Over the years, there have been many variations from the unofficial and popular early leather bomber jackets of 1915 through 1917 to later official military issue bomber jackets such as the 1931 "A2 Bomber Jacket."Ground personnel and flight crews quickly adopted the pilot's B3 Bomber Jacket and the new B7 Flight Jacket became the instant rage.
A classic leather flight jacket or bomber jacket is consider a both a stylish and practical piece of clothing. Leather jackets have gained iconic status. The jackets come in many forms and styles like classic, motorcycle, bomber, leather blazer, scooter and racing jackets. Waterproof reversible leather jackets are also available. The waterproof jackets can be used as raincoats.
Leather jackets are available in many materials, including buckskin, chamois, calfskin, goatskin, lizard skin, pigskin, ostrich, suede and cowhide.
Leather jackets are generally buttoned or zippered. Also, leather jackets are available in hip length and waist length sizes. Leather jackets are also available in trench coats. Collarless leather jackets are also available. The leather jacket was later worn by other actors, and it became a famous pop icon.
Arnold's character supposedly stole the jacket from a Hell's Angel.
There are two types of leather jackets, fashion and utility. The utility leather jackets offer protection to the wearer, while the fashion leather jackets do not offer as much security as a utility leather jacket would.
Some leather flight jackets are fur-trimmed or fringed. Leather jackets are also available in single, double-breasted and simple styles.
Some of the major brands making leather jackets include Schott, Andrew Marc and Jane Barnes.
Leather flight jackets are authentic flying jackets tried, tested and adopted as regulation by the Army Air Corps. There are two types of such authentic flying jackets, the A2 and the G1 types of jackets. The original A2 Flight Jacket does not have side pockets or inside wallet pockets.
The G1 Flight Jacket has been regulation issue gear for the Army Air Corps since 1938. The authentic G1 Flight jacket does not have side pockets and no inside wallet pockets.
The G1 Flight Jacket is the actual jacket used by United States Navy Aviators.
