A-1 with leather collar

[2jakes]

Charles A. Lindbergh (second from the left) in 1927 , looks to be
wearing the A-1 with a leather collar. On his left next to him is
Claire L. Chennault wearing the A-1 with the traditional wool
collar. Unless I'm mistaken & it's not an A-1…but if it is an A-1 ,
that's the first one I've seen of an original. Except for the one I
modified .

 

[Dr H]

More likely a private purchase jacket, I'd have thought.
I'm not aware that the issued Type A-1 (in the strictest sense, as opposed to an aviator's jacket from the '20s) was available with anything other than a knit collar.
I recently saw the following image of Lindbergh with a better view of his jacket (which has some unique details - not least the treatment of the collar and the cuffs)

 

[2jakes]

More likely a private purchase jacket, I'd have thought.
I'm not aware that the issued Type A-1 (in the strictest sense, as opposed to an aviator's jacket from the '20s) was available with anything other than a knit collar.
I recently saw the following image of Lindbergh with a better view of his jacket (which has some unique details - not least the treatment of the collar and the cuffs)

The one above doesn't appear to be leather , I'm wondering if besides leather ,
canvas or wool was also used back in the early days as well.

 

[Dr H]

Here the more usual shot:

Interestingly, when they made the movie (Spirit of St Louis, 1957), they put Jimmy Stewart in cloth (a poor replica):

I still can't get past the thought that it looks like the drape of capeskin though...

 

[2jakes]

Here the more usual shot:

This is the one jacket that got me hooked on leather !

On the photo below :
The pilot on Lindbergh's right has the A-1 with the pockets placed up high…or for a
more plain look or perhaps so they won't get in the way…tuck them in like the fellow
on the right.

While previewing , I noticed the " Top Hat " insignia on the left side.
Wonder what that would be ?

 

[Dr H]

The Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14) "Tophatters" are a United States Navy fighter attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. They fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet, and are the Navy's oldest active squadron, having formed in 1919. Their callsign is Camelot, and their tail code is NG.

Apparently...

'The Top Hatters'

 

[2jakes]

Dr. H ,
Thanks for the Info !

 

[ausreenactor]

Here the more usual shot:

This is the one jacket that got me hooked on leather !

On the photo below :
The pilot on Lindbergh's right has the A-1 with the pockets placed up high…or for a
more plain look or perhaps so they won't get in the way…tuck them in like the fellow
on the right.

While previewing , I noticed the " Top Hat " insignia on the left side.
Wonder what that would be ?

Interesting to see the internal pockets and collar snap? Could this be something other than an A-1, given the Naval squadron insignia? A 27-J-1 perhaps?

Couchy

 

[2jakes]

Interesting to see the internal pockets and collar snap? Could this be something other than an A-1, given the Naval squadron insignia? A 27-J-1 perhaps?

Couchy[/quote]

I believe it's an A-1…the buttons are still attached.
The pocket flaps either were removed or tucked in . Probably the
latter…but I could be mistaken !

 

[Dr H]

I'm not so sure that these are A-1 jackets. Couchy's point is that these are not patch pockets, but hidden with just the flap showing.
I'm more convinced of a separate naval designation. JC will probably know.

 

[2jakes]

I'm not so sure that these are A-1 jackets. Couchy's point is that these are not patch pockets, but hidden with just the flap showing.
I'm more convinced of a separate naval designation. JC will probably know.

You're Right
I didn't notice it until now…very astute observation !
What the heck is a 27-J-1 :?: I've never seen one .

 

[fleet16b]

Also if you look at the knit collars , they are not your traditional 2 button A1 collars but more like a varsity jacket collar

 

[2jakes]

Also if you look at the knit collars , they are not your traditional 2 button A1 collars but more like a varsity jacket collar

On TCM , a while back I saw a silent movie , " The Flying Fleet " ( 1929 ). Most of
the jackets were in the A-1 style. Even though it was in black & white , I noticed
the different color shades of leather that each pilot was wearing. Some were light ,
others were a darker shade of leather. All were very trim with deep inset sleeves &
appeared to be very soft almost like wearing a sweater. So I guess back then , there
must have been a variety of "A-1" style jackets besides the traditional ones that have
survived . I would like to know who makes an A-1 in the tradition of the early ones ?

 

[Dr H]

Also if you look at the knit collars , they are not your traditional 2 button A1 collars but more like a varsity jacket collar

On TCM , a while back I saw a silent movie , " The Flying Fleet " ( 1929 ). Most of
the jackets were in the A-1 style. Even though it was in black & white , I noticed
the different color shades of leather that each pilot was wearing. Some were light ,
others were a darker shade of leather. All were very trim with deep inset sleeves &
appeared to be very soft almost like wearing a sweater. So I guess back then , there
must have been a variety of "A-1" style jackets besides the traditional ones that have
survived . I would like to know who makes an A-1 in the tradition of the early ones ?

Good Wear - just received an early pattern A-1.

 

[2jakes]

Thanks …I'll be checking….Cheers !

 

[zoomer]

I think what you're calling a "27J1" is actually 37J1, the BuAer name for the A-1 with chest pockets and (usually) a rounded collar with a snap fastening. Note also the 6, not 5, button front.

The "Top Hat" fliers above were part of the Navy's 9 High Hats aerobatic team, founded in the late '20s. All were drawn from the original Top Hatters, VF-1B, assigned to USS Saratoga.

The picture with Lindy shows Lt(jg)'s Frank O'Beirne, L, and Fred Kivette, R. It was taken at the 1929 Cleveland National Air Races.

 

[Jeff M]

Love that Lindberg jacket.