A Brief History of the Flying Jacket

Emergence – Similar to the open cabin days of cars, initial aircrafts also featured open air cockpits, for which pilots needed to wear protective clothing. Early drivers used to wear long leather coats to shield themselves from the elements which were later replaced by leather flying jacket. The US Army introduced Aviation Clothing Board in 1917 and began to produce heavy- duty leather flying jacket featuring high wraparound collars, wind flaps, zipper or button closures, snug cuffs and waists. A few contained fur lining or fur cuffs. The lengthy coats were not suitable to be worn in the cockpit therefore the shorter flying jacket emerged.  After World War I, the English, French and Germans used shorter jackets in the cockpit. The hip length or three quarter jackets were usually paired with leather trousers. Fur-lined versions of jackets and trousers emerged in later years for more warmth.

Modern Jacket – The leather flying jackets that we see now originated between the two World Wars. The A-1 style jackets were issued by the US Army Air Corps in 1927. The latest version features waist length design with a button down front with close-fitted cuffs and waist. During World War II, iconic A-2 and the shearling lined B3 also came into existence. Irvin was another shearling lined flying jacket introduced by the English. The waist length leather flying jacket can be found in many variations in the military and the fashion arena and are expected to remain in the scene for many years to come.