LOST WORLDS
0006
A-1 FLIGHT JACKET
All Services, 1926-1930s.
Russet Horsehide Leather
$1650.00.
Olive Horsehide Leather
(Custom Order, As Avail.)
$2000.00.
Sizes 38-48 Regular.
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A-1, Russet Horsehide earlier
chest pocket configuration. |
The
very scarce and very striking precursor to the A-2
Flight Jacket, procured in very small quantities by
the shrunken post-WWI military flying services. Because of the small contracts,
virtually every A-1 is
different in major or minor aspects, each in effect being, it appears, an
R&D test mule of sorts. Colors vary from Olive Drab to Russet Brown. On some
the pockets are small and high up on the chest (the configuration we use for our
limited Olive Horsehide, shown above). Some were made of fragile Lambskin (South
African Capeskin specified in the 1926 contract), others Horsehide, probably
some of Goatskin as well. The A-1
we reproduce is the AN6501 contract from 1931, the final year of AAC
procurement. The Navy and Marines continued to use the
A-1 throughout the 1930s.
Consider such unique features as the original antique Bakelite buttons on
our LOST WORLDS A-1; our signature ultra- heavyweight chrome-tanned, drum-dyed
Horsehide Leather; perfect 100% Russet Wool Knit; Natural Shade Linen
Cotton Lining. And consider our masterful
artisan-quality workmanship and detail. Such set LOST WORLDS apart. A man's
jacket, needs drenching rain and use, not kid gloves.
With its button front the A-1 is quite modern looking: pure Style, devoid
of flash and superfluous add-ons, ever fresh. So scarce are originals that
the best place to see them is in vintage movies: in Howard Hawks' classic
ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS (1939), both Cary Grant and Noah Beery Jr. sport
A-1s and both, typically, are different in color
and detail.
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Left/Right Custom Goatskin
A-1 |
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Periodically we tan our matchless Horsehide in Olive for Custom Orders.
The early green color A-1 is an excellent historical choice for these
scarce hides, as these examples well indicate. |
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This A-1, with early version chest
pockets, was built for a Naval aviator on his way to the Persian Gulf war
zone, Summer 2004. Good luck, Commander, and good hunting! |
1930S 17th Pursuit Squadron (Note
variations on color and details in squadron A-1s)
A-1 Jackets, 1930s A,S, Spalding Catalog
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