The A1 - Probably even better than the A2...!

Notoriously difficult to get hold of the predecessor to the much more widely available A2, the beautiful A1 really is the connoisseurs leather jacket!
Perhaps only a few - Aero, Goodwear and Eastman - appear to be replicating this forgotten gem!
It certainly is miles behind the better known A2 when it comes to being well known - but way ahead in terms of style!








The Type A-1 jacket was used as a summer flying jacket and was standardised for use on November 7th 1927.

This original jacket was made from Cape Sheep Leather, had a cotton lining, wool knitted cuffs and waistband, a knitted collar with two button and flapped pockets placed low on the front.

The Type A-1 has 5 central buttons for closure with 2 buttons for neck fastening. The buttons on a Type A-1 are hand sewn for extra durability. It has two snap buttons to fasten the bottom of the jacket. The back of this jacket has two piece leather panels: The top yolk having a straight panel.

The A-1 could still be found in limited use during WWII and was finally taken out of duty on September 29th 1944, after stocks were exhausted.