choose a reputable company that manufactures authentic jackets. The US Air Force’s main contract for flight jackets is Cockpit USA. Cockpit USA, before known as Avirex LTD, uses high quality goatskin in its A-2 jackets. HQ USAF has also required all A-2 flight jackets comply with the “Berry Amendment,” which stipulates that the materials used in manufacturing process be of American origin. Cooper Sportswear, meanwhile, utilized goatskin from Pakistan.
Construction
The A-2 jacket is a two-piece garment that has one piece for each front panel and two pieces for each sleeves. It was specifically designed for mass production, and has a lower neck profile and higher soiling resistance. There were many variations in the jackets’ construction. They can range from light tan to rich chocolate brown leather flight jacket vintage. These distinctions make these jackets distinct from the contemporary imitations.
Many manufacturers produced A2 jackets in the 1930s and 1940s. This resulted in a diverse selection of quality. Manufacturers ranged from leather goods companies which produced baseball mitts to civilian clothing companies like the well-known MacGregor brand. The biggest manufacturer of A-2 jackets during WWII was the Rough Wear Clothing Co. It was awarded a number of contracts to make the garments.
Based on the maker, the shoulder straps can be stitched into the shoulders . Sometimes, brown Leather flight Jacket vintage they feature rank insignia pinned on them. The quality of a jacket’s construction can be determined by the straps that hang from its shoulders. The shoulder straps typically comprise two leather strips with twin rows of stitching. To ensure that the jacket is secure, they are stitched in a box at both ends.
In WWII The A-2 jacket was the standard military clothing for pilots. It was designed to protect pilots from cold and the wind when flying in open cockpit aircraft. The US Wings modern version retains the classic styling elements, while making use of the latest technology. It is a seal brown leather flight jacket color and is slightly looser than the original. It has two front cargo pockets as well as an inside chest pocket. The jacket also has a snap down collar.
Color
Many unique features make the A-2 jacket distinctive. These particulars can be compared to other A-2 jackets made by different manufacturers. For instance, the jacket’s label is particularly long and does not include the maker’s name or other identification information. The label does have a size tab, which is uncommon for other manufacturers.
The jacket was initially designed to be worn by officers commissioned of the United States Army Air Forces. After they had completed their basic training in flight and were awarded the jacket. Before advanced training, the airmen sat in front of boxes that contained jackets of various sizes. After the airmen had selected the proper size the quartermaster of the base would distribute it. The A-2 was initially only issued to officers who were commissioned for the first few years. However, by the end of World War II they were available to aircrews in the ranks of enlisted airmen. The jacket was worn proudly as an emblem of military service.
The A-2 flight jacket was created by the Aero Leather Clothing Company, which was a major producer of aviation clothes for the U.S. Air Force. The A-2 jackets were primarily composed of medium brown leather flight jacket vintage knits and angular pocket flaps. They were produced under the contract numbers 42-15142 , 42-18775.
The A-2 jacket is an iconic. It’s a symbol of the courage and dedication of World War II pilots. It was first issued by the Army Air Corps on May 9, 1931.
Value
Value A-2 jackets are offered at an affordable price. Many jackets are well priced under $500 and have oversized sleeves and shoulders. They are also available in soft materials like lambskin , and have pen and hand pockets. Avoid fakes as high-end reproductions may have fake ageing or period-specific insignia.
A2 jackets were made by a variety of companies in the 1930s and 1940s and the quality varied significantly. Some of the most popular producers included civilian clothing firms like the MacGregor brand and leather goods makers like Cooper Sportswear. However the most popular wartime manufacturer of the A-2 was Rough Wear Clothing Co. The company produced these under multiple contracts.
A-2 jackets were a frequent choice for Allied pilots after WWII. Many of these jackets remained in the possession of future generations. Some companies started making replicas and selling them for higher prices than what the government originally intended. In 1987 the jacket was reintroduced for a new generation pilots in celebration of the Air Force’s 40th anniversary. The jacket was also used to reignite the esprit de corps among pilots.
The A-2 jacket is not only popular among the military, but also with presidents. They’ve been worn by both Barack Obama and George W. Bush during photo shoots at military installations. Even though both Presidents are physically fit enough to wear regular jackets, the A-2 jacket is regarded as a classic piece of military apparel.
Reproductions
A-2 jackets were popular during WWII and an industry of cottages began to grow to meet the demand. The jacket was copied by numerous companies and is still in production today. The design of the jacket has changed over time, but it has remained extremely popular. You can still see the A2 jacket on popular television movies and shows from the 1950s and 60s.
The price range for replicas of the A2 jacket is $500 to $1700. There are many quality options and authenticity. A good source for this jacket is the Flight Jacket Brand Catalog, it’s a Japanese publication that features images and leather flying jacket information on many different manufacturers. The catalog is written in Japanese but it also contains many details about the jacket.
The original A-2 jackets were only issued to aircrewmen and pilots. Non-flying officers also received the jackets but not until the middle of 1943. In the meantime, a cottage industry had emerged in England that specialized in manufacturing of A-2-style jackets. After the war, leather flight jacket the Army stopped buying new leather jackets. Airmen deployed to war in cloth jackets weren’t able to replace their A-2s.
The original A-2 jacket featured knitted cuffs, snap-flap patch pockets, and an internal map pocket. Its back was made of one piece of leather aviator jacket. The interior was lined with cotton. The jacket was equipped with a hanger strap and a military tag.
Originals are worth more
Many pilots were wearing the A-2 jacket during World War II. After the war the jacket was no longer issued to pilots However, a lot of people had the jackets. A few of these jackets were purchased for more than the originals and companies created replicas and sold them for more than the government was willing to pay. In 1987 the A-2 jacket was issued again for a new generation of pilots to commemorate the Air Force’s 40th anniversary, and to revive the spirit of corps.
The A-2 jacket was made by several companies, and had different qualities. Certain jackets were made of cowhide while others were made from goatskin. It is important to know that cowhide is difficult to tell apart from goat, but the best quality goatskin jacket is easy to spot.
A-2 jackets were also constructed with a zipper. The zippers were made from steel, brass or nickel-plated. Talon provided the majority of the zippers used on A-2 jackets. Talon’s zippers were constructed of metal bottoms with grommeted or riveted tops. The A-2 jacket can be fitted or baggy depending on the wearer’s style preference.
Although the A-2 jacket isn’t the most famous jacket, it has an extremely unique history and value. The A-2 jacket was worn on both George W. Bush’s and Joe Biden’s shoulders and became extremely popular with Presidents. The A-2 jacket has been worn by every President since then on bases for the military.