WWII U.S. Army Air Force A2 Leather Flying Jacket

A very nice condition brown leather A2 flying jacket; issued to the U.S. Army Air Force under the Military Air Transport Command. This example retains its original manufacturer’s label for Cooper Sportswear Manufacturing Company, Newark, New Jersey, with the size label ‘38’ still intact. Leather rank patches for the rank of Major are fitted to each epaulette.

To the upper right breast is the name ‘J.M. Smolev’; below which is a finely machine-embroidered Military Air Transport Command circular patch. The leather remains in good condition with no rot; showing only some light dryness, which could be treated with leather food if desired, though it retains an appealing untouched patina. The wool elasticated waistband and cuffs are all complete with good elasticity; minor nicks to the wool present.

Fitted with its original Conmar nickel zip and correct zip runner; the inner lining is complete and not shredded. Recently acquired from what is considered one of the best combat uniform and equipment collections in the United Kingdom, comprising Army tropical, Waffen SS, Luftwaffe paratrooper, and many other rare items. The collection was started by a 15-year-old boy in the early 1980s, a regular visitor to our own London shop, and has developed over 40 years into the basis of several respected books on the subject.

Ref; 92462