Why did you decide to include A-2?

When I decided on the theme of flight jackets for the fourth installment of "Digging for Clothes," there was a reason why I felt the need to include the leather A-2 flight jacket in the lineup, even though it is a little outside of my area of ​​expertise. . It's not just because it's an icon worn by World War II heroes --
This is because the "confusion" and "aesthetics" of the turning point when "clothing" transforms into "gear" are condensed into this one piece of clothing. . What we discovered from the specimen we disassembled and analyzed this time was a number of "irrational specifications" that are not seen (or are becoming less common) in later flight jackets. .

However, this irrationality may be what makes the A-2 what it is.

*Prerequisite: Vintage items have different specifications depending on the contract and manufacturer. I believe the correct way to read the following is as the facts told by "this individual" that we explored this time.

1. Hidden "reason" and naked "wildness"

The first thing that catches your eye is the design around the neck.


The hook at the top of the placket is made with a grommet structure and is attached later, exposing the metal surface. It's a very military-like, rugged strength. .

On the other hand, the buttons on the pockets are hidden snap fasteners. It's a minimal process that can't be seen from the outside.

On the other hand, the buttons are hidden dot buttons, which are barely noticeable and are minimalist and practical. The inside is lined with the same leather webbing as the body, which prevents the dot buttons from tearing due to repeated use. The concave (female) part is not visible from the outside, but rather is an open type snap with a hole in the center, rather than the typical cap type.

2. The misalignment of the armpits tells us about the "production site"

As a construction enthusiast, one thing you can't miss is the stitching under the sleeves. This particular one has a slightly misaligned under-sleeve seam. .

The seam under the sleeve is misaligned.
It's possible that this is to reduce the thickness, but I've also seen some that aren't misaligned, so I think it's probably unintentional.
The stitching from under the sleeve to the side seam is sewn after the armhole.
This stitching order affects many factors.

This doesn't apply to leather, but if you sew the armholes later, you won't be able to use a rolled stitch, and the change in structure will result in a difference in the silhouette.
This is not to say which is better, but it does give us an idea of ​​what kind of thinking led to their salvation.

3. The mystery of the "empty" pocket

The pocket design is also a symbol of the A2. Because it is a lined design, there are no thread pins on the inside.
It is also a good point to identify the contractors at the time by the shape of the flaps, etc.
The pockets seem relatively small, and there is no storage structure like the gussets found in military bags.

This suggests that it may not have been a functional pocket.
The A-2 design is based on "Type Specification No. 94-3040 (1931)" etc.
There is very limited information about the functionality of the pockets.
“Two patch pockets with buttoned flaps, located on the lower front of the jacket...”
→The only description is that it has "two patch pockets with buttoned flaps," and the capacity or purpose is not specified.

In other words, I think it's highly likely that it wasn't specifically designed to store something.
Compared to cloth jackets made after the B-10 (such as the L-2B and MA-1), which emphasized functional pockets, the A-2 can be thought of as prioritizing aesthetics and dignity.

Summary: Transitional Aesthetics

This analysis left me with a strong feeling of "uncomfortableness" about the A-2. . The material is heavy, stiff, and restricts movement Moreover, the details to facilitate movement (in this particular jacket) are not as thorough as those in later jackets. .

As fighter planes and cockpits evolved and more agility was required, flight jackets shifted from leather to fabric and then to nylon. .

Throughout its history, the A-2 could be said to be the "origin of the flight jacket," yet it was still just a piece of clothing.

Aren't these the very lost "richness of clothing" that we in the modern era should extract as "Pattern IP (modern assets)"?

This was a slightly different endeavor,
It was fun as always.