Almost every aviator jacket sold today traces back to three military designs: the A2, the B3 and the G1. They were issued to pilots and aircrew in the 1930s and 1940s, and because they were built to keep people alive in open and unheated aircraft, they still work remarkably well on a cold street. This guide explains where each one came from, how to tell them apart and which one to choose from our aviator jacket collection.
The A2: the classic leather flight jacket
The Type A-2 was adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps in May 1931. The original specification called for chrome-tanned horsehide with a cotton lining; cowhide and goatskin were approved during the Second World War as demand outgrew supply. The design is simple and instantly recognisable: a shirt-style leather collar with hidden snaps, stitched shoulder straps, a front zip, two patch pockets with snap flaps, and knitted cuffs and waistband to keep out drafts.
Because it is unlined or lightly lined, the A2 is a three-season jacket rather than a deep-winter one. It is the most versatile of the three for everyday wear and the easiest to pair with jeans and boots. Our distressed brown A2 flight jacket follows the original pattern closely, including the hidden zip and snap-flap pockets.
The B3: the shearling bomber built for altitude
The B-3 came a few years later for the crews of high-altitude bombers, where temperatures in unpressurised, unheated aircraft dropped far below freezing. It is made entirely from shearling, which is sheepskin with the wool left on the inside, so the jacket is leather shell and insulation in a single layer. The hallmarks are a wide wool collar that fastens across the throat with leather straps, an exposed wool lining at the cuffs and hem, and a boxy, generous cut designed to go over flight clothing.
The B3 is the warmest flight jacket by a wide margin and the right choice if you want a coat for genuinely cold winters. Look at our vintage brown B3 bomber or the hooded B3 shearling bomber with detachable hood, both in distressed sheepskin.
The G1: the Navy's answer
The G-1 is the U.S. Navy's leather flight jacket, worn by Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircrew for decades. It descends from the Navy's pre-war jackets and is easy to tell from the A2 by its collar: the G1 has a mouton fur collar instead of a plain leather one, and it uses a bi-swing back for arm movement. Patches and squadron insignia are part of its character, which is why G1-style jackets often carry embroidered badges.
Warmer than an A2 thanks to the fur collar but far lighter than a B3, the G1 sits in the middle for warmth. Our maroon G1 style sheepskin aviator pairs a faux fur collar and lining with military-style patches in a color you will not see on every street.
How to tell them apart quickly
- A2: plain leather shirt collar, knit cuffs and waistband, snap-flap patch pockets, no fur.
- B3: thick shearling throughout, large wool collar with throat straps, wool showing at cuffs and hem.
- G1: fur collar on a leather body, knit cuffs and waistband, often decorated with patches.
Which flight jacket should you buy?
Choose an A2 if you want one jacket for spring, autumn and mild winters and you value a slim, classic look. Choose a B3 if you live somewhere with hard winters and want serious warmth without layering. Choose a G1 if you want aviator character with a fur collar but a lighter weight than full shearling.
All three styles are cut to be worn over a sweater, so follow our size guide and consider going one size up if you plan to layer heavily. Shearling needs slightly different care from smooth leather; our leather care guide covers both.
Browse the full range of aviator jackets and leather bomber jackets, handmade from genuine sheepskin and cowhide in sizes XXS to 4X.