Started by Ed Land in Kansas in 1959 Flite Wear by Land MFG would become widely known for making the flight jackets worn by NASA and other test pilots. Ed was initially employed by Fruhauf, a band uniform company and sometime maker of small batch flying clothing for the Air Force and aircraft manufacturers. When the Fruhauf owners threw away a government contract wanting to focus on band uniforms, Ed would take the contract out of the bin and found Land MFG, and it's brand Flite Wear. Flite Wear would most famously make the jackets worn by Astronauts of the Apollo era, but also manufactured for many of the aircraft makers of the age. This example is labeled to Douglas aircraft, and is likely from the very late 60s to early 70s. It came from the estate of Peter Bernardin, a Navy pilot of 27 years who then went to be Chief Test Pilot at Douglas Aircraft and later Boeing. Pete passed away in 2022. This has been in my collection for a year or two, but you can't keep them all!
Unlikely the USAF jackets, these are incredibly well made, and it's fully reversible to a bright indian orange - including the sleeve pocket.
Condition
Excellent condition, a few light marks to the shell, but likely would clean out with a good dry clean. Scoville & Conmar zippers all work perfectly and knits in great shape.
Size
- Tagged a medium long
- Fits medium/large
- Pit to pit 24"
- Shoulder to shoulder (approx raglan) 18"
- Shoulder to cuff (approx raglan) 24"
- Collar to hem 26"