Flight jackets The flight jacket has its origins in the early days of aviation and at that time was part of the military equipment for pilots, protecting them from wind and weather. However, it soon established itself as normal or civilian everyday clothing and is still considered a timeless fashion classic today. Basically, it is a windproof blouson jacket that was originally made only of leather but is now also made of nylon.
In the early days of aviation, the cockpits of the first propeller aircraft offered only inadequate protection against the prevailing weather conditions. Pilots, who sat exposed to the elements, especially had to be prepared for cold and wet. At first, during the pioneering era, normal work clothing was sufficient. However, with rapid technological progress, aircraft performance increased. They could fly faster and higher, which led to harsher conditions for the pilots.
At first, long, lined raincoats with double rows of buttons were used for this purpose. After the First World War, further development led to a solution found among France’s motorcyclists. Since the early 1920s, special leather jackets have been made for them that were significantly shorter and cut close to the body. The short design prevented the rider from sitting on the jacket, which would have restricted freedom of movement. To this end, the sleeves were also kept as slim as possible.
On this basis, the first true flight jacket was developed with the A-1 model, which was then introduced to the U.S. air forces in November 1927. This was a short jacket made of horsehide with knitted cuffs on the sleeves, collar and waist, as well as two flap pockets sewn onto the front. It was still fastened with horn buttons. The zipper, which was considered revolutionary at the time, only followed later with the introduction of the successor model A-2. This model also featured a wind flap that could be closed up to the collar, as well as shoulder straps for rank insignia. The back panel now consisted of a single piece of leather. In addition, the A-2 was lined with cotton, which provided better insulation than the silk previously used.
The A-2 set new standards – both in military and civilian fashion with the birth of the blouson. In the Second World War, the A-2 type flight jacket became standard clothing for aircrew in the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). Over time, different versions were created, made from other types of leather such as goatskin. With the M-422 model, a counterpart was introduced for the US Navy. In 1950 the jacket was renamed G-1. New features included a shearling collar and action pleats at the back.
Further development into the bomber jacket
In the early 1940s, the first flight jackets made of nylon were developed and officially introduced in 1947 in the form of the “Type B-15B”. This met the pilots’ wish to be provided with jackets that were lighter and at the same time warmer. The B-15B was even able to exceed these expectations, as it was warmer, lighter and also more durable than its predecessor model. The model proved highly effective in practice, as it offered more freedom of movement in the increasingly cramped cockpits. When getting in and out, pilots no longer got caught on switches, and putting on a parachute became easier. Over time, similar models such as the B-15C and L-2A, some with purely visual changes, were in use before the MA-1 model was introduced in 1958. This model in green was from then on the only one issued to pilots and later became known as the bomber jacket.
Questions: Flight jacket
How do flight jackets differ from bomber jackets?
Bomber jackets made of nylon are a further development of the original leather-only flight jackets. Today’s bomber jacket goes back to the American MA‑1 model. In civilian life, the bomber jacket is still considered a practical leisure and work jacket.
