Circa 1944–45, a U.S. Army Air Forces Type B-15A Flight Jacket.
A special arrival.
The U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) was the aerial warfare branch of the United States Army, established in June 1941. During and after the Second World War, it served as the primary air arm of American military power.
Before this reorganization, it had been known as the Army Air Corps. As the strategic importance of air power became undeniable, the service expanded its authority and independence, eventually becoming the USAAF with greater operational autonomy.
Throughout the war, the USAAF drove technological advancement and mass production of aircraft and bombers, ultimately operating some 2.4 million personnel and over 60,000 aircraft. This made America's aerial dominance unassailable and paved the way for the independent air force that would follow the war's end.
As the war concluded, the USAAF grew in stature and significance, functioning in all but name as an independent organization.
On September 18th, 1947, following passage of the National Security Act, the USAAF was formally separated and became the United States Air Force (USAF).
We present to you the Type B-15A Flight Jacket, an enduring benchmark among the gear adopted by the U.S. Army Air Forces during the Second World War.
The Type B-15A Flight Jacket was the first iteration of improvements made to the Type B-15, formally adopted in April 1944. It represented an evolution of its predecessor.
During the Second World War, leather flight jackets such as the A-2 and G-1 were at their height. However, demand for leather outpaced supply, creating an urgent need for alternatives. To address this shortage, the Type B-15 was developed—the first flight jacket to employ cotton as its shell material. (An earlier experimental model, the B-10, had been tested as well.)
Yet the adoption period for the B-15 proved remarkably brief—only seven months. As operational demands and pilot comfort became clearer, refinements were introduced repeatedly.
Following the short service life of the initial B-15, the Type B-15A was adopted with improvements incorporated. This model too saw a limited tenure of merely ten months, making authentic examples difficult to encounter today.
Among the principal refinements was the addition of leather triangular tabs on the chest, designed to secure the ICS cord and oxygen mask fittings to the pilot's body. The snap loops flanking each side accommodated the ICS cable and emergency oxygen bottle tubing.
The pen pocket on the left sleeve was also reconfigured, expanding from a two-pen configuration to four.
The essential specifications carried forward from the B-15. The shell remained 100% cotton, while the lining employed natural alpaca wool, affording both lightness and superior insulation. The collar was cut high and lined with natural mouton fur, fitted with a chin strap to exclude wind and maintain warmth.
The front closure employed a slide zipper. The slider itself was a CONMAR manufacture, identifiable by its distinctive U-shaped clip.
The left sleeve and interior placket retain clear markings bearing the U.S. Army Air Forces insignia and "ARMY AIR FORCE" legend—details that hold particular significance for those who appreciate originality and provenance.
The collar on this example appears to have been replaced at some point, and the chest triangular patch has been removed, suggesting modifications made by a previous owner.
Simplicity is the foundation. A jacket of this character, kept on hand, proves indispensable time and again. Slip it on and the effect is immediate. Wear it plainly, and let it speak for itself.
The size tag is no longer legible, though the garment corresponds to approximately M–L in Japanese sizing.
The measured dimensions suggest a proportional fit for the Japanese physique—a golden size, if you will, that accommodates a broad range of builds. In the spirit of military dress, it also wears handsomely oversized, draped with a casual ease.
The jacket bears visible signs of use—wear marks, fading, minor tears, tag loss—but exhibits no damage that would impede wear. It remains a serviceable garment.
Military pieces are woven into the narrative of American vintage. The Type B-15A Flight Jacket stands among the most significant, a landmark design that time has validated. Its continued appreciation in value is assured.
It merits a place in the wardrobe or collection alike.Pieces of this rarity seldom pass through our doors. Should you be seeking one, we would urge you not to overlook this opportunity.
