The Army Air Corps standardized the B-6 Flight Jacket in 1939, specifically intending it to fill the gap between the lighter A-2 and the heavy B-3 Flight Jackets. Originally produced in very small numbers from the very costly hand-dyed, vegetable-tanned “redskin” hides of the 1939-41 years, by late 1941 the B-6 Flight Jacket was being made from the same less costly chrome-tanned, spray-dyed dark brown sheepskin with that buttery wool color found on the revised, post-1941 B-3 Flight Jacket, only in 1/4-inch depth wool, half that of the B-3 Flight Jacket. The B-6 Flight Jacket was favored by bomber crewmen operating in the less-exposed positions, as well as fighter pilots, who preferred a less-bulky jacket in their cramped cockpits, such as in the poorly heated P-38 Lightning. The B-6 Flight Jacket is a uniquely styled flight jacket, made all the more unique due to the very low production of this item from 1939-43; extant original examples of the post-1941 B-6 Flight Jacket in nice condition are extremely scarce and valuable today, and extant original pre-1942 B-6 Flight Jackets in any condition are virtually unobtainable.

This reproduction is from the Eastman Leather Original-Maker series, copying exactly the pre-1942 B-6 Flight Jackets in a 1941 contract. The pre-1942 sheepskin items were almost always produced from hides with a distinctly reddish hand-dyed outer finish and a deep-hued wool color, lending the name “redskins” to these items in the collecting community. The Rough Wear B-6 Flight Jacket is much more costly because of its use of vegetable-tanned, hand-dyed russet brown sheepskin, as found on the Rough Wear 17756 B-3 Flight Jacket; however, the fleece depth is much shallower, being the correct 1/4”-depth wool used on all original B-6 Jacket production. Our B-6 Flight Jackets may be the only ones in the world today being manufactured with the correct depth of wool (nothing other than 1/4” sheepskin was ever specified for the B-6 Flight Jacket). The basic design of this pre-1942 B-6 Flight Jacket (i.e. panel configuration) is identical to the post-1941, dark brown B-6 Flight Jackets that followed, (unlike the post-1941 B-3 Flight Jackets). Other than the hide color, wool color and tanning method of the sheepskin, details unique to this contract are: nickel-plated chain hanger at neck, all-cotton olive drab thread, the Rough Wear label.

As with the original jackets it copies, you’ll find this B-6 Flight Jacket practical, comfortable and versatile due to its light weight and double-pleated, bi-swing back. Features common to this jacket and our standard-edition, post-1942 B-6 Flight Jacket include: two slash, internally hung pockets made of heavy all- cotton off-white twill, zippered hip adjusters on both sides for cinching the fit, single leather collar strap, two press stud adjustment positions on each sleeve cuff, snap-down epaulets, russet brown horsehide trim, and a precise copy of the 1941 CROWN spring-loaded zipper.

This is a perfect jacket for most climates, and can be made all the more versatile by adding or subtracting layers of undergarments. There’s nothing more unique than a hand-dyed “redskin” jacket – no two are the same. Express your individuality in our Rough Wear B-6!

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

Reissue A-2's are jackets that went back into inventory after active service use and after having gone through a refurbishment process to give them further serviceable life.  This refurbishment could include such things as replacement of the lining, knit cuffs or waistband, zipper, and almost always included a re-coating of the leather shell with a very dark brown lacquer dye to give the garment a new uniform appearance; the lacquer dye was applied with a brush or cloth.

The re-dye process was performed with greater attention to speed and haste than art and neatness, thus select hard-to-reach areas such as inside the pockets, back of the wind flap, under shoulder straps, etc., were not dyed or just partly dyed, leaving a telltale line of demarcation between the original dye and the new dye or a mottled shading and varied texture.  Once the garments went back into service, the painted coating proved to be far less permanent than was originally envisioned.  The finish would wear off in irregular patterns bearing the lighter shade of worn leather beneath, giving a distinct contrast between those areas and where the new coating remained.  All of this, however, is what has given these garments their latter-day vintage appeal.  Indeed, nowhere was this look more immortalized than on the jacket worn by Steve McQueen as Capt. Virgil Hilts in the movie "The Great Escape."  McQueen’s jacket was an original re-issue A-2.

After careful analysis of many original stills from the movie, we have been able to confidently identify the jacket he wore as one made by the Rough Wear Clothing Company, most likely under contract number 16159, thus our re-issue A-2 is made as this model.  As part of the reissue process that his jacket underwent, it can be seen that the original zip, which would have almost certainly been a Talon with rectangular puller, has been replaced with a Talon with bell-shaped puller - a detail replicated on our product.

We have recreated this model in the most discerning method possible:  actually repeating the steps of production right through to the hand-dyed reissue finish, bringing you a garment of stunning vintage authenticity.  First, we produce the garment as a factory fresh original maker Rough Wear 16159, which is made in an aniline-dyed, Havana Brown, veg-tanned horsehide.  We then re-coat the garment with the correct shade of dark brown lacquer (just as they did at the the Air Service Depots - by hand, with a brush), after which the garment is put through an extensive, specialized TimeWorn® process to re-create the high-contrast, distressed-wear look of a classic vintage original.  This all requires a tremendous amount of hand-done work, but it is the only way this standard of authenticity can be achieved.

In accordance with AAF regulations of that time, re-issue A-2's had a mandatory Army Air Forces decal applied to the shoulder, as well as a stamp to the lining.  These stamps were generally randomly positioned somewhere on the back panel, no doubt due to haste, and not centered and perfect, so our recreation is done exactly the same way.

This garment is presented, first and foremost, as a plain re-issue A-2, so it comes in standard form without any insignia other than the mandatory shoulder decal; however, one can order the jacket with the "V. HILTS spec." as worn by Steve McQueen in "The Great Escape."

Beyond the special details that make this A-2 Jacket a true, re-issue configuration, please take note of these authentic features:

• Exact copy of the original maker’s label produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• Contrasting mid-brown, all-cotton thread construction as found on many vintage flying jackets originally produced by Rough Wear Clothing Co.

• Collar assembly featuring a leather collar ring, exactly as found on all vintage A-2's originally produced by Rough Wear Clothing Co.

• Correct USAAF spec. 3-ounce weight, pure aniline-dyed, vegetable-tanned Vintage War Horse® leather outer shell

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton, inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1940's USAAF specs. and dyed in the rust-brown shade found on original vintage Rough Wear Clothing Co. A-2's

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original USAAF spec. and finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating, including backing washers on the rivets as found on original jackets of this contract

• 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-2's

• Shoulder straps exactly matching the shape, size and stitch style found on original vintage Rough Wear Clothing Co. A-2's

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket flap configuration exactly matching the style found on original vintage Rough Wear Clothing Co. A-2's of the 16159 contract

• Snap-down collar exactly matching the shape, size and stitch style found on original Rough Wear Clothing Co. A-2s of the 16159 contract

• AAF inspector’s ink stamping on cotton lining, exactly matching the individual number associated with original Rough Wear Clothing Co. A-2's of the 16159 contract

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply all-wool knit 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 original vintage Rough Wear Clothing Co. A-2s

• Heavy leather hanging loop correctly sewn directly through the jacket lining and outer leather shell using a box stitch

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

The type A-1 Flight Jacket was standardized on November 27th 1927, being the predecessor of the now-famous type A-2 Flight Jacket. Synonymous with early aviation heroes, such as: Jimmy Doolittle, Ira Eaker and Carl Spaatz, it was the very first of the windcheater-type flying jackets outfitted with knitted waist and cuffs, and a design that was to set the basic outline for flying jacket styling to this day.

Originally, the A-1 Flight Jacket was specified to be made from a olive drab cape leather, but the few existing examples that can be found today are always a chestnut-brown shade of capeskin. The frontal closure was facilitated with genuine horn buttons, and backed again with smaller real horn buttons for extra strength, as were the pocket flaps.  The jacket lining was a densely woven brown sateen cotton, while the collar, cuffs and waist band were 100% worsted wool. Our reproduction is crafted just as the original was, including the sleek 1920s fit.  Typical of designs of that era, many jackets had a rather slim cut with narrow sleeves and nippy shoulders.  We have followed the original design precisely; however, unlike jackets made from stiffer, less-forgiving hides, the A-1 Jacket's softer, finer leather construction – Capeskin – wears easily, and is, perhaps, best described as feeling as if you had on a sheepskin shirt.  However, it’s easy to see why the Army Air Corps made the A-2 from more-durable leathers, as capeskin is not necessarily the best type of hide for a rugged and utilitarian application.  It is not surprising that original A-1 Jackets are hard to find, since capeskin wouldn’t take the rigors of combat use and rubbing on any sharp, angular parts likely found in the 1920s cockpits.

Capeskin is, basically, sheepskin - the same leather that was used to make the B-3 and B-6 Flight Jackets - the only real difference between capeskin and sheepskin is that Cape is a particular breed derived from Africa and noted for its fine quality and smooth texture, making it perfect for hair-off leather garments.  But as a reproduction flying jacket wearer of today, please do not be put off by the notion that capeskin is inherently less durable than, say, horsehide.  Capeskin is perfectly acceptable for the kind of daily use the average person would plan to give their jacket; indeed, lamb and sheepskin jackets are worn by scores of individuals every day without any issues, and thousands of our happy customers continue to enjoy wearing our many sheepskin flying jackets year after year without suffering damage to end the useful life of their jackets.  This A-1 really is a pleasure to wear, too, being light in weight and extremely flexible, feeling as if you have nothing much more on than a cardigan.  It is an ideal jacket for spring, summer and early fall, which can be worn upon entering a building and not making one feel the need to remove their jacket.  The A-1 Flight Jacket, in our opinion, is the perfect all-around jacket, built from a buttery-soft leather that simply exudes quality in a design that is all about classic styling without looking dated at all.

We’ve spared no expense with the rest of the A-1 Jacket construction.  Check out these authentic features found only on an original A-1 Jacket and ours:

•Aniline-dyed, vegetable-tanned capeskin outer shell in the original chestnut shade of brown

• Custom-made, all-cotton sateen for the lining that has been dye matched exactly to the original A-1

• Custom-made, genuine-horn buttons in the correct tortoise-shell, amber-hued shade and made to the exact shape and size of those found on the original example

• Custom-made, genuine-horn backing buttons, produced in the exact shape and size of those found on the original example

• Custom-made, woven spec. and size labels produced on a vintage shuttle loom to the exact size and font face as found on the original A-1

When you examine the detailed comparison photos found on the respective link on this web site, you will be able to see all of these details in close-up, side by side comparison with an original A-1 Jacket.  Your first impression may be that the color of our A-1 is markedly darker than the original we show for comparison; this is only because the original has become very faded and scuffed over time.  We have taken color matches from areas on the jacket where the original color is still perfectly preserved; in fact, if you look closely at the shots illustrating the pocket, you will see some of the true color where the flap is lifted up.  The original A-1 would have looked the same as our copy when it was new; only use and age have rendered it as it appears today.

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

This product is currently not in production, but we are happy to take inquiries for this style.

Meticulously copied from one of only a few extant examples, A-2 Flight Jackets from the HLB Corp. contract 37-3891P of March 1937 represent the second-rarest of all A-2 Jacket contracts, which numbered only 375 pieces in total. These A-2 Jackets also have some of the most unique features to be found on any A-2 Jacket, not the least being an early-style Kwik zipper with metal base attached with grommets.

The A-2 Jacket this copy was patterned from is depicted in the side-by-side photo comparisons in the gallery on this page. One of the details you may immediately notice is that the vintage example is much darker than copy we offer, which is because the vintage examples was a re-issued jacket that had been refurbished by the AAF Materiel Command later in WWII, thus it was re-dyed a dark brown color to hide scuffing and damage as was typical with re-issued leather jackets; the true, light brown coloring found on the earlier jackets has been utilized in crafting our copy offered here.

HLB Corp. A-2 Jackets have many interesting features, including some not found on any other A-2 Jackets. Please note the following as unusual and/or unique to HLB Corp. A-2 Jackets:

• Sleeve cut – unique to HLB

• Inset collar hook - unique to HLB

• Leather-tabbed zipper reinforcement at inside waist - unique to HLB

• Double top-stitched pocket flaps - unique to HLB

• Early Kwik zipper in nickel plate with metal base attached via grommets - unique to HLB

• Nickel-plated ball-style press studs on pockets and collar - unique to HLB

• Collar hook enameled black with “kinked” eye and hand sewn in place - unique to HLB

• Italicized font on spec. label in lining neck area - unique to HLB

• Single-stitched epaulets

• Beveled pocket corners

The cut and fit of this A-2 Jacket has been taken inch-for-inch off the original; it is a very comfortable cut, with a tad extra length in the body compared to most other A-2 Jackets, but most markedly a completely unique cut to the sleeve underarm, which is like no other - giving this A-2 a noticeable amount of extra lateral arm movement when raising one’s arms to the side.

All other authentic features have been slavishly copied from the vintage example, which include the heavy-gauge, all-cotton thread, custom-made cotton lining and wool knit, both of which precisely match the vintage example in weave and color, spec. label woven on vintage shuttle loom, and, of course, the “Vintage Warhorse” horsehide leather in Havana Brown, which is 100% vegetable tanned from one of the premier tanneries in Italy and dyed with pure aniline so as to come as close as possible to recreating the weight, color, and character of grain found on the vintage jackets.

This is also a historically significant A-2 contract:  an HLB A-2 Jacket was worn by one of “Doolittle’s Raiders” on the famous Tokyo mission, which is now on display at the USAF Museum in Dayton, OH.  For the A-2 Jacket enthusiast, this is the rarest of copies that will ever be available, as only in this unique specification can it be made 100% authentic, which includes the trademarked Kwik zipper exclusive to us.

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

Our Original-Maker A-2 Flight Jackets are, by far, the most popular A-2 Flight Jackets we offer, with each passing year yielding hundreds of requests to produce more “original-maker” A-2 Flight Jackets.  This Werber Leather Coat Co. A-2 Flight Jacket is another addition to our Original-Maker collection.

The first task is always to obtain original examples in order to make a thorough examination of the construction and detailing; since any A-2 from this contract is over 80 years old, and considering they were made only in hundreds (as opposed to thousands, as with the later wartime contracts), being able to obtain original examples that have all of their original components intact is next to impossible. Nevertheless, perseverance has prevailed and we are proud to offer a reproduction of one of the earliest A-2 contracts the U. S. Air Corps ever awarded to a manufacturer.

The Werber 1729 A-2 Flight Jacket is now available in Eastman Leather's Vintage War Horse® horse hide leather, which is imported from a top Italian tannery that specializes in vegetable tanning horse hide - this leather is just superb!

About Vintage War Horse®:  Some A-2 Jackets, particularly those produced under earlier contracts from the 1930s and including some of those produced up to the early days of 1942, were finished in a rudimentary, pure aniline dye that gave the leather a very clear, almost-raw appearance that showed every detail of the underlying skin; the overall look can be somewhat mottled, revealing all of the rich character of the leather much in the same way a clear stain would reveal all of the depth and grain of a piece of wood.  And although the hides used in making this A-2 Jacket are top-quality in grade, you will also see every range mark or insect bite in the horsehide if such natural occurrences are present, and more than any other A-2 Flight Jacket Eastman offers in different aniline or other dye finishes, this A-2 Flight Jacket's dye finish will wear and gain that cherished vintage character more quickly - you won't look like some FNG  in this A-2 Jacket for very long!  This A-2 Flight Jacket is for the purest who appreciates all of the natural characteristics found in horsehide and in those early A-2 Flight Jackets, which includes deep grain leaping out in rivulets and valleys throughout the garment's hide.  Make no mistake - this is the Army, Mr. Jones!

One of the glowing features we have managed to reproduce for this garment is the early-production Hookless zipper. Although a Talon-branded zip was the most prevalently used maker in the early-contract jackets, we felt it would be a little bit more special to go the extra mile and bring you a true icon of the past – Hookless Fastener! Hookless was the former brand name of Talon, and from 1913 to the early 1930's, Hookless zips were produced and supplied to many of the companies producing military clothing, not least, of course, to the manufacturers of the A-2 Jacket, such as Werber. The name on the puller portion of the zipper changed from Hookless to Talon at some time after the company decided to change its name, though the zip design was exactly the same as it had been under the Hookless brand. Since then, Hookless has become extinct, but we are producing the Hookless zipper again, and doing it to an incredible level of authenticity: from the gauge of the teeth, to the unique box-less, open-end linking design, this is an exact facsimile of the original Hookless zipper.

Please take note of these authentic details found only on an original Werber Leather Coat Co. A-2 of this contract and our copy:

• Exact copy of the original maker’s label produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• All-cotton thread construction as found on all original A-2 Flying jackets of the 1930—'40s

• Collar assembly featuring a leather collar ring, exactly as found on all vintage A-2s originally produced by Werber

• 3-ounce weight, fully vegetable-tanned Italian horse hide outer shell dyed in a gorgeous full-aniline finish of a caramel-like brown color

• Single-piece back construction

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1930s Air Corps specs. and dyed in the rust-brown shade found on vintage Werber A-2s of this contract

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original early spec., finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating and hand sewn into the collar; an attaching feature found only on the A-2s of early vintage before riveted clips were employed

• Custom manufacture of correct ball-and-socket-style press studs located on pockets and collar ends, exactly duplicating the unusual arrangement found on the original Werber copied here, whereby larger (pocket-size) press studs are found on both pocket and collar

• Shoulder straps exactly matching the shape, size and stitch style found on original Werber A-2s of this contract, with only one row of stitching to outside edge – a unique feature to only this contract

• Leather strip interfacing to left lining panel where it joins to the zipper - another feature found only on the earliest contracts

• Top-stitched thumb seam on sleeve, as well as on bottom hem and cuff - found only on early-contract A-2s

• Incredibly authentic reproduction of the early Hookless zipper with all-metal base riveted at zipper bottom for extra strength at this area of great stress

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket-flap configuration exactly matching the style found on original Werber A-2s of this contract

• Snap-down collar exactly matching the shape, size and stitch style found on original Werber A-2s of this contract

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply all-wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in caramel brown, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a more narrow weave, exactly matching those found on original Werber A-2s of this contract

• Heavy leather hanging loop correctly sewn directly through the jacket lining and outer leather shell using a box stitch

• Label (with printed size and individual jacket number) located in pocket, exactly matching those found on original Werber A-2s

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

This is the 3rd incarnation of this jacket style, now featuring Havana Brown sleeve reinforcements and trim with an overall significantly more subtle, vintage Time-Wear treatment that allows the gorgeous wool to retain its full luster!

The famous B-3 “bomber jacket” of WWII USAAF fame began service life in 1934 looking very much differently from the typical B-3 Flight Jackets seen in service after 1941.

The very first B-3 Flight Jackets introduced in 1934 had the outer surfaces left in the natural, untreated, raw state, thus they were off-white in color and the outer skin had a somewhat-rough texture as found on leather garments similar to suede.  These early B-3 Flight Jackets also were much more similar in appearance to the RAF Aircrew Jacket designed by Leslie Irvin and showing the B-3 Jacket’s lineage to the earlier B-1 and B-2 Jackets.  The 1934 B-3 Flight Jacket included zippers on the sleeves, an absence of pockets, a belt at the jacket bottom, single strap on the collar, and no leather reinforcements on the sleeves.  By 1935, the B-3 Jacket was modified, now being closer in overall appearance to the B-3 Flight Jackets that would become famous in WWII, though the outside skin surface was still left in the natural, raw state in an off-white color.

The B-3 Flight Jackets were largely produced under contract with civilian manufacturers, but select Air Corps Air Depots did produce various items themselves and some of these items included garments such as the B-3 Flying Jacket and its corresponding A-3 Trousers.

Air Depots were huge facilities of the U.S. Army Air Corps, where training or personnel and maintenance and storage of aircraft and materiel was undertaken prior to deployment to the various Air Bases.  Depots were further sub-divided into sub-depots, all of which performed various specialty work within the USAC.  The Depots and their affiliates formed the backbone of the U.S. air arm's continental defense mission, and Scott Field, located in Illinois, was one such Air Depot whose specialty in the mid-1930's was Lighter-Than-Air Ships, otherwise known as blimps, balloons or dirigibles.

This B-3 Flight Jacket is copied from a vintage example produced at Scott Field Air Depot (S. F. A. D.) in 1937, which represents a rarity among rare B-3's, as these 1930's B-3 Jackets in the natural sheepskin are extremely scarce, and one made by an Air Depot is that much more scarce.

Although these Depot-made B-3 Jackets conformed, more or less, to the basic B-3 spec. at the time, there were some subtle differences vs. those B-3 Jackets made by civilian contractors for the Air Corps, the most noticeable being the absence of a buckle tab on the left chest near the zipper, the presence of a four-piece back vs. a two-piece back, and the nomenclature and contract data normally located on a woven label in the neck area was instead embossed into the leather strap behind the collar.

These early B-3 Jackets have been the subject of great interest for Eastman Leather Clothing, but finding a supplier who could produce the sheepskin material exactly as it should be proved to be extremely difficult.  Not only did the color and texture of fleece have to be matched precisely, but also the very fine finish of the suede, which is achieved by a skilled, manual process known as “fine wheeling.”  Perseverance has paid off, and Eastman is proud to be able to offer another top-tier product as part of their “Original-Maker” range of garments.

The super high-quality, supple Merino pelts are absolutely sumptuous and decadently plush, perfectly dye-matched to the “ivory-white” vintage shade of the outer suede and a deep-hued, golden-brown on the soft wool. Trimmed with stunning WarHorse® horsehide and outfitted with a superb copy of the early, riveted-base Hookless zipper, this exact reproduction of a desirable B-3 Jacket style is not only completely authentic, but its pleasing retro design makes it distinctively stylish and ruggedly handsome.  And the ultimate in vintage character and appearance has been added via Eastman's hand-applied Time-Worn process, so this jacket looks vintage right out of the box, which is really the most attractive form for this B-3 vs. a boldly new-looking, off-white jacket.  Interestingly, the combination of the unique jacket style and the vintage Time Wear, it has been said, gives the jacket more of a western look than a military aviation appearance. 

Please note:  Availability of material for this product is limited; accordingly, there may be times when it is either unavailable or subject to long delivery times. We appreciate your kind understanding if this is the case if/when you decide to order.

Available in sizes: 36 – 48 regular.  Long and extra-long fittings are available at no extra cost on custom order.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England