A History of the Iconic A-2 Flight Jacket
05 Sep 2024
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When you think of a leather jacket, what imagery does it evoke? Chances are, even if your knowledge of fashion is limited, the A-2 flight jacket will come to mind—often paired with scenes of World War II bomber crews scrambling to launch their B-17s into the sky. Though the A-2 jacket became iconic during WWII, its legacy extends far beyond those years, both before and after the conflict. Since 1945, the jacket has been worn by movie stars, musicians, and even presidents, evolving into a symbol of American courage and style.
Steve McQueen as Virgil Hilts in The Great Escape sporting an A-2 jacket - (Image by Heddels)
The A-2 flight jacket, officially adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1931, was introduced as the successor to the A-1. It quickly became standard issue for American airmen throughout WWII, although it was officially replaced in 1943. This rugged jacket was crafted from brown horsehide leather and featured a knitted waistband and wrist cuffs, differing from its predecessor by incorporating a zippered front and pocket buttons or hidden snaps. Contractors utilized various shades of brown, but all adhered to two main approved colors: seal brown (a dark brown) and russet (a lighter to medium brown). The jacket’s slim cut, by modern standards, perfectly complemented the athletic build of 1940s military personnel.
The A-2 jacket's design improvements over the A-1 included replacing the knit stand-up collar with a shirt-style collar, secured with hidden snaps to stay out of the pilot’s way. Shoulder epaulets displayed rank, and the jacket was available in a wide range of sizes, from 36 to 50. Key features also included dual patch pockets with snap flaps, a cotton lining (initially silk, though wartime shortages necessitated a switch to cotton), and a leather hanging strap. While horsehide was the primary material due to its affordability before the war, later versions were also made using goatskin or cowhide, depending on the contractor. The back and front panels were cut from a single piece of leather, offering an ideal canvas for personal embellishment, while the sleeves were constructed from two pieces.
Pilots in A-2 jackets during WWII - (Image by Gentleman Gazette)
Upon completing basic flight training, Army Air Forces officers received their A-2 jackets as they transitioned to advanced training. Initially, these jackets were reserved for commissioned officers, but as the war progressed, enlisted aircrew members also received them. These service members often personalized their jackets with nose art from their aircraft, symbols representing their missions, or unit insignia. In the China-Burma-India Theater, some pilots even sewed "blood chits" into their jackets—cloth patches that promised rewards to local civilians who helped rescue downed pilots.
Louis H. Silvestry's personal A-2 from the 714th Squadron, 448th BG, 8th Air Force (B-24s) - (Image by Hell's Angels)
The A-2 jacket, while warm, was most comfortable in heated or semi-heated environments like fighter plane cockpits. Bomber crews, on the other hand, often preferred the fleece-lined B-3 jackets for added warmth. Despite the A-2’s intended use by aircrews, prominent figures like General Patton, General MacArthur, and the famed bandleader Glenn Miller were known to sport these jackets. Additionally, small-scale industries abroad emerged to meet the demand for A-2-style jackets among non-Army Air Corps personnel, including paratroopers. Needless to say, the cloth jackets issued after 1943 never gained the same popularity as their leather counterparts.
Frank Sinatra in the 1965 film Von Ryan’s Express wearing an A-2 jacket - (Image by IMDb)
Similar to other classic military garments, such as the WWII-era N-1 deck jacket and the M-65 field jacket from the Vietnam War, veterans continued to wear their A-2 jackets long after V-E Day. These jackets, both durable and stylish, served as a reminder of the war's hardships and victories, and became synonymous with American military aviators.
Over the years, the A-2 jacket has appeared in numerous films, worn by iconic actors such as Steve McQueen in The Great Escape (1963), Frank Sinatra in Von Ryan’s Express (1965), and Sam Shepard as Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff (1983). Even Henry Winkler’s character, Fonzie, in Happy Days, wore a variation of the A-2 jacket. Since Ronald Reagan's presidency, every U.S. president has been photographed wearing an A-2—if only for the cameras.
While the U.S. Navy continued to produce its equivalent G-1 leather flight jacket after 1945, the A-2 largely vanished from the Air Force's inventory until 1988. The modern A-2, issued to Air Force crews and missile operators, features goatskin leather in seal brown, a looser fit than the original wartime jackets, a fire-retardant coating, and strict regulations against personalizing the jacket with paint, logos, or patches. A redesign in 1996 added side-entry pockets, an inner wallet pocket, and removed the neck clasp. If you are interested, you can check out our Embroidered Jackets, which are replicas of our patterns, and the embroidery can be customized as needed.
Much like other timeless military apparel, the A-2 has inspired numerous contemporary versions, ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand.But you can buy a vintage classic replica of the World War II era A-2 Flight Jacket Seal Brown at MGN LEATHER for less than $400. This is a great choice for history lovers
The A-2 flight jacket, officially adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1931, was introduced as the successor to the A-1. It quickly became standard issue for American airmen throughout WWII, although it was officially replaced in 1943. This rugged jacket was crafted from brown horsehide leather and featured a knitted waistband and wrist cuffs, differing from its predecessor by incorporating a zippered front and pocket buttons or hidden snaps. Contractors utilized various shades of brown, but all adhered to two main approved colors: seal brown (a dark brown) and russet (a lighter to medium brown). The jacket’s slim cut, by modern standards, perfectly complemented the athletic build of 1940s military personnel.
The A-2 jacket's design improvements over the A-1 included replacing the knit stand-up collar with a shirt-style collar, secured with hidden snaps to stay out of the pilot’s way. Shoulder epaulets displayed rank, and the jacket was available in a wide range of sizes, from 36 to 50. Key features also included dual patch pockets with snap flaps, a cotton lining (initially silk, though wartime shortages necessitated a switch to cotton), and a leather hanging strap. While horsehide was the primary material due to its affordability before the war, later versions were also made using goatskin or cowhide, depending on the contractor. The back and front panels were cut from a single piece of leather, offering an ideal canvas for personal embellishment, while the sleeves were constructed from two pieces.
Upon completing basic flight training, Army Air Forces officers received their A-2 jackets as they transitioned to advanced training. Initially, these jackets were reserved for commissioned officers, but as the war progressed, enlisted aircrew members also received them. These service members often personalized their jackets with nose art from their aircraft, symbols representing their missions, or unit insignia. In the China-Burma-India Theater, some pilots even sewed "blood chits" into their jackets—cloth patches that promised rewards to local civilians who helped rescue downed pilots.
The A-2 jacket, while warm, was most comfortable in heated or semi-heated environments like fighter plane cockpits. Bomber crews, on the other hand, often preferred the fleece-lined B-3 jackets for added warmth. Despite the A-2’s intended use by aircrews, prominent figures like General Patton, General MacArthur, and the famed bandleader Glenn Miller were known to sport these jackets. Additionally, small-scale industries abroad emerged to meet the demand for A-2-style jackets among non-Army Air Corps personnel, including paratroopers. Needless to say, the cloth jackets issued after 1943 never gained the same popularity as their leather counterparts.
Similar to other classic military garments, such as the WWII-era N-1 deck jacket and the M-65 field jacket from the Vietnam War, veterans continued to wear their A-2 jackets long after V-E Day. These jackets, both durable and stylish, served as a reminder of the war's hardships and victories, and became synonymous with American military aviators.
Over the years, the A-2 jacket has appeared in numerous films, worn by iconic actors such as Steve McQueen in The Great Escape (1963), Frank Sinatra in Von Ryan’s Express (1965), and Sam Shepard as Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff (1983). Even Henry Winkler’s character, Fonzie, in Happy Days, wore a variation of the A-2 jacket. Since Ronald Reagan's presidency, every U.S. president has been photographed wearing an A-2—if only for the cameras.
While the U.S. Navy continued to produce its equivalent G-1 leather flight jacket after 1945, the A-2 largely vanished from the Air Force's inventory until 1988. The modern A-2, issued to Air Force crews and missile operators, features goatskin leather in seal brown, a looser fit than the original wartime jackets, a fire-retardant coating, and strict regulations against personalizing the jacket with paint, logos, or patches. A redesign in 1996 added side-entry pockets, an inner wallet pocket, and removed the neck clasp. If you are interested, you can check out our Embroidered Jackets, which are replicas of our patterns, and the embroidery can be customized as needed.
Much like other timeless military apparel, the A-2 has inspired numerous contemporary versions, ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand.But you can buy a vintage classic replica of the World War II era A-2 Flight Jacket Seal Brown at MGN LEATHER for less than $400. This is a great choice for history lovers
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