How can you tell if an A-2 jacket is authentic?

Check that the body is horsehide or goatskin, and that it has a collar, a zipper front, flap pockets and knit cuffs and waistband. Then confirm the hide is named on the label or product page. A new jacket will be a reproduction of the A-2 pattern, not a World War II original, so authentic means faithful to the pattern and honest about materials.

Was the original A-2 jacket horsehide or goatskin?

The original A-2 was horsehide with a silk lining. Some jackets made during World War II used goatskin, according to published history of the jacket. Both hides are correct for an A-2, so the question to ask a seller is which one it is, and whether the listing says so.

What is the difference between an A-2 and a G-1 jacket?

The A-2 is a collared, waist-length Army Air Corps jacket with knit cuffs and waistband and flap pockets. The G-1 is the Navy flight jacket, usually with a fur collar. If you want the Navy style, read the Legendary USA G-1 flight jacket guide.

Is a new A-2 jacket a real A-2?

A new Cockpit USA A-2 is a reproduction or modern version built to the A-2 pattern, so it is not a World War II original. That is a feature for many buyers, because a new jacket has fresh leather and a known size. Confirm the hide and origin on the product page.

Can I ride a motorcycle in an A-2 flight jacket?

Yes, but an 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 closes the belt line. For protection, wear a Bohn CE-certified armored riding shirt under the jacket.

Authentic A-2 Flight Jacket: How to Tell

An authentic A-2 flight jacket has a leather body in horsehide or goatskin, a collar, a zipper front, flap pockets and knit cuffs and waistband. Check those five things first, then read the label and the product description for the hide. A new jacket cannot be a World War II original, so "authentic" for a new purchase means it follows the A-2 pattern faithfully and says plainly what it is made of.

Start With the Hide

Close-up of the front flap pockets and goatskin grain on a Cockpit USA A-2 jacket — Cockpit USA Men's USAF Goatskin A-2 Flight Jacket, Brown

The original A-2 was horsehide with a silk lining, and some wartime jackets were made from goatskin, according to the published history of the A-2 jacket. Both hides are correct for an A-2. A listing that does not name the hide at all is a warning sign, and a listing that says only "genuine leather" tells you very little.

Horsehide feels firm and heavy when new and creases as it breaks in. Goatskin feels lighter and shows a pebbled grain. If a seller calls goatskin "horsehide", walk away, because the two are different materials with different price points.

Check the Build Details

An A-2 is short and waist length. Look for a collar, a zipper front rather than buttons, knit cuffs and waistband, and flap pockets on the chest. The knit trim is what makes the silhouette, so a jacket with a leather hem band or no cuffs is a different jacket, even if it carries the A-2 name.

Hide named on the label or product page: horsehide or goatskin.
Collar and zipper front present.
Knit cuffs and knit waistband.
Flap pockets on the front.
Seller states where it is made.

Reproduction, Surplus and Vintage

A reproduction is a new jacket built to the old pattern. Surplus and vintage jackets are older, and their condition and sizing vary a great deal. Cockpit USA builds reproductions and modern versions, and several are listed as made in the USA, including the Mustang Vintage A-2 (goatskin, $740) and the Horsehide A-2 (from $740).

The USAF Goatskin A-2 starts at $595. Compare the models side by side in the Cockpit USA A-2 jacket guide, and browse the military jackets collection for other flight cuts.

Red Flags in a Listing

Be careful with fashion jackets that borrow the A-2 name, with no hide stated, with nylon or polyester trim where knit should be, or with vague origin claims. Be careful with "military" labels on jackets that make no claim about the spec. Cockpit USA models name the hide in the product title for the jackets above, which is the standard to hold any seller to.

Also ask what the jacket is for. If you plan to ride in it, remember an A-2 is a heritage flight jacket, not an armored riding jacket, so it has no CE armor. The leather helps with abrasion and wind. For leather basics, see horsehide vs cowhide.

The Short Version

Name the hide, count the details and read the origin. A faithful A-2 in horsehide or goatskin with knit trim and flap pockets is the real pattern, and any seller who cannot tell you the hide is not worth your money. When in doubt, buy from a dealer who lists the material on the page.

For how the original jacket was specified and made, Air & Space Forces Magazine published a history of the A-2 jacket.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you tell if an A-2 jacket is authentic?: Check that the body is horsehide or goatskin, and that it has a collar, a zipper front, flap pockets and knit cuffs and waistband. Then confirm the hide is named on the label or product page. A new jacket will be a reproduction of the A-2 pattern, not a World War II original, so authentic means faithful to the pattern and honest about materials.
Was the original A-2 jacket horsehide or goatskin?: The original A-2 was horsehide with a silk lining. Some jackets made during World War II used goatskin, according to published history of the jacket. Both hides are correct for an A-2, so the question to ask a seller is which one it is, and whether the listing says so.
What is the difference between an A-2 and a G-1 jacket?: The A-2 is a collared, waist-length Army Air Corps jacket with knit cuffs and waistband and flap pockets. The G-1 is the Navy flight jacket, usually with a fur collar. If you want the Navy style, read the Legendary USA G-1 flight jacket guide.
Is a new A-2 jacket a real A-2?: A new Cockpit USA A-2 is a reproduction or modern version built to the A-2 pattern, so it is not a World War II original. That is a feature for many buyers, because a new jacket has fresh leather and a known size. Confirm the hide and origin on the product page.
Can I ride a motorcycle in an A-2 flight jacket?: Yes, but an 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 closes the belt line. For protection, wear a Bohn CE-certified armored riding shirt under the jacket.

How to Identify an Authentic A-2 Flight Jacket