Bomber Jackets, Classic vs Modern

The history of flight and bomber jackets is a long and fascinating one. You could argue that it dates back to 1917, when the US founded the Aviation Clothing Board. This organization was tasked with finding the best materials for military pilots to wear on missions.

It was 10 years before they created the first flight jacket: a leather jacket and a leather cap. While this look soon became iconic in its own right, it didn't last long. It was replaced in 1931, and that design was then replaced in 1943.

As you may have guessed, there have been a lot of flight and leather bomber jackets over the years, and a few of them are still in use. We'll discuss some of these flight and bomber jackets and how they differ in this article.

Classic (Mil Spec) vs. Modern Fit.

The original military jackets (re; classic) were made as uniform and functionality was a leading thought in the design process.

As many other uniform articles, the shoulder lines are right on the shoulder, while in many modern fit replicas of the jackets the shoulders are drop shoulder and the width of the sleeve is either oversize in a drapey look, or a tight and very fitted look like in “skinny” design.

In a Classic design such as in a military uniform will have a functioning purpose for the use of the pockets, for example keeping a map handy, or having navigation tools in short reach. A modern replica of the design will use the pockets for comfort and looks, for example the design of side entry pockets (also known as hand warmer pockets) which was added to many civilians’ versions of the jacket. After all, the last thing a soldier would want is for his sergeant to see that he is standing with his hands in his pockets…

The construction of the military jacket is also differed from the civilian’s version. Strength for the most challenging conditions was of the utmost priority. So strong, thick, and dense hides are critical. Therefore, the military spec jacket is made from Horsehide or Goatskin, while the modern civilian’s version will be made from lambskin and other inferior (from the strength point of view).

The design used for cutting the panels of leather for the jacket is a balance of strength, cost and labor. While cutting more panels will reduce, in a meaningful way, the leather consumption used for the jacket, it will also reduce the strength of the jacket and will take away from the “clean” military look. Therefore, the Mil spec. jacket uses one piece of leather for the back and only 2-pieces for the sleeves.

Some current jacket designs and reproductions aim to reduce the cost of the jacket and try to preserve the look while reaching to a larger audience. By doing this, they compromise on the quality of the components. They will use the knit for cuffs and waistband made from synthetic materials, so “pimple” and loss of elasticity is apparent after a short time. The true Mil spec. jacket is made of 100% wool, and the linings are made of 100% cotton (not the cheap nylon replacement) or high-quality rayon (like the Bemberg brand).

“You always get what you paid for”. (ananyms) 

Bomber Jacket vs. Flight Jacket

Before going any further, we need to define what bomber jackets and flight jackets are, and specifically how they differ from each other. The basic answer is classification. Bomber jackets are worn by bomber crews, and flight jackets are worn by pilots and other air personnel.

There's also a notable difference in design. Bomber planes were designed to reach high altitudes for the purpose of strategic bombing.

The air pressure is lower at higher altitudes, which causes the air to be colder. For this reason, men bomber jackets need to be warmer than other flight jackets. 

That being said, the terms are often used interchangeably, and we'll be using them interchangeably in this article.

1. The A-1 Jacket

Developed in 1927, the A-1 was the first flight jacket in history. It was made from animal leather, although there wasn't a standard type of leather. Various models were made from sheep, goats, and, in some cases, horses.

Not all of the material was made from leather, though. The sleeves and waist were knitted, which kept the jacket fitting tightly. This trapped heat closer to the body, keeping the pilots warmer.

2. The A-2 Jacket

The direct successor to the A-1, the A-2 jacket was used by some of the most famous units of World War II, including the Flying Tigers, a group of American volunteers who took to the skies in 1941 in defense of China.

It became the standardized uniform for the Air Corps, which was renamed the Air Force after WWII. During WWII, these were made from goat leather and cotton.

When the troops came home in 1945, civilians took note of their jackets. A market sprang up for leather bomber jackets among civilians, and this flight jacket became iconic.

This jacket made history in more ways than one, though. The world soon entered into the 1950s, and a new type of fashion trend, the greaser look, launched men bomber jackets into even greater fame.

You can even get your own A-2 jacket in our shop.

3. G-1 Flight Jacket

The G-1 is a bomber jacket that soon gained popularity among younger generations. This is mostly owing to the G-1's use by the stars of 1986's Top Gun.

However, this flight jacket is far older than the 1980s. The G-1 is the official flight jacket of the US Navy and has been since WWII. It's gone through a few changes over time, but it's still the same jacket.

The G-1 flight jacket started its life as the M-422, a Navy flight jacket that had been in use for a few years before it was officially named. It wasn't renamed until 1947.

Though it hasn't served continuously, it has been in use for most of the past eighty years. For instance, a version of the G-1 exists without the fur collar. In the 1990s, the military limited the number of insignias a pilot could have on their G-1 jacket.

Bomber Jackets: The Old and the New

Bomber jackets and flight jackets have gone through quite a few changes over the years. We've talked about a few of these changes in this article, but there have been a lot of design changes over the years that we didn't have room to cover.

We encourage you to visit our site if you want to know more about bomber jackets and related gear. Do you have a bomber jacket, but still think the look is missing something? How about a parachute silk scarf?