This World War II USAAF A-2 flight jacket was manufactured by Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co., is a size 44, and has a Talon zipper. The maker’s label has the contract number “W535ac28560.” Adopted as standard issue in early May 1931, the Type A-2 leather flight jacket became synonymous with the image of World War II USAAF pilots and aircrews on every front but wartime use was not limited to airmen alone. Although extremely popular, the jacket was canceled in 1943 by General Hap Arnold, who was in favor of the nylon style jackets like the B-10 and B-15. Nevertheless, later wartime aircrews never seemed to fail in getting their hands on the more popular A-2s. It was impossible to stop airmen from wearing the jacket. The popularity of these jackets remained high well into the Korean War as most notably F-82 and F-86 fighter pilots continued to wear the World War II issued A-2 jacket despite it from being officially canceled a decade earlier. In 1988 the Air Force officially reissued the A-2 jacket, a decision likely heavily influenced by the popularity received from the 1986 film “Top Gun” where the main character Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell wore the U.S. Navy’s legendary leather flight jacket, the G-1. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

Very good showing typical wear and use for a highly popular World War II era article of flight clothing. Some heavier wear is visible on the collar, cuffs and waist band. A solid example of a World War II A-2 flight jacket that has gained legendary status.