A New type of War with new requirements

During early flight and throughout the First World War pilots rode in open cockpits. These daredevils of the sky were quick to wear whatever they could find that was warm and that often included whatever their personal finances could afford. There was not much in the way of 'Service Issued' military clothing issued pilots and crews, other than the standard uniform. There was nothing like a standard Bomber Jacket or Flight Jacket at that time. What they could find to wear was clearly functional for practicality and warmth. In France and Belgium, the Royal Flying Corps had begun wearing long leather jackets in 1915, and the trend caught on. However, it took the U.S. Army until September 1917 to establish the Aviation Clothing Board. Finally, they began distributing heavy duty Leather Flight Jackets; with high wrap around collars, zipper closures with wide thick wind flaps, snug cuffs and waits. Some even came fringed and lined with fur. The American flight and bomber jacket was born.

On May 9, 1931, the U.S. Army Air Corp brought into being the new Standard Issue Leather 'Type A2 Bomber Jacket'. 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 issues were made of Seal Skin and Horsehide Leather with a functional cotton lining. However, as the Air Corp gained popularity and its enlisted ranks swelled, the sealskin was deemed unpractical to fill large government orders. The Department of War expressly used horsehide for their Type A2 Bomber Jacket as it was plentiful in the United States Leather Tanning Markets. Today, both the A2 and G1 are made to Department of Defense Standards for Military Issue using only Goatskin and Cowhide Leather.

The Type A2 Bomber Jacket was a waist length leather jacket that featured two front patch pockets toward the bottom, stretch webbing attached to the bottom of the jacket and at the end of the sleeves to close out the air, shoulder epaulets, and nothing else. It was a real ‘Plain Jane’ intended to look good for the Generals, and be barely functional for the wearer. However, there were several different types of styles for use within the U.S. Army, but the Type A2 Bomber Jacket added a brilliant distinction to the U.S. Army Air Corp now known as the United States Air Force and other armed services also use the Type A2 as well.

As American Pilots and Crewman took to the sky against the Axis in WWII, they used a wide variety of flight gear along with their A2 Bomber Jackets. Besides the Type A2 Bomber Jacket was the widely used Type B3 Bomber Jacket (also known as B3 Shearling or Sheepskin Jacket). There were flight helmets, trousers, boots, oxygen masks, gloves, goggles, and a whole host of other items. This was a new modern war that brought with it new requirements and equipment to meet those requirements.

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