Price: $190.00
(as of Jan 30,2023 13:40:26 UTC – Details)

From the manufacturer

Alpha Industries

In 1959 Alpha Industries was commissioned by the department of defense to design and manufacture high performance outerwear for the U.S. military. The company quickly became synonymous with developing the iconic MA-1, M-65, and N-3B trusted by soldiers, sailors and aviators to protect them from the most dire conditions across the land, sea and air. Today, Alpha’s mission is to protect and inspire heroism in all forms by outfitting men and women to realize their limitless potential.

Fabric

Shell: 100% Flight Nylon
Lining: 100% Nylon
Fill: 100% Polyester

Product Specs

Fit: Standard
Length: Above Hip

Recommended Weather

Intermediate Weather

Recommended Care

Dry Clean Only

Alpha Industries MA-1 Blood Chit
Flight Jacket

Alpha’s MA-1 flight jacket with “Blood Chit” sewn on the inside lining was a type of flag that contained a message in several languages identifying an airman as a U.S. Aviator if they were shot down, to aid the airman in avoiding capture and in being returned safely to U.S. Forces. A reward was offered for this assistance.

Sleeve shirring
Knit rib collar, cuffs and waistband
Ottoman knit cuffs

MA-1 utility pocket on sleeve
Signature red “Remove Before Flight” flag

Reversible orange nylon lining with the Blood Chit sewn into it

Alpha logo on zig-zag zipper extension
Two lower flap pockets
Two interior welt pockets

Product History

Introduced by the mid-1950s, the MA-1 became the flight jacket of U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots and ground crew. Designed for use in temperatures of 14-50 degrees F, the MA-1 had a 100% wool knit collar, waistband and cuffs. The MA-1 discarded the mouton fur collar of its predecessor, the B-15, because it interfered with the parachute harness worn by aviators. Other features of the jacket included a tab that the oxygen mask was clipped to, tabs to hold the headset wires in place and the original U.S. Air Force decal. These features were eventually removed from the flight jacket as it was adopted by other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and equipment for pilots changed.