Following the USN M-422A intermediate goatskin flying jacket, the AN6552 intermediate flying jacket was the next in succession in 1942 and Buzz Rickson's has deftly recreated this rare style.  Developed as a jacket for both the USAAF and USN, hence the "AN" designation (Army/Navy), the back of the collar was not stenciled with "U. S. N." as found on the M-422A, but with "U. S."  Additionally, jackets contracted for the USN bore USN contract numbers on the woven label in the jacket lining and contracts for the USAAF bore USAAF contract numbers on the label; however, actual production and issue of the USAAF version was very very limited in number.

Among the leather USN intermediate flying jackets of WWII, some very few can be found with the unusual-yet-attractive rust-red wool knit typically associated with USAAF A-2 flying jackets made by Aero Leather Clothing Co. in three of their contracts.  Buzz Rickson's brand has elected to produce this limited-production AN6552 flying jacket with the rust-red knit.  This is not an exact copy of a specific WWII contractor's AN6552 flying jacket as the woven label in the lining bears the Buzz Rickson name and not an original-maker name; Buzz Rickson's has followed a policy of placing original-maker names only on the label of goods that copy a specific original maker.  But the rust-red knit is indeed genuinely authentic among some WWII USN flying jackets and every other detail of this AN6552 flying jacket conforms precisely to the best efforts in reproducing such a are jacket.  

Buzz Rickson's brand is renowned for their leather USN intermediate flying jackets in the all-important area of fit; indeed, we deem the fit and design execution of these to be wrestling for the top spot in production today and have elected, for the first time ever, to bring to our customers all three styles currently offered.  Please note these authentic features:

• Copy of original the original style of label design produced on a vintage shuttle loom
• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave rayon acetate lining dyed the original shade of brown
• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply, worsted-wool cuffs with the narrow weave graduating into the wider weave at top, dyed in a rusty-red shade
• Custom manufacturing of the correct single-ply, bi-directional, worsted-wool waistband, dyed in a rusty-red shade 

• Two button-down exterior pockets lined with all-cotton twill precisely matching 1940's USN specs.

• One snap-down interior pocket lined with heavy-weight, all-cotton duck twill precisely matching 1940's USN specs.

• Exact copy of the vintage-style, nickel-plated Talon zipper with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Leather pull tab on zipper for easy functioning with gloves

• Heavy wind flap protector located behind zipper closure 

• Bi-swing action back and gusseted armpits (with metal air ventilators) for greater range of motion without restriction

• Gorgeous, plush, half-inch genuine mouton-fur collar dyed contrasting rusty brown, with backing leather correctly reinforced with trapunto stitching to maintain collar shape and help keep collar up when the need arises; correct "U S" stencil appears in yellow paint

• Sumptuous, vegetable-tanned, 3-ounce, goatskin that is not overly stiff or heavy, maintaining the true feel of the original jackets.  The dye coating is aniline and given a glazed top coat in keeping with some of the leathers of the era; both the dye and the glazing will wear down and burnish with use, providing for a fabulous vintage aesthetic.  

• Horsehide leather clip-to tab in black correctly sewn to left front chest for attaching oxygen mask retainer clip

• Assembly using vintage sewing machines

Even sizes 36-44 Regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

Buzz Rickson's brand is renowned for producing truly standout copies of the famous G-1 Flying Jacket and this example, their basic spec. 7823 (AER), is the one that started it all!  

Though the first G-1 dates to 1947, the spec. 7823 from 1950 was the first in a long series of the 7823's ranging up to 7823E, but it is the first 7823 that remains the most sought after.  No detail has been overlooked by Buzz Rickson's, which means every component part of the jacket had to be custom made to match buttons, zippers, and fabrics that no longer exist in the same form as was found in the early 1950's.  But it is the fit and sumptuous, grade-one goatskin that, along with its parts, combines to make this a masterpiece.  

The goatskin comes in at 2.5-3-ounce weight and is fully vegetable tanned and pigment dyed only on the surface.  The leather is not at all stiff or heavy, but it is plump and robust, and fully unlike the heavily processed, chrome-tanned goatskin so commonly found in mainstream jackets.  Surface dying is how the original 7823's were dyed, which means the Buzz Rickson's G-1 will age and distress just as we see on those cherished vintage jackets with all the character of an old navy salt.  The sum of all the many parts is an heirloom jacket that fits like a dream and that can be handed down to the next generation - there's nothing disposable about a Buzz Rickson's leather jacket and it only gets better with use and age!

This Buzz Rickson G-1 is a masterpiece of wearable jacket art crafted in rugged materials that are as beautiful as they are durable.  Please note the following materials and features:

• Copy of the original style contractor label produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave rayon acetate lining dyed the original shade of a purple-like brown

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply, worsted-wool cuffs with the narrow weave graduating into the wider weave at top, dyed dark brown

• Custom manufacturing of the correct single-ply, bi-directional, worsted-wool waistband, dyed dark brown

• Two button-down exterior pockets lined with all-cotton twill precisely matching 1950 USN specs.

• One snap-down interior pocket lined with heavy-weight, all-cotton duck twill precisely matching 1950 USN specs.

• Exact copy of the vintage-style, blackened-metal Conmar Conmatic zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Leather pull tab on zipper for easy functioning with gloves

• Heavy wind flap protector located behind zipper closure 

• Bi-swing action back and gusseted armpits (with metal air ventilators) for greater range of motion without restriction

• Gorgeous, plush, genuine mouton-fur collar with backing leather correctly reinforced with trapunto stitching to maintain collar shape and help keep collar up when the need arises.  The "USN" stencil is correctly applied in silver paint to the collar back.

• Sumptuous, vegetable-tanned, 3-ounce, goatskin that is not overly stiff or heavy, maintaining the true feel of the original jackets.  The dye coating is aniline and given a glazed top coat in keeping with some of the leathers of the era; both the dye and the glazing will wear down and burnish with use, providing for a fabulous vintage aesthetic.  

• Assembly using vintage sewing machines

Even sizes 36-44 Regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

Buzz Rickson's brand is renowned for producing truly standout copies of the famous G-1 Flying Jacket and this example is their same basic spec. 7823 (AER), the one that started it all, but featuring a gorgeous honey-colored fur collar.  While the 7823 spec. required the collar fur to be a dark brown color that closely matched the leather color, the reality is that many were produced with collar fur in varying shades of brown, some of which were a golden-honey color that gorgeously contrasted against the dark brown leather.  Other than the fur color, this limited-edition Buzz Rickson's G-1 Flying Jacket is the same MIL-J-7823 (AER) spec. as their original also available on this website.

Though the first G-1 dates to 1947, the spec. 7823 from 1950 was the first in a long series of the 7823's ranging up to 7823E, but it is the first 7823 that remains the most sought after.  No detail has been overlooked by Buzz Rickson's, which means every component part of the jacket had to be custom made to match buttons, zippers, and fabrics that no longer exist in the same form as was found in the early 1950's.  But it is the fit and sumptuous, grade-one goatskin that, along with its parts, combines to make this a masterpiece.  

The goatskin comes in at 3-ounce weight and is fully vegetable tanned and pigment dyed only on the surface.  The leather is not at all stiff or heavy, but it is plump and robust, and fully unlike the heavily processed, chrome-tanned goatskin so commonly found in mainstream jackets.  Surface dying is how the original 7823's were dyed, which means the Buzz Rickson's G-1 will age and distress just as we see on those cherished vintage jackets with all the character of an old navy salt.  The sum of all the many parts is an heirloom jacket that fits like a dream and that can be handed down to the next generation - there's nothing disposable about a Buzz Rickson's leather jacket and it only gets better with use and age!

This Buzz Rickson G-1 is a masterpiece of wearable jacket art crafted in rugged materials that are as beautiful as they are durable.  Please note the following materials and features:

• Copy of the original style contractor label produced on a vintage shuttle loom

• Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave rayon acetate lining dyed the original shade of a purple-like brown

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply, worsted-wool cuffs with the narrow weave graduating into the wider weave at top, dyed dark brown

• Custom manufacturing of the correct single-ply, bi-directional, worsted-wool waistband, dyed dark brown

• Two button-down exterior pockets lined with all-cotton twill precisely matching 1950 USN specs.

• One snap-down interior pocket lined with heavy-weight, all-cotton duck twill precisely matching 1950 USN specs.

• Exact copy of the vintage-style, blackened-metal Conmar Conmatic zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of 100% cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Leather pull tab on zipper for easy functioning with gloves

• Heavy wind flap protector located behind zipper closure 

• Bi-swing action back and gusseted armpits (with metal air ventilators) for greater range of motion without restriction

• Gorgeous, plush, genuine mouton-fur collar in a gorgeous golden-honey color and sewn with backing leather correctly reinforced by trapunto stitching to maintain collar shape and help keep collar up when the need arises.  The "USN" stencil is correctly applied in silver paint to the collar back.

• Sumptuous, vegetable-tanned, 3-ounce, goatskin that is not overly stiff or heavy, maintaining the true feel of the original jackets.  The dye coating is aniline and given a glazed top coat in keeping with some of the leathers of the era; both the dye and the glazing will wear down and burnish with use, providing for a fabulous vintage aesthetic.  

• Assembly using vintage sewing machines

Even sizes 36-44 Regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson goods are imported from Japan

The U. S. Army Air Force Type B-10 Intermediate Flight Jacket was developed as a replacement for both the leather A-2 and sheepskin B-6 Flight Jackets.  The B-10 Flight Jacket was the first cloth-shelled, alpaca fur-lined flight jacket of the USAAF, being standardized for service in July 1943.  However, actual combat issue did not take place until late February 1944, with the 8th Air Force in England receiving an initial issue of  B-10 Flight Jackets with the corresponding A-9 Trousers.  By the spring of 1944, the B-10 was appearing in much greater quantities, as evidenced by the many 8th and 9th Air Force aircrews outfitted in this jacket in time for the D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944. 

The B-10 Flight Jackets were an instant success with just about every aviator who encountered one, being much lighter and more versatile than the jackets they replaced.  Intended for wear in climates between 22 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the B-10 Flight Jacket was ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter. Fighter pilots took a particular shine to this slick new jacket style, as it afforded them far less bulk and considerably more comfort in their cramped cockpits.  Just as with all of the flight jackets of the USAAF, the B-10 Flight Jacket’s natural good looks and smart style immediately made it a coveted garment with anyone who could get their hands on one.  This proved especially true among most of the senior officer ranks of the U. S. Army fighting in Europe, as numerous photographs depict non-flying, non-USAAF personnel, such as Generals Ridgeway, Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley wearing the B-10 Flight Jacket even though they had no rightful authorization to wear the jacket.  Furthermore, all officers of the U. S. airborne units received B-10 Flight Jackets as issue garments just as they had once been issued leather A-2 Flight Jackets, thus furthering their elite image within the army.  But it is the fighter pilot of 1944 and 1945 who was most typically personified through the wearing of a B-10 Flight Jacket. 

Though very popular, the official lifespan of the B-10 Flight Jacket designation was, however, rather short, being superseded by the newer B-15 Flight Jacket specification in late 1944.  Still, the B-10 Flight Jacket saw combat service right up until the end of WWII. After the war, veterans continued to wear these beloved jackets until threadbare, while surplus B-10 Flight Jackets found new homes via the great Army-Navy stores of the era.  Today, an original vintage B-10 Flight Jacket in really nice condition is a very, very scarce and desirable garment to a collector, with jackets in superior condition commanding a four-figure buying price in a heartbeat.

Buzz Rickson has reproduced the B-10 Flight Jacket in exacting detail.  Buzz Rickson’s cotton fabric is never to be confused with the cheap, flimsy sheet bedding fabric used by lesser manufacturers to produce so-called vintage reproduction USAAF flight jackets.  In fact, the only other flying jackets in the world today made from this cotton are those original vintage examples of the USAAF! 

This B-10 Flight Jacket is a Buzz Rickson’s Special Edition, correctly capturing all the nuances found on B-10 Flight Jackets once produced by the the L. S. L Garment Co., making this product virtually indistinguishable from an original vintage example of the USAAF.  Take note of these authentic features:  

• Exact copy of original maker’s label

with brown text on an off-white background produced on a vintage shuttle loom

•Custom manufacturing of the correct weight and weave three-ply, combed-cotton Olive Drab outer shell to precisely match 1943 USAAF specs.

•Correct USAAF spec. inner lining of warm, double-faced alpaca and wool, dyed to match the salt-and-pepper coloring of the original vintage  B-10s

•Gorgeous, plush, genuine sheep fur collar left in it’s natural buttery shade as found on many B-10’s produced by LSL

•Pencil slot assembled on the exterior of the left pocket in the exact fashion noted on extant B-10’s produced by LSL

•Two button-flap exterior pockets

•One snap-down interior pocket assembled in the unique style and the slightly smaller size associated with B-10’s once produced by LSL

•Exact copy of the 1943 Conmar zipper on jacket front, with zip tape made of all-cotton HBT fabric, not incorrect poly-cotton

• Correct USAAF spec. leather pull tab on zipper

• Custom manufacturing of the correct two-ply 100% worsted wool knit cuffs and waist skirt in Olive Drab

•Wind flap protector behind zipper closure

•USAAF insignia transfer on left sleeve and on wind flap interior  

• USAAF insignia ink stamp in black in the smaller size associated with LSL-contracted B-10’s

• LSL inspector ink stamp in black on the wind flap

Sizes:  36-44 regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan  

This is one item we could not be more excited about bringing to our customers.  Since our first sale in 1989, multitudes of customers have, over the decades, asked where they could obtain a good copy of the iconic USAAF A-11 Navigation Watch to wear with their flying jacket purchases from us, but there were simply no really good copies of this watch that could match the pedigree of the goods we sell.  At long last, for all of those who have asked about really nice copies of the iconic A-11 Navigation Watches with mechanical movements, your deliverance has finally arrived!

The original WWII A-11 Navigation Watches were produced in hundreds of thousands during WWII and were the standard timepieces issued to pilots, bombardiers, and navigators, and the most perfect companion for a WWII-style flying jacket.  WWII A-11's were made by Bulova, Elgin, and Waltham and had 15-jewel mechanical movements, with each maker producing subtle differences between their styles in such areas as the dial, hands, case, etc. 

Buzz Rickson's, in conjunction with the watch masters at Japan's famous SEIKO watch company, have now produced the most authentic A-11 Navigation Watch available in the world today, which beautifully copies an Elgin-made example from 1941.  The SEIKO watch movement employed in this copy is the only component that existed, but everything else had to be custom made at great expense in small quantities (this is a limited edition of only 500 pieces) to match the original Elgin watch used as the basis for this project.  

There have been a few upgrades to this A-11 copy:   increasing the jewels to 21 vs. 15 jewels of the original A-11 is an improvement that provides greater longevity and accuracy, and the use of a mineral crystal vs. the glass crystals of the original A-11 provides for greater longevity as the original glass crystals were very prone to scratches, chipping, and cracking.

This Buzz Rickson A-11 Navigation Watch, built by SEIKO, a brand world renowned for reliability and quality, will serve you as faithfully as those brave airman did the USAAF in WWII.  Please note the features that come with this A-11 Navigation Watch:

• Clone-like black watch dial with luminous numbers that matches those found on Elgin A-11's

• Clone-like luminous hands, including sweep second hand, that match those found on Elgin A-11's

• Nickel-plated watch case that matches the finish, design, and style of those found on Elgin-made watches of this contract (case diameter is 1.25") and includes the same typeface and stamping style on the back as found on Elgin A-11's of this contract

• 21-jewel SEIKO mechanical automatic watch movement.  The movement will run for approximately 40 hours if wound 30 times; wearing the watch for 8 hours a day every day should preclude the need to set the time again or wind it unless you need to change the time.

Water resistant (it's okay if the watch gets a little wet doing chores, but this is not a waterproof diving watch and is not intended for submersing in water or other liquids)

• Mineral crystal glass

• Shock resistant 

• Clone-like copy of the issue-style cotton watch strap in Olive Drab shade 3 and sewn with cotton thread and outfitted with a nickel-plated buckle 

• Vintage-style watch box with A-11 nomenclature corresponding to an Elgin-made A-11 of this contract 

• Limited edition of 500 pieces worldwide

Made in Japan

The U. S. Army’s elite paratroopers of WWII were particularly creative when it came to enhancing their appearance while wearing working or dress uniforms; anything that looked cool and made them appear more distinctive and stand out as paratroopers was their objective in altering their uniforms. Among various uniform enhancements adopted by the paratroopers was the wearing of camouflage neck scarves fabricated from damaged parachute canopies – the scarves were never an issue item of clothing. 

The paratroopers made their parachute jumps using the T-5 parachute, which featured a reserve chest pack that housed a white parachute canopy and a main back pack that typically contained a camouflaged parachute canopy.  Since the main chute was the primary chute to be deployed when performing a combat jump, logic dictated that the canopy be made of camouflaged nylon parachute fabric to better conceal the deployed parachute canopy. These camouflaged scarves were typically made rather hastily and simply cut with a knife from canopies that were no longer serviceable or found in combat areas after a drop, hence the edges were not bound or sewn and were left unfinished, unlike a proper issue scarf. 

The practice of making and wearing the camouflaged neck scarves by the paratroopers was fairly wide spread and can be seen in photos while they were wearing their combat uniforms, class B uniforms or with the coveted USAAF A-2 jackets.  Some USAAF C-47 aircrew of Troop Carrier Command responsible for delivering the paratroopers to their final destinations also wore the camouflaged scarves with their flying jackets, and immediately following the Normandy parachute drops in June 6, 1944, many non-parachute soldiers on the ground, such as U. S. Army Rangers, regular line infantrymen, artillerymen, engineers, etc.,  found ample camouflage canopies all over the countryside and adopted the wearing of scarves or camouflaged their helmets with covers fabricated from the discarded canopies.

The scarves we offer are all extremely limited offerings, being fabricated exactly as the original examples were – cut from a WWII-marked nylon camouflage parachute canopies and left with edges unfinished, just as most original scarves of this type were cut.  Our scarves are always fully GUARANTEED to be WWII vintage and made from canopies that must display WWII dates of manufacture and or "AN" stamps on each panel.  "AN" stampings reflect joint approval for Army-Navy use and it was directed that these stampings appear on every panel of a canopy produced during the WWII years. If you want to know for certain your scarf is a genuine wartime example, this may be your last your chance.  This is the perfect companion item for our any of our WWII U. S Army or AAF jackets.  You are buying a true piece of WWII history, NOT a copy - supplies are very limited, so get your scarf before they are gone forever!

GI's in Europe during WWII took to wearing camouflage scarves made from the canopies of parachutes.  American paratroopers had been wearing this type of scarf or kerchief made from their own parachute canopies prior to the D-Day invasion, where troopers simply hacked away sections of their damaged canopies and turned them into combat fashion attire.  As Normandy fighting spread, U. S. paratroopers were soon observed sporting their cool-looking camouflage scarves by a growing number of GI's and it was catching:  American soldiers of all types were taken by the fashion statement, including select USAAF aviation units.  

The Normandy battlefield was littered with parachute canopies after the D-Day drop of paratroopers and cargo, with cargo drops continuing for some time thereafter.  Additionally, the Americans found themselves fighting several German paratroop (Fallschirmjäger) units in Normandy that also had ample stocks of their own unique camouflage parachute canopies at their bases, and German units were also supplied, at times, by air-dropped cargo hanging beneath camouflage parachute canopies.      

GI's of every stripe were soon found wearing camouflage scarves.  As the fighting spread throughout France in the summer and fall of 1944, GI's had turned the wearing of camouflage scarves made from parachute canopies into a fad, most especially, German Fallschirmjäger camouflage canopies.  The fad came to the attention of American command at least by late July 1944, and it was not welcomed:  an order was issued to discontinue the practice, but as photo evidence and documents show, GI's paid this order little mind - GI's disliked chickenshit orders.  Ultimately, by the time of the occupation of Germany in 1945, Fallschirmjäger camouflage scarves were actually being fabricated for sale to GI's!

We were fortunate enough to obtain a GENUINE WWII-issue German Fallschirmjäger camouflage parachute canopy; this canopy seems to be of early manufacture, as it clearly is made from silk and not synthetic fibers.  We're selling camouflage scarves cut from this canopy in the original fashion, as illustrated in our vintage photo of U. S. 3rd Army nurses in France, which is hand cut using scissors, leaving a raw, unstitched edge exposed on all sides.  Scarves will measure approximately 48" long x 12" wide, perfect for forming a scarf or kerchief to add that extra level of battlefield chic to your wardrobe.   Our stock is available until the canopy is exhausted - this is GENUINE WWII - so get them while you can!!!

Special thanks to our good friend and researcher, Mr. Thomas H. Kelly, for finding and providing the photo of U. S. 3rd Army nurses in France cutting up a German Fallschirmjäger camouflage parachute canopy and the U. S. Army HQ order to discontinue the practice of wearing parachute canopies turned into scarves.

This is a Sun Surf Special-Edition Hawaiian shirt produced under their Duke Kahanamoku label.  The design deftly copies an original example produced in 1950 under Duke's own brand, but this print achieved more fame when it appeared in "Big Wednesday, the 1978 John Milius coming-of-age surfing film set in the 1960's.  Worn by lead actor Jan Michael Vincent, this exact shirt clearly ended up as the co-star of the film; the film is credited with the resurgence of interest in vintage Hawaiian shirts!

Special Editions are manufactured to degrees of authenticity that soar beyond the standard editions, fabulous as the standard editions are; each Special Edition is precisely recreated to match the vintage example it copies using yarns and dyes specifically reproduced to match just this one shirt style to utmost precision, and the rayon is screen printed using a filament discharge, just as the original examples of this print once were. 

Special Editions incorporate colors and color shades not found on the standard editions, thus providing for more precise color matching to the vintage shirt being copied.  Other original features include: two deftly matched invisible pockets, mother-of-pearl  buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that precisely copies the  original label found on this shirt with the legendary name of Duke Kahanamoku.  And to enhance the collectibility of this shirt, it comes in its own presentation/storage box.  Once produced, the special edition is retired from production, thus ensuring each is extremely limited in quantity made.

Sun Surf Special Editions are nearly impossible to obtain outside of Japan and we are proud beyond words to have been able to obtain a few of this shirt print that stands out as one of the most unique ever offered.  

To help preserve the fabric and colors, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan

This is a Sun Surf Special-Edition Hawaiian shirt, the design of which deftly copies an original example produced in 1950 under the Pali brand.  Original examples of this shirt are extremely rare, and the colors must be seen in person to be appreciated fully:  This is the most colorful offering we have!

Special Editions are manufactured to degrees of authenticity that soar beyond the standard editions, fabulous as the standard editions are; each Special Edition is precisely recreated to match the vintage example it copies using yarns and dyes specifically reproduced to match just this one shirt style to utmost precision, and the rayon is screen printed using a filament discharge, just as the original examples of this print once were. 

Special Editions incorporate colors and color shades not found on the standard editions, thus providing for more precise color matching to the vintage shirt being copied.  Other original features include: one deftly matched invisible pocket, genuine wooden buttons that precisely match those found on the original shirt, and a label that precisely copies the  original label found on this shirt.  And to enhance the collectibility of this shirt, it comes in its own presentation/storage box.  Once produced, the special edition is retired from production, thus ensuring each is extremely limited in quantity made.

Sun Surf Special Editions are nearly impossible to obtain outside of Japan and we are proud beyond words to have been able to obtain a few of this shirt print that stands out as one of the most unique ever offered.  

To help preserve the fabric and colors, dry cleaning is the only laundering method endorsed by the manufacturer.

Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan