History Of Bomber Jackets

These days, Bomber Jackets are available in men's and women's sizes and come in many different styles, colors and prices. These stylish jackets are not only warm, but very popular for those who want to make a statement about their personality.

The concept of the bomber jacket began in WWI when the airplanes had open cockpits and the pilots were exposed to the elements. Since there were very few 'Service Issued' jackets issued to pilots and crews, these pilots did what they could to keep themselves warm while in the air. Unfortunately, the issued garments fell far short in practicality and warmth. In 1915, the pilots of the Royal Flying Corps, while serving in France and Belgium had already started wearing long leather jackets and the trend quickly caught on. By 1917, the United States Army began distributing heavy duty leather flight bomber jackets; with snug cuffs and waists, high wrap around collars, zipper closures with wind flaps, and some fringed and lined with fur. At this time, the US Army also started the Aviation Clothing Board.

In 1931, the US Air Corp was issued the 'Type A2 Bomber Jacket'. Pilots in the Navy and Marine Corp were issued the 'Type M-445 Flight Jacket' in later years; this jacket was later to be known as the G1. These bomber jackets were made of seal skin leather with a functional cotton lining. In the years to follow, enlistment in the US Air Corp swelled in numbers due to it's popularity. Because of the large numbers, seal skin was no longer practical to use in the making of the jackets. Since Horsehide was plentiful in the United States leather tanning markets, the Department of War went to making the Type A2 Bomber Jacket out of the material. However, the need for a warmer flight jacket came about in World War II when the planes became more advanced and were able to fly at much higher altitudes. Heavy bombing raids took place from altitudes at least 25,000 ft, where temperatures could reach -58 degrees Fahrenheit, and the airplanes were not insulated. With this in mind, a jacket known as the Shearling Flight Jacket, with it's lining of fur or wool, was one of the warmest jackets on earth. These jackets started being issued to flight crews along with heated flight sutes. These Sherling jackets came in different styles including the ANJ-4 Shearling worn by many B-17 and B-24 Pilots, the Navy’s own Shearling Flight jacket and the B3, the "Bomber Flight Jacket".

By the 1950s, the jet age set new requirements for the pilots' comfort and safety. Because of the requirements, the B15 flight jacket, as well as the newly developed MA-1 bomber jacket were needed. The new jet aircraft took pilots to much higher altitudes than the propeller driven predecesors, and therefore took them to even colder tempratures than before. The stylish bomber jackets of the 1940s were bulky and became wet in rain and perspiration which therefore made the jackets uncomfortable in cold. With this in mind, manufactures came up with the idea of a new jacket that was sleek, warm and was made of nylon, thus, the MA-1 jacket came into exhistance. Nylon was discovered before World War II, however, because the demand for nylon for items such as parachutes consumed the available supply, it was not used in flight clothing until afte the war. In 1946, the B-15 flight jacket was the first initial nylon jacket that, unlike the MA-1, had a mouton fur collar. A few years later the MA-1 prooved to be more functional because the mouton fur collar interfeared with the placement of the pilot's parachute or other equipment. Both the MA-1 and the B-15 came in the colors of sage green and midnight blue. Blue was the original color and was replaced by the green color because it blended more easily with the environment should the pilot need camouflage protection on the ground. Today these jackets are available to the general public in yellow, black, red, blue, silver and grey.

With so many styles, sizes and colors available to the public today, the bomber jacket makes a wonderful addition to any wardrobe.