Luftwaffe Leather Flight Jacket

The openings at the sides function as ventilation and also protect the bottom of the leather jacket.
It also helps to eliminate stiffness.
What caught my eye was the reinforcing part at the open end, which is a bolt with a loop of thread. (Can someone tell me the official name?)

The lower end of the forelight.
The back side is longer, perhaps to reduce the thickness of the leather.
If the difference was small, it would be considered an error, but since it is quite different, it seems to be intentional.

Pocket lining specifications. Shown inside out compared to the front.

To conclude, it is highly likely that it was made with a strong emphasis on strength.

This is because the bag is designed so that the back of the fabric is wrapped around the front.
If we were to pursue efficiency alone, we would simply sew the edges together without worrying about them shifting. However, in reality, the edges are tightly wrapped around each other.
This is a specification that cannot be achieved unless the front and back are designed separately from the pattern stage.
So it's almost certainly intentional.

Furthermore, when you look inside the chest pocket, you can see that the bag fabric is not loose.
The body is secured with tape made of the same fabric on the armhole side and toward the hem.
This is it!!! It's not like the "ST stitching on the lining" that is often used for MA-1 jackets,
It is made with delicate specifications. Every detail is carefully crafted.
This is what really gets to me.

Of course, this isn't a question of which is better. However, when you look at the specifications that show the "exquisite balance between functionality and efficiency" that is unique to military wear, it's moving to see the intentions and thoughts of the maker.

Continuing from the previous article, this is bag cloth.
This method of making does not feel delicate at all, and even feels crude.
There is a good balance between what is visible (where the impact is felt) and what is not.
If they were particular about this folding design, it would probably be for strength reasons.

The one thing that remains consistent throughout is the question, "Why is it shaped like that?"
The shape wasn't the first thing that came into play. The purpose came first, and the shape was created because it was necessary.
I think that this accumulation of experience has determined the silhouette and specifications of this jacket.

And it is not just clothing, but also reflects the country, the era, and the ideas behind them.

To be honest, I don't have much knowledge about leather manufacturing, so I was a little worried about whether I would be able to observe it thoroughly.
But when I actually got into it, I realized that I gained a lot and I'm glad I took on the challenge.

It's really interesting to dig into it.
See you again in the next one.
Luftwaffe Leather Flight Jacket
That's all.