Everyone who visits this site knows how much I love flight jackets, and you really can't get a more definitive pattern than the L-2B. Much lighter and (in my humble opinion) more wearable that it's MA-1 elder brother, the L2-B really is the archetypal jacket if you're into flight wear. And this is really the definitive version, when this jacket really came of age in the skies of Southeast Asia. So the story goes (and I may be wrong), in the late 50s the Land MFG Company (of Flite Wear fame) invented the rescue orange lining for its flight jackets. The Air Force had learnt hard lessons in Korea with the colours of jackets for downed pilots, and whilst green was great for not getting shot at, it also made it hard for rescuers to spot you. Earlier L2-B patterns had a green/brown silk lining, but in with this 1960 iteration the lining vwas changed to the now famous rescue orange, which could be flipped and reversed when the rescue chopper approached. A military classic was born, and a design feature that would go on to become a punk, and eventually, streetwear icon.
This particular example is honestly as good as they come. The patches tell a story of a pilot from the late 50s through 60s. On the left sleeve sits the classic F-102 patch, likely from late 50s. The two patches on the chest are something of a mystery. The tiger patch is amazing, and I think likely from a 'flight' within a squadron. If I can't identify them, these patches are very rare.
Condition
This is in amazing shape, a few marks to the nylon that would like come out in the wash and two tiny pulls in the knits. Zipper works perfectly.
Size
- Tagged a size medium and fits true to size
- Pit to pit 22"
- Shoulder to shoulder 19"
- Shoulder to cuff 24"
- Collar to hem 24"