MA-1 bomber jacket

[1] The MA-1 and its predecessor, the B-15 flight jacket, were originally developed and needed at that time because the characteristics of the new jet aircraft created new requirements for pilot performance, safety, and comfort.

MA-1 jackets first appeared in Europe in very small quantities in the mid-to-late 1950s probably on the black market and at sales of government surplus.

The MA-1 was designed by the United States Air Force to serve as an intermediate weight flight jacket for use all year.

The lightweight nylon design allowed the pilot to wear the jacket open and be comfortable in warm weather.

Upon entering the aircraft, the pilot could zip the jacket closed and be afforded ample protection against the cold conditions encountered in flight.

Changes to the jacket were periodically made by the Air Force because of the introduction of new textiles, new sewing techniques or new aircraft cockpit design.

The green was eventually adopted because it blended more easily with the environment should the pilot need camouflage protection on the ground.

Downed or lost airmen hoping for rescue could reverse the jacket and reveal the bright high-visibility anti-camouflage orange as a locating-aid for their searchers.

During the 1980s the jackets had extensive exposure in style magazines such as The Face and i-D, often reimagined by clothing designers of the period.