Cockpit USA Jackets: A Guide to the A-2, G-1, B-3 and Tanker Lineup
Cockpit USA jackets are American-made reproductions of military flight and field jackets: A-2 leather jackets, G-1 Navy jackets, B-3 sheepskin bombers, tanker jackets, and CWU-style nylon jackets. Each one answers a different job. The A-2 is the all-around leather flight jacket, the G-1 is the Navy's collared lambskin or cowhide jacket, and the B-3 is the heavy sheepskin built for freezing altitude. Legendary USA carries the full Cockpit USA jacket collection, and this guide explains how to tell the styles apart and pick the right one.
How the Cockpit USA Lineup Breaks Down
The collection runs across four families: leather flight jackets (A-2 and G-1), sheepskin bombers (B-3 and variants), textile jackets (tanker and CWU-55/P), and nylon flight jackets (B-15 and Navy fighter weapons styles). Every jacket in the lineup follows a military pattern, so fit, pockets and linings come from real aircrew and field gear rather than fashion cuts.
Riders tend to ask the same first question: which one is warmest? The B-3 by a wide margin. The second question is which one moves best on a bike. That answer is the A-2 and the G-1, because both carry a bi-swing or fitted back made for aircrew who had to reach for controls.
A-2 Flight Jackets: The Everyday Leather Choice
The A-2 is a waist-length leather jacket with a snap-down collar, knit cuffs and a straightforward cut. Cockpit USA offers it in several leathers, including the Flying Tigers horsehide A-2, a goatskin USAF 21st Century A-2, and antique lambskin versions in black and brown. Horsehide is stiff at first and rewards a long break-in. Lambskin is softer on day one and breaks in faster.
Our full breakdown of the leathers is in the Cockpit USA A-2 horsehide, goatskin and lambskin comparison, and the A-2 jackets collection shows every current option. A-2 tradeoff: it has no insulated lining, so it is a layering jacket in cold weather rather than a winter coat.
G-1 Flight Jackets: Navy Style With a Collar
The G-1 is the U.S. Navy flight jacket, recognized by its fur collar and quilted lining. The Cockpit USA G-1 Antique Lambskin uses 100% antique-finished lambskin, a removable mouton shearling collar, a polyfiber quilted lining printed with a pilot's escape map, a bi-swing back, underarm grommets for ventilation, and rib-knit cuffs and waistband. Cockpit USA describes lambskin as lighter and more supple than goatskin, which makes this the G-1 built for everyday wear rather than strict mil-spec authenticity.
The Modified Raider (G-2) is a related antique lambskin touring jacket cut slightly oversized for layering, with a European escape-map lining and a storm-flap zipper. Browse every style in the G-1 leather flight jackets collection or read the G-1 flight jacket guide for riders.
B-3 Sheepskin Bombers: Built for the Cold
The B-3 was designed for extreme cold at altitude, not casual outerwear. The Cockpit USA Men's B-3 Sheepskin Bomber is thick, supple sheepskin with a nappa-finished exterior, leather-welted seams, a double-buckle throat latch, a heavy-duty front zipper with an interior wind flap, side-entry handwarmer pockets and adjustable belted waist straps. Cockpit USA also builds hooded, black, 100 Mission, R.A.F. and Pearl Harbor reproduction variants.
Honest tradeoff: a B-3 is heavy and bulky. It is excellent for a cold, still morning and a poor choice for a long ride in a mild climate. For help choosing among the variants, see our guide to choosing a B-3 sheepskin bomber jacket.
Tanker and CWU Jackets: The Textile Options
Not every Cockpit USA jacket is leather. The WWII American Tanker Jacket uses a 100% cotton outer shell with an olive wool-blend blanket lining, a bi-swing back and a brass front zipper. The CWU-55/P cold weather flight jacket uses a military-spec flight-satin nylon shell (non-fire-retardant) with quilted poly-fill insulation. Both cost less than leather and take rain and scuffs without drama, but neither offers the abrasion resistance of heavy leather.
A-2 vs G-1 vs B-3: Quick Comparison
| Jacket | Material | Warmth | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-2 | Horsehide, goatskin or lambskin | Light (layer for cold) | Three-season riding and daily wear |
| G-1 | Antique lambskin or cowhide, quilted lining, mouton collar | Moderate | Cool-weather riding and commuting |
| B-3 | Shearling sheepskin | Highest | Cold, low-speed riding and cold-weather wear |
| Tanker / CWU-55/P | Cotton and wool, or flight-satin nylon | Light to moderate | Casual layering, lower budget |
Which Cockpit USA Jacket Should a Rider Buy?
Match the jacket to your coldest regular ride. If you ride in 50-degree mornings and want one leather jacket for most of the year, start with an A-2. If your rides run cooler and you like a collar and lining, choose the G-1. If you stand around at rallies, sit in traffic, or ride in the cold at modest speeds, the B-3 earns its weight. Check sizing against your riding position, not just standing in front of a mirror, since a flight jacket cut for a cockpit rides differently on a cruiser.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Flight Jacket
The first mistake is buying for looks and ignoring the lining. The second is sizing so tight that layering becomes impossible. The third is expecting a flight jacket to act like motorcycle armor. None of these jackets are sold as impact-rated riding armor, and we make no CE or abrasion-rating claims for them. If you want purpose-built protection, shop the dedicated riding styles in our motorcycle gear collection.
Conclusion
Cockpit USA gives riders an honest way into military aviation leather: real patterns, American manufacturing and a range wide enough to match most climates. Start with the A-2 for versatility, the G-1 for a lined Navy look, and the B-3 for serious cold. Compare them side by side in the full Cockpit USA collection, or see how the styles line up in our military leather jackets roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Cockpit USA jackets?
- Cockpit USA jackets are American-made reproductions of military aircrew and field jackets, including the A-2, G-1, B-3 sheepskin bomber, tanker jacket and CWU-55/P. Legendary USA carries the collection, which spans leather, sheepskin, cotton and nylon constructions built to historical patterns.
- Are Cockpit USA jackets made in the USA?
- Yes. The Cockpit USA jackets described in this guide, including the A-2, G-1, B-3, tanker and CWU-55/P styles, are listed as made in the USA. Each product page at Legendary USA states its country of origin, so check the specific jacket before you buy.
- What is the difference between an A-2 and a G-1 jacket?
- The A-2 is a waist-length Army Air Forces style jacket with a snap collar and knit cuffs, usually unlined. The G-1 is the U.S. Navy style, with a fur collar and quilted lining. The G-1 is generally warmer, while the A-2 layers more easily.
- Which Cockpit USA jacket is warmest?
- The B-3 sheepskin bomber is the warmest jacket in the Cockpit USA lineup. It was designed for extreme cold at altitude and uses thick shearling sheepskin. It is also the heaviest and bulkiest option, so it suits cold weather rather than mild days.
- Can you ride a motorcycle in a flight jacket?
- Many riders do, and leather flight jackets are a common choice for casual riding. They are not sold as armored riding gear and carry no CE rating from us, so riders who want certified impact protection should choose a jacket built and rated for that purpose.
- Is lambskin or horsehide better for an A-2 jacket?
- Horsehide is stiffer and slower to break in but wears for decades. Lambskin is lighter and more supple from the first wear and breaks in faster. Choose horsehide for long-term toughness and lambskin for immediate comfort and a faster break-in. Goatskin sits between them in feel.