The Complete Story of the Birth of the MA-1 Bomber Jacket

The MA-1 bomber jacket is probably the most famous flight jacket ever created by the US Air Force. In this video we look into why and how it was borne.
I'm a Tokyo-based vintage enthusiast and make videos about key vintage military garments. Coming soon: the B-2 jacket, the B-11 coat and more.
Follow me on Instagram: @lemenswear ( / lemenswear )

[@JB-1138]

What is that book you're referencing throughout the video? Where can I buy one?

[@HannibalsSurplusReviews]

Next do the CWU-45/P & CWU-36/P then after that the MCPS GORETEX with NOMEX fleece liner jacket seperate!!!

[@KRW628]

What is the name of the Japanese publication shown in the video? I never got around to buying an MA-1. I wound up getting a CWU-45.

[@rubenverheij4770]

. Thanks for sharing this info! Bomber-jackets* are my favorite jackets! For how they fit and for how they look. :) *B-15/MA-1 I did not know about this info (B-15/MA-1) till I saw this video. So again, thanks for sharing this handy-info. :)

[@KohiOcha]

What rating of denier was used? For the MA-1

[@alfredtyrefors3384]

Very interesting!!!

[@utonmuchtarkartiwa]

Interesting story

[@douglasnorby8385]

What kind of of ma1 you you get Ross

[@sawyermounce1927]

Anybody know anything about M90 pilot jackets?

[@sasha5320]

Thats how it was.💯👍🏻

[@jorgeramon6842]

De donde es y a como cuesta soy de Ecuador Ambato

[@zaxmaxlax]

What book is that?

[@pauldeegan6652]

The book's title is: 'Suit Up! The Flight Jacket' and it was edited by Kesaharu Imai. Published (in Japan) by World Mook (that's not a typo - it really is World Mook, not World Book) in 1993 or 1994. The majority of the text is in japanese but that isn't really important as the contents consist mostly of fascinating pictures of flight jackets, aircraft and other aviation artefacts.

[@zaxmaxlax]

@@pauldeegan6652 thank you very much. Still a litlle bit on the expensive side though

[@JB-1138]

@@pauldeegan6652 Thanks, I was looking for that information too.

[@theHerathrig]

I prefer a human voice.

[@JasZg]

Cheap nylon,it does burn...Why anyone on earth wanna this unquality alpha jacket?

[@JB-1138]

Nylon is lighter than leather. Nylon is rip resistant. Nylon is water repellent. Nylon is dries faster than cotton or wool and retains body heat better than either of those. Nylon retains body heat when wet. The list continues... Basically nylon was superior to every other fabric for the purposes for which it was needed. Even today most tactical gear for civilian or military use contains nylon.

[@JasZg]

@@JB-1138 Alpha industries makes potetic jackets.Only fireproof jacket is relevant and this crap isn't

[@JB-1138]

@@JasZg I made a big reply to your comment suggesting a jacket you might like but every time I leave the link it gets deleted.

[@JasZg]

@@JB-1138 probably because alpha industries is sh .t and even this stupid KZbin deleting it...You can't call yourself a spitfire jacket if you aren't fireproof..mor..ns

[@JB-1138]

@@JasZg I never owned a jacket by Alpha. I had a made in America official military issue flight jacket. It was good. What good is a fireproof jacket going to do if you're not wearing fireproof pants?