The master designers at Buzz Rickson's have recreated a GI classic made famous in the early years of the Vietnam War; officially known as "Trousers, wind Resistant," these formed the bottom half of the 1st-model jungle suit.  This is the highly desirable, rare 1st model made of poplin with exposed gloss-finished buttons and outfitted with leg ties hidden in the cargo pockets, as worn during the early days in Nam, though sometimes seen still being worn even at war's end.  This style clearly had its design rooted in the WWII U. S. Army parachutist's trousers, though issue of these trousers was to all troops and not specific.  The trousers were made instantly recognizable and famous in the 1967 film "The Green Berets," prominently worn by John Wayne and the rest of the cast portraying members of the 5th Special Forces while "in country."  

The overall design is incredibly practical, stylish, and so very functional in many capacities, thanks to the expandable cargo pockets with drain holes.  Combat attrition, post-service life among the veterans, sales in surplus stores for hunters, fisherman, and the like, plus relatively low production numbers before they were replaced by the 2nd model, rendered the 1st-model trousers scarce not long after the events of the era; today, vintage examples in new condition will fetch a hefty price in the collector market.

No design detail has been missed on this Buzz Rickson's copy, which includes custom manufacturing of the lightweight all-cotton poplin on vintage looms to perfectly match U. S. Army specs., including assembly using vintage industrial sewing machines.  The buttons have also been custom made of genuine urea, not incorrect, cheap plastic, and inside the jacket you'll find all of the authentic labels that appeared on these early trousers, making this the ultimate copy of an all-time classic.  Of course, this Buzz Rickson's trouser copy comes crispy new and unwashed, so if you don't want to look like some FNG who just got in from the World, you'll want to wash them a few times before wearing.  

The only other 1st-model "jungle trousers" to match the precision of Buzz Rickson's masterpiece are those prized, vintage examples in collections and veteran's attics.  Please note all of these authentic features and details:  

• Two expandable, bellows pockets outfitted with exposed buttons

• Custom manufacturing of genuine, gloss-finished urea buttons precisely matching the buttons of the 1st-Model trousers

• Button-down pocket flaps on butt pockets

• Two-position adjustment tabs at waist-back area

• Custom manufacturing of the exact weight and weave all-cotton, water-repellant poplin produced on vintage looms

• Custom manufacturing of the exact type of all-cotton labels found on 1st-Model trousers

• Hidden compass pocket inside left cargo pocket

• Leg tapes inside each cargo pocket

• Drawstring at the leg cuff opening of each leg

• Concealed buttons on frontal closure

• Internal flap with buttons behind frontal closure

Sizes available: Sm., Med., Lg. & XL.  Please see SIZING TIPS to obtain the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

Buzz Rickson's brand is world renowned for producing truly standout copies of the famous USN intermediate flying jackets, commonly, albeit erroneously, all lumped together as G-1 Flying Jackets.  Before the first G-1 Flying Jacket designation (Spec. 55-J-14) of 1947, these intermediate flying jackets made of leather began as spec. M-422; following the USN M-422A Intermediate (goatskin) Flying Jacket, the AN-6552 Intermediate Flying Jacket was the next in succession in late 1942.  Developed as a jacket for both the USAAF and USN, hence the "AN" designation (Army/Navy), the back of the collar was not stenciled with "U. S. N." as found on the M-422/M-422A, but with "U. S."  This new AN-6552 Flying Jacket we are introducing elevates the Buzz Rickson reputation with this jacket type to levels so spectacular, we are left fully bereft of adequate words to describe it.

This offering is a meticulous copy of an AN-6552 Flying Jacket produced in 1944, duplicating the typical jackets produced by the rare contractor, American Sportswear Co.  No detail has been overlooked by Buzz Rickson's brand, which means every component part of the jacket had to be custom made to match buttons, zippers, and fabrics that no longer exist in the same form as was found in the war years; however, it is the fit, taken directly from vintage U. S. Navy specs., and the sumptuous Merino sheepskin collar and grade-one goatskin that, along with this jacket's many other parts, combine to make this nothing less than wearable history recreated. 

The goatskin is positively striking in every way. The leather weight comes in at a robust 3-ounces per square foot and is fully vegetable tanned, rich with heavy grain, and dyed only on the surface with full-pigment dyes.  The leather is not at all stiff or overly heavy, but it is plump and firm, and fully unlike the heavily processed, chrome-tanned goatskin so commonly found in mainstream jackets.  Surface dying is how the original AN-6552's were dyed, which means this Buzz Rickson's AN-6552 will age and distress just as we see on those cherished vintage jackets, with all the character of an old navy salt.  And we cannot say enough good about the look of this leather:  the coloring of the dye used and its attendant finish are simply the most like a new-condition, vintage AN-6552 as any we have ever seen!  

The AN-6552's of American Sportswear Co. were produced in a chestnut shade of dark brown; other copies of the these jackets typically can be much too dark in color, too shiny, or too matte in appearance, and the shade of brown is just never right where it needs to be - until NOW!  Even the top aficionados of the AN-6552 Flying Jackets will be duly impressed with what Buzz Rickson brand has achieved with this goatskin leather.  

Beyond the industry-leading leather quality and character, beyond the clone-like color and finish type, and beyond the supreme comfort and flattery of the genuine U. S. Navy fit, is the mind-blowing rayon lining and fur collar.  Buzz Rickson's brand has always had their heavyweight rayon acetate lining custom made to match Navy-spec. rayon fabric in weight, appearance, and hand, but because the coloring of the lining of a AN-6552 made by American Sportswear Co. is very much a salmon-like shade of pale, muted red-brown and very unique among contractors of the AN-6552's, the lining on this example is especially noteworthy - the color, weave, and weight just hit you as something only seen on a vintage example - it both looks and feels just as an AN-6552 produced by American Sportswear Co. did in 1944!  

Merino sheepskin is something Buzz Rickson has tweaked to perfection for at least the last 4 years.  Somewhere, the Buzz Rickson brand has located a tannery that seems to generate Merino sheepskin as if it had been genetically engineered to match the mind's fantasy of ideals:  The sheepskin used on the collars of these AN-6552 Flying Jackets is nothing short of mouth-watering, sumptuous, mega-plush, half-inch, genuine Merino sheepskin that is just not of this Earth!

Final touches that take this AN-6552 Flying Jacket into the heavens include the reproduction of a blackened-metal, late-1940's Conmar zipper, genuine urea buttons (never incorrect, cheap plastic), and a precise copy of the American Sportswear Co. label woven on vintage shuttle looms.  The sum of all the many parts is an heirloom, clone-like jacket that fits like a dream, and which can be handed down to the next generation - there's nothing disposable about a Buzz Rickson's leather jacket and it only gets better with use and age!

This Buzz Rickson G-1 55-J-14 is a masterpiece of wearable jacket art, crafted in rugged materials that are as beautiful as they are durable.  Please note the following materials and features:

• Copy of the original American Sportswear Co. woven label produced on a vintage shuttle loom, not modern projectile looms

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave of rayon acetate lining dyed to match the salmon-like shade of pale, muted red-brown associated with AN-6552's made by American Sportswear Co.

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply, Navy-spec., worsted-wool cuffs with the narrow weave graduating into the wider weave at top, dyed chestnut brown to match what is commonly seen on AN-6552's made by American Sportswear Co.

• Custom manufacturing of the correct single-ply, bi-directional, Navy-spec., worsted-wool waistband, dyed medium brown to match what is commonly seen on AN-6552's made by American Sportswear Co.

• Two button-down exterior pockets lined with all-cotton twill precisely matching 1940's USN specs

• One snap-down interior pocket lined with heavy-weight, all-cotton duck twill precisely matching 1940's USN specs

• Exact copy of the vintage-style, blackened-metal Conmar Conmatic zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Leather pull tab on zipper for easy functioning with gloves

• Heavy wind flap protector located behind zipper closure 

• Bi-swing action back and gusseted armpits (with metal air ventilators) for greater range of motion without restriction

• Gorgeous, plush, genuine-Merino sheepskin collar with backing leather correctly reinforced with trapunto stitching to maintain collar shape and help keep collar up when the need arises.  The "US" stencil is correctly applied in yellow paint to the collar back in a font style precisely matching that found on AN-6552's manufactured by American Sportswear Co.

• Sumptuous, vegetable-tanned, 3-ounce, heavy-grained goatskin that is not overly stiff or heavy, maintaining the true feel of the original jackets.  The dye coating is sprayed on, just as it should be for an AN-6552, and it precisely matches the correct shade of chestnut brown and finish found on AN-6552's once made by American Sportswear Co.; the result is a leather that will distress and age over time from use and wear to yield a vintage look that is on par with anything made in the 1940's-'50's

• Genuine urea buttons, not incorrect, cheap plastic 

• Assembly using vintage sewing machines

Even sizes 36-44 Regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

Last Few Left!!!

The U. S. Navy developed a zippered deck jacket exclusively for cold-weather use among aviation ground crews in 1941.  The style was very similar in outward appearance to the wool-lined version for use by all personnel, but the fit, measures, and other features belie any comparisons of similarity.  This version for ground crews was lined with a 50-50 blend of alpaca-and-wool pile and the patch pockets were different in design, being more D-shaped, and the fit, especially in the arms and armholes was much more narrow.  Also, unlike the similar-looking standard-issue zippered deck jacket that was produced in the millions, every example of the ground-crew version we have ever seen contains a label denoting production by the Naval Aircraft Factory (N. A. F.), which strongly supports our belief that the version for ground crews was made exclusively by the Naval Aircraft Factory and not produced by any civilian contractors:  N. A. F production would correspond with significantly smaller production numbers and be consistent with the smaller number of personnel serving in aviation vs. the entirety of the U. S. Navy.

This jacket style for ground crews, along with the general-issue deck jackets, received a "U. S. NAVY" stencil in silver-gray lettering across the upper back in 1942, but the early-production jackets had no such stencil and this Buzz Rickson's version has been made EXCLUSIVELY for us with an unmarked, plain back panel, which is 100% authentic for jackets produced prior to spring 1942.  All of these deck jackets utilize the same period-correct, heavyweight, corded-cotton fabric found on the Buzz Rickson heavyweight N-1 jacket.  Though the zippered deck jacket for general issue was superseded in 1943 by a hook-front version, this alpaca-lined version for ground crews did not experience any significant design changes, though the color was changed from dark blue to Olive Drab 3, commonly but erroneously called khaki, beginning with productions in early 1944.  

Buzz Rickson’s philosophy is always to reproduce an item as authentically as humanly possible, which means utilizing the original machinery of the era and making the item so it doesn’t just look the part, but producing the item so it can actually function in the same way the original item was intended, thus Buzz Rickson’s is never engaged in making costumes; they are engaged in recreating rugged, functional history:  heavy, military bar tacks are sewn at every key stress points specified and found on the original jackets, thus pocket corners and the storm flap are constructed to function and endure in the same adverse, challenging conditions of combat as the jackets that won WWII.

Please take note of all of these historically accurate features found on this Buzz Rickson’s masterpiece copy of the Alpaca-Lined, Navy Aviation Ground Crew Winter Jacket: 

• Exact copy of an original Naval Aircraft Factory (N. A. F.) label design woven on vintage shuttle looms, not modern, projectile looms

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, heavyweight, corded-cotton outer shell to precisely match USN specs. and correctly dyed in navy blue 

• Cotton-thread construction

• Custom manufacturing of the correct double-faced, brown-and-grey hued alpaca fur-and-wool lining to precisely match 1940's USN specs, which is the same heavyweight pile found on the Buzz Rickson Heavyweight N-1 Khaki Deck Jacket. We cannot say too much good about the use of the original, double-faced alpaca, which is what provides the warmth associated with the vintage jackets and requires vintage machinery found in Japan; at best, single-faced alpaca is present on cheaper look-alike costume-grade jackets and Buzz Rickson's does not make costumes.

• Two external “D-style” hand-warmer patch pockets

• Precise copy of a wartime, nickel-plated Talon zipper on correct, all-cotton HBT tape, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Heavyweight, corded-cotton exterior, exactly as per the original design

• Sewn bar tacks on all major stress points as per the original specs., including pocket corners and placket front

• Large wind flap protector located behind zipper closure to keep cold air gusts  out

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, two-ply 100% worsted-wool knit cuffs, collar and waist band

Sizes available: 36-44 Regular in even-numbered sizes.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit. 

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan

Standardized by the Army Air Corps in 1938 as an intermediate glove, the Type A-10 instantly became a favorite among pilots and aircrew.  Buzz Rickson’s has deftly recreated this classic style using a tough, seal brown goatskin shell, camel-colored wool lining, brown knit cuff (for keeping the wind out), authentic woven label and AAF decal.  The durability of the premium imported goatskin and the cotton-thread assembly take you where few gloves can these days; we have staff members who have been wearing the same pair of these A-10 gloves every winter since 1993!  The Buzz Rickson’s A-10 is indistinguishable from the vintage examples.  This attention to detail transcends recreating a bygone artifact just for the sake of satisfying the serious historian or collector; making items that faithfully recreate bygone articles of clothing from the “Good Old Days” provides the added benefit of extreme product durability and longevity since the items being copied were born in an era when things had to last by necessity.  Buzz Rickson’s obsessively recreates vintage items to perfection and the novelty of the achievement is no more important than recreating practical functionality and longevity once considered commonplace back in the “Good Old Days.”  We are offering sizes 9 1/2 and 10 that have been exclusively produced by Buzz Rickson’s for the N. American market.  Please note these authentic features:

•Super-durable imported goatskin leather outer shell vegetable tanned for maximum longevity, then dyed seal brown using the old methods to achieve a cool, authentic look from wear and use.

•AAF inspector’s decal located on the upper portion of each glove.

•Custom manufacturing of the knitted cuff to original specs. from top-quality worsted-wool yarns; the cuff keeps biting winds from rushing in.

•Custom manufacturing of the camel-colored knit lining from 100% worsted wool to exact USAAF specs., making this a comfortable, cozy glove to wear.

•Goatskin pull tab attached to wool cuff and glove body exactly as original specs. cited,; this precludes tearing the wool knit when tugging on the gloves for a snug fit.

•Custom manufacturing of the original-style spec. labels on vintage shuttle looms.  Glove size appears on the spec. label vs being on a separate label attached to the spec. label, which is precisely how the vintage labels appeared.   Producing labels in this fashion requires one label for every glove size - a far more costly undertaking than utilizing a separate size label simply attached to the main spec. label.

Sizes:  8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2 & 10.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

Standardized by the Army Air Corps in 1938 as an intermediate glove, the Type A-10 instantly became a favorite among pilots and aircrew.  Buzz Rickson’s has deftly recreated this classic style using a tough, seal brown goatskin shell, camel-colored wool lining, rust-red knit cuff (for keeping the wind out), authentic woven label and AAF decal.  The rust-red knit makes this the top-selling A-10 Glove in Japan.  This knit color is typically associated with Type A-2 leather flying jackets produced by Aero Leather Clothing of Beacon, NY under a few contracts from WWII, but other articles of flying apparel were also produced using this reddish knit color, including the A-10 Gloves and B-10 Jackets.  Rust-red knit further adds to the uniqueness of this A-10 Glove and can either contrast or complement your winter attire.

The durability of the premium imported goatskin and the cotton-thread assembly on Buzz Rickson’s A-10 Gloves take you where few gloves can these days; we have staff members who have been wearing the same pair of these A-10 gloves every winter since 1993!  The Buzz Rickson’s A-10 is indistinguishable from the vintage examples.  This attention to detail transcends recreating a bygone artifact just for the sake of satisfying the serious historian or collector; making items that faithfully recreate bygone articles of clothing from the “Good Old Days” provides the added benefit of extreme product durability and longevity since the items being copied were born in an era when things had to last by necessity.  Buzz Rickson’s obsessively recreates vintage items to perfection and the novelty of the achievement is no more important than recreating practical functionality and longevity once considered commonplace back in the “Good Old Days.”  Sizes 9 1/2 and 10 have been exclusively produced by Buzz Rickson’s for the N. American market.  Please note these authentic features:

•Super-durable imported goatskin leather outer shell vegetable tanned for maximum longevity, then dyed seal brown using the old methods to achieve a cool, authentic look from wear and use.

•AAF inspector’s decal located on the upper portion of each glove.

•Custom manufacturing to original specs. the rust-red knitted cuff from top-quality worsted wool yarns; the cuff keeps biting winds from rushing in.

•Custom manufacturing of the camel-colored knit lining from 100% worsted wool to exact USAAF specs., making this a comfortable, cozy glove to wear.

•Goatskin pull tab attached to wool cuff and glove body exactly as original specs. cited,; this precludes tearing the wool knit when tugging on the gloves for a snug fit.

•Custom manufacturing of the original-style spec. labels on vintage shuttle looms.  Glove size appears on the spec. label vs being on a separate label attached to the spec. label, which is precisely how the vintage labels appeared.   Producing labels in this fashion requires one label for every glove size; a far more costly undertaking than utilizing a separate size label simply attached to the main spec. label.

Sizes:  8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2 & 10.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

This Buzz Rickson’s A-2 Flight Jacket is a copy of those original A-2 Flight Jackets produced by the Rough Wear Clothing Co. of Middletown, PA under Air Corps contract 27752.  A-2 jackets produced under the 27752 contract are readily known to the community of A-2 enthusiasts, but this particular copy is that of what can be deemed the rarest of the variants found among extant examples of the 27752 A-2 jackets, which features the leather shell in a medium-brown shade with trace hues of olive rather than the typical dark brown leather associated with this contract run, or even the relatively few russet brown versions.  Additionally, the cotton-thread coloring on these rare 27752 A-2's tends to be more of an olive shade of Olive Drab vs. the light-shade Olive Drab that borders on golden rod in its coloring; otherwise, these rare 27752 A-2's appear rather typical to most of the 27752 A-2's that are the subject of greater familiarity.  

This A-2 Flight Jacket just looks incredibly cool, rugged and vintage the first time you put it on, thanks to Buzz Rickson’s thin, translucent coating of pure aniline dye and their exclusive, fully vegetable-tanned "Bronco Hide" horsehide, the likes of which is purposely cultivated in the tanning process to yield a heavy grain pattern that will continue to spread and grow through use as the leather creases and forms to the wearer's body.    A nicely aged vintage A-2 Flight Jacket will often reveal a mottled finish with the lighter-colored natural leather showing through over most of the entire jacket, which is due to a thin, hasty top coat of lacquer-based darker dye having been worn off with use.  Buzz Rickson’s employs an aniline dye process that exquisitely duplicates this same look since the old lacquer-type dyes can no longer be employed due to environmental restrictions; the more you wear this A-2, the more vintage it will become.

The “Bronco Hide” is a result of years of costly research in obtaining a rugged horsehide featuring uneven, deep-seated broken lines of all-natural grain typical of what can be found on many vintage A-2 Flight Jackets.  The hides are all sourced from the best leather country in the world – Italy- where a preeminent tannery selects only the best-of-the-best leathers (for this A-2 Flight Jacket the hides are 1.1mm in thickness), then vegetable tanned in such a way as to bring out the natural grain inherent in the horsehide.  These A-2 Flight Jackets get better looking with use as the patina of wear continues to mount from the natural abrasions the hide develops while being enjoyed by you.  Yes, Buzz Rickson’s may well have come up with the ultimate horsehide in the rarest, most unique color on the ultimate A-2 Flight Jacket reproduction money can buy - you won't find this combination of character-rich, rugged horsehide in this coloring anywhere else today!

Please note these authentic features:

• Copy of original-style maker’s label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom that precisely duplicates the label size and font size and type that appears on the vintage labels found on 27752 A-2's

• All-cotton thread in contrasting Olive Drab in a distinctly olive shade, as found a scant few of A-2 Flying Jackets originally produced under Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract 27752

• 1.1mm thick, vegetable-tanned, aniline-dyed horsehide imported from Italy with what can be readily argued as the most unique, attractive coloring found on any maker's A-2 jackets to date

• Single-piece back as found on all vintage A-2 Jackets

• Collar assembly following the pre-war pattern featuring a collar stand, exactly as found on the A-2 Flying Jackets originally produced under Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract 27752

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1940's USAAF specs. and dyed rust brown to match original vintage A-2's of this contract; the density and tightness of the weave of the lining may well be the most accurate of any reproduction A-2 made today

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original USAAF spec. featuring the raised bend at mid-section and finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating s found on the A-2 Flying Jackets originally produced under Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract 27752

• Custom manufacture of correct ball-and-socket-style press studs located on pockets and collar ends, exactly duplicating the smaller (collar-size) and larger (pocket-size) found on original vintage Rough Wear A-2s

• Shoulder straps typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on original A-2's produced under Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract 27752

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket configuration typifying the style found on original A-2's produced under Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract 27752

• USAAF authentic inspector’s stamp in off-white applied to lining

• The Army-Navy inspector-assigned number N-324 ink stamped in the lining as is typical for these 27752 A-2's produced in this rare coloring

• Custom manufacturing of two-ply super heavy-weight 100% worsted-wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in a medium- brown color, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a narrow weave, exactly matching those found on original Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract 27752 A-2's.

Sizes available:  38-44 regular.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

This Buzz Rickson’s A-2 Flight Jacket is a copy of those original A-2 Flight Jackets produced by the United Sheeplined Clothing Co. of Long Branch, New Jersey under Air Corps Purchase Order 42-18777.  This A-2 Flight Jacket exhibits important details that help differentiate one original A-2 Flight Jacket contractor and contract from another – details synonymous with the pedigree of historical accuracy found in the goods we offer, including for this United Sheeplined Clothing Co. A-2 Flight Jacket the following: Correct features of an early-production A-2 Flight Jacket from this contractor, including a russet-colored horsehide shell and a leather hanger sewn into the neck area that partially obscures the top lines of text on the neck label vs. the leather hangers found on most A-2 Flight Jackets, where the hanger is sewn above the top of the neck label.  Other distinctive features of United Sheeplined A-2 Flight Jackets have, of course, been correctly duplicated, including the pocket flap, collar, epaulette shape and size with contractor-specific stitching on epaulets, beveled lower corners on pockets, small ring-style press studs, seam widths, nicely squared shoulders, construction with all-cotton thread in contrasting light-shade olive drab, mid-brown lining, and knit parts dyed to the darker brown typical of United Sheeplined A-2 Flight Jacket.  Original A-2 Flight Jackets produced by United Sheeplined Clothing Co. are quite rare today in the community of flight jacket collectors due to the relatively small number produced by this contractor during WWII.

This A-2 Flight Jacket just looks incredibly cool, rugged and vintage the first time you put it on, thanks to Buzz Rickson’s unique aniline-dying process with hand-rubbed wax incorporated in the final phase, and their exclusive fully vegetable-tanned ”Bronco Hide.”  A nicely aged vintage A-2 Flight Jacket will often reveal a mottled finish with the lighter-colored natural leather showing through over most of the entire jacket, which is due to a thin, hasty top coat of lacquer-based darker dye having been worn off with use.  Buzz Rickson’s employs an aniline dye process that exquisitely duplicates this same look since the old lacquer-type dyes can no longer be employed due to environmental restrictions.  Once dying is complete, the master tanners at Buzz Rickson’s work hand-applied wax into the hides for this particular A-2 Flight Jacket copy, which creates a deeper depth of color and contrast between light and dark mottled areas and greater luster, thus enhancing characteristics of age and wear from use so this A-2 Flight Jacket will look like a combat veteran from day one, and also renders a significantly more comfortable A-2 Flight Jacket out of the box vs. the stiffer feeling and longer break-in periods typically associated with horsehide that is fully vegetable tanned.  And the overall appearance of the leather would not be anywhere near as authentic and beautiful if not for the exclusive “Bronco Hide” developed by Buzz Rickson’s.

The “Bronco Hide” is a result of years of costly research in obtaining a rugged horsehide featuring uneven, deep-seated broken lines of all-natural grain typical of what can be found on many vintage A-2 Flight Jackets.  The hides are all sourced from the best leather country in the world – Italy- where a preeminent tannery selects only the best-of-the-best leathers (for this A-2 Flight Jacket the hides are 1.1mm in thickness), then vegetable tanned in such a way as to bring out the natural grain inherent in the horsehide.  During the processing, the tannery has found a way to make the horsehide more soft and pliant, making these Buzz Rickson’s A-2 Flight Jackets incredibly comfortable right out of the box, then continuing to gain suppleness with each wearing, all the while maintaining the correct drape of an original A-2 Flight Jacket.  And these A-2 Flight Jackets get better looking with use as the patina of wear continues to mount from the natural abrasions the hide develops while being enjoyed by you.  Yes, Buzz Rickson’s may well have come up with the ultimate horsehide on the ultimate A-2 Flight Jacket reproduction money can buy.

Please note these authentic features:

• Copy of original-style maker’s label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom and that bears the name of the original contractor – United Sheeplined Clothing Co.

• All-cotton thread in contrasting olive drab as found on most A-2 Flying Jackets originally produced under Purchase Order 42-18777 by United Sheeplined Clothing Co.

• 1.1mm thick, vegetable-tanned, aniline-dyed horsehide imported from Italy with what can be argued as the best vintage patina available today, featuring Buzz Rickson’s unique hand-waxed process matching the look of many nicely aged A-2s made by United Sheeplined Clothing Co.

• Single-piece back as found on all vintage original A-2 Jackets

• Collar assembly following the simplified style adopted for the mass production of 1942-44, exactly as found on the majority of vintage A-2s originally produced during WWII and correct for a United Sheeplined Clothing Co. A-2 of this contract

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1940s USAAF specs. and dyed medium brown to match original vintage A-2s of this contract; the density and tightness of the weave of the lining may well be the most accurate of any reproduction A-2 made today

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original USAAF spec. featuring the raised bend at mid-section with reversed backing plates, both of which are correct for United Sheeplined Clothing Co., and finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating

• Smaller ring-style press studs precisely matching those found on original United Sheeplined Clothing Co. A-2s

• Shoulder straps typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on original A-2s produced by United Sheeplined Clothing Co., including the joining seam hidden under the epaulets where front and back panels meet; most vintage A-2s have this seam located behind the epaulets

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket configuration typifying the style found on original United Sheeplined Clothing Co. A-2s, most notably including the lower pocket corners cut at 45-degree angles

• Snap-down collar typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on original United Sheeplined Clothing Co. A-2s

• USAAF authentic inspector’s decal in off-white applied to reverse side of wind flap

• Correct to this A-2 contractor, a cotton label with lot and size printed in deep blue appears in the pocket

• The Army-Navy inspector-assigned number Z22 ink stamped in the lining as is typical for United Sheeplined Clothing Co. A-2s

• Custom manufacturing of two-ply super heavy-weight 100% worsted-wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in a dark brown color, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a narrow weave, exactly matching those found on original United Sheeplined Clothing Co. A-2s.  These knit parts won’t stretch out from normal wear!

• Heavy leather hanging loop correctly sewn directly through the jacket lining and outer leather shell using a box stitch and located directly over top the first two lines of text on the neck label as per vintage A-2s produced by United Sheeplined Clothing Co.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

The USAAF A-3 Mechanic's Cap is one of those items of clothing from the 1940’s that is synonymous with the WWII G.I. Though designated for aircraft mechanics, the A-3 was just too comfortable, practical and sharp to not be worn by anyone in the USAAF who could obtain one. It was the perfect item of clothing that lent itself so well to personalization: caps were painted or inked with names, rank, pin-up and cartoon art, and worn at a jaunty angle or with the visor turned upwards in true 1940’s G. I. fashion.

Buzz Rickson's  resurrected this classic to their usual exacting standards: 8.5-ounce all-cotton herringbone twill in the early, light shade of olive drab, heavy stitching and reinforcing throughout, taped seams inside the crown, flexible visor, authentic label, and USAAF ink stamp on an exterior back panel.  The cap is given a subtle vintage wash by the factory so that it isn't starchy new in appearance.  A high-quality cap of true 1940’s character available again today!

Buzz Rickson's products are imported from Japan.

Sizes: 7 1/4 (Med.) & 7 1/2 (Lg).  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

The Type A-4 is a knit cap, made from an Olive Drab, 100% worsted wool.  Throughout WWII, these caps were used by aircraft mechanics and armorers when conditions were too cold for the Type A-3 Mechanic’s Cap.  It was also a cap sometimes worn by elite U. S. paratroopers of the airborne divisions, just as seen in the HBO masterpiece film series “Band of Brothers.”  Since the paratroops worked closely with USAAF air and ground crews due to the paratroops’ main mode of transport into battle being the airplane, USAAF personnel and paratroops often traded each other for select uniform and gear items, the A-4 cap being one such item.

The original A-4 caps have a unique construction style with the top forming six sewn segments and produced from a more-dense, worsted-wool knit than similar caps manufactured in the present day.  Buzz Rickson’s has, yet again, done a masterful job of recreating this classic style, right down to the use of vintage machinery for production and the proper-weight wool with the narrow weave on the outer edge graduating into the thicker, heavier weave of the cap body.  Outfitted with an authentic woven spec. label made on vintage looms, this cap is every bit as true to the vintage specimens as it is warm and good looking (and due to its extra-fine quality it's not itchy).  This is just the ticket to round out a Buzz Rickson’s parachutist’s or airman’s jacket – get your cap while stocks last!

Sizes:  One size fits all

Imported from Japan