Leather Flight Jacket

The catalog copy for the new Leather Flight Jacket begins with a critique of the faults of the “classic Flight Jacket” without mentioning the previous Goatskin Flight Jacket from BR was an updated copy of the classic and had many of those same faults.

From the catlogue:” The classic leather flight jacket originally worn by Navy pilots (and now a collector’s item) had three limitations: the fur collar was occasionally too warm, the goatskin was so glossily finished that the jacket looked eternally brand-new; and there were no hand pockets (presumably because said appendages are occupied when you’re aiming a Hellcat at the flight deck of a carrier). Our own version preserves the inside map pocket, bi-swing back, and underarm gussets-but we made the sheepskin collar detachable and added side-entry pockets. We chose velvety lambskin over goatskin, then buffed it so the jacket looks lived-in before it’s maiden flight.”

The buffed lambksin Leather Flight Jacket replaced the Goatskin Flight Jacket in the Fall 1986 Catalog. The illustration by staff artist (and leather specialist) Peggy MacGovern is a stunning colored pencil rendering.