After a 5-year hiatus, our US Wings Signature Series A-2 2000 is once again being made in the USA! The Goatskin A-2 2000 is our most popular jacket (not just our most popular A-2, but our most popular jacket overall).
It’s made from the finest mil-spec goatskin available and features two front cargo pockets with side-entry handwarmers, an interior pocket, a snap-down collar, and underarm gussets for freedom of movement (and the extra room under the arms makes this jacket CCW compatible). Pick up one of these jackets and you’ll understand the pride of wearing a handcrafted garment made in America, and its timeless good looks will ensure that it never goes out of style!
The A2 Leather Flight Jacket, sometimes referred to as the A2 Bomber Jacket was adopted by the Army Air Corps as standard issue in 1931. The A2 Leather Flight jacket was made famous by the U.S. Army Air Corp airmen of World War II. The first A2’s were made of Horsehide, then Cowhide and then switched to Goatskin in 1943. Fliers and crewmen adorned their jackets with squadron patches and often hand painted nose art replicating their aircraft. All A2 Leather Flight jackets had several distinguishing characteristics: two front snap patch pockets on either side without hand warmer compartments (hands in pockets were considered unfit for a military bearing), snap-down collar, shoulder straps, knit cuffs and waistband, a single piece of leather on the back to limit stress on the garment, and either lightweight silk or cotton inner lining. In 1943 the Army canceled any further leather jacket contracts in favor of newer cloth-shell jackets like the B-10 and B-15. The jackets continued to be popular with Aircrew members for the balance of the war continuing into the Korean War.
All contracts from 1988 to 1998 were awarded to Neil Cooper USA, now U.S. Wings of Ohio. According to FLIGHT JACKETS – HELL BENT FOR LEATHER, authored by Derek Nelson and Dave Parsons, the Air Force opted for goatskin instead of the original horsehide because it is very strong but not stiff. Cooper found that at 3.5 skins per jacket, there weren’t enough American goats available to make 53,000 jackets. They had to import goat skins from Nigeria, Tasmania and Pakistan.
In 1996 Neil Cooper USA was awarded a contract from the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP), to redesign the A2 Leather Flight Jacket to be more functional and to improve the fit. Side entry pockets were added to the patch pockets and inside wallet pockets were added. The fit was enlarged by adding extra pieces under the arms and on the sides and eliminating the neck clasp.
The modern Air Force Goatskin A-2 is authorized for wear by Air Force aircrews and space operations personnel who have completed their mission qualifications.
