Replica of the classic 18775 A2 flight jacket—Horsehide
Description
This is a precise reproduction of the A-2 flight jacket originally produced under contract W535AC-2881942-18775P in May 1942 by Aero Clothing Co. of Beacon, New York.
Crafted in dark seal brown horsehide, it features brick-red ribbed knits, mustard lining, and the authentic boxy wartime fit. Every detail is faithfully recreated to match the final wartime A-2 specification.
It is equipped with custom lambswool ribbing, genuine WALDES zippers, and period-correct dot buttons, delivering true vintage military construction and accuracy throughout.
Details
- Issued to U.S. Army Air Corps pilots in WWII, the A-2 became a symbol of American military style. Aero’s final 18775 contract featured rectangular pockets, larger back panels, and brown-green contrast stitching—details faithfully retained in this edition.
- Cut from custom horsehide matched to original wartime shades of seal brown, tanned to replicate the dense yet pliable hides of the 1940s. The leather carries natural variations — scars, pores, and tonal shifts — that mark it as full-grain and authentic. With time, it softens and burnishes, capturing the lived-in look of true vintage flight jackets.
- Boxy and functional, with a comfortable chest and shorter body length consistent with 1940s specifications. The larger back panel improves mobility, while snug cuffs and waistband create the classic blouson silhouette.
- Hardware: Japanese-sourced WALDES and Asahi zippers; custom DOT buttons.
- Knits: First-year lambswool ribbing, faithfully reproduced from original contracts.
- Details: Rectangular patch pockets, mustard cotton lining, brick-red waistband and cuffs.
- Construction: Period-accurate stitching in brown or green thread, replicating 1942 details.
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Size guide
All measurements are taken with the jacket laid flat.
Slight differences may occur due to manual measuring.
Please contact customer service if you need further assistance to place an order.
Model reference: 178 cm (5'10") / 73 kg (160 lbs) — wearing size L.
| Size | Shoulder | Chest | Sleeve | Armhole | Hem | Back Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 43CM | 106CM | 64CM | 20CM | 76CM | 58.5CM |
| M | 44CM | 110CM | 65CM | 21CM | 80CM | 60CM |
| L | 45CM | 114CM | 66CM | 22CM | 84CM | 61.5CM |
| XL | 46CM | 118CM | 67CM | 23CM | 88CM | 63CM |
| 2XL | 47CM | 122CM | 68CM | 24CM | 92CM | 64.5CM |
| 3XL | 48CM | 126CM | 68CM | 25CM | 96CM | 64.5CM |
Type A-2: Aero Contract No. 42-18775-P
W535AC 28819 42-18775P
Issued in May 1942, with a production run of 50,000 pieces. The contractor was the AERO Apparel Company, located in Beacon, New York.
Please note that this company has no connection whatsoever with the current AERO Leather Apparel Company in Scotland, which went bankrupt after the war.
AERO Leather Apparel Company had secured numerous contracts with the U.S. Army Air Forces since the late 1930s; 42-18775-P was the last one.
Retro zipper open end accessories
Originally an American brand, WALDES zippers held a significant market share in the 1930s and 40s, but later went bankrupt.
In the 1950s, the WALDES trademark was acquired by a Japanese company. After its revival, it maintained the production techniques and style of the WALDES zippers from the 1930s and 40s.
The zipper lining was also woven on an old-fashioned loom, producing only 4-5 meters of fabric per hour. At the time, the focus was on perfect fabric reproduction, resulting in relatively low production volumes. It is undoubtedly the king of vintage zippers among Japanese brands and is used extensively in Real Simons' high-end product line.
Leather use and maintenance knowledge
Leather products are consumables.
- Proper maintenance can extend their service life.When wearing it daily, you should pay attention to protecting the leather surface to prevent scratches by hard or sharp objects, and avoid contact with oil, acidic and alkaline substancesLeather products are strictly prohibited from washing, tumbling and drying, and long-term exposure to the sun.
- If they are wet by rain or moisture, you can use a soft dry cloth to gently wipe off the surface water stains and dry them in a cool and ventilated place. Do not wear before it is completely dryLeather should not be rubbed with water or gasoline, as water will make the leather hard and gasoline will volatilize the oil in the leather and cause it to crackNatural fur/fur collar will have slight curls after long-term wearing or washing.
- Detergents may cause hair loss at some edges, so dry cleaning is recommendedColorless maintenance oil should be applied before changing seasons and storage to prevent leather aging and cracking.
- Before application, a small area should be tested on a hidden part to prevent discoloration caused by chemical reactions between maintenance oil and leatherStore in a hanging position and do not fold or press heavily to prevent wrinkles on leather/furMothballs for mildew and insects should not come into direct contact with leather
