Originally designed in 1931 by parachute pioneer Leslie Leroy Irvin, this RAF sheepskin flight jacket was the only type issued to RAF aircrews, evolving through numerous spec. changes throughout its production life before being withdrawn from production in 1944. Though contracted to many firms to produce, including the Irvin Parachute Co., the original designer's last name has always identified this flight jacket.  After 1941, the critical material shortages and expenses placed on England compelled its military, air and naval ministries to modify many items of gear and clothing in an effort to stay in the war as cheaply and efficiently as possible.  The RAF Aircrew Jacket faced such modifications, causing the flight jacket to increasingly be manufactured from more and more separate panels of sheepskin (yielding more visible seams) to get more use from leftover pelts that would otherwise be thrown out if the pre-1941 design were adhered to.  Over the course of the war years the jacket continued to gain more panel splices and saw ever-increasing use of lower-grade sheepskin, making the earlier flight jackets quite desirable even back at that time.  Today, all of the original RAF flight jackets are highly collectible, though a premium is typically paid for the very early garments made with the fewest sheepskin panels.

The RAF flight jacket depicted here is the type worn by the RAF Fighter Command pilots who saved England during the greatest air battle of all time – “The Battle of Britain.” The RAF pre-1941 pattern Aircrew Jacket, although very similar to the post-1941 jacket we offer, still bears some noteworthy differences.  As already mentioned, the pre-1941 pattern flight jacket differs mostly from the later ’42 pattern in its larger-panel, fewer-seam construction. As you can see from the images there are no chest seams to the front or back, nor are there any cross seams in the sleeves.  This, as Britain's Air Ministry found out during the war, is a much more costly way to make the flight jacket - the larger panels making conservative use of the sheepskin pelts very difficult.  The pre-1941 pattern uses around 30% more material than the '42 pattern, hence the cost difference, even today. Other differences include: a lighter-shade sheepskin color, high-quality aniline-dyed leather for the seam trimming and one-piece pull-through zip thongs.  The following original details are also incorporated in this pre-1941 pattern flight jacket: specially selected hides tanned & dyed to match the luxurious jackets made in the early years; no-pocket construction (hand-warmer pockets never appeared on the original RAF flight jackets); leather pull tabs on genuine brass zips; authentic zippers on all-cotton tape, custom made to wartime design including the slider box cup (a feature found only on ours and original examples); ventilated arm pit gussets; all-cotton elasticized strap behind collar for quickly fastening this up; hand-sewn linen spec. label and more...

Never before reproduced to this degree of quality and authenticity, our pre-1941 pattern “Battle of Britain” flight jacket will now, undoubtedly, satisfy all those who have been looking for the quintessential RAF flight jacket forever associated with those gallant "Few" of RAF Fighter Command who sacrificed themselves to save England in the summer of 1940.  Tally-ho!

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on custom order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England

Originally designed in 1931 by parachute pioneer Leslie Leroy Irvin, this RAF sheepskin flight jacket was the only flight jacket type issued to RAF aircrews, evolving through numerous spec. changes throughout its production life before being withdrawn from production in 1944.  Though contracted to many firms to produce, including the Irvin Airchute Co., the original designer's last name, Irvin, is commonly used to identify this flight jacket style regardless of manufacturer.  After 1941, the critical material shortages and expenses placed on England compelled its military, air and naval ministries to modify many items of gear and clothing in an effort to stay in the war as cheaply and efficiently as possible.  The RAF Aircrew Jacket faced such modifications, causing the flight jacket to increasingly be manufactured from more and more separate panels of sheepskin (yielding more visible seams) to get more use from leftover pelts that would otherwise be thrown out if the pre-1942 design was adhered to.   Over the course of the war years the RAF flight jacket continued to gain more panel splices and saw ever-increasing use of lower-grade sheepskin, making the earlier flight jackets quite desirable even back at that time.  Today, all of the original RAF flight jackets are highly collectible, though a premium is typically paid for the very early garments made with the fewest sheepskin panels.

We offer this copy typifying the 1942 production run when fine-quality flight jackets were still being made with a minimum of sheepskin panels. Paramount prerequisites of quality and authenticity have been strictly adhered to throughout, resulting in an RAF flight jacket of unparalleled accuracy.  Original details include: specially selected hides tanned & dyed to match the best-made, 1942-produced flight jacket; no-pocket construction (hand-warmer pockets never appeared on the original RAF jackets); heavy double-sided leather pull tabs on genuine brass zips; reproduction zippers on all-cotton tape (zippers are custom made to wartime design including the slider box cup - a feature found only on ours and original examples); ventilated arm pit gussets; all-cotton elasticized strap behind collar for quickly fastening this up; hand-sewn linen spec. label and more... This is the definitive copy of the RAF 1942-pattern Aircrew jacket. Take your flight into Royal Air Force history with this unmistakable classic!

Sizes available: 36-48 regular.  Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England

This is a fully revamped design of this same glove style offered by Eastman Leather since 1999, but now made with Eastman's all-new, fully vegetable-tanned, fully aniline-dyed horse hide that is the most impressive they have ever offered.

This original glove type was the USAAF fighter pilots’ glove of choice. Ruggedly handsome and made from a sumptuous, fully aniline-dyed, fully vegetable-tanned unlined horse hide, the 1942-pattern gloves were available to all officers on flying status, as well as paratroopers (to protect their hands from parachute-riser burn).  This is one of the most rare and desirable gloves styles to see action in WWII, now lovingly recreated and available in the same premium horse hide Eastman imports from a top Italian tannery as used to craft Eastman jackets; previously, the horse hide used on this glove style was not the same as that used to craft Eastman jackets.

Whether flying, driving or for sport or dress use, these remain a classic accessory - then and now!

Sizes available: 8 (XS), 8 1/2 (Sm), 9 (Med), 9 1/2 (Lg) & 10 (XL).  Please see  BODY MEASURING for instructions on how to measure your hand to enable you to purchase the correct glove size.

Imported from England

This A-2 Flight Jacket was derived as an outgrowth of our work on a major cinematic film production.  We were the official screen-credited suppliers of the flight jackets (and other associated apparel) to the 2001 blockbuster movie Pearl Harbor, and we are proud to offer this special-edition “Time Worn” Pearl Harbor A-2 Flight Jacket.

“Time Wear” is an authentic-looking, aged finish applied by hand, and it was during production of the film jackets that we developed this special process. We refer to this model A-2 as the “Pearl Harbor,” because it was precisely this specification A-2 that we supplied for the film: A standard-edition A-2 with the pre-war collar and an “aged” appearance – “Time Worn.”

The film company didn’t have the time and manpower to generate “aged” jackets quickly enough in the quantity they purchased from us, so they asked if we could do this work as part of the volume of jackets they purchased. “Time Wear” is a process that has been honed over the years, where now we can produce an extremely authentic-looking aged garment.

Made from high-quality, vegetable-tanned horse hide, this model A-2 is available in a choice of two shades of brown: American Walnut and the slightly lighter Havana Brown. It comes delivered to you with a rugged, broken-grain, vintage appearance – the type appreciated on so many of those original A-2s we so dearly love. Take note of these authentic features:

• Copy of original maker’s label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• All-cotton dark medium-brown thread construction as found on many A-2 flying jackets originally produced in the 1940s

• Correct USAAF spec. 3-ounce weight, vegetable-tanned horse hide outer shell dyed in the aniline process and hand-aged

• Single-piece back construction

• Collar assembly with leather stand, exactly as found on the pre-1942 A-2s

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton, inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1940s USAAF specs. and dyed in the rust-brown shade found on the majority of original vintage A-2s

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original USAAF spec. and finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating

• Custom manufacture of the typical ball-and-socket-style press studs located on pockets and collar ends, exactly duplicating the smaller (collar-size) and larger (pocket-size) found on the majority of original vintage A-2s

• Shoulder straps typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on original vintage A-2s

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket flap configuration typifying the style found on many original vintage A-2s

• Snap-down collar typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on many original A-2s made in the 1940s

• Exact copy of the 1940s spring-loaded CROWN zipper in matte nickel finish with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton, and tape ends rolled and glued at base exactly as found on the original 1940s zippers

• USAAF authentic inspector’s ink stamping on cotton lining

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, two-ply, all-wool cuffs and waist skirt in medium brown, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a more narrow weave, exactly matching those found on original vintage A-2s

• Heavy leather hanging loop correctly sewn directly through the jacket lining and outer leather shell using a box stitch

• White cotton label located in pocket, exactly matching those found on most original vintage A-2s

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on custom order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

CROWN is a registered trademark in the USA of History Preservation Associates.

Imported from England

The .50 CAL A-2 Flight Jacket will appeal to those who are looking for that rugged-grain, tough, vintage look in an A-2 Flight Jacket while not being so out-of-the-box in appearance. The secret to this A-2 Jacket’s rugged, less-than-new look is the hide type employed and the special .50-CAL treatment.

The .50 CAL. A-2 Jacket is manufactured from vegetable-tanned, rugged-grain, horse hide in dark seal brown. Plus, they have had the .50-CAL treatment! The .50-CAL process is another of our specially developed treatments to give a new jacket a patina of initial wear.

Please click the link for larger, detailed images on this web site to see just how good this leather looks after the .50-CAL treatment. This process is performed entirely by hand and no two jackets will ever be exactly alike; as you can imagine, the .50-CAL treatment takes hours of labor and a keen master’s eye to achieve. Once the hide is broken-in using our special treatment, the jacket is placed on a body form where it rests to take its shape; after several hours drying time, it is then worked on to subtly burnish the high spots to a beautiful glazed glow. Please keep in mind - the jacket is still brand new and not in any way worn or damaged, but you get a new A-2 Jacket that has a vintage, mildly lived-in patina that will continue to look better the more you personalize the jacket through use. This A-2 just looks very cool the first time you step out your door, without the just-out-of-the-box look. It’s truly a unique A-2 Jacket that’s quite different from our other offerings under the Eastman A-2 flight jacket range.

The .50 CAL has all of the little, important details that help differentiate one original A-2 contractor from another – details synonymous with the pedigree of historical accuracy found in the goods we offer: The A-2 pattern, shoulder straps, pocket flaps, collar shape, stitching style, different-color trim parts for the cotton lining and wool knit, and the larger ring-style press studs and, last but not least, our 1942-model Crown zipper! The leather and trim color, collar configuration, pocket flaps, etc, are typical of 1942 manufacture from the largest wartime contractor of A-2 Jackets located in Beacon, New York.

It’s a tough-looking jacket with a tough name … the .50 CAL A-2 is ready for action!  Please note these authentic features:

• Copy of original-style maker’s label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• All-cotton thread construction as found on all A-2 Flying Jackets originally produced in the 1940s and dyed to a mid-brown shade matching many A-2s made in Beacon, NY

• Correct USAAF-spec. 3-ounce weight, vegetable-tanned and aniline-dyed horse hide leather outer shell, featuring a heavy full grain and burnished with just the right amount of vintage patina

• Single-piece back construction as found on all original A-2's used in WWII

• Collar assembly following the simplified style adopted for the mass production of 1942-44, exactly as found on the majority of vintage A-2s originally produced during WWII and correct for a Beacon-made A-2 of this era

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton, inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1940s USAAF specs. and dyed mustard brown to match most Beacon-made original vintage A-2's of 1942

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original USAAF spec. and finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating

• Large ring-style press studs precisely matching those found on original Beacon-made A-2s of 1942

• Shoulder straps typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on original Beacon-made A-2s of 1942

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket flap configuration typifying the style found on Beacon-made A-2s of 1942

• Snap-down collar typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on Beacon-made A-2's of 1942

• Exact copy of the super-desirable 1942 CROWN® zipper in matte nickel finish with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton, and tape ends rolled and glued at base exactly as found on the original 1940's zippers

• USAAF authentic inspector’s ink stamping on cotton lining

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in berry-red color, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a more narrow weave, exactly matching those found on original Beacon-made A-2's of 1942

• Heavy leather hanging loop correctly sewn directly through the jacket lining and outer leather shell using a box stitch

•Label (with printed text indicating size and lot number) located in pocket, exactly matching those found on original Beacon-made A-2's of 1942

Crown® is a registered trademark in the USA of History Preservation Associates

Sizes available: 36-48 regular.  Long and extra-long fittings on custom order at no extra cost.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England

The A-2 Flight Jacket was standardized by the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1931, being the direct descendant of the A-1 Jacket from 1927. The A-2 Jacket experienced several spec. changes during its small production quantities of the pre-war years before culminating in the final variant that was the subject of the largest production runs during the 1942-44 period of WWII. Immediate popularity followed the A-2, becoming as much a cherished icon of the U. S. Army aviator as his silver wings.

We have reproduced the A-2 Flying Jacket in exacting detail. The Standard- Edition A-2 represents the wartime A-2 in its most typical form without copying any specific contractor or contract. Features such as pocket contour, knit or lining color and epaulet style, while authentic, have been homogenized from various original jacket contracts.  All hides are vegetable tanned, a process you'll find on original A-2s and ours, giving them that full-bodied, sumptuous feel. In every way, simply the best you'll find - an heirloom for sure!

Our total use of custom-made components throughout every garment’s production and design to precisely match 1940’s specs. is not to be confused with the vastly cheaper and inaccurate use of stock components employed by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAAF flying jackets. In fact, the only other leather flying jackets in the world today assembled with components like those found on an Eastman are the original vintage examples of the USAAF from the 1940’s. This A-2 Flying Jacket is a Standard Edition, correctly capturing all the nuances that typify A-2s produced during the 1942-44 years, making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAAF. Take note of these authentic features:

• Copy of original maker’s label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• All-cotton dark medium-brown thread construction as found on many A-2 flying jackets originally produced in the 1940s

• Correct USAAF spec. 3-ounce weight, vegetable-tanned horsehide outer shell dyed in the semi-aniline process

• Single-piece back construction

• Collar assembly following the simplified style adopted for the mass production of 1942-44, exactly as found on the majority of vintage A-2s originally produced during WWII

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton, inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1940’s USAAF specs. and dyed in the rust-brown shade found on the majority of original vintage A-2s

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original USAAF spec. and finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating

• Custom manufacture of the typical ball-and-socket-style press studs located on pockets and collar ends, exactly duplicating the smaller (collar-size) and larger (pocket-size) found on the majority of original vintage A-2s

• Shoulder straps typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on original vintage A-2s

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket flap configuration typifying the style found on many original vintage A-2s

• Snap-down collar typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on many original A-2s made in the 1940s

• Exact copy of the 1940’s spring-loaded CROWN zipper in matte nickel finish with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton, and tape ends rolled and glued at base exactly as found on the original 1940’s zippers

• USAAF authentic inspector’s ink stamping on cotton lining

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply, worsted-wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in medium brown, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a more narrow weave, exactly matching those found on original vintage A-2s

• Heavy leather hanging loop correctly sewn directly through the jacket lining and outer leather shell using a box stitch

• Cotton label (with printed text indicating size and lot number) located in pocket, exactly matching those found on most original vintage A-2s

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

CROWN is a registered trademark in the USA of History Preservation Associates

Imported from England

The A-2 Flight Jacket was standardized by the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1931, being the direct descendant of the A-1 Jacket from 1927. The A-2 Jacket experienced several spec. changes during its small production quantities of the pre-war years before culminating in the final variant that was the subject of the largest production runs during the 1942-44 period of WWII. Immediate popularity followed the A-2, becoming as much a cherished icon of the U. S. Army aviator as his silver wings.

We have reproduced the A-2 Flying Jacket in exacting detail. This Standard- Edition A-2 represents the wartime A-2 in its most typical form without copying any specific contractor or contract. Features such as pocket contour, knit or lining color and epaulet style, while authentic, have been homogenized from various original jacket contracts. We offer a choice of two original leathers: horsehide or goatskin, dyed in two shades of brown: Havana or Seal. All hides are vegetable tanned, a process you'll find on original A-2s and ours, giving them that full-bodied, sumptuous feel. In every way, simply the best you'll find - an heirloom for sure!

Our total use of custom-made components throughout every garment’s production and design to precisely match 1940s specs. is not to be confused with the vastly cheaper and inaccurate use of stock components employed by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAAF flying jackets. In fact, the only other leather flying jackets in the world today assembled with components like those found on an Eastman are the original vintage examples of the USAAF from the 1940s. This A-2 Flying Jacket is a Standard Edition, correctly capturing all the nuances that typify A-2s produced during the 1942-44 years, making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAAF. Take note of these authentic features:

• Copy of original-style contract label produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• All-cotton dark medium-brown thread construction as found on many A-2 flying jackets originally produced in the 1940s

• Correct USAAF spec. 3-ounce weight, vegetable-tanned horsehide outer shell dyed in the semi-aniline process

• Single-piece back construction

• Collar assembly following the simplified style adopted for the mass production of 1942-44, exactly as found on the majority of vintage A-2s originally produced during WWII

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave all-cotton, inner-lining fabric to precisely match 1940s USAAF specs. and dyed in the rust-brown shade found on the majority of original vintage A-2s

• Metal collar clip custom manufactured to the original USAAF spec. and finished in correct semi-matte nickel plating

• Custom manufacture of the typical ball-and-socket-style press studs located on pockets and collar ends, exactly duplicating the smaller (collar-size) and larger (pocket-size) found on the majority of original vintage A-2s

• Shoulder straps typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on original vintage A-2s

• Two snap-down exterior pockets with stitching and pocket flap configuration typifying the style found on many original vintage A-2s

• Snap-down collar typifying the shape, size and stitch style found on many original A-2s made in the 1940s

• Exact copy of the 1940’s spring-loaded CROWN zipper in matte nickel finish with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton, and tape ends rolled and glued at base exactly as found on the original 1940s zippers

• USAAF authentic inspector’s ink stamping on cotton lining

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply, all-wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in medium brown, with cuffs correctly graduating from a wider weave into a more narrow weave, exactly matching those found on original vintage A-2s

• Heavy leather hanging loop correctly sewn directly through the jacket lining and outer leather shell using a box stitch

• Cotton label (with printed text indicating size and lot number) located in pocket, exactly matching those found on most original vintage A-2s

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only.

CROWN is a registered trademark in the USA of History Preservation Associates

Imported from England

Standardized on May 29th 1931 as the regulation Army Air Corps summer flight jacket, the Type A-2 Jacket was produced up until the middle of 1944 and saw service until the end of the war and beyond.

Throughout its 13 years of production a multitude of companies were involved in its manufacture. Although having the same specifications to work from, each manufacturer had their own house style, and thus slight variations exist between them.

As a company that specializes in reproducing this particular style, one will notice we offer several different models of the A-2 in our range, each of them emulating, in some way or another, all the subtle differences that can be found on originals. Some are direct reproductions of actual makers (which can be found in our 'Original-Maker' category), and others, such as the model displayed here, are of our own branded design and produced to our own house style.

Cut and shape vary between originals jackets, offering slightly different fits, respectively. The model offered here is one that will appeal to those who prefer the slimmest of fits in this regard. The 'Eastman A-2 Slender' is slightly narrower in the trunk and sleeve circumference than any of our other models, providing a leaner-looking garment that lends itself very well to the contemporary silhouette while maintaining total authenticity in all other areas.

Made from a stunning, vegetable-tanned, supple horse hide that is semi-aniline dyed in a Seal-Brown shade with plenty of grain, it is produced exactly to all the official military specs expected from a high-end reproduction of this genre.

Available in sizes: 36 – 44. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only.  Please note that this style is extremely trim and is best suited for lean, youthful builds; some individuals will not be able to comfortably wear this A-2 style at all.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

The Eastman A-2 Slender has made its debut appearance in the short-film music video 'TIME TO DANCE' by 'THE SHOES' starring Jake Gyllenhaal. See the official video on YouTube at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt9wnawn7xQ

Flying at frigid high altitudes called for a special item of clothing to keep American airmen warm. The Army Air Corps designed the A-3 Flying Trousers, companion item to the B-3 Flying Jacket, with this exact purpose in mind. A-3 Flying Trousers were actually ordered by the Army Air Force with the B-3 Flight Jacket as a two-piece suit, not as a separate item; for every B-3 Flight Jacket that was made, there was a respective pair of A-3 Trousers. Constructed from the same materials as the jacket, they were designed to be worn with the B-3 Flight Jacket in extremely low temperatures.

Eastman Leather decided to recreate Army Air force history and make available, once again, the Type A-3 Winter Flying Trousers for the flying clothing enthusiast. Lovingly crafted with deft precision from high-quality North American sheepskin, these A-3s match the original item to the finest detail, including authentic zippers that run the entire length of the leg. Since these represent wartime A-3s, they are dyed dark brown on vegetable-tanned sheepskin, fully trimmed with Havana Brown Horsehide (Seal Brown Horsehide by request), authentic A-3 woven label, correct-width all-cotton webbing suspenders that have the authentic white underside, and reproduction 1942 nickel-plated Talon zippers, all of which make these another must for your flying-gear collection. Interestingly, A-3 Trousers actually require a greater square footage of sheepskin material to produce than a jacket, so they are priced accordingly, but we've endeavored to keep these as affordable as possible.

Available in sizes: 38 - 46.  Custom order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England