USAAF Type A-1

• 1920s USAAF flight jacket

• Hand-sewn buttons

• Keyhole buttonholes

• Two button flapped patch pockets

• Straight rear yoke

• High-grade knitted collar, cuffs and waistband

• Replica label

• Pictured left in Capeskin

The Type A-1 jacket was the first USAAF produced flight jacket, first introduced in 1926 as USAC summer flying jacket and then standardised for use on November 7th 1927.

 

This original jacket was made from Cape Sheep Leather, had a cotton lining, wool knitted cuffs and waistband and knitted collar with two button and flapped pockets placed low on the front. Sheep had very poor wear qualities and originals are impossible to find these days. We recommend Goatskin which has a very similar softer drape to the Cape Sheep but is infinitly stronger and was also used for some of the original USAC jackets or Horsehide, particularily the Vegtanned Vicenza for its exceptional strength.

 

The Type A-1 has 5 central buttons for closure with 2 buttons for neck fastening. The buttons on an Aero Type A-1 are hand sewn for extra durability. It has two snap buttons to fasten the bottom of the jacket. The back of this jacket has two piece leather panels: The top yolk having a straight panel. The A-1 could still be found in limited use during WWII and was finally taken out of duty on September 29th 1944, after stocks were exhausted.