Where can you find a USA-made MA-1 Flight Jacket?

February 8, 2016 by Sgt. Hack

Where can you find a USA-made MA-1 Flight Jacket? At US Wings! We’ve gotten many requests from customers for an American-made MA-1 and we’re now proud to offer a genuine USA-made MA-1 Flight Jacket from an actual US government contractor. MA-1 Jackets were first issued around 1949 to United States Air Force and Navy Pilots and flight crews. As jets were replacing piston powered aircraft, the cockpits were smaller and cramped. Quick unimpeded access to and exit from became critical for the safety of the pilots. The Ma-1 Jackets were designed to fill this need. As conceived by the United States Air Force, Ma-1 Jackets were designated to serve as an intermediate weight flight jacket for use all year. Manufactured from very high quality nylon fabrics and polyester interlinings, the pilot could be comfortable in warm weather and afforded ample protection against the cold encountered in flight. Originally produced in midnight blue and sage green, green became the issued jacket. Later versions have Orange linings to serve as beacon flags in the event of crashes.

This iconic and classic flight jacket has protected pilots from the cold, wind & rain with true attention to detail. 57 separate sewing operations go into making this jacket and the materials and workmanship are of the highest quality… just what you’d expect from a true supplier to the US Military. This workhorse is made for use in cold weather climates (20 degrees F and above) and features the famous reversible high-visibility Indian Orange lining that was designed for use in emergency situations and the signature zippered utility/pen pocket on the left sleeve. Other features include a sage green water-repellant Military-grade flight satin nylon shell, knit collar, cuffs & waistband, heavy-duty front zipper with double pull tabs over a storm flap, and a polyester batting interlining for lightweight warmth. Made in the USA.

You can find it and more at the official US Wings website!

Filed Under: Military, Sgt. Hack, US Wings Tagged With: david hack, flight jackets, jackets, ma-1, military apparel, sgt hack, us wings, vietnam war

The US Wings Signature Series Goatskin A-2 2000 is back

December 8, 2015 by Sgt. Hack

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.

Filed Under: Military, Sgt. Hack, US Wings Tagged With: a-2 2000, flight jackets, leather, military apparel, sgt hack, us wings

What is the most popular flight jacket since the A-2?

November 25, 2015 by Sgt. Hack

What is the most popular flight jacket since the A-2?

The CWU-45P is perhaps the most popular flight jacket since the WWII A-2 jacket and it’s more stylish, practical & versatile than the USAF MA-1 flight jacket that preceded it. In addition to the USAF, this jacket is also worn by the USN, USMC and the USCG. US Wings is proud to offer an affordable USA made CWU-45P to our customers, made by an actual US Military contractor so you know it’s authentic. It’s affordable because, unlike the military-issue version, this CWU isn’t made from costly Nomex but is made from military grade flight satin nylon instead. It’s identical in every way to its military counterpart, it just lacks the flame-retardant properties of the Nomex version.

The military needed a flight jacket made from fire-retardant material since early nylon flight jackets offered no protection against flames and would melt onto the pilot during an aircraft fire. This need produced the CWU (Cold Weather Uniform) 36/P (summer weight) and 45/P (winter weight) flight jackets in 1972, which were made of NOMEX fabric (a Dupont product known for its outstanding thermal, chemical & radiation resistance). This jacket is still being issued to USAF pilots today and features two large patch pockets, knit waistband & cuffs, and a zippered utility pocket on the left sleeve, although the original bi-swing back has been removed due to interference with safety equipment. Alpha began supplying the military with the CWU in 1995, and continued to do so for more than five years, and began producing a commercial version of the CWU-45/P for the civilian market in 1998 as well as a leather version in the late 1990s.

Our USA made CWU-45P features a water repellant flight satin nylon outer shell, two fully-lined front cargo pockets with velcro-closure flaps, a quilted nylon lining with polyfil insulation for warmth, a heavy-duty zipper over a storm flap, and a velcro chest plaque for attaching a military nameplate. Our supply of this outstanding jacket is limited, so get ’em while you can! Colors: sage green or black. Made in the USA. Click here to find more Nylon Flight Jackets.

Filed Under: Military, Sgt. Hack, US Wings Tagged With: a-2 flight jacket, fashion, flight jackets, jackets, military apparel, sgt hack, us military, us wings