Cooper Original™ 50 Mission™ Russet Cowhide “ACE” A-2 Jacket

Cooper Original™ 50 Mission™ Russet Cowhide “ACE” A-2 Jacket

Styled like the original USAAF A-2s from the 1930s & ’40s and is ideal for those who prefer a more vintage-looking russet-brown A-2 instead of the more ubiquitous dark brown coloring. Handcrafted from the finest full grain cowhide, which is known for both toughness & durability while still being very soft & supple. The leather has been shaved to reduce the overall weight, making it even more comfortable to wear.

What makes this jacket even more special is our red rayon “Ace” lining. While red linings were never a standard feature in WWII A-2 jackets, some fighter groups (like the 8th AF’s 56th Fighter Group) had a tradition of replacing the standard lining with one made from red silk when a fighter pilot achieved “ace” status (ace = 5 aerial victories). Our version is made from a silky, yet durable, rayon material and looks quite distinctive & handsome in this jacket.

The Cooper Original™ 50 Mission™ Russet Cowhide “Ace” A-2 Jacket features:

• Antique russet brown cowhide leather
• One-piece back and sleeves
• WWII-style curved pocket flaps
• Tone-matching knit cuffs & waistband
• Snap-down collar
• Stitched epaulets
• 2 interior pockets
• An interior pen/pencil pocket
• Hook & eye throat latch
• “Ace” Red interior lining
• Color: Russet Brown
• Fit: Normal

Protect your jacket with our new jacket care products.

These products are all natural and hand made in the USA. It will help preserve your new jacket or add years back to your old one. Exposure to the elements and regular wear will dry out and fade your jacket. Replenish your jacket now!

History of Cooper:

Founded in 1910, Cooper manufactured raincoats for the US Army in 1917-1918 as well as field jackets from 1941-1945. On January 5 1942, Cooper was awarded the contract to produce A-2 jackets for the USAAF during WWII. In 1988, they were awarded a contract to produce A-2s for the USAF; the jackets were created using patterns from an original A-2 but were made in a fuller cut to accommodate modern physiques. In 1996, they were awarded a contract from the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) to re-design the A-2 into what would become the current military-issue version. Fit & functionality upgrades were made to this venerable Air Force flight jacket, including side-entry hand-warmer pockets and an interior pocket (which had previously only been available on civilian A-2 versions, not on military-issue A-2s), underarm gussets, and a more roomy fit.

Their contribution to the civilian market was no less significant. Cooper produced a range of A-2s, G-1s, Indy jackets and more to customers around the world. US Wings partnered with Cooper in 1986 and ending when Cooper ceased production in the late 1990s. US Wings is the official home of the Cooper name and we’re proud to continue the tradition of excellence. This line consists of classic Cooper jackets as well as a number of “new classics” that are sure to appeal to any leather jacket enthusiast. Rest assured that we’ve retained Cooper’s commitment to quality, putting only the finest materials and the highest level of craftsmanship into the jackets that bear the Cooper Original name. This ensures that our jackets will be of the same high quality as the original Cooper jackets worn by your father, grandfather or even great-grandfather.

History of the A-2:

In 1931, the Type A-2 flying jacket was standardized by the US Army Air Corps. The A-2 is the successor to the Type A-1 flying jacket. The A-2 has sturdy snaps, reinforced pockets, snap down collar. It replaced the A-1’s buttoned front with a zipper for added protection against the elements in the open cockpit.