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 L-2B 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 Fruhauf Flying Apparel 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 was 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, dated 1967 and manufacturer by Skyline, is in good shape with some wonderful patches. The patches show a Captain with the 335th Fighter Squadron of the 4th Fighter Group. Something of a famous squadron, this is the direct descendent of WW2 Eagle Squadron, and the famous "Mig Killers" in Korea. Almost certainly the owner of this jacket flew F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam when the squadron was based in Thailand.
Condition
This is in used, but good shape. I've replaced the cuffs with a deadstock air force made pair and there are a couple of moth nips in the collar and waist, but nothing signifiant.
Size
- Tagged a size XL but fits a little smaller
- Pit to pit 25"
- Shoulder to shoulder 20"
- Shoulder to cuff 24"
- Collar to hem 24"