charmed life of leather flight jackets, The

Flight Journal, Oct 2001 by Parsons, Dave

The enduring love affair with the aviator's best friend

As aviation moves toward its 100th anniversary, a look back on aircraft design and aviation flight clothing reveals continual advances in technology that yielded higher performance, safety and comfort. Yet, over the last 60 or so years the leather flight jackets worn originally by U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Army Air Force aviators in the 1940s have remained relatively true to the original designs, despite considerable advances in every aspect of aviation flight clothing and protective equipment.

As the war clouds of WW I loomed on the horizon, aviators did not have special flight clothing and typically flew with whatever uniform was prescribed as the uniform of the day. Throughout the world's air forces, this widespread practice dates back to the origins of flight when Orville and Wilbur Wright flew their Flyer in their suits; WW I aviators flew in their service dress jackets with "choker"-style collars. It was no wonder that silk scarves were introduced to protect necks from chafing. The common day suit of the time sufficed for the early flights of limited duration, speed and altitude. As speeds increased and aircraft pushed ever higher for longer flights, aviating became progressively more inhospitable owing to wind blast and the cold temperatures at altitude. Aviators turned to the only available sources of robust protective clothing: sports equipment suppliers and "outfitters," whose tailors had produced specialized clothing for years for use by expeditions venturing into the Arctic cold and the high altitudes of unconquered summits.

One of these firms, Willis and Geiger, is credited with developing the G-1 design for the Navy. It is still in existence. Auto racing, which had a slight lead on aviation, and the fledgling game of football, had encouraged sports suppliers into the development of protective helmets that aviators adapted for their use. Aviators still had to improvise until aviation became widely accepted. At that time, leather-the universal choice for protective clothing for auto and motorcycle racing-was ideal for aviation use, as it provided a barner against the cold air and provided an outer shell so the inner garments could retain body heat.

After WW I, aircraft performance continued to advance yet efficient cockpit and cabin heaters lagged, so aviators resorted to full-length leather protective clothing lined with shearling. Fashion was not a factor; staying warm was the goal. During the Golden Age, cabins became progressively hospitable and cockpits began to feature enclosed designs. Aviators now needed a range of outer garments for low temperatures of higher altitudes and light- and medium-weight flight jackets for operations at various temperature conditions. This led to a flurry of lightweight, waist-length flight jackets that utilized large buttons as fasteners. Although they were still protective clothing, these jackets portrayed a rugged, adventurous look for squadron photographs and could be worn on the ground without discomfort. The Army Air Service A-1 was typical of this style of design and led the way for the more stylish A-2 and Navy G-1 flight jackets.

During the Golden Age, the military waged an intense effort to foment public interest in aviation, which led to increased congressional support. The stage was set for flight jackets to become synonymous with the dash and elan of the air. In 1929, the Army contracted for the first A-2 jacket that featured epaulets that functionally retained parachute straps. It also utilized the by then available heavy zipper as a fastener, which was more functional than the large buttons used in earlier flight clothing, and a different collar. It was an instant hit with aviators. By 1931, it was the standard flight jacket for Army aviators. The Navy followed suit a few years later with the G-1 flight jacket that was similar in overall design but featured goatskin leather, a mouton collar and a bi-swing back that facilitated movement in the cockpit. Goatskin-with its distinctive, pebble-like finish-was chosen because it is lighter without sacrificing strength and, more important, much more pliable at lower temperatures-unlike the horsehide and cowhide used in the A-2 jackets (they became very stiff in cold cockpits). It, too, become an instant hit with aviators and was worn over the aviation green uniform in squadron spaces in lieu of the more formal aviation green jacket. Almost immediately, the jacket began to appear in squadron photos, showing its popularity and establishing it as a symbol of naval aviation.

By the time the United States entered the fray in WW II, both the A-2 and G-1 jackets were firmly entrenched as the definitive flight jackets of choice for moderate-cockpit-temperature flying and were virtually the only choice before and after flying. Heavier leather flight jackets were available for colder cockpit situations, but as evidenced by the 8th Air Force B-17 and B-24 aircrews flying out of England, they attended briefings in their A-2s (often decorated with nose art on the back of the flight jacket). The crews would switch to their full-body leather flying suits for their missions and change back to A-2s on their return. As for the Navy aircrews, Pacific flight operations anywhere near the equator were a bit warm for wearing the G-1, but it was needed at altitude. SBD Dauntless aircrews wore the G-1 into battle at Midway.