Reccomended Reads

Here's some books worth buying, full of great photos:

A-2 and G-1 Flight Jackets: Hell-Bent for Leather


American Flight Jackets, Airmen and Aircraft: A History of U.S. Flyers' Jackets from World War I to Desert Storm

I own both and definitely think they're worth a place in a jacket-nut's collection.

Random Pic May 22nd '08

Actor Steve Sandvoss, modeling...

Letter Jackets

Lets switch gears here for just a bit. Another jacket I love seeing guys in are letter jackets (also known as letterman jackets or varsity jackets).

Saboteur

Here's a great film that sometime I can catch on one of the channels that play old movies: Alfred Hitchcock's Saboteur.

Most of the movie is about the wicked handsome Robert Cummings, handcuffed no less, running from the law... in an A-2 jacket. It's actually a pretty good Hitchcock film, made even better by a good looking guy in a leather bomber.

Oxford Leathers

I came across a listing on Ebay for a G-1 jacket from Oxford Leathers, which is based in South Korea providing jacket to servicemen. They also sell on their website, but right now I only see the A-2 - with the same attractive dude wearing the jackets. Anyone own one?

Pic of Day 6/6/08

From Transair

An attractive pose from the vendors at Transair in the UK.

Pic of Day 05/30

Random Pic of Day 05/28

Highway to the Danger Zone

Not Just for Politicians

One thing I've always noticed is that politicians love leather bomber jackets. Recently, Vito Fossella, who'd been in a scandal, has been noted for his frequent wearing of an A-2.



I'm not sure why, but I'm not complaining.

Picture of the day

Hanover Street

Here's a shot from a rather obscure movie from '79 called "Hanover Street" which starred a young Harrison Ford as an A-2 wearing WWII pilot...



I don't think I've ever seen the movie. Maybe worth a NetFlix?

The First

I remember my first leather flight jacket - I got it when I was a teenager (16 I think). It was a brand-new Avirex G-1. It fit me a little big, but I grew into it. I wish I still had that bomber jacket, actually.

How about you all out there? Any memories of the first leather jacket? There's something very cool about the rush of first getting one and trying it on, and wearing it out. That new leather smell, the way it feels. Leave a comment with your memories if you have some...

Pic of the Day

Once in a Blue Moon

Here's a cutie from the UK company Blue Moon Leathers.

Flying Tigers Jacket

Last night it was unusually cold out for this time of year here, so I wore my LL Bean "Flying Tigers" jacket.

I know some A-2 enthusiasts who don't appreciate jackets that are inspired by the A-2, but lack the military specifications (like no side entry hand pockets etc.). I gotta say I love my LL Bean flight jacket. It's comfortable goatskin with a Thinsulate lining, and while it has the A-2 look, it's not as "stiff" - it's a great jacket for wearing out on a night on the town. It looks good with jeans or khakis, and can be worn to work or the bar. And mine (which I bought 3 years ago) has only gotten more comfortable with age, while still looking new and great (LL Bean does make good products in general). It's become like my favorite pair of jeans.

I'm not sure if the jackets currently being sold by LL Bean are exactly the same as mine (I hear they are no longer made in the USA) but based on the wear I've gotten out of mine (it'll probably hold up for life if I take care of it) I definitely recommend looking into one.

The Hitcher

The last two posts about Indiana Jones got me thinking about movies with guys in flight jackets. Memphis Belle is a good one, so is Pearl Harbor, and of course Top Gun. One that I remember from the 80's in the original version of The Hitcher.

Basically actor C. Thomas Howell spends two hours running from and fighting a maniac hitch-hiker on the open road, while wearing an A-2 jacket. It's worth a watch for some great scenes, like when he gets arrested. I couldn't find any good clips, so here's a pic:

More Indiana Jones

Here's some more "Indianas" out there...

Indiana Jones!

I'm definitely excited to go check out the new Indiana Jones movie this summer, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It's slated to come out this month on the 22nd.

So in honor here are some Indys in their leather...