Cooper Original™ Escape Map A-2 Bomber Black Leather Jacket

Cooper Original™ Escape Map A-2 Bomber Black Leather Jacket.

The classic black leather jacket is a timeless fashion staple. A classic A-2 that is a time-honored, quintessential military leather flight jacket. Our Escape Map A-2 Jacket has the contemporary look & versatility that made this classic jacket such a wardrobe essential. Retains the iconic look of the A-2, but in black instead of brown. Features fit & functionality upgrades over the original WWII version. Own the same black goatskin A-2 we supply to US Military and Auxiliary forces. Constructed from the highest quality materials to exacting military specs.

The lining is a reproduction of a WWII escape or evasion map, designed by British Military Intelligence (MI9). Also known as Bartholomew maps. Created for RAF air crews who might be shot down over enemy-occupied territory. Originally printed on parachute silk, making them silent, easy to carry, and durable. Our lining is printed on satin nylon and, like the originals, is a 3-color map of France with International Boundaries in green, Coastal Defense Areas, and boundaries between occupied & non-occupied France in red. A wearable piece of history!

The Cooper Original™ Escape Map A-2 Bomber Black Leather Jacket features:

• 100% Premium ultra supple black goatskin
• Military Spec
• Two front snap-flapped cargo pockets
• Side Entry hand warmer pockets
• Snap down collar
• An exterior wind flap
• A brass zipper
• An interior double slotted pen/pencil pocket
• Two leather trimmed interior wallet pockets
• One piece back
• Escape map lining
• Fit: Normal
• Color: Black

Although the pattern & color has been updated, it’s still unmistakably an A-2, the iconic jacket originally adopted by the USAAF back in 1931!

Also available without the Escape Map Lining is our US Wings® Cooper Original™ A-2 Black Leather Bomber Jacket

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.

The Modern A-2:

The A-2 leather flight jacket is an American military flight jacket. Originally invented and developed for the World War II U.S. Army Air Forces pilots. After a brief period of not issuing jackets to pilots, the modern A-2 was developed and issued. It was said that the popular film, “Top Gun” may have influenced the new A-2. The first Air Force A-2 contract was awarded to Avirex, but all subsequent contracts from 1988 to 1998 were awarded to Neil Cooper USA, now U.S. Wings of Ohio. The modern design differs from the original design in several ways. With a looser fit, made from goatskin in seal brown, side entry pockets, and an inside wallet pockets.