The ultimate aviator style jacket...

[Lit Up]

If you could design the ultimate aviator style jacket, taking the best of everything, what features would it have?

Historical accuracy NOT a consideration.

I like the look of a two-tone B3. It looks more interesting than a B6 or D1 or an RAF jacket.

However, I hate the sheer bulkiness of a B3 - particularly the arms. I would like a relatively slim fitting jacket. So - less shearling inside - 15mm? and possibly none in the sleeves, so that they can be tapered in. In fact I've thought of having it lined with tweed or something and just have the shearling trim on the cuffs and collar. I don't need the warmth of a B3 or Irvin.

Now, the biggest flaw of all the American aviator jackets for everyday civilian wear is the lack of a hood. The ones on RAF coastal command jackets are thin enough to be folded into something that just looks like a collar when not up but also not so bulky for them to hang from the collar without a crazy large profile. So I think I'd sew or zip one of those onto a slimmed down two tone B3 style.

RAF coastal command jackets do not have pockets and we all know that jackets with no pockets are quite useless. So I'd add some pockets but I think the ones from the ANJ-4 or whatever are too massive. Nigel Cabourne attempted coastal command with ANJ-4 pockets.

I really like zippered pockets these days for the security of knowing my keys won't fall out. Maybe I'd go for something like what is on the B7

Anyway I have no problems making a Frankenjacket. I'm not a historical renactor and have little interest in military history.

Over to you...

 

[handymike]

For me the ultimate in the fuzzy lined style is the Real McCoys New Zealand (the few) B2:

 

[nick123]

If it was for flying, it'd be the shell of an M-422a, but with a cotton lining, a pencil slot pocket on the upper arm, and it'd have snap cargo pockets w/handwarmer pockets.

 

[Edward]

For me the ultimate in the fuzzy lined style is the Real McCoys New Zealand (the few) B2:
View attachment 143792

I think for me, it would have to be a B2 with pockets on both sides and a shearling lining if talking about a short jacket to wear in a plane where it would be cold. Otherwise, if we're only talking a flying-style jacket to be a cool look, I'll take an Aero Barnstormer lengthened to reach the knees, with a blanket lining and a fixed mouton collar in as long a pile as available.

 

[thor]

For me, the Eastman Air Comfort comes pretty darn close. It has 2 inside snap-close pockets for extra storage. The quilted lining makes it pretty warm, and nothing says “Aviator” quite like a big mouton fur collar!

 

[ShanghaiJack]

For those of us who Aviate, I think that the
M-422 Type of jacket has the most features that
lend itself to true cockpit comfort.

My reasons:

Fur collar
Bi-swing back
Under arm gussets
Goat skin, takes the abuse very well.
Internal and external pockets

 

[Peacoat]

Aircraft cockpits are no longer cold. Bleed air heaters have taken care of that for the past 50 or 60 years. All we have to contend with now is the ambient temperature on the ground. So give me something that looks cool and is not bulky. The A-2, the G-1 or the nylon flight jacket like I wore in the old days would be my choice. YMMV.

 

[rocketeer]

The ANJ4 is almost the ultimate for me but a B3 with better designed pockets both sides and a more astheticly pleasing to the eye, a properly designed zip cover both sides rather than the non symmetrical sewn B3 design, probably sewn as the ANJ4.
May as well stick with the ANJ4 but with snap down pockets rather than Eastmans or anybody designed buttons.

For warmer temps, maybe the Aero's Thunderbay or Eastmans Air comfort but the latter in a better finished leather.

 

[davyjones007]

If you google Harrison Ford leather jacket, there is a pic of him at a soccer game wearing an A-2 jacket with a sleeve pocket found on the CWU 36/45. I think it's a USA Authentic.

 

[Seb Lucas]

If you google Harrison Ford leather jacket, there is a pic of him at a soccer game wearing an A-2 jacket with a sleeve pocket found on the CWU 36/45. I think it's a USA Authentic.

That jacket - which he wears two sizes too large, it seems, is a Perrone Leather Apparel flight jacket which I think was a giveaway from Beechcraft (which is on his chest in embroidery and digitally removed in most photos). It looks more like a Gibson and Barnes made jacket to me. He has worn it a lot as a beater.

 

[Lebowski]

That jacket - which he wears two sizes too large, it seems, is a Perrone Leather Apparel flight jacket which I think was a giveaway from Beechcraft (which is on his chest in embroidery and digitally removed in most photos). It looks more like a Gibson and Barnes made jacket to me. He has worn it a lot as a beater.

Every time I see H. Ford wearing that roomy jacket I think he deserves a better one.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Every time I see H. Ford wearing that roomy jacket I think he deserves a better one.

You know what? I don't think HF gives a darn about leather jackets or clothes. He seems to be a Wrangler jeans and t-shirt guy in his personal life. Indiana Jones may have influenced million's of men's jacket choices since 1981, but Ford isn't one of them.

 

[itsallgood]

Aircraft cockpits are no longer cold.

Except for gliders. Depending on season and where you fly, the cockpit in a glider can get very cold. Even in summer, if you're flying out of Minden, NV, it's easy for your body to overheat while sitting on the ground waiting for clearance or the tow, but then freeze while up at altitude. When I'm sitting in a cockpit, I find the typical external hand warmer pockets useless, but the vertical pockets indispensable.

 

[nick123]

You know what? I don't thing HF gives a darn about leather jackets or clothes. He seems to be a Wrangler jeans and t-shirt guy in his personal life. Indiana Jones may have influenced million's of men's jacket choices since 1981, but Ford isn't one of them.

He's WAY more interested in weather forcecasts and his flight plan. Guaranteed. The general aviation community in large tends to dress casually. Look at the magazines....

 

[Bushman]

My perfect aviator jacket would be a B-3 bomber jacket with the pockets of an A-2.

Somewhat similar to the AN-J-4 bomber jacket. Always loved that look, but perfection would be the lining around the cuffs and waist.

 

[Lebowski]

He's WAY more interested in weather forcecasts and his flight plan. Guaranteed. The general aviation community in large tends to dress casually. Look at the magazines....

Nick, I know that he's a real pilot and of course I've read about this his (and J. Travolta's btw) passionate hobby. Of course I highly respect H.Ford and his inspiring flying hobby, he's fantastic man, really cool guy.
The point is - he definitely deserves the better made A-2 (made by JC or Eastman or BK or Real McCoys/The Few etc.) considering aforesaid things, doesn't he?

You know what? I don't think HF gives a darn about leather jackets or clothes. He seems to be a Wrangler jeans and t-shirt guy in his personal life. Indiana Jones may have influenced million's of men's jacket choices since 1981, but Ford isn't one of them.

I sometimes wear Wrangler's and t-shirts too - so what? No problem.
The thought was a bit of different. Whatever, O'k.

 

[Peacoat]

Except for gliders. Depending on season and where you fly, the cockpit in a glider can get very cold. Even in summer, if you're flying out of Minden, NV, it's easy for your body to overheat while sitting on the ground waiting for clearance or the tow, but then freeze while up at altitude. When I'm sitting in a cockpit, I find the typical external hand warmer pockets useless, but the vertical pockets indispensable.

Any man brave enough to fly a glider is brave enough to fly combat missions. My flight commander loved flying gliders on the weekends. He would frequently ask me to go with him to get me interested in the sport. I always had an excuse until one weekend I didn't. Reluctantly agreed. Fortunately I came down with a head cold Saturday morning and couldn't go up.

It just didn't seem right to lose an engine at the beginning of the flight.

 

[Edward]

Every time I see H. Ford wearing that roomy jacket I think he deserves a better one.

He can certainly afford it; if he hasn't, I suspect it's lack of caring rather than anything else. For a man who has worn so many great clothes on-screen, he really has little idea ho to dress off it, bless 'im.

Any man brave enough to fly a glider is brave enough to fly combat missions. My flight commander loved flying gliders on the weekends. He would frequently ask me to go with him to get me interested in the sport. I always had an excuse until one weekend I didn't. Reluctantly agreed. Fortunately I came down with a head cold Saturday morning and couldn't go up.

It just didn't seem right to lose an engine at the beginning of the flight.

One of our senior people has been into gliding for thirty odd years; I find the concept fascinating, but yes, it seems quite the leap of faith to go up in one.

 

[itsallgood]

He can certainly afford it; if he hasn't, I suspect it's lack of caring rather than anything else. For a man who has worn so many great clothes on-screen, he really has little idea ho to dress off it, bless 'im.

If there is any one individual sensitive to appearing with "The Indy Look", I have got to believe it's Harrison Ford. I would think dressing like a slob is a way to enjoy the leather jacket, but not appear to be caring. He's in a unique situation and I think it would be difficult to emotionally reconcile. I recall reading someone once said to Cary Grant, "Everyone would want to be Cary Grant", to which he replied, "So would I."

 

[Seb Lucas]

I sometimes wear Wrangler's and t-shirts too - so what? No problem.
The thought was a bit of different. Whatever, O'k.

You sound defensive. Enjoy your Wranglers - I wear them all the time. My point is that although HF is worth hundreds of millions and could wear any kind of expensive gear and exotic denim he wanted too, he almost always wears mainstream, easy to obtain clothing, some of which, like that jacket, don't really fit. I find that somehow endearing in such a big star.