WWI Origins: The Birth of Functional Outerwear.
In 1917, the U.S. Army established the Aviation Clothing Board to equip pilots flying open-cockpit biplanes. They issued heavy-duty leather jackets featuring high collars, wind flaps, and snug cuffs to combat extreme cold at high altitudes. These early designs laid the groundwork for future flight jackets.
Standardized as the U.S. Army Air Corps’ first summer flying jacket on November 27, 1927, the A-1 featured a button-front closure, knit cuffs and waistband, and horsehide construction
Adopted May 9, 1931, as the A-1’s successor, the A-2 introduced a zip-front, snap-flap pockets, and shirt-style collar in horsehide or goatskin, becoming the definitive WWII aviator jacket
Designed for high-altitude bomber crews, the B-3 featured a thick 20 mm fleece shearling lining and wide collar for extreme-cold protection
Bridging the gap between lightweight A-2s and heavy B-3s, the B-6 used 7 mm sheep shearling for fighter pilots in unheated cockpits
Evolving from the Navy’s M-422A in 1947, the G-1 added a mouton-fur collar, rayon lining, and bi-swing back—becoming a Korean-War classic and enduring symbol of naval aviation style
British‐pattern sheepskin jackets with 20 mm fleece, tall collars, zip sleeves, and half‐belt detailing—issued to RAF crews in unheated bombers
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