This A-2 Flight Jacket is complete with the ornate insignia of the famous 23rd Fighter Group. The 23rd Fighter Group was formed in July 1942 as part of the China Air Task Force (CATF), marking the first such activation of a fighter group on a field of battle in WWII. The 23rd was comprised of three fighter squadrons: 74th, 75th and 76th.  Previously, some of the pilots of the 23^rd had served in that small volunteer unit known as The American Volunteer Group (AVG - also known as the FLYING TIGERS), the personnel of which had been hired by the Chinese government in their war against the Japanese.  Commanded by the tenacious Brigadier General Claire Lee Chennault, the AVG had gained notoriety as a force to be taken seriously.

After the USA entered the war, the AVG was amalgamated into the 23rd Ftr. Grp. and the tradition of marking the unit’s P-40 fighter planes with the distinctive-and-fearsome shark mouth carried on, along with the use of their mascot - the Flying Tiger. The combat record of the 23rd goes down in history as being one of the most illustrious in the US Army Force, creating notable aces such as the great Don Lopez and David 'Tex' Hill.

Before returning to the United States in December 1945, the 23rd had flown 24,000 combat sorties requiring more than 53,000 flying hours, and at a cost of 110 aircraft lost in aerial combat, with 90 shot down by surface defenses, and 28 bombed while on the ground.  The 23^rd was credited with destroying many more than their number lost: - 621 enemy planes destroyed in air combat - 320 enemy planes destroyed on the ground - sinking more than 131,000 tons of enemy shipping and damaging 250,000 tons more - enemy troop losses of more than 20,000.

This representation of a 23rd Ftr. Grp. A-2 Jacket is based upon our Rough Wear Clothing Company 1401-P A-2 Flying Jacket. The RW 1401 is a suitable candidate for this unit, having been produced in the last quarter of 1941, thus being available from when the 23rd was first activated.  For more information and details of authenticity about this A-2 model, please refer to this specific product found among Eastman’s Original-Maker A-2 Jackets.

This A-2 Jacket has been embellished with the appropriate insignia and markings of the unit in exquisitely hand-made, layered-leather patches to include the following: - 23rd Ftr. Grp. insignia applied to left breast - CBI shield to left shoulder - AAF roundel to right shoulder - 23rd Ftr. Grp. stencil to lining We cannot emphasize enough the degree of detailing and quality in these jaw-dropping patches. Each piece is hand-cut and then sewn using minute-but-accurate stitching - the 23rd insignia alone comprises no less than 40 pieces of leather in its construction! Finally, it's given Eastman’s TimeWorn® process with even greater detailing than that of their regular finish, which renders the garment with a stunning vintage patina that is unbelievably uncontrived in appearance, making for a first-rate vintage look directly out of the box. The final product is delivered to you in a custom-made, metal-edge, hard-card box to treasure forever, and eventually hand-down to your next generation - just like a vintage A-2 Jacket heirloom.  

This A-2 Jacket is custom order only.  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 A-2 Flight Jacket represents and example from the famous 303rd Bombardment Group.  The 303rd Bombardment Group was formed on 28 January 1942 and the official unit motto was “Might in Flight.”  Their wartime exploits would go down in history, relegating the 303rd as one of the most famous heavy bombardment units of WWII, where they achieved legendary status as the “Hell's Angels” group.

Arriving at Molesworth, England on 9 September 1942, the 303rd was assigned to the 8th Air Force, being one of the very first American heavy bombardment groups to arrive in England to join the British in the bombing campaign against Germany. The 303rd went on to fly more combat missions than any other bombardment group in the USAAF, 364 missions in total, and taking part in some of the bloodiest sorties of the war; targets that included:  The ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, shipbuilding yards at Bremen, synthetic-rubber plant at Huls, the aircraft engine factories of Hamburg, the industrial quarter of Frankfurt, and the marshaling yards at Le Mans.  These infamous names were among the destinations where they flew to hell and back, and which earned them a well-deserved Distinguished Unit Citation.

Proud of their group's reputation, some airmen had their jackets painted on the back with various motifs and slogans; in the case of the 303rd, if it wasn’t the plane’s name you flew on, chances are it was “Hell's Angels” that adorned the back of your A-2 Jacket.  Quite often the painting of “Hell’s Angels” would be accompanied by a series of bombs which depicted the number of missions flown.

We are extremely proud to offer an incredible recreation of an original “Hell's Angels” back-painted A-2 Jacket of the famous 303rd Bombardment Group. 1st Lt Constantine J. Duros was a Bombardier in the 360th Bombardment Squadron who completed a tour, flying 29 missions in total, and he had his Rough Wear Clothing Co. contract 27752 A-2 Jacket painted in such a way that typified many of the back-painted A-2 Jackets from the 303rd Group.

Utilizing their reproduction of this very same Rough Wear Clo. Co. 27752 A-2 Jacket (for more information and details of authenticity about this A-2 model, please refer to Rough Wear 27752 A-2 found among Eastman’s Original-Maker A-2 Jackets), Eastman has recreated an exact replica of the Duros A-2 Jacket.  As you will see from the images in the photo gallery, the back painting is superbly executed, and it has been hand worked in order to capture the essence of a time-aged original. To the front left breast is sewn a superb hand-embroidered “Hell's Angels” insignia (360th B.Sqdn.), which is a perfect recreation of a theatre-made original example.

This A-2 Jacket is finally given Eastman’s TimeWorn® process with even greater detailing than that of their regular finish, which renders the garment with a stunning vintage patina that is unbelievably uncontrived in appearance, making for a first-rate vintage look directly out of the box.  And both the painting and the patch meld into the leather as though they have been seated there for decades, giving you the ultimate in a recreation of a true vintage icon.

Attached to the right collar clasp is a perfect reproduction of an Acme Thunderer Air Ministry whistle - a detail which is often found on original USAAF flight jackets which were used by airmen who were based in England.  These whistles are made of nickel-plated solid brass and then also TimeWorn® to convincingly match the patina of the jacket.

This product is delivered to you in a custom-made, metal-edge, hard-card box to treasure forever, and eventually hand-down to your next generation - just like a vintage A-2 Jacket heirloom.

This A-2 Jacket is custom order only.  Due to the extremely specialist nature of this product only a very few pieces can be made on a yearly basis, so we ask for your kind understanding if delivery times are particularly extended when ordering this item.

Disclaimer:  “Hells Angels” is a registered trademark of the “Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.”  The use of the term “Hell's Angels” with regard to the product advertised here is used purely and entirely in historical context to describe that which it is a reproduction of - a jacket of the 303rd Bombardment Group known and historically documented as “Hell's Angels” of the U. S. Army Air Forces of World War II.  This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by the “Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.”

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 A-2 Flight Jacket comes complete with authentic back art copied from a vintage example that saw action with the Mighty 8th Air Force.  During WWII it was very common for bomber crews of the USAAF to nickname their aircraft and adorn the plane’s fuselage with a painting of the name. Other graphics, such as cartoon characters, pin-up girls, and bombs for missions flown, were also sometimes added to further embellish their plane with an identity.

One such aircraft was a B-24 Liberator bomber known as “UMBRIAGO” of the 489th Bombardment Group. “Umbriago” was a word of the early 1940s, having been made famous by comedian/entertainer Jimmy Durante, who had a hit song of the same name; Umbriago was Jimmy's jovial, fictitious side-kick.  It was from this good-luck character that inspiration was taken for the naming of this aircraft.

Assigned to the 8th Air Force in the Spring of 1944 and stationed at RAF Halesworth, England, the 489th arrived at the very height of the air offensive against Germany, and the “UMBRIAGO” was right there in the thick of it.

Taking part in a multitude of bombing missions throughout most of 1944 (which included several just prior to and during D-Day, and with one crewman collecting a Medal of Honor on the way), the 489th was finally relieved of assignment on the 29th of November 1944.  However, the “UMBRIAGO” was re-assigned to the 446th Bombardment Group, where she continued to deliver her payloads to the enemy until the 27th December 1944.  Misfortune befell her at this point when she crashed in fog while taking off at Bungay-Flixton airfield, bringing her remarkable wartime career to an end, which unfortunately included the pilot; fortuitously, the rest of the crew survived.

Just prior to leaving the 489th, the entire crew of the “UMBRIAGO” did what many crews of the USAAF did when completing a tour - they had the backs of their A-2 Flying Jackets decorated with a painting of the name of their aircraft to celebrate their achievement.  In this case, the design incorporated a yellow '8' (for 8th Air Force) centered within the U. S. white star that, in turn, is mounted upon a blue disc.  One bomb for each mission flown was painted in white and fanned around the disc in a symmetrical fashion with the word “UMBRIAGO” above.  That was nearly 70 years ago - incredibly, one of those eight jackets, that of Navigator Lt. Milton R. Johnson, has survived.  Johnson’s original Star Sportswear, back-painted A-2 Jacket has made it through the years to still tell the tale of the famous “UMBRIAGO.”

It is Lt. Johnson's back-painted A-2 Jacket that is illustrated and recreated here as part of the Elite Units series.  Utilizing Eastman’s original-maker Star Sportswear A-2 Jacket (the same maker as Johnson’s A-2 Jacket), the “UMBRIAGO” artwork is meticulously hand painted matching the dimensions, colors, and texture of the original artwork to absolute perfection.  This A-2 Jacket, in turn, has been hand worked to capture the essence of a time-aged original jacket, offering one of the most striking back-painted A-2s of that era. The painted Navigator wings, which were also a feature of Johnson’s   A-2 Jacket, are accurately depicted on the front left breast.

For more information and details of authenticity about this Star Sportswear A-2 model, please refer to this specific product found among Eastman’s Original-Maker A-2 Jackets.

This A-2 Jacket is finally given Eastman’s TimeWorn® process with even greater detailing than that of their regular finish, which renders the garment with a stunning vintage patina that is unbelievably uncontrived in appearance, making for a first-rate vintage look directly out of the box.

Attached to the right collar clasp is a perfect reproduction of an Acme Thunderer Air Ministry whistle - a detail which is often found on original USAAF flight jackets which were used by airmen who were based in England.  These whistles are made of nickel-plated solid brass and then also TimeWorn® to convincingly match the patina of the jacket.

This product is delivered to you in a custom-made, metal-edge, hard-card box to treasure forever, and eventually hand-down to your next generation - just like a vintage A-2 Jacket heirloom.

This A-2 Jacket is custom order only.  Due to the extremely specialist nature of this product only a very few pieces can be made on a yearly basis, so we ask for your kind understanding if delivery times are particularly extended when ordering this item.

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

The U. S. Army Air Force Type B-15 Intermediate Flight Jacket was developed from lessons learned in field use of the highly popular B-10 Flight Jacket of 1943. As early as 1942, the Materiel Division of the US Army Air Forces was seeking an alternative material to sheepskin for producing flying suits, and by October of that same year development had begun at Wright Field on the Intermediate Flying Jacket, Type B-10. Originally constructed of an outer shell made from a fine, cotton twill, and lined with an alpaca-and-wool pile lining, the B-10 Flight Jacket was standardized on July 22,1943, though it was superseded less than 9 months later by the B-15 Flight Jacket. Both the B-10 and B-15 Flight Jackets were designed as replacements for the sheepskin flight jackets of the 1930s and early 1940s, and represented the first cloth-shelled, alpaca fur-lined flight jackets of the USAAF.

These flight jackets were an instant success with just about every aviator who encountered one, being much lighter and more versatile than the flight jackets they replaced. Intended for wear in climates between 25 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the B-15 Flight Jacket was ideally suited for early spring and late fall and winter.

Buzz Rickson's brand has reproduced the B-15 Flight Jacket in exacting detail, based on those once produced for the AAF by the Rough Wear Clothing Co., and Buzz Rickson's heavy, cotton twill fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy fabrics used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAAF flying jackets. In fact, the only other flying jackets in the world today made from this fabric are those original vintage examples of the USAAF!  

This B-15 Flying Jacket correctly captures all the nuances found on original vintage B-15 Flight Jackets made by the Rough Wear Clothing Co., making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAAF. Take note of these authentic features:

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

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave Olive Drab cotton twill outer shell to precisely match original specs.

• Correct USAAF-spec. inner lining of warm, double-faced alpaca-and-wool blend. We cannot say too much 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.

• Gorgeous, plush, genuine mouton-fur collar with fur-padded button tab closure dyed to rich, deep-toned cognac brown

• Two snap-down exterior pockets lined with warm off-white shade corduroy precisely matching 1944 USAAF specs.

• Two snap-down interior pockets lined with heavy all-cotton drill fabric precisely matching 1944 USAAF specs.

• Authentic copy of a Talon zipper with blackened finish on jacket front, with cool-looking, contrasting tan-colored zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Correct USAAF spec. leather pull tabs on zipper

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, all-wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in Olive Drab

• USAAF insignia transfer on left sleeve and wind flap behind zipper

• Assembly with all-cotton thread on vintage sewing machines 

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

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 U. S. Army Air Force Type B-10 Intermediate Flight Jacket was developed as a replacement for both the leather A-2 and sheepskin B-6 Flight Jackets.  The B-10 Flight Jacket was the first cloth-shelled, alpaca fur-lined flight jacket of the USAAF, being standardized for service in July 1943.  However, actual combat issue did not take place until late February 1944, with the 8th Air Force in England receiving an initial issue of  B-10 Flight Jackets with the corresponding A-9 Trousers.  By the spring of 1944, the B-10 was appearing in much greater quantities, as evidenced by the many 8th and 9th Air Force aircrews outfitted in this jacket in time for the D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944. 

The B-10 Flight Jackets were an instant success with just about every aviator who encountered one, being much lighter and more versatile than the jackets they replaced.  Intended for wear in climates between 22 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the B-10 Flight Jacket was ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter. Fighter pilots took a particular shine to this slick new jacket style, as it afforded them far less bulk and considerably more comfort in their cramped cockpits.  Just as with all of the flight jackets of the USAAF, the B-10 Flight Jacket’s natural good looks and smart style immediately made it a coveted garment with anyone who could get their hands on one.  This proved especially true among most of the senior officer ranks of the U. S. Army fighting in Europe, as numerous photographs depict non-flying, non-USAAF personnel, such as Generals Ridgeway, Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley wearing the B-10 Flight Jacket even though they had no rightful authorization to wear the jacket.  Furthermore, all officers of the U. S. airborne units received B-10 Flight Jackets as issue garments just as they had once been issued leather A-2 Flight Jackets, thus furthering their elite image within the army.  But it is the fighter pilot of 1944 and 1945 who was most typically personified through the wearing of a B-10 Flight Jacket. 

Though very popular, the official lifespan of the B-10 Flight Jacket designation was, however, rather short, being superseded by the newer B-15 Flight Jacket specification in late 1944.  Still, the B-10 Flight Jacket saw combat service right up until the end of WWII. After the war, veterans continued to wear these beloved jackets until threadbare, while surplus B-10 Flight Jackets found new homes via the great Army-Navy stores of the era.  Today, an original vintage B-10 Flight Jacket in really nice condition is a very, very scarce and desirable garment to a collector, with jackets in superior condition commanding a four-figure buying price in a heartbeat.

Buzz Rickson has reproduced the B-10 Flight Jacket in exacting detail.  Buzz Rickson’s cotton fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy sheet bedding fabric used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAAF flight jackets.  In fact, the only other flying jackets in the world today made from this cotton are those original vintage examples of the USAAF! 

This B-10 Flight Jacket is a Buzz Rickson’s Special Edition, correctly capturing all the nuances found on B-10 Flight Jackets once produced by the the L. S. L Garment Co., making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAAF.  Take note of these authentic features:  

• Exact copy of original maker’s label

with brown text on an off-white background produced on a vintage shuttle loom

•Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave three-ply, combed-cotton Olive Drab outer shell to precisely match 1943 USAAF specs.

•Correct USAAF spec. inner lining of warm, double-faced alpaca and wool, dyed to match the salt-and-pepper coloring of the original vintage  B-10s

•Gorgeous, plush, genuine sheep fur collar left in it’s natural buttery shade as found on many B-10’s produced by LSL

•Pencil slot assembled on the exterior of the left pocket in the exact fashion noted on extant B-10’s produced by LSL

•Two button-flap exterior pockets

•One snap-down interior pocket assembled in the unique style and the slightly smaller size associated with B-10’s once produced by LSL

•Exact copy of the 1943 Conmar zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Correct USAAF spec. leather pull tab on zipper

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in Olive Drab

•Wind flap protector behind zipper closure

•USAAF insignia transfer on left sleeve and on wind flap interior  

• USAAF insignia ink stamp in black in the smaller size associated with LSL-contracted B-10’s

• LSL inspector ink stamp in black on the wind flap

Sizes:  36-44 regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan  

The U. S. Army Air Force Type B-10 Intermediate Flight Jacket was developed as a replacement for both the leather A-2 and sheepskin B-6 Flight Jackets.  The B-10 Flight Jacket was the first cloth-shelled, alpaca fur-lined flight jacket of the USAAF, being standardized for service in July 1943.  However, actual combat issue did not take place until late February 1944, with the 8th Air Force in England receiving an initial issue of  B-10 Flight Jackets with the corresponding A-9 Trousers.  By the spring of 1944, the B-10 was appearing in much greater quantities, as evidenced by the many 8th and 9th Air Force aircrews outfitted in this jacket in time for the D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944. 

The B-10 Flight Jackets were an instant success with just about every aviator who encountered one, being much lighter and more versatile than the jackets they replaced.  Intended for wear in climates between 22 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the B-10 Flight Jacket was ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter. Fighter pilots took a particular shine to this slick new jacket style, as it afforded them far less bulk and considerably more comfort in their cramped cockpits.  Just as with all of the flight jackets of the USAAF, the B-10 Flight Jacket’s natural good looks and smart style immediately made it a coveted garment with anyone who could get their hands on one.  This proved especially true among most of the senior officer ranks of the U. S. Army fighting in Europe, as numerous photographs depict non-flying, non-USAAF personnel, such as Generals Ridgeway, Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley wearing the B-10 Flight Jacket even though they had no rightful authorization to wear the jacket.  Furthermore, all officers of the U. S. airborne units received B-10 Flight Jackets as issue garments just as they had once been issued leather A-2 Flight Jackets, thus furthering their elite image within the army.  But it is the fighter pilot of 1944 and 1945 who was most typically personified through the wearing of a B-10 Flight Jacket. 

Though very popular, the official lifespan of the B-10 Flight Jacket designation was, however, rather short, being superseded by the newer B-15 Flight Jacket specification in late 1944.  Still, the B-10 Flight Jacket saw combat service right up until the end of WWII. After the war, veterans continued to wear these beloved jackets until threadbare, while surplus B-10 Flight Jackets found new homes via the great Army-Navy stores of the era.  Today, an original vintage B-10 Flight Jacket in really nice condition is a very, very scarce and desirable garment to a collector, with jackets in superior condition commanding a four-figure buying price in a heartbeat.

Buzz Rickson has reproduced the B-10 Flight Jacket in exacting detail.  Buzz Rickson’s cotton fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy sheet bedding fabric used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAAF flight jackets.  In fact, the only other flying jackets in the world today made from this cotton are those original vintage examples of the USAAF!  This B-10 Flight Jacket is a Buzz Rickson’s Special Edition, correctly capturing all the nuances found on B-10 Flight Jackets once produced by the Rough Wear Clothing Company, making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAAF.  Take note of these authentic features:  

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

•Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave three-ply, combed-cotton Olive Drab outer shell to precisely match 1943 USAAF specs.

•Correct USAAF spec. inner lining of warm, double-faced alpaca and wool, dyed to match the salt-and-pepper coloring of the original vintage  B-10s

•Gorgeous, plush, genuine mouton-fur collar in ginger-toned brown found on Rough Wear B-10s

• Two button-flap exterior pockets

•One snap-down interior pocket lined with heavy all- cotton twill fabric, precisely matching 1943 USAAF specs

•Exact copy of the 1943 Conmar zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Correct USAAF spec. leather pull tab on zipper

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in Olive Drab

•Wind flap protector behind zipper closure

•USAAF insignia transfer on left sleeve and on wind flap interior  

Sizes:  36-46 regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan  

The U. S. Army Air Force Type B-10 Intermediate Flight Jacket was developed as a replacement for both the leather A-2 and sheepskin B-6 Flight Jackets.  The B-10 Flight Jacket was the first cloth-shelled, alpaca fur-lined flying jacket of the USAAF, being standardized for service in July 1943.  However, actual combat issue did not take place until late February 1944, with the 8th Air Force in England receiving an initial issue of B-10 Flight Jackets with the corresponding A-9 Trousers. 

By the spring of 1944, the B-10 Flight Jacket was appearing in much greater quantities, as evidenced by the many 8th and 9th Air Force aircrews outfitted in this jacket in time for the D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944.  The B-10 Flight Jacket was an instant success with just about every aviator who encountered one, being much lighter and more versatile than the jackets they replaced.  Intended for wear in climates between 25 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the B-10 was ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter.  Fighter pilots took a particular shine to this slick new jacket style, as it afforded them far less bulk and considerably more comfort in their cramped cockpits.  Just as with all of the flight jackets of the USAAF, the B-10 Flight Jacket's natural good looks and smart style immediately made it a coveted garment with anyone who could get their hands on one.  This proved especially true among most of the senior officer ranks of the U. S. Army fighting in Europe, as numerous photographs depict non-flying, non-USAAF personnel, such as Generals Ridgeway, Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley wearing the B-10 Flight Jacket even though they had no rightful authorization to wear the jacket.  Furthermore, all officers of the U. S. airborne units received B-10 Flight Jacket as issue garments just as they had once been issued leather  A-2 Flight Jackets, thus furthering their elite image within the army.  But it was the fighter pilot of 1944 and 1945 who was most typically personified through the wearing of a B-10 Flight Jacket.

Though very popular, the official lifespan of the B-10 Flight Jacket designation was, however, rather short, being superseded by the newer B-15 Flight Jacket specification in late 1944.  Still, the B-10 Flight Jacket saw combat service right up until the end of WWII.  After the war, veterans continued to wear these beloved jackets until threadbare, while surplus B-10 Flight Jackets found new homes via the great Army-Navy stores of the era.  Today, an original vintage B-10 Flight Jacket in really nice condition is a very, very scarce and desirable garment to a collector, with jackets in superior condition commanding a four-figure buying price in a heartbeat.

Buzz Rickson’s offer a Special Edition of a rare B-10 Flight Jacket produced by the Superior Togs Co., Inc. during WWII.  Some wartime contractors used reddish or berry-colored wool knit cuffs and waistbands on flight jacket production, the most notable being Aero Leather of Beacon, NY, in the production of A-2 Flight Jackets, but at least one B-10 contractor also utilized this same knit color and this was Superior Togs.  Superior Togs also produced many of their B-10 Flight Jackets with an outer shell color that was distinctly olive drab vs. the darker green observed from most B-10 contractors.  Buzz Rickson’s cotton outer-shell fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy sheet bedding fabric used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAAF flight jackets.  In fact, the only other flight jackets in the world today made from this cotton are those original vintage examples of the USAAF! 

This B-10 Flight Jacket is a Buzz Rickson’s Special Edition, correctly capturing all the nuances found on B-10 Flight Jackets once produced by the Superior Togs Co., Inc., making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAAF.  Take note of these authentic features:  

• Exact copy of original maker’s label with gold text on a black background produced on a vintage shuttle loom.  It is noteworthy that B-10s of this contract have the size on the label preceded by a series of ellipsis dots vs. simply having the size appear standing alone.

• Hanger in neck area sewn into the collar; this was in contrast to those B-10s that had the hanger bar tacked in place.

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave three-ply, combed-cotton outer shell in a distinct hue olive drab to precisely match that found on most B-10s produced by Superior Togs.

• Correct USAAF spec. inner lining of warm, double-faced alpaca and wool, dyed to match the salt-and-pepper coloring of the original vintage  B-10s.

• Gorgeous, plush, genuine mouton-fur collar left in gingery shade of brown as noted on most extant B-10s produced by Superior Togs.

• Two button-flap exterior pockets with pocket flaps cut in the distinct shape noted on many B-10s produced by Superior Togs.

• Pencil slot assembled on the exterior of the left pocket in the typical fashion noted on B-10s produced by Superior Togs.

• One snap-down interior pocket assembled in the typical fashion noted on B-10s produced by Superior Togs.

•Exact copy of the 1943 Conmar zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Correct USAAF spec. leather pull tab on zipper.

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted-wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in the berry shade associated with B-10s produced by Superior Togs.

• Wind flap protector behind zipper closure.

• USAAF insignia transfer on left shoulder sleeve.

• USAAF insignia screening in off-white and located on the wind flap.

• AN inspector ink stamp in black on right interior at zipper base.  

Sizes:  36-44 regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Imported from Japan