Club Obi Wan

Hi folks

There is a popular opinion there that the Indy Jacket was based on A2 pilot jacket, modified for warmer climate. But recently I found the United States Navy M-421A summer flying jacket , which is surprisingly similar to the Indy Jacket. Basically the only difference is the half-belt on the back, and of course, material (it was made of sateen cotton). Please note the overall design, no windcuffs, shape of the collar.

Included pictures - modern repro, made by Real Mccoy

Sure could pass for a cotton Indy jacket.

What we know...

- The A-2 started appearing in the early 1930s

- The M-421A started appearing in the late 1930s

- The M-421A thus has the DNA of the A-2 in it; the A-2 being established for almost a decade prior

- Peter Botwright was absolutely thinking A-2 and working with A-2 designs when he made the jacket

So my takeaway is that an A-2 was the jacket modified to become Indy's jacket, but the look of the M-421A is no accident as it was likely using the A-2 design as a starting point. So it's absolutely fair to say the M-421A looks like an Indy jacket. I just don't see the link that it was the jacket, versus what we already know

Right. Basically an A2 with no knits to allow for the bag underneath, and the gun belt/whip.

The M-421A does make me long for the old khaki cotton Indy US Wings produced way back. I’d like a cotton Indy in khaki and olive drab with a thin liner!

The M-421A is a cool jacket.

Might just want to get one of these flight jackets. They are not too expensive.

Rob wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2024 7:29 pm

So my takeaway is that an A-2 was the jacket modified to become Indy's jacket, but the look of the M-421A is no accident as it was likely using the A-2 design as a starting point. So it's absolutely fair to say the M-421A looks like an Indy jacket. I just don't see the link that it was the jacket, versus what we already know

It could also be that way. In we are into biology, a jacket that evolves in hot climate will always loose wind cuffs to allow more air flow. Actually, I am pretty sure that cotton jacket would be more suitable for Indy in most of his adventures, but of course, not that cool.

for all folks who would like to try M-421A, I recommend Bronson Mfg version. it is much, much cheaper (around 100 USD), and with surprisingly high quality!

Velahrn wrote: ↑Mon Aug 05, 2024 4:29 pm It could also be that way.

I think so. On one side, they aren't going to reinvent the wheel. They're going to be aware of the A-2 - which had been successful for almost a decade at that point - and it's going to be in their thinking. On the other side, a flight jacket needs to be a certain length, ideally with pleats to allow movement, and if you throw in a zip and a collar, it's going to start looking like something between an A-2 and an Indy jacket, even if you've never seen an A-2 before. There's not many avenues to drive down. Plus, as mentioned, Peter said many times that he started with an A-2 style jacket

I note that this style of jacket has the diamond elbow patches like a G8 Type 440 Jacket. Nice looking jacket! W>

Illinois James wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2024 10:56 pm R

The M-421A does make me long for the old khaki cotton Indy US Wings produced way back. I’d like a cotton Indy in khaki and olive drab with a thin liner!

I have a Wings cotton in size medium hanging in my closet.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 10:43 am

Illinois James wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2024 10:56 pm R

The M-421A does make me long for the old khaki cotton Indy US Wings produced way back. I’d like a cotton Indy in khaki and olive drab with a thin liner!

I have a Wings cotton in size medium hanging in my closet.

Regards! Michaelson

I was pretty sure you did. I’ll admit I was fishing for that!

Let me know when it no longer brings you joy!

Of course there is always the Wested cotton Indy jacket. They currently sell it in dark brown and black.

Illinois James wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 2:41 pm

Michaelson wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 10:43 am

Illinois James wrote: ↑Sun Aug 04, 2024 10:56 pm R

The M-421A does make me long for the old khaki cotton Indy US Wings produced way back. I’d like a cotton Indy in khaki and olive drab with a thin liner!

I have a Wings cotton in size medium hanging in my closet.

Regards! Michaelson

I was pretty sure you did. I’ll admit I was fishing for that!

Let me know when it no longer brings you joy!

Charybdis wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 4:07 pm Of course there is always the Wested cotton Indy jacket. They currently sell it in dark brown and black.

The Wested cotton jackets are nice. I have an older one with cotton lined sleeves, which is fine over a short sleeve shirt. Also have the newer one with satin sleeves. They’re fine but in cooler weather, I reach for a leather jacket. Like many here I have too many from most makers, past and current.

A true summer jacket to me is a lighter color with some rain repellent quality.

Also have a dark green and a black waxed cotton Magnoli. They’re great in rain, but both dark colors. Waxed cotton is fine for bags and packs, but I really don’t like it in warmer humid weather (I’m really only gonna wear it if it’s raining).

The M421A sort of goes along with my preference as it’s a summer flight jacket, with lighter color and no knits to allow for circulation. Could just get one of those I guess and treat it with water repellent. There are a lot of good ones out there.

This jacket also has a great utility style which I like. I’ve never been a fan of the modern textile stuff for typical rain jackets but I know they’re really good at what they’re designed for. Short of being in a hurricane, I prefer my Adventurebilt to a hood!

So, trying to stay on topic, but a cotton Indy in the fabric of this flight jacket, khaki and/or light olive with waterproofing would be great to have in the car all summer I think. JMO