The year was 1930 and the US Air Corps was looking for a replacement jacket for the A-1 flight jacket. With zippers becoming more reliable at the time, the decision was made to move away from the antiquated button up closure jacket. The new design would utilize a zipper and a leather collar. The pockets would be slightly larger and the jacket would have a windflap covering the closure to block out wind. An additional windflap was added to the inside to help further to seal out the wind.

A jacket maker was contracted to build a small run of prototype jackets to beta test the pattern and details. All of our extensive research points to A.G. Spalding as the maker of this early A-2 Prototype. Spalding was the only flight jacket maker that installed Hookless Rivet zippers without using the rivets. They were just sewn in. In addition, at that time, Spalding was a government contractor making leather helmets and other equipment for the US Air Corps and USAS. Spalding was also contracted to make a sample jacket for the Air Corps A-1 flight jacket test program, and it is very likely that they won one of the A-1 Jacket contracts.

This jacket can be seen being worn by some of the most prominent USAC pilots in the early 1930's. This concept jacket we have dubbed "The X-2" predates the first A-2 contract and was used to hammer out the features and drawings of the iconic A-2 Flight jacket. This jacket represents a bridge between the A-1 and A-2 flight jackets, possessing features from both jackets.
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Details:
1. The Jacket appears before the 1931 Goldsmith jacket.
2. Tall narrow buttoned pockets. Pockets are slightly wider than an A-1 and taller.
3. No epaulets.
4. 2 wind flaps, one inside, one outside. Hookless zipper without the rivets used (A Spalding Production Method)
5. No topstitch on the knits.
​6. Large collar with tall fold over. No snaps inside collar. Unique throat hook installation.
​7. Pockets have a machined button hole and a single layer of leather backed with lining, like the A-1.
8. Jacket is made of Capeskin. Evidence shown in the drape, graining, and pocket characteristics.

Our Reproduction is made with our Chestnut Capeskin, Wool Knits, Nickel 1920's Hookless Zipper, and has genuine casein fisheye buttons that match the original found on the jacket.

A.G Spalding X-2 Jacket

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