A-1 Jacket / A1 Flying Jacket - The ultimate Golden Era flying accessory!

[Dr H]

I find that a slim smartphone such as an iPhone (3GS) will fit alongside the pencil slot (wider/deeper mobiles could fit inside the other pocket, but nothing longer).
I have a propelling pencil that I use if I need it, but a modern wallet with card pockets etc is generally too wide to be secured.
I use a bill fold if necessary with my A-1s.

 

[thor]

I didn't make this up...I just notice it...not sure where...[huh]

"Hands in the pockets were considered unfit for a military bearing ".

Still a no-no as per U.S. Navy regs. They issue gloves for cold weather, no hands in pockets allowed.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I don't really care about jacket pockets. I don't carry much and if it doesn't fit in my jeans it doesn't come along with me.

 

[Worf]

Well Boyo... I'm VERY glad you finally got your A1 Jacket. I tried mine on yesterday. Yes for guys like us the shoulder fit will be a bit tight. I always have to keep the top two chest buttons open. Your Eastman is slightly darker than my GoodWear but I like the style and how it fits. Congrats man... enjoy it.

Worf

 

[Blackadder]

Still a no-no as per U.S. Navy regs. They issue gloves for cold weather, no hands in pockets allowed.

I am not from military but I think the jackets in particular the pockets would very likely be designed for a practical reason. There are peacoats, bridge coats and deck jackets with shallow hand-warmer pockets and there are the flight jackets with only flap pockets so things do not fly out and around the cockpit when the pilot does a turn or a roll.

 

[Boyo]

Thanks for the kind words..I've worn a uniform in the past so I am aware of the no hands in pockets rules, although I'm not sure that's the reason for this design. I usually don't carry all that much with me so pocket space is not imperative.
The winter weather took a break this weekend and allowed me to get two full days in to wearing this jacket, the temps drop again tonight so the A1 goes back in the closet for a few weeks more.

 

[Superfluous]

The winter weather took a break this weekend and allowed me to get two full days in to wearing this jacket, the temps drop again tonight so the A1 goes back in the closet for a few weeks more.

Fortunately, you have a killer RMC N-1 to handle the colder weather!

 

[Dinerman]

The civilian jackets these descended from were essentially windbreaker overshirts. Lightweight, generally unlined. Many of them had the pocket placement and size the same as it would be on a shirt. The length was short enough that if you needed pockets, you used your pants.

 

[Peacoat]

Still a no-no as per U.S. Navy regs. They issue gloves for cold weather, no hands in pockets allowed.

The pockets are for the gloves, not the hands. Hands never go in pockets. Although, I will say that now I am a civilian, I do sometimes cheat. But the "no umbrella rule," I always abide by that. That's why hats are issued. And coats with collars. Umbrellas are not needed, nor are they issued. If an item of clothing isn't issued, it isn't needed. Simple as that.

 

[Grayland]

When I served in the Army from 82-85, we weren't allowed to wear field jackets unless it was in arctic conditions. We were instructed to wear the jacket liner under our OD Jungle Fatigue "shirts". Of course, I was stationed in Savannah, GA and most of training in those days was in a jungle environment.

I recall a running joke that if your hands were in your pants pocket, some would say something along the lines of "I assume you are reaching for chapstick?"

 

[Grayland]

The pockets are for the gloves, not the hands. Hands never go in pockets. Although, I will say that now I am a civilian, I do sometimes cheat. But the "no umbrella rule," I always abide by that. That's why hats are issued. And coats with collars. Umbrellas are not needed, nor are they issued. If an item of clothing isn't issued, it isn't needed. Simple as that.

...and if the Army wanted you to have a wife, they'd have issued you one!

 

[bretron]

Haha

 

[Doctor Damage]

flight crew aboard the “Question Mark”... from left Maj. Carl Spatz, Capt. Ira Eaker, Lt. H.A. Halverson, Lt. E.R. Quesada and Sgt. R.W. Hooe. (Photo Credit USAF)

LINK

 

[Big J]

Yep. the military taught me;

'Pockets aren't for putting your hands in, they're for putting things in'.

Although, the exact nature of such 'things' was the stuff of legend.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Yep. the military taught me;

'Pockets aren't for putting your hands in, they're for putting things in'.

Although, the exact nature of such 'things' was the stuff of legend.

I hear ya. I've never been the kind of guy to carry things. So my pockets have traditionally been empty unless my hands were in them. Apart from a wallet and pen knife in my jeans, I've got nothing.

 

[bentusian]

I know A-1s are to be made of leathers, but I'd like to share with TFL members this inexpensive and lightweight, comfortable alternative in cotton canvas:


Upon receiving the jacket I removed the cheapy unit patch, supposedly that of 43rd Pursuit Squadron of the Army Air Corps.
Also the front pockets seem a little different from those of better reproductions but I wouldn't care less.



After removing the patch, I added a pilot wing (post-WW2 issue, I think) and AAF decal:


.. and a unit stencil on the liner:


I know all decorations may not be period correct (well, a cotton canvas A-1 jacket itself isn't, is it?) but I used some research and imagination.

Now the jacket looks like this:


I've been wearing this jacket since last autumn and it really comes in handy when the temperature starts to drop. A nice cost-effective alternative to a high-end stuff, I reckon.

 

[Dr H]

My Bill Kelso older style Type A-1 (seal Victory Capeskin, size 44) .

**keep sales in Classifieds** BARTENDER.

 

[zhz]

This is a nice jacket, who made it??

I know A-1s are to be made of leathers, but I'd like to share with TFL members this inexpensive and lightweight, comfortable alternative in cotton canvas:


Upon receiving the jacket I removed the cheapy unit patch, supposedly that of 43rd Pursuit Squadron of the Army Air Corps.
Also the front pockets seem a little different from those of better reproductions but I wouldn't care less.



After removing the patch, I added a pilot wing (post-WW2 issue, I think) and AAF decal:


.. and a unit stencil on the liner:


I know all decorations may not be period correct (well, a cotton canvas A-1 jacket itself isn't, is it?) but I used some research and imagination.

Now the jacket looks like this:


I've been wearing this jacket since last autumn and it really comes in handy when the temperature starts to drop. A nice cost-effective alternative to a high-end stuff, I reckon.

 

[bretron]

+1 to above. Very cool

 

[bentusian]

This is a nice jacket, who made it??

From somewhere in China. Not quite sure of the exact brand name, but the inner tag indicates it is made by 'RTWB' and it cost me about $150-200.
The pattern itself is more or less a direct copy of Toys McCoy A-1 jacket (in leather of course) with the 43rd Squadron patch.