Type A-2 leather flight jacket is an American military flight jacket originally invented and developed for and closely associated with World War II US Army Air Forces pilots, navigators and bombardiers, who often decorated their jackets with squadron patches and elaborate artwork painted on the back.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,088 |
A-2 jacket was one of the early articles of clothing designed expressly to use a zipper.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,089 |
Period photos and films show that the A-2 was typically worn over a shirt, or a shirt and flight suit; airmen were more likely to switch to a sheep-lined jacket or, later, an electrified flight suit for wintertime or high-altitude operations.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,090 |
A-2 jacket was awarded to an Army Air Forces officer upon completion of basic flight training, and always before graduating to advanced training.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,091 |
Airman's A-2 jacket was a treasured item and was worn with as much pride as his wings.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,092 |
Years of effort by US Air Force personnel to get the A-2 jacket reissued finally succeeded when the Air Force began issuing them again in 1988, a decision that may have been influenced by the popularity of the film "Top Gun", and the military apparel it popularized.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,093 |
The first Air Force A-2 jacket contract was awarded to Avirex, but all subsequent contracts from 1988 to 1998 were awarded to Neil Cooper USA, now US Wings of Ohio.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,094 |
The modern Air Force A-2 jacket is authorized for wear by Air Force aircrews and missileers who have completed their mission qualifications.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,095 |
In 2000 they began producing the "21st Century" A-2 jacket using the updated pattern Neil Cooper USA had designed.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,096 |
A-2 jacket's character wore the jacket throughout the show's 5 seasons.
| FactSnippet No. 2,079,097 |