Let Me Make the Case Why Leather is Better

Jan 11, 2022 | 0 comments

THE QATSPY® YORKER Personalized-Style & Tradition Apparel Quarters

I was asked to be an expert witness in a case regarding Fall Protection gear that we used in performing line work. I like always wore my US WINGS® U.S. A-2 Leather Flight Jacket that I don’t leave home without even on official business.

By: Charles W. Boatright

Let Me Make the Case Why Leather is Better: for wearing as a Sports Jacket that is Actually a Fashionable and Durable Jacket with Charisma  

Some Background History on the A-2 Leather Flight Jacket

The aircrew that few the 82nd and 101st Airborne troops in on C-47 Cargo Planes on D-Day wore The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket that is still being used by the U.S. Army, Air Force, and NOW the U.S. Space Force.

The U.S. Army Air Corps (a predecessor to the U.S. Air Force) in June of 1931 commissioned a jacket that would protect their highly trained pilots from future pandemics after the 1918 Spanish flu Pandemic. The 1918 Spanish Flu claimed more lives than were killed in combat during World War I.

What was developed was based off of the 1928 original motorcycle leather jacket that protected motorcyclists and drivers from the elements. This leather jacket was named Perfecto after a favorite cigar from that era. This jacket was sold in the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Shop in New York City.

The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket was first issued on June 09, 1931 to the U.S. Army Air Corps. Now, this A-2 Leather Flight Jacket is being issued to the U.S. Army and Air Force that also includes the Space Force.

Cooper Sportswears™ that manufactured some of the first A-2 Leather Flight Jackets for the U.S. Military is part of the US WINGS® Brand

Cooper Sportswears™ was one of the first companies that manufactured the original A-2 Leather Flight Jacket for the U.S. Military that is a vital part of our line of leather jackets at US WINGS and at THE QATSPY. We are proud to carry on the name of Cooper Sportswear that became a major supplier of the A-2 Leather Flight Jacket.

The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket, Always The Classic Jacket

The U.S. A-2 Leather Jacket has been a major part of our history (both military and civilian) since 1931 when the U.S. Army Air Corps developed and issued the leather flight jacket to pilots during World War II. A version of this iconic and classic A-2 Leather Flight Jacket became the persona of two legendary entertainers/actors- Fonzie in Happy Days and Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

In the 90- years since its development and issuance to pilots and elite paratrooper units, like the 82nd and 101st, it has changed little. That is the very definition of a classic- Form, functionality, and Iconic that provided protection from future pandemics. Pilots and paratroopers just had to use water/soap solution and just wipe down their leather jackets to sanitize their jackets. No dry cleaning needed. DO NOT USE ALCOHOL on any leather product! Saddle soap and water/soap solution are all that you need.

We at THE QATSPY® carries the line THE US WINGS® leather care products to keep your Leather Jacket and other leather goods looking great. I even use our leather care products on the leather seats in my Toyota 2002 Tacoma Pickup in the photograph below.
This was taken last year in February of 2021 of my 2002 Toyota Tacoma Pickup truck with everything original, except for the flood lights and brush guard that I added since I live on a farm in Missouri just south of Springfield, MO in a town called Nixa, MO. Our claim to fame is the home of Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon.

The U.S. A-2 Leather Flight Jacket, with its elastic cuffs and waistband, zipper with flap, collar, and the outer durable antique leather look, provided pilots and paratroopers alike with protection, not just against future pandemics like the COVID-19, but are FR (Fire Resistance) rated apparel. For people that work in industry and linemen, this is a huge importance.

The U.S. A-2 Leather Flight Jacket Always a Durable Classic and Fashionable

We in line work where I worked for 33- years as a grid engineer working with line crews; hook-up leather hooks and buckled on climbing belt. A part of our leather gear is our A-2 Leather Flight Jacket that is FR Rated.

Leather has always been a part of our climbing gear in line work, from hooks that we strapped on, to our climbing belts that we buckled up with for climbing. We also wore leather jackets, not only in line work, but welding as well.

The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket is more than a fashion statement; but a jacket that function in the real world.

No sports jacket can offer a person more than that which can go from the open road, where the A-2 got its start, to being the charisma-style jacket that pilots and paratroopers wore as a badge of honor distinction with their unit’s patches, including rank and grade. This A-2 Leather Flight Jacket can stand in line for inspection.

The Cooper Sportswears Line of Leather Jackets that includes the Fonzie’s, Indiana Jones, and the A-2 Leather Flight Jacket that kick start it all off.

If you are looking for a true sports jacket that looks great with blue jeans for a weekend adventure or with khakis for business attire, the A-2 Leather Jacket is your sports jacket of choice, for men or women.

The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket was the Basis for the Indiana Jones-Style Leather Jacket

The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket formed the bases for the Indiana Jones-Style Leather Jacket that Harrison Ford wore in the series of Indiana Jones Movies.

How can you ever imagine Indiana Jones who traveled on one of his archeological adventures without his Indy-Style Leather Jacket, khaki pants, and fedora? The answer is You Can’t! The Indiana Jones-Style Leather Jacket was based on the A-2 Leather Flight Jacket that Harrison Ford used in the movie in 1981. We supplied the Indy-style Leather Jacket to the studio.

We have three (3) Leather-style Jackets that you can choose from that includes: Fonzie’s-Style Leather, Indiana Jones-Style Leather Jacket, and the Classic itself, The U.S. A-2 Leather Flight Jacket. Use the link below to shop and to purchase from the comfort of your own home or office. I wear my A-2 Leather Flight Jacket, not just for flying aerial patrol or line work, but 10- months out of the year for my Sports Jacket on weekends or when traveling for business.

The US WINGS® A-2 Leather Flight Jacket is my Leather Jacket of choice regardless of wearing on the weekend with blue jeans or catching a flight out on business worn with Button-down Oxford Shirt with Khakis. Nothing can set you a part from professional apparel than the US WINGS A-2 Leather Flight Jacket. Please us this link to order one of our Leather Jackets.