Double Helix Type A-1 Leather Flight Jacket

Before the iconic A 2 became the standard flight jacket of the US Army Air Corps, there was the A 1. Issued until the early 1930s, it was the military's first purpose built flight jacket and established many of the design cues that would influence aviation clothing for decades to come. Its short production run means original examples are exceptionally rare today, making the A 1 one of the most sought after flight jackets among collectors.

Double Helix faithfully recreates the A 1 using premium full aniline tea core horsehide. Unlike pigmented finishes, full aniline leather is dyed without opaque surface coatings, allowing the natural grain, transparency and character of the hide to remain fully visible. This process requires exceptionally high quality raw hides, as there is nowhere for imperfections to hide. Double Helix further enriches the leather by adding oils and waxes after dyeing, producing remarkable depth and a tea core finish that gradually reveals warm brown tones as the jacket develops a natural patina through years of wear.

True to the original design, the jacket features a button front closure rather than the zip construction that would define the later A 2. Fine wool ribbing at the collar, cuffs, and hem is knitted with a textured structure that improves comfort against the skin, while custom Scovill snap buttons and nut buttons complete the period correct detailing. The result is a meticulous recreation of one of military aviation's earliest jackets, elevated through exceptional Japanese leather craftsmanship.