THE QATSPY® The Quapaw Aviator Tactical Sportswear & Performance Yellowstone Outfitters Company
February is Black History Month– The history of the Tuskegee Airmen (A.K.A. The Red Tails) is a story of overcoming obstacles for the African-Americans airmen that wanted to serve their country like their brothers did, that were a part of the famous Buffalo Soldiers during the Civil War.
By: Charles W. Boatright
THE QATSPY/US WINGS® A-2 & G-1 Leather Jackets: Carries the Authentic Mil-Spec Leather Flight Jackets Supplied to the U.S. Military
Two of the most identifiable and recognizable leather jackets in American history date back to the early 1930’s that continue to be standard issue today for the U.S. Military pilots, aviators, and special units, like the Airborne. Both the A-2 and G-1 Leather Flight Jackets were designed for the rigors of aerial combat, even for the legendary Flying Tigers and the Tuskegee Airmen, shown above.
Both the A-2 and G-1 not only protected pilots, aviators, and Airborne units, but the A-2 and G-1 helped identify pilots and aviators when they had to bail out over enemy or foreign territory. The A-2 and G-1 Leather Jackets helped to identify U.S. Servicemen to the underground to help provide pilots from being captured and for safe passage back to their units.
The Classic G-1 Leather Flight Jacket on the Doolittle Raid in 1942
The Doolittle Raid, or the Tokyo Raid, was a prime example of how the G-1 Leather Flight Jacket helped avoid the aircrews that had to ditch in China from being captured after their bombing mission over Tokyo on 18Apr1942. The G-1 had what is called a Chit sewn onto the lining of the Leather Jacket, shown below, in the native language, like the G-1 used on the Jimmy Doolittle Raid when the crew had to ditch their B-25’s in China. We carry the G-1 with a Chit sewn onto the back lining. These are available for purchase by the public by using the link below:
The Basis for the Indiana Jones Leather Jacket Based on the A-2
The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket had it own impact in Hollywood just after Star Wars. The A-2 Leather Flight Jacket served as the basis and pattern for the Indiana Jones Leather Jacket that Harrison Ford wore that first appeared in Raiders of the Lost Ark and now in the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, See Clip, below, of movie trailer. Indiana Jones’ Leather Jacket withstood the rigors of cutting through dense, hot-humid jungles, navigating across hot-dry deserts, flying in the open cockpit of a biplane, or even riding motorcycles to escape danger.
Read the complete inspiration and history behind The Indiana Jones’ Jacket and Chinos Pants:
Inspiration for Indiana Jones’ Leather Jacket/Khakis
The A-2 Leather Sports Jacket is my Preferred Sports Jacket
Below, I’m wearing my US WINGS® A-2 Leather Flight Jacket where I’m on the tarmac of our airport. Not only do I wear my A-2 in the cockpit, but also while riding my INDIAN Motorcycle to and from our hangar. That same A-2 Leather Flight Jacket that pilots and Airborne units used during their missions serves as my go-to sports jacket for that perfect fit with khaki chinos or blue jeans and with a button-down Oxford Shirt for a classic look and feel, with or without a tie.
The A-2 and G-1 Leather Flight Jackets will be the only sports jacket that you will ever need to pack while traveling for business or for a casual weekend outing. This will be your ultimate sports jacket that doesn’t need dry cleaning and has that perfect fit that even typical cloth sports jackets don’t have. With little care needed, the A-2 or G-1 Leather Flight Jacket can go from business wear to sporting events and still provide you with carefree style, comfort, and confidence for men and women.
Like wine or a classic car, the longer you have them, the better they look and feel. The more you wear our A-2 or G-1 Leather Jacket, the better they develop that patina look and feel, as in the case of Indiana Jones expeditions or in the case of Maverick (Tom Cruise) in both TOP GUN Movies flying his F-14/F-18. The only care these jackets need is a simple wipe-down with a wet paper towel and an occasional application of US WINGS® Leather Care Products. I use these leather care products on my leather seats of my 2002 Toyota Truck.
Purchase Your U.S. Mil-spec Military issued A-2 or G-1 Leather Flight Jacket that we supply to all six Branches of the U.S. Military:
