I know, Avirex isn't a "good" brand, but this is the A-2 jacket that was issued to me, so it will always be my favorite. I think it's honestly a very nice jacket. A few notes/thoughts on it:
The best improvement that was made over the vintage jackets, and the 1st gen of the new/reissue A-2s, was the addition of interior pockets, to include specifically the two pen/pencil holders, which I've pictured. On our flight suits we wear the pens in holders on a pouch on our left arm. When I put on my A-2, I take out my pens and put them in those slots. Few things are as comical as watching one of the guys who was issued a jacket without pen pockets digging in their left jacket sleeve to try to get to their pens, or getting snagged up on their pens while donning/doffing the jacket.
Of course, the modern A-2 is NOT flight wear. It is specifically not authorized for flight in fighter cockpits. Mobility guys can wear theirs in flight. Old joke; you can tell a fighter pilot because his leather jacket is in pristine condition. We always wear our Nomex everywhere for convenience. The Nomex/CWU, being actual flight wear, does not have any interior pockets, since those aren't safe with harnesses and ejection seats. Just like the old A-2s, which were utility wear for under harnesses, etc. In a way I suppose the Nomex CWU is the utility heir to the vintage A-2.
An interesting thing about my jacket is that I asked for a 38S, and the supply guy brought out this one tagged 38XS. He said it was the only one with that tag, he had no idea what it meant, but I should try it on. I've never seen an "XS" since...it seems to be the measurements of a modern 38S. The Mil jackets come in L, R, and S, but not "XS". Maybe I have some kind of unique weird typo tag.
The best improvement that was made over the vintage jackets, and the 1st gen of the new/reissue A-2s, was the addition of interior pockets, to include specifically the two pen/pencil holders, which I've pictured. On our flight suits we wear the pens in holders on a pouch on our left arm. When I put on my A-2, I take out my pens and put them in those slots. Few things are as comical as watching one of the guys who was issued a jacket without pen pockets digging in their left jacket sleeve to try to get to their pens, or getting snagged up on their pens while donning/doffing the jacket.
Of course, the modern A-2 is NOT flight wear. It is specifically not authorized for flight in fighter cockpits. Mobility guys can wear theirs in flight. Old joke; you can tell a fighter pilot because his leather jacket is in pristine condition. We always wear our Nomex everywhere for convenience. The Nomex/CWU, being actual flight wear, does not have any interior pockets, since those aren't safe with harnesses and ejection seats. Just like the old A-2s, which were utility wear for under harnesses, etc. In a way I suppose the Nomex CWU is the utility heir to the vintage A-2.
An interesting thing about my jacket is that I asked for a 38S, and the supply guy brought out this one tagged 38XS. He said it was the only one with that tag, he had no idea what it meant, but I should try it on. I've never seen an "XS" since...it seems to be the measurements of a modern 38S. The Mil jackets come in L, R, and S, but not "XS". Maybe I have some kind of unique weird typo tag.
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