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DECEMBER 15, 2020

Bomber jackets are a popular style choice season after season, but they have prominent roots in American history as well. Beginning in the early 20th century, U.S. military fighter pilots have worn variations of the bomber to keep them warm in high altitudes and serve unique survival functions. Let’s dive deeper into the top three most iconic bomber jacket styles in military history.

MA-1 BOMBER JACKET (HERITAGE)

THE MA-1

The MA-1 bomber jacket, which was introduced to the US Air Force in the 1950s, was an iconic jacket for the Jet Age and remains a classic over 60 years later. Designed for pilots, it can withstand extremely cold climates, with temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius.

While pilots wore a few variations of the bomber throughout the ‘40s and ‘50s, the MA-1 design is the classic we know today. In 1963, Alpha Industries began producing the MA-1 jacket, which included a new, bright orange lining that could be reversed to become the outer shell. This unique feature served to make pilots more visible to find in the event of a plane crash.

The MA-1 bomber was officially retired from military use after more than a decade, but it has become an iconic staple of mainstream fashion.

MA-1 BOMBER JACKET (HERITAGE)

CWU 45/P JACKET (HERITAGE)

THE CWU-45/P

The US military bomber jacket received a major update with the CWU-45/P, which replaced the nylon that comprised the outer shell with a flame-resistant material called Nomex. It was built to withstand extremely cold temperatures as well (“CWU” stands for “cold weather uniform”).

The pockets also received an upgrade to keep their functionality but to discourage pilots from walking around with their hands in their pockets, so they were placed higher on the jacket with the opening at more of an angle. The new pockets also included a velcro closure to prevent FOD (foreign object damage).

The CWU-45/P bomber jacket and its warm-weather version, the CWU 36/P, serve as part of the current military flight uniform.

CWU 45/P JACKET (HERITAGE)

B-15 BOMBER JACKET (HERITAGE)

THE B-15

The B-15 Bomber Jacket first issued in 1944, was one of the nylon bomber jackets that replaced heavy leather jackets previously used by pilots.

The B-15 bomber jacket was issued to U.S. Army Air and U.S. Air Forces from 1940s to 1952. The B-15D was the last revision of the style. By the late 1940s the B-15´s mouton fur collar was found to interfere with new helmets issued to air crews flying advanced jet aircraft. The B-15 was modified by substituting a knit collar for the fur collar. Beginning in 1950, the B-15 was phased out and replaced by the MA-1 flight jacket.

Fun fact: the webbing on the left front chest was used by pilots to clip their oxygen masks during taxing.