The A-2 is the leather flight jacket the Army Air Corps approved for production in 1931, and a Cockpit USA A-2 jacket is a modern build of it. Horsehide is the traditional hide, goatskin is lighter and usually costs less, and lambskin is the softest of the three. Legendary USA carries the Cockpit USA A-2 line, and this guide sorts the models by hide, price and the buyer each one suits. With Veterans Day on November 11, it is also a practical starting point if you are buying one as a gift.
What an A-2 Jacket Is, and What It Is Not
The A-2 is a short, waist-length leather jacket with a collar, a zipper front, flap pockets and knit cuffs and waistband. The published history of the A-2 jacket describes the original as horsehide with a silk lining, approved for production on May 9, 1931. That pattern is why every A-2 looks the same from ten feet away, and why the hide and the build details are what separate one from another.
It is a heritage flight jacket, not an armored riding jacket, so it has no CE armor. If you ride in one, the correct way to add protection is layering: a Bohn CE-certified armored riding shirt worn under the jacket. Bohn is a separate brand that Legendary USA carries. Cockpit USA is also a separate business that Legendary USA carries as an authorized dealer.
Horsehide vs Goatskin vs Lambskin
Horsehide is the stiffest of the three when new and takes the longest to break in. It rewards that effort with a firm, creased look that matches the original jackets. Goatskin is lighter and softer from the first day, with a pebbled grain, which is why it suits riders who want to wear the jacket right away. Lambskin is the softest and lightest, and it shows scuffs and wear sooner, so it suits a rider who values drape over toughness.
| Model | Hide | Price |
|---|---|---|
| USAF Goatskin A-2, Brown | Goatskin | From $595 |
| Horsehide A-2 Leather Flight Jacket | Horsehide | From $740 |
| 40th Anniversary Horsehide A-2 | Horsehide | From $800 |
| Antique Lambskin A-2, Brown | Lambskin | From $895 |
| Flying Tigers Horsehide A-2 | Horsehide | From $960 |
The Models and Who Each One Fits
Goatskin: the entry point
The USAF Goatskin A-2 in brown is the lowest-priced A-2 in this guide, starting at $595, and Cockpit USA lists it as made in the USA. Goatskin means a lighter jacket that needs less break-in. Pick it if you want the A-2 look without a long wait for the leather to loosen.
Horsehide: the traditional build
The Horsehide A-2 starts at $740 and is the plain, no-patch version of the classic. The 40th Anniversary Horsehide A-2 starts at $800 and adds scalloped flap pockets. The Flying Tigers A-2 starts at $960 and carries an embroidered chest patch and a blood chit patch on the back.
Lambskin: the softest option
The Antique Lambskin A-2 starts at $895. It is the model for a buyer who wants a soft, worn-in look and plans to wear the jacket more on the street than on the highway. Expect it to scuff more readily than the horsehide.
Wearing an A-2 on a Motorcycle
An A-2 sits at the belt line and the knit waistband closes the gap there, which blocks wind better than an open hem. The cut is short, so it will ride up on a tall rider leaning forward on a cruiser. Leather gives abrasion resistance and cuts wind, but none of these jackets is armored.
Size so you can wear a sweater under it, because the knit cuffs and waistband do not stretch the way a loose hem does. Every product page has a size chart, and the measuring guide is worth ten minutes before you order. For other flight styles, see the G-1 flight jacket guide and the full Cockpit USA jacket collection.
Which A-2 to Buy
Choose goatskin if you want to wear it right away, horsehide if you want the traditional hide and will put in the break-in, and lambskin if softness matters more than toughness. For a veteran or a history buyer, the Flying Tigers and 40th Anniversary models carry the most story. Check the size chart, confirm the hide on the product page, and keep in mind that the jacket is a heritage piece rather than protective riding gear.
For the background on the jacket itself, Air & Space Forces Magazine published a history of the A-2 jacket.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Cockpit USA A-2 jacket?
- A Cockpit USA A-2 jacket is a modern version of the leather flight jacket first approved for production by the Army Air Corps in 1931. It has a collar, a zipper front, flap pockets and knit cuffs and waistband. Legendary USA carries Cockpit USA A-2 models in horsehide, goatskin and lambskin.
- Is horsehide or goatskin better for an A-2 jacket?
- Neither is better for every buyer. Horsehide is the traditional hide and is stiffer when new, so it takes longer to break in. Goatskin is lighter and softer from the first day. Choose horsehide for the original look and a longer break-in, or goatskin if you want to wear the jacket right away and spend less.
- Are Cockpit USA A-2 jackets made in the USA?
- Several A-2 models in the Legendary USA catalog are listed as made in the USA, including the Horsehide A-2, the 40th Anniversary Horsehide A-2, the Mustang Vintage A-2 and the USAF Goatskin A-2. Confirm the origin on the product page of the specific model before you order, because listings can differ between jackets.
- Can you ride a motorcycle in an A-2 jacket?
- Yes, people do, but the A-2 is a heritage flight jacket, not an armored riding jacket, so it has no CE armor. The leather resists abrasion and blocks wind, and the knit waistband helps at the belt line. For added protection, wear a Bohn CE-certified armored riding shirt under it.
- How should an A-2 jacket fit?
- An A-2 should fit close through the shoulders with enough room in the chest and sleeves to wear a sweater. The knit cuffs and waistband do not stretch like a loose hem, so size with them in mind. Use the size chart and the measuring guide on each product page rather than guessing from your usual size.
- How much does a Cockpit USA A-2 jacket cost?
- Starting prices in this guide run from $595 for the USAF Goatskin A-2 to $960 for the Flying Tigers Horsehide A-2. Price depends on hide, details and the size you choose. Check the live product page for the current price of the exact model and size.