Current USAF Issue A-2s

[davyjones007]

One thing that some folks tend to forget when wearing and comparing how these jackets should fit is that they are designed to be worn over a flight suit with a t-shirt underneath. Modern flight suits are a bit thicker than ones in the past due to the flame retardant material. My G-1 fits great when I wore it in this capacity on active duty. My fellow flyers and aircrew in the Army and Air Force really like the A-2 and the fit. At least the ones I worked with and on a few occasions, flew with.

 

[Doctor Damage]

lots of velcro on that jacket

 

[Fifty150]

I like the modern fit. Those old photos with guys wearing jackets high in the waist and short on the sleeves? I would not be comfortable.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I like the modern fit. Those old photos with guys wearing jackets high in the waist and short on the sleeves? I would not be comfortable.

I'm with you on that, but that's a somewhat heretical view around here, but on other forums and especially among the A-2 fanatics it's something that would get you burned at the stake, haha

 

[MrProper]

Not a fan of the A-2 jackets. Actually, I find them cool only in one picture.

 

[Fifty150]

My A-2 jackets fit just like the jacket on Pence. Or maybe he fills out the jacket like me.

 

[Bushman]

My A-2 jackets fit just like the jacket on Pence. Or maybe he fills out the jacket like me.

As does mine, though a bit looser in the sleeves.

Personally, I'm rather fond of the A2. I find that it makes a nice windbreaker, and the extra room in the body lets me wear a thick roll-neck underneath.

 

[Fifty150]

I actually have a not to specification, A-2 style jacket, which is sized a little larger, just for layering. I can wear a down jacket, or MA1 jacket, for warmth when I ride my motorcycle in cold weather. I don't see how those pilots in the old days stayed warm in an open cockpit.

 

[Fifty150]

that's a somewhat heretical view around here

Opinions vary. If a guy wants to wear a size or two too small, then that's the perfect fit for him, and it's not a size or two too small. The next guy, me, actually wants to be able to wear the jacket, move in it, have the body not fit like a girl's halter top...... don't tell The Pope.

 

[Aloysius]

I like the modern fit. Those old photos with guys wearing jackets high in the waist and short on the sleeves? I would not be comfortable.

Lol, I like how you highlight Presidents going back until (and not including) GHWB who was the only one who knew how to wear a flight jacket (and the last President who dressed properly in general.)

 

[Fifty150]

I recall that Papa Bush & Baby Bush wore G-1 jackets.

 

[Aloysius]

I mention GHWB because he was a WWII fighter pilot.

 

[Fifty150]

Notice how his name tag identifies his rank as a Lieutenant.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Edward]

I recall that Papa Bush & Baby Bush wore G-1 jackets.

The fit on some former presidents posted above looks off to me, though as memory serves, isn't it often the case that they are loaned a jacket from the USAF for the purposes of these appearances, as distinct from it being their own choice? I'm sure I recall that the Bush G1s were their own possessions, which I would expect would fit better. I like the way Bush Snr's jacket is such a dark, seal brown it almost looks black in these shots.

View attachment 421398

The change in proportions from the original A2 (specifically the length) is very clear here, though allowing for that this one does look better sized that some of the others, particularly on the shoulders.

 

[Aloysius]

While this modern A-2 doesn’t look great, it still looks loads better than the ugly black jacket the Navy has started to issue. That one is a real missed opportunity because switching from G-1 mouton to ANJ-3 style leather collar in itself was not a bad move at all, but doing it in black rather than brown just makes it look cheap.

 

[Edward]

While this modern A-2 doesn’t look great, it still looks loads better than the ugly black jacket the Navy has started to issue. That one is a real missed opportunity because switching from G-1 mouton to ANJ-3 style leather collar in itself was not a bad move at all, but doing it in black rather than brown just makes it look cheap.

I actually quite like the look of that one, even if I'm not sold on the black painted zip (though I can see a practical reason for that). What makes it look off to my eye is the mix of earthtone-trousers and black leather jacket/boots. From an aesthetic point of view, I think grey or, indeed, navy trews would look much better with the black leather. I would suspect, though, the choice of black rather than brown leather probably comes down to a significant cost-saving. If the black is even a few dollars cheaper per jacket, at the volume of the sort of procurement contract the USN must be dealing with, I can see that mounting up fast. Maybe the new contractors also do police jackets, typically black, and could offer it cheaper for that reason?


Interesting, though, that the USN jackets always seem somehow to look good in a bit of a wider range of fits than the A2 - to my eye, at least. Other, subjective opinions are available!

 

[Aloysius]

It’s not that. It’s just part of a broader and silly pivot from the US military to black. Naval and Air Force uniforms often included.

The black zip can look quite nice on a non black jacket. I’ve got one on a gabardine L-2.

 

[Fifty150]

the ugly black jacket the Navy has started to issue.

It looks okay to me. I have a jacket which is very similar.

I suspect that I like it as a functional item. I have zero consideration for what may have been worn 80 or 100 years ago. If someone wants authenticity, and has to have the same jacket that was used in the 1920's, 1930's, or 1940's - then this is not it. It's a new jacket. They didn't have to wear a covid mask 80 or 100 years ago.

 

[Aloysius]

I’m not talking about it from a retro perspective though. The modern A-2 is completely different from the historical A-2 but still brown.

This new navy jacket is just a G-1 without fur, yet we’ve had brown G-1s even as modern issue.