Cooper Original™ 50 Mission™ Goatskin A-2 Leather Jacket

Our Cooper Original™ 50 Mission™ Goatskin A-2 Leather Jacket Patterned after the legendary WWII flight jacket! These Military Issue jackets are now extremely rare and original Cooper-labeled A-2s are considered highly collectible by WWII & A-2 jacket enthusiasts. The naked goatskin leather comes from the highlands and is soft but very durable. The A-2 established itself as an iconic jacket during the Second World War with its enduring style & functionality, and our Cooper Original™ 50 Mission™ Goatskin A-2 Leather Jacket carries on that tradition of style & functionality today, more than 90 years after the A-2 was first adopted by the USAAC back in 1931. Like the WWII originals, our iteration is a no-nonsense A-2 that is, at its heart, a true cockpit jacket (while still being equally well-suited for those with both feet planted firmly on the ground) and will serve you well for many years to come.   Please allow 5 weeks for B/O sizes The Cooper Original™ 50 Mission™ Goatskin A-2 Leather Jacket features: 100% Naked mil-spec Goatskin U.S.A.A.F Military Issue Snap-down collar Throat hook Two front cargo pockets NO Side-entry hand-warmers NO Interior pocket Tailored sleeves Brown poly-cotton lining One-piece back Jacket Lengths: Regular & Long Color: Seal Brown Fit: Normal The US Wings 50 Mission™ collections are inspired by the heritage of World War II USAAF aviators. It features historically influenced designs and flight-jacket styling that honor the authentic legacy of the crews who flew these legendary missions. Blends authentic military-inspired styling with historically rooted details that pay tribute to the courage, craftsmanship, and spirit of America. Includes some special details like an Escape Map or B-17® Flying Fortress lining   Protect your jacket with our new jacket care products. These products are all natural and hand made in the USA. It will help preserve your new jacket or add years back to your old one. Exposure to the elements and regular wear will dry out and fade your jacket. Replenish your jacket now! History of Cooper: Founded in 1922, Cooper manufactured raincoats for the US Army in 1917-1918 as well as field jackets from 1941-1945. On January 5 1942, the contract was awarded to Cooper to produce A-2 jackets for the USAAF during WWII. In 1988, Cooper again was given another contract to produce A-2s for the USAF. Then again in 1996, a new contract from the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) was awarded to Cooper to re-design the A-2 into what would become the current military-issue version. Fit & functionality upgrades were made to this venerable Air Force flight jacket, including side-entry hand-warmer pockets and an interior pocket, underarm gussets, and a roomier fit. Their contribution to the civilian market was no less significant. Cooper produced a range of A-2s, G-1s, Indy jackets and more to customers around the world. US Wings partnered with Cooper in 1986 and ended when Cooper ceased production in the late 1990s. US Wings is the official home of the Cooper name and we’re proud to continue the tradition of excellence. Rest assured that we’ve retained Cooper’s commitment to quality, putting only the finest materials and the highest level of craftsmanship into the jackets that bear the Cooper Original name. This ensures that our jackets will be of the same high quality as the original Cooper Sportswear jackets worn by your father, grandfather or even great-grandfather. History of the A-2: In 1931 the Type A-2 flying jacket was the standard in the US Army Air Corps, and the successor to the Type A-1 flying jacket. The A-2 has sturdy snaps, reinforced pockets, snap down collar. In addition, it replaced the A-1’s buttoned front with a zipper for added protection against the elements in the open cockpit.