The A2 leather bomber jacket is one of those iconic garments that is replete with nostalgia.
Originally these jackets were awarded to those Air Force Officer who had completed their basic training. It was difficult for anyone else to get their hands on one – thus giving the jacket a certain kudos. Two notable exceptions to this rule were General Patton and General MacArthur who wore them despite not being flyers.
The A2 leather bomber jacket is one of those iconic garments that is replete with nostalgia It will be forever connected with World War II and the servicemen who wore them and fought so valiantly. By all accounts they were immensely popular with servicemen and so it was not a popular decision to stop issuing them in 1943 – this did not prevent airmen continuing to wear them or have them reissued. It was reinstated again in 1988. Style, popularity, functionality and comfort winning through once more.
After the war, the A2 jacket was kept in the public eye in war movies such as Flying Tigers starring John Wayne and 12 0′Clock High starring Gregory Peck. A little later and the A2 or a version of it would be seen worn by the Fonz in Happy Days and then emblazoned with Da Nang in the A-Teams character Murdoch and in several other movies such as The Great Escape starring Steve McQueen.
During the war the jackets were made by several different companies and so there was never one standard issue jacket, however a few characteristics were common to all the jackets made –
- two patch pockets – not the kind you can stick your hands in and slouch with, as this was not ‘military’
- the back of the jacket is made from one piece of leather
- shoulder straps
- a waistband and cuffs not of leather but knitted
- a simple shirt-like flap-down collar
- a cotton inner lining (silk in a few examples)
Today the A2 jacket has become more sought after by servicemen as it is now issued to those personnel who have completed mission qualifications as opposed to just basic training, as was previously the case.
For the rest of us there are several companies that make good replicas at reasonable prices.
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