Help With Origins of This Jacket: Type G-2...

[Alabama Jones]

The first "Indy" jacket I got way back when was a heavily distressed brown leather jacket made by Schott and advertised as a "Raiders jacket". As I soon realized it was much different as it had elastic cuffs, ZIPPERED pockets and a double seam across the LOWER back.

Years later I got a jacket for Christmas from Spory's Pilot Shop. It was the same style as my first one and I was able to identify it as a Type G-2 jacket. (It makes a great cold weather/motorcycle jacket btw).



http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm ... &CATID=110

Researching a bit, I learned, G-2 was a Navy (I think) jacket that wasn't used much. But still, I couldn't find any original designs that matched up with the ZIPPERED pocket design.

Anyone know? I also remember President Reagan wearing a jacket of this design back in the 80's. Was this a modern redesign that just never took hold?

[guitone]

Flightsuite sells it as the raiders jacket...wonder what the difference is? FS better?

[Bushman]

The "G-2" was never an USN jacket. Some claim it came from a prototype transition from G-1 that was never realized.

The G-2, or "Raider," came into use in late forties/early fifties as a widely-distributed civilian jacket. I recall _ posting that Montgomery Ward sold them early on. (Search for his post.) A number of dealers have manufactured them over the years. I do know they have been very popular with helicopter pilots for years. So, FS is not far off calling it an adventurer's jacket.

The old Avirex G-2 was a pretty "bulky" cut introduced in the '80s. Your Sporty's, like the FS, is closer to the original trimmer cut. I prefer the trimmer cut.

I think it is a great jacket. You get the best of the A-2 and G-1 combined.

(President Reagan wore the Navy G-1 with the Presidential Seal.)

Bushman

[guitone]

Yea, now that you mention it I think that was the avirex model I had. I hate epaulets and this one did not have them, but the cut was very full. I like to wear a sweater underneath but it does not have to be as full as the avirex was...maybe I will get one of these and forget about the indy jacket, these are pretty cool.

[rick5150]

Just as a sidebar, a lot of products use the name "Raiders." It does not necessarily mean they are associated with "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Here is another from Lost World