The MA-1 bomber jacket was developed in the 1950s in response to the changing needs of jet pilots. Before the introduction of jet aircraft, flight crews wore fleece-lined leather jackets, but these were too bulky and impractical for high-altitude, much colder aircraft. In particular, these leather jackets would easily get wet from rain or the pilot's sweat, and once at high altitudes, the moisture would freeze, making the jackets uncomfortable and ineffective. In addition, new jet aircraft were designed to be more aerodynamic, and the cockpits were narrower and more heavily equipped, making wearing bulky jackets difficult and risky.

In response to these needs, the MA-1 jacket was developed, a lighter, more functional jacket, made initially of cotton and later of nylon, a material that had been discovered before World War II and used for parachutes, but not for flight clothing until then. Nylon was durable, lightweight, and above all suited to providing protection from the cold at high altitudes. The MA-1 was also more comfortable, allowing for rapid, unimpeded movement, which was essential for the safety of pilots when entering and exiting the cockpit.

The first MA-1 jackets were distributed starting in 1956 to pilots and crews of the United States Air Force and the United States Navy. These jackets became an immediate success and were subsequently exported to Europe, where they appeared in small quantities in the late 1950s, probably via the black market and military surplus. In 1963, Alpha Industries won the contract to produce the MA-1, and the jacket began to spread more widely, also thanks to the subsequent export to Europe, which consolidated its popularity.

In excellent condition.

Made in USA.

Measures:

Recommended size: M/L

Length: 66cm

Sleeve length: 67cm

Width (pit to pit): 62cm

Shoulders: 45cm