Unlike most of Eastman’s other flight jacket styles, this is not a true military-spec. flight jacket, but we’re sure it would have been if the flyboys of WWII had ever dreamed such a design could have been adopted.

In the post-war years of the late 1940's and early 1950's, American clothing manufacturers were not slow to take advantage of the glamorous flyboy image; the war was won, and images of the returning heroes of the armed forces gave the nation a feeling of pride and optimism.  The U. S. Army Air Corps pilot, clad in his leather A-2 Flight Jacket, projected the quintessential image of the romanticized American war hero, and so the fashion industry rose to the occasion by emulating this jacket style that every man, young or old, would be proud to wear. Unlike the WWII issue A-2 Flight Jacket that is still, of course, an unbeatable classic even in its simple design, these new commercial offerings were designed with certain additional features and “improvements.”  These improved details included such features as a fur collar, warmer lining, inside pockets (a feature the original WWII design desperately needed), and even outside hand-warmer pockets were incorporated to various degrees into these new, hybrid flying jackets. This type of garment very quickly and aptly became generically referred to as a “Bomber Jacket," a term which most people are familiar with to this very day.

Big manufacturer names from the 1940's and 1950's come to mind when reminiscing about these vintage “Bomber Jackets,” such as: Sears & Roebuck, Montgomery Ward, The Goodgal Clothing Co., and even some of the original wartime companies that officially contracted to make flying jackets for the Army Air Force went on to make their own commercial versions of the “Bomber Jacket.” Today, the Eastman offering of this classic genre is “The Air Comfort.” They have spared no expense in the manufacture of this superb garment, incorporating many of the best features that can be found on the original commercial examples from the good old days of those golden postwar years.

“The Air Comfort” captures the classic post-war “Bomber Jacket” appearance that is so appealing to all those who appreciate a good-looking vintage leather jacket. Hang one of these in your wardrobe and you wont be sorry you did! Take note of these authentic and practical features:  

• Copy of vintage-style maker’s label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• All-cotton, seal brown-thread construction as found on flying jackets originally produced in the 1940s and 1950s

• Dark seal brown, aniline-dyed, 3-ounce weight, vegetable-tanned (WarHorse®) horsehide leather outer shell that will burnish and age to look like a true vintage original with wear

• Single-piece back • Genuine mouton fur collar with reinforced trapunto stitching on the reverse side to maintain collar shape and help keep collar up when the need arises

• Mouton fur-covered throat latch enables the sumptuous collar to be securely fastened when turned up, holding the genuine fur close to the wearer's neck and sealing out any cold drafts that threaten to chill • Fully lined throughout with an extremely high-quality quilted lining made from Ruby-Red Satin Rayon Acetate, and quilted using a tight (3/4”) diamond pattern fabric to precisely match that found on the majority of vintage commercial “Bomber Jackets”

• Two hand-warmer exterior pockets lined with high-quality, brushed-cotton moleskin for warmth and comfort

• Two side-entry inside pockets for ample and secure stowage for all your personal items

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply, worsted-wool cuffs and waist skirt in medium brown, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a more narrow weave, exactly matching those found on vintage commercial “Bomber Jackets” of the era.

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on custom order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.   Imported from England    

Not since the grand days of Gamages of London have such fine examples of vintage motoring/flying apparel been made available. These barnstormer-style coats have been received by both the vintage motoring and flying fraternity as the epitome of fine vintage motoring/flying apparel. If you are looking for the last word in quality, check this out! Made from the finest-quality Italian Horsehide with wool lining, its stunning good looks are taken from period styling. At home not only in the vintage motoring environment but in any walk of contemporary life; the design subtly combines utility with sophistication.  

Sizes available: 36-48 regular.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Imported from England  

This flight jacket is rooted in pre-WWII Hollywood.  Thunderbird Field was a creation of Hollywood producer Leland Hayward, along with investors James Stewart, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, Robert Taylor and Margaret Sullivan. Thoughtfully laid out, the airfield could be seen as an etching of the mythical Anasazi Thunderbird from the air. The control tower formed the head of the bird, the administration buildings and barracks its body, the hangers its wings, and the gardens its feathered tail.

In 1941 the field became part of the United States Army Air Force's training establishment and contract-based primary flight training base for Allied pilots of various nations throughout the war.

The Thunderbird Field Instructor's Flight Jacket is based upon traditional flight jacket and garment designs of the period, being strikingly similar to the USAC A-1 Flying Jacket of the 1920s. Made from 100% wool serge dyed in navy blue for the body, dark brown WarHorse® leather for the sleeves, and rayon-satin for the lining, this light-weight, easy-to-wear jacket has both classic vintage style and practical versatility: Worn in the autumn over just a T-shirt, or in the winter over a sweater - it fits the bill. The slick, high-quality rayon lining means it slips on and off easily, and the all-wool knit trim to collar, cuffs and waist keep the wind gusts out.

Stitched to the left upper left shoulder is an absolute spot-on reproduction of the famous Thunderbird Field embroidered patch, which has been produced on original 1920s looms using rayon yarns (which gives the patch an authentic, vintage look and feel), making it indistinguishable from an original example.

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England

This flight jacket is rooted in pre-WWII Hollywood.  Thunderbird Field was a creation of Hollywood producer Leland Hayward, along with investors James Stewart, Cary Grant, Henry Fonda, Robert Taylor and Margaret Sullivan. Thoughtfully laid out, the airfield could be seen as an etching of the mythical Anasazi Thunderbird from the air. The control tower formed the head of the bird, the administration buildings and barracks its body, the hangers its wings, and the gardens its feathered tail.

In 1941 the field became part of the United States Army Air Force's training establishment and contract-based primary flight training base for Allied pilots of various nations throughout the war.

The Thunderbird Field Instructor's Flight Jacket is based upon traditional flight jacket and garment designs of the period, being strikingly similar to the USAC A-1 Flying Jacket of the 1920s. Made from 100% wool serge dyed in olive drab for the body, dark brown WarHorse® leather for the sleeves, and rayon-satin for the lining, this light-weight, easy-to-wear jacket has both classic vintage style and practical versatility: Worn in the autumn over just a T-shirt, or in the winter over a sweater - it fits the bill. The slick, high-quality rayon lining means it slips on and off easily, and the all-wool knit trim to collar, cuffs and waist keep the wind gusts out.

Stitched to the left upper left shoulder is an absolute spot-on reproduction of the famous Thunderbird Field embroidered patch, which has been produced on original 1920s looms using rayon yarns (which gives the patch an authentic, vintage look and feel), making it indistinguishable from an original example.

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England