Nylon use for Bomber Jackets and other items in 2015

When the United States entered the War on December 7th, 1941, its Industry went to war right along with the troops. The car and truck manufactures turned from making cars and started driving Tanks off of the assembly lines along with heavy military vehicles. The Apparel and textile Industry went right along with Military as well. Natural substances, such as leather was utilized from many sources, especially America Horse production which was far larger at that time than it is today. 

Horsehide was mainly used at the basis for Type A2 leather bomber jackets and even Navy G1 Flight Jackets . Sheep provided their pelts for the famous B3 Shearling Bomber Jacket for Bomber Crews. American Cowhide went into Military tack such as rifle slings and ammo pouches, including box handle straps and buckle enclosures. Cotton was also used in a wide variety of military clothing.

Due to the nature of the pacific war, the U.S. was denied Silk and its strong properties. Enter the mass used of Nylon. Du Pont first came up with nylon in 1939. It was used in toothbrushes and quickly replaced silk in the women’s stocking market, yes, Nylons replaced the fashionable ‘long Silk Stockings’ and women bought the new ‘Nylons’. It proved that sex appeal can get a new product really going.

However, Nylon also had some more interesting uses with the Military. Silk was out of the question. The men who parachuted into France on D-Day in 1944 went in with nylon parachutes, not silk one. And it began to have other uses as well. Nylon was replacing canvas because of its durability and lightness. 

Besides tents, Nylon was starting to grab the attention of the Military for clothing, namely jackets. The nylon bomber jacket was born in World War Two with the U.S. Army Corps, and it began to slowly take over for the heavier B3 and other leather bomber jacket. Issued Nylon Bomber Jackets really took off as a first rate Pilot’s flight gear during the Korean Conflict.

Military leather Bomber jackets was cast aside for a short time, but made a grand re-entrance during the 1980’s, when the U.S. Navy went back to issuing its famous leather flight jacket. The Air Force followed suit a little later on. Today, the military uses both renowned leather jackets right along with its nylon gear.