The Evolution of the Flight Jacket
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.
A-1 Flight Jacket (Type A-1: 1927)
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
Material: Horsehide, goatskin or sheepskin leather; knit wool cuffs & waistband
Production: First standardized November 27, 1927 by the U.S. Army Air Corps
Service Period: 1927–1931, issued to early open-cockpit pilots
Discontinuation: Officially replaced by the A-2 spec on May 9, 1931
Type A-2 Flight Jacket (1931)
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
Material: Horsehide or goatskin leather; silk or rayon lining
Production: Adopted May 9, 1931; produced by numerous U.S. contractors until ca. 1943
Service Period: 1931–1945, primary WWII U.S. Army Air Forces jacket
Discontinuation: Phased out of standard issue by late 1945 in favor of shearling-lined types
B-3 Shearling Bomber Jacket (mid-1930s)
Designed for high-altitude bomber crews, the B-3 featured a thick 20 mm fleece shearling lining and wide collar for extreme-cold protection
Material: 20 mm sheepskin shearling; reinforced goatskin/leather trims
Production: Mid-1930s R&D; large-scale issue 1942–1945 for high-altitude bomber crews
Service Period: 1942–1945, critical for missions at altitudes below −50 °C
Discontinuation: Ceased mass-issue in late 1945; remains a heritage reproduction staple
B-6 Sheepskin Jacket (c. 1943)
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
Material: 7 mm sheep-shearling leather; wool collar & lining
Production: Introduced ca. 1943 for fighter pilots in unheated cockpits
Service Period: 1943–1945, bridging A-2 and heavy B-3 for medium-altitude operations
Discontinuation: Phased out post-1945 as B-3 and later MA-1 types took precedence
G-1 Flight Jacket (BUAER 55J14: 1947)
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
Material: Goatskin leather; mouton-fur collar; rayon lining
Production: Specified March 28, 1940 as M-422; redesignated G-1 in 1947; current MIL-DTL-7823F still issued
Service Period: 1940–present in various MIL-DTL-7823 iterations
Discontinuation: Not discontinued—modernized continuously and remains Navy/USMC standard issue
RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket (WWII RAF)
British‐pattern sheepskin jackets with 20 mm fleece, tall collars, zip sleeves, and half‐belt detailing—issued to RAF crews in unheated bombers
Material: 20 mm British‐pattern sheepskin; heavy wool collar & cuffs
Production: 1939–1945, issued by Royal Air Force for unheated bomber operations
Service Period: WWII era, notably 1939–1945
Discontinuation: Phased out with advent of MA-1 nylon styles post-1950; now a collector’s classic
