Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen wore a warm leather flying suit, boots, helmet, and goggles when he prowled the Somme in his blood red Albatross D.III. He shot down over 80 aircraft and had won the Ordre Pour le Merite when, at the age of 25, he himself was shot down by Canadian Captain Roy Brown near Corbie, France.

By World War II cockpits were enclosed, but still cold and drafty, so Luftwaffe pilots wore leather flying suits and jackets in their Me 109s, Ju 88s and He 111s. Today’s Tornado, Phantom and Eurofighter cockpits are heated and pressurized, and up to very recently, their pilots were issued these leather flight jackets.

The Luftwaffe’s Fliegerlederjacke (leather flight jacket) is made from grey goatskin with a wide knit collar, cuffs, and waistband. The collar is normally worn open but the jacket zips to the top of the collar, turning it into a warm turtleneck. In an emergency, the jacket can be worn reversed with the orange lining out.

Gibson & Barnes Luftwaffe jacket is made from grade-A, chrome-tanned, semi-aniline leather. The lining is comfortable polyester twill and the collar, cuffs, and waistband are stout rib knit. You can store your gear in the zippered chest pocket, secure your wallet in the inside pocket, and zip your sunglasses into the sleeve pocket.

The Military Issue jacket is just-as issued by the Luftwaffe with an orange lining and without the front hand-warmer pockets. The Civil version has a grey lining and includes two front pockets to keep your hands warm.

Standard Size Chart
Types Of Leather
Learn About Leather

Other items you may need:

Flying Scarves