U.S. Air Force Issue · 21st Century A-2 Z21V41
Cockpit USA USAF A-2
Goatskin Leather Flight Jacket
$609.00
The Army Air Corps jacket of 1931, rebuilt to the U.S. Air Force's modern specification — military-spec goatskin, one-piece back, and the pilot-requested updates of the 21st Century A-2. Built by an official U.S. government supplier. Made in the USA.
Fit — Regular Fit · True to Size
The 21st Century A-2 adds room through the chest compared to vintage proportions — order your normal chest size. Size 40 fits a 41–43 inch chest.
U.S. Air Force Issue · Z21V41
Cockpit USA USAF A-2
$609.00
Mil-spec goatskin.
2.75 oz chrome-tanned goatskin — the current approved USAF material standard.
Pilot-updated.
One-piece back, hidden side-entry pockets, interior storage — the updates Air Force pilots asked for.
Made in America.
Built in the USA by Cockpit USA — whose A-2 flight jackets the U.S. Air Force itself has bought.
2.75 oz chrome-tanned goatskin · seal brown
The current USAF standard.
Cockpit USA cuts this jacket from 2.75 oz (1.1mm) chrome-tanned goatskin — the current approved USAF material standard.
The Workshop · Since 1975
Part of the A-2's return.
When the A-2 came back for the Air Force's 40th anniversary in 1987, Avirex — today Cockpit USA — was one of the manufacturers still building it. The U.S.A.F. bought its A-2s, and the company became an official government supplier.
The 21st Century A-2, off duty
Fit
True to size. Room to move.
Updated fit adds room through the chest — order your normal chest size. Size 40 fits a 41–43 inch chest.
Measurements
The A-2 Family
Choose your A-2.
USAF A-2
The current-issue configuration
$609.00
You’re looking at it
What a fantastic A-2. The fit and detail, the goatskin leather, everything about it, is well, honestly perfect.
The attention to detail on this jacket, as well as the workmanship, make it well worth the price.
I own 6 different Cockpit USA jackets — a mix of G1 and A2s. This is my new go-to. Don't think, just do it.
The craftsmanship is obvious and the quality of the leather is too. THIS is what quality looks like.
5.0 from 1 verified Legendary USA review · 4.9 from 358 verified reviews at Cockpit USA
Before you fly.
Is this historically accurate?
It follows the A-2 pattern standardized in 1931, updated to the USAF's modern 21st Century configuration — built by an authorized DoD contractor.
Why goatskin instead of horsehide?
Goatskin is the current approved USAF material standard. Cockpit also makes a Horsehide A-2 in the original 1931 material.
Does it have handwarmer pockets?
Yes — hidden side-entry pockets along the patch-pocket seams, one of the updates Air Force pilots requested.
How does the sizing run?
True to size — the updated fit adds chest room over vintage proportions. Order your normal chest size.
Made in USA?
Yes — by Cockpit USA, an official U.S. government supplier.
More from the flight line.
Army Air Corps · Specification 94-3040
The jacket of 1931.
Updated by the pilots who wear it.
The Army Air Corps standardized the Type A-2 on 9 May 1931 — a fitted leather flight jacket with a shirt collar, knit cuffs, and a zippered, storm-flapped front. It flew through WWII until it was cancelled in 1943, and returned for the Air Force's 40th anniversary in 1987 — Avirex, today Cockpit USA, was one of the manufacturers still building it to original patterns. The 21st Century A-2 adds the practical updates serving pilots asked for — hidden side-entry pockets, interior storage, and room through the chest — without touching the silhouette.
2.75 oz chrome-tanned goatskin — grain detail at the patch pockets
The Material
Military-spec goatskin.
The current USAF standard.
The original 1931 A-2 was horsehide with a cotton lining. Today the approved standard is goatskin — and Cockpit USA cuts the 21st Century A-2 from 2.75 oz (1.1mm) chrome-tanned military-spec hide.
Inside: a military-spec cotton-blend tonal lining and a US-made brass front zipper under the storm flap.
Construction
Regulation, with the updates pilots asked for.
One-piece back
A clean, seamless back panel — the canvas WWII crews used for nose art.
Storm flap + snap collar
Brass zipper under a storm flap, with the A-2's signature snap-down shirt collar.
Hidden side-entry pockets
Handwarmer entries concealed along the patch-pocket seams — the pilots' request, invisible at a glance.
Vented underarm gussets
Airflow and full shoulder rotation, cockpit or street.
Interior storage
Twin interior chest pockets plus a double-slotted pen pocket.
Box-stitched epaulets
Reinforced shoulder epaulets, stitched to spec.
“Standardized 1931. Retired 1943. Reborn 1987.”
U.S. Army Air Corps specification 94-3040 → USAF 21st Century A-2
The Workshop · Since 1975
Part of the
A-2's return.
When the U.S. Air Force revived the A-2 for its 40th anniversary in 1987, Avirex — today Cockpit USA — was one of the manufacturers still building the jacket to original patterns. The Air Force bought its A-2 flight jackets, and the company became an official U.S. government supplier.
The 21st Century A-2 is that lineage in civilian form: military-spec materials, the same American workshop.
Mil-spec tonal lining and Cockpit USA authenticity label
The 21st Century A-2, off duty
The Details
Spec details, down to the snaps.
Flap snap pockets — hidden side entry along the seam
US-made brass zipper · mil-spec cotton-blend lining
Fit
True to size.
Room where you need it.
The 21st Century pattern adds room through the chest over vintage A-2 proportions — so unlike older mil-spec jackets, you order your normal chest size. Size 40 fits a 41–43 inch chest.
Fit — Regular Fit · True to Size
Order your normal chest size. Layering heavily? The chart's jacket-chest column shows exactly how much room each size gives you.
Full chart with all ten sizes (36–54) in the Size Guide. Jacket chest is the garment measurement; size 40 fits a 41–43 inch body chest.
The A-2 Family
Three A-2s. One pattern.
What Customers Say
5.0 from 1 verified reviews.
On Cockpit USA's own store, the Z21V41 carries 4.9 from 358 verified reviews — the most-reviewed jacket in this lineup. The themes: leather quality, craftsmanship, and a fit customers repeatedly call perfect. Legendary USA's first verified review rates it 5.0.
Based on 1 verified Legendary USA review and 358 verified reviews at Cockpit USA.
Honestly perfect
What a fantastic A-2. The fit and detail, the goatskin leather, everything about it, is well, honestly perfect.
Classic style, unmatched quality
I was lucky enough to live in NYC where they have a showroom and was able to arrange an in person fitting. I now have a beautiful jacket that fits me like a glove and will last me for many years. The attention to detail, as well as the workmanship, make it well worth the price.
My new go-to
I own 6 different Cockpit USA jackets to include a mix of G1 and A2s of different leathers and weights. This is my new go-to. If you're on the fence — don't think, just do it. Plus, your grandkids will fight over it when you're dead.
Questions
Before you fly.
Is this historically accurate?
It follows the Type A-2 pattern standardized by the Army Air Corps on 9 May 1931 (specification 94-3040), in the USAF's modern 21st Century configuration — built to current military contract specifications by an authorized US Department of Defense contractor.
Why goatskin instead of horsehide?
The original 1931 A-2 was horsehide; goatskin is the current approved USAF material standard. Cockpit also makes a Horsehide A-2 in the original material.
Was the original A-2 silk-lined?
No — that's a documented myth from an erroneous period Type Designation Sheet. Original A-2s were cotton-lined. This one uses a military-spec cotton-blend tonal lining.
Does it have handwarmer pockets?
Yes — hidden side-entry pockets integrated along the patch-pocket seams, one of the practical updates Air Force pilots requested.
How does the sizing run?
True to size. The updated fit adds room through the chest compared to vintage A-2 proportions, so order your normal chest size — no sizing up required.
Made in USA?
Yes — cut and sewn in the USA by Cockpit USA, an official U.S. government supplier.
