U.S. Air Force Issue · 21st Century A-2 Z21V41
Cockpit USA USAF A-2 Black
Goatskin Leather Flight Jacket
$21,815.00
The Army Air Corps jacket of 1931, rebuilt to the U.S. Air Force's modern specification — 2.75 oz military-spec goatskin in black, 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.
Mil-spec goatskin.
2.75 oz chrome-tanned goatskin in black — built to the current DoD specification.
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 · black
The current spec. In black.
The same 2.75 oz (1.1mm) chrome-tanned military-spec goatskin as the USAF Brown — in black.
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 Black, off duty
Fit
True to size. Room to move.
Updated fit adds room through the chest — order your normal chest size.
Measurements
The A-2 Family
Choose your A-2.
USAF A-2 Black
The current spec, in black
$21,815.00
You’re looking at it
Before you fly.
What's different from the Brown?
Color only — same 2.75 oz goatskin, same 21st Century construction, same fit.
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.
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; this version wears the pattern in black.
2.75 oz chrome-tanned goatskin — scalloped flap pocket, black
The Material
Military-spec goatskin.
In black.
The original 1931 A-2 was horsehide with a cotton lining. Today the approved standard is goatskin — and this is the same 2.75 oz (1.1mm) chrome-tanned hide as the USAF Brown, finished in black.
Inside: the 21st Century interior — twin chest pockets, double pen pocket — under a brass front zipper and 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 — here in black.
The 21st Century interior — pockets and Cockpit USA label
The 21st Century A-2 Black, off duty
The Details
Spec details, down to the snaps.
Scalloped flap pockets — hidden side entry along the seam
Brass zipper · 21st Century interior storage
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.
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.
The A-2 Family
Three A-2s. One pattern.
What Customers Say
Questions
Before you fly.
What's different from the USAF A-2 Brown?
Color only. Same 2.75 oz chrome-tanned goatskin, same 21st Century construction and updates, same true-to-size fit.
Is this historically accurate?
It follows the Type A-2 pattern standardized on 9 May 1931 (spec 94-3040), in the USAF's modern configuration — built to current military contract specifications by an authorized DoD contractor. Black is a civilian finish; the service classic is seal brown.
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.
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 — order your normal chest size.
Made in USA?
Yes — cut and sewn in the USA by Cockpit USA, an official U.S. government supplier.
