The history of the Flight Jacket dates back to the early 1900s. During World War I, when pilots flew in open cockpits, the warmth was a must. In 1917, The US Army established the Aviation Clothing Board and began distributing heavy-duty leather flight bomber jackets, this was the birth of the American Bomber Jacket.
Leslie Irvin first designed and manufactured the Classic Sheepskin Flying Jacket. In 1926 he set up the manufacturing company in the United Kingdom and became the leading supplier of flight jackets for the Royal Air Force during the World War 2. However, the demand for the jackets was so high during that period that sub-contractors were needed. This explains why there are so many variations in these jackets during that period.
The A-2 Jacket
In the early 1930s, years before WWII, the U.S. Air Corp was issued the A2 Bomber Jacket, and it became standard issue in 1931. These jackets were made of Seal Skin Leather and cotton lining. However, as the requirement for these jackets grew, supplying seal skin was considered impractical. The department of war went on to start making the Type A2 Bomber Jacket out of horsehide which at that time was plentiful. The A2 was a waist-length leather jacket that featured two front patch pockets and webbing attached to the bottom of the jacket and the end of the sleeves to close out the air in addition to shoulder epaulettes. However, at the time, there were several different types of styles for use within the U.S. Army. The A2 was cancelled (12 years after its inception) because the General in charge, General Hap Arnold wanted something better for his troops.
The G-1 Jacket
The U.S. Navy followed later with M-445 Flight Jacket, which was then to be called the G-1, during the Second World War. The Type G1 was somewhat different than the Type A2. Its’ body was more form-fitted with a more extended waist webbing at the bottom and a Mouton Collar. Where the A2 used metal snaps on the front patch pockets, the G1 used buttons. The Type G1 also featured a By-Swing Back for more effortless arm movement. The G-1 lasted until 1978 when Congress forced its cancellation because its tremendous popularity was overwhelming the Navy’s supply system. Due to its popularity, the G1 was re-introduced during the 1990s Desert Storm and is still being issued to this day.Both synthetic and shearling flight jackets (i.e., MA-1, L2B, CWU 45/P) are worn and collected today, but neither has the historical status and popularity of the A2 or G1 Flight Jackets.
The B-1 Jacket
The synthetic B-Series Bomber Jackets first gained popularity and prestige after General Arnold rejected the A2. The B-10 was the first of the non-leather jackets to become popular with pilots and aircrews. The B-10 was far lighter and much warmer than the Type A2 issued leather jacket which came with just a thin lining that did not offer the pilot much warmth at a high altitude. The B-15 was released in late 1944 and soon replaced the B10. Styles of the period ranged from the cotton twill B-series and the standardised flight jacket of the Navy, the CWU-series.Also, sometime around 1944, some bomber crews dropped the A2 and B3 leather jackets in favour of newly issued heated flight suits.
In the latter part of the 1940s, a new flight jacket was needed with the emergence of the jet age. Before the invention of jet aircraft, fleece-lined leather jackets were the standard. However, the new jets flying at much higher altitudes and in colder temperatures required new pilot apparel as well. When the bulky leather jackets became wet from rain or perspiration, the water would freeze at high altitudes, making the jackets cold and uncomfortable. Also, new jets were more streamlined in design, and their cockpits were cramped. Fast and unrestricted access became more critical for safety. To meet these needs, a new type of jacket was developed. In 1944 the material selected for the jacket was high-quality nylon. It was called the B-15 flight jacket. The B-15 was similar to the MA-1 except that it had a mouton fur collar. After a few years, the B-15 was discontinued, and the MA-1 was introduced.
The MA-1 Jacket
The first MA-1 jackets were issued between 1949 and 1950 to the U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots. Alpha Industries first government contract was awarded in 1958 under the Dobbs Industries name. Officially, they are known as “Jacket Flyers, Man’s Intermediate Type MA-1. The MA-1 was perhaps the most popular of all flight jackets developed.The original MA-1 was designed with a high-quality nylon outer shell and a nylon lining. In between these nylon layers was a double-faced wool material for warmth. After a few years, the wool interlining was replaced by the newly developed polyester fibre filling instead. The polyester made the jacket much lighter and provided superior warmth. Also, the MA-1 discarded the mouton fur collar of the B-15 because it interfered with the parachute harness worn by the aviators. In later models, the MA-1 jacket was made reversible and added a bright Indian Orange lining. The reason being if the plane crashed, the pilot could reverse the jacket to the orange side to signal rescue personnel.Other changes had been made to the original MA-1 design as well. Early models contained a front tab where the pilot could clip his oxygen mask when not in use. Changes in aeroplane equipment design later made this feature unnecessary, and it was deleted. Also, early models had sewn loops to hold the wires running from the radio to the pilot’s helmet. Equipment design changes also made this feature obsolete, and they were taken off as well. Lastly, the early MA-1 was used exclusively by the Air Force and had the decal stencilled on the sleeve. When other branches of the service started using the jacket, this feature was deleted as well. So this jacket would have been worn primarily during the Korean War and Vietnam War era.
CWU-36/P AND CWU-45/P Jackets
By the 1970s, there were significant advancements in fire retardant materials and fabrics for flight jackets and suits. These changes ushered in a new series of revisions to the entire flight equipment outfits worn by pilots. Hence came the development of the CWU-45/P and its’ lighter weight cousin, the CWU-36/P. One of the problems associated with the older MA-1 was the discovery that with the nylon materials used on the jackets, they had a propensity to melt on the wearer when subjected to flames encountered during an aircraft fire. This problem was corrected with the new flight jackets. The predecessor to the 36/P and 45/P was the CWU-17/P developed around 1973. In 1977, the jacket was renamed the CWU-45/P (military specification MIL-J-83388A) and the detachable signal pocket that the feature of the CWU-17/P (military specification MIL-J-83388B) was reduced in size. In 1980, the lip of the collar was decreased slightly.
Moreover, the rear action pleats were reduced in size (military specification MIL-J-83388C). In 1984, the stitching of the collar was simplified (military specification MIL-J-83388D). So you can date these jackets by the different army specification designations.
Currently, Air Force aviators are issued the lighter weight 36/P for warmer climates and the 45/P for colder climates. From a distance, both jackets are virtually the same except for the lining.
Currently, Air Force aviators are issued the lighter weight 36/P for warmer climates and the 45/P for colder climates. From a distance, both jackets are virtually the same except for the lining.
N2B & N3B Jackets
The original N3B was developed in the 1950s for crew personnel subjected to frigid climates. The N3B was mainly issued to aircrews assigned to troop transports, helicopters and strategic bombers. Originally made from a Dupont flight silk nylon outer shell and the lining padded with a wool blanket type material, the padding was changed to polyester wadding in the 1970s. They became known as the “Snorkel Parka” because the hood could be zipped right up leaving only a small tunnel for the wearer to look out of.In the last 25 years, they have been a fashion statement for both young and old alike and can be found manufactured under a variety of brand names around the world.
Of course, many flight jackets weren't, all the same, depending on which country's army they were designed for but all in all, efficient and quality garments.