The Buzz Rickson's BR80644 Type A-2 is a faithful reconstruction of the 1941 Aero Leather Company jacket from their fifth production lot, manufactured under Contract No. W535 AC-21996. Aero Leather distinguished itself among U.S. military contractors with seven total deliveries — more than most — demonstrating superior technology and production capacity for stable wartime supply.

This particular model marked a significant design evolution, eliminating the stand collar featured in the previous four lots. The identical left and right front panel patterns necessitated horizontally aligned pockets for visual balance, creating the characteristic asymmetrical pocket placement when measured from the side seams — a subtle but defining detail of this contract. The pockets themselves are nearly rectangular with narrow bottom rounding, and the narrow stitching width on the front panels gives the jacket a sharp, precise appearance.

The hardware features ring stud snap buttons without rounded caps, which develop distinctive wear patterns over time — a detail unique to this production lot. Among 18 contractors and 39 production lots during the A-2's service life, only Aero Leather utilized red rib knit, creating the iconic contrast against the dark leather body that makes this variant immediately recognizable.

The outer shell is crafted from dark seal brown horsehide, selected for its density, wind resistance, and exceptional aging characteristics. Horsehide develops deep creasing, rich tonal variation, and a pronounced patina with wear — qualities that make it the leather of choice for authentic military flight jacket reproductions.

Buzz Rickson's executes every detail with uncompromising accuracy — from the pattern grading and stitch density to the contract label reproduction — ensuring the same authentic durability and character that define this legendary military aviation jacket.

Fit Notes: This jacket fits true to size. The fit follows original military specifications: short in length, straight through the body, and slightly boxy. This cut is designed to sit at the waist and works exceptionally well with high-rise jeans. We recommend taking your usual Japanese leather jacket size. If you are not familiar with Japanese sizing, as a reference, a size 42 fits similarly to a Western Large. As always, we strongly recommend checking our size chart and comparing it with your best-fitting jacket to ensure the ideal fit.