American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft: A History of U.S. Flyers' Jackets from World War I to Desert Storm (Schiffer Military Aviation History) [Hardcover]

Jon A. Maguire (Author), John P. Conway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1994 | Series: Schiffer Military Aviation History

This new comprehensive look at the evolution of the American flight jacket from World War I to Desert Storm addresses not only the types worn, but focuses primarily on the art and adornment applied to the jackets. The most colorful and creative period for flight jacket art was World War II, and it is this era that comprises a major portion of this book. Additionally, many of the pieces are attributed to the original owner with biographical information, contemporary photographs of the individual, and the aircraft on which he served. Personal combat accounts are also included. Also covered are other military jackets used by flyers. American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft was compiled over a number of years by Jon Maguire and John Conway. The authors became friends through a mutual passion for aviation history and collecting. This book provides a valuable reference for the historians and collectors alike, and includes over 1000 photographs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Pub Ltd; 20976 edition (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887405118
• ISBN-13: 978-0887405112
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,256,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WWWWWWW OOOOOOOO WWWWWWW !, September 26, 2000

By 

Eduardo Acosta - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Flight Jackets: A History of U.S. Flyers Jackets from World War II to Desert Storm (Hardcover)

Perhaps I enjoyed this book so much because of the fact that it's main focus is the WWII era of flight jackets and that is my favorite area as well. If you want historical jackets (KOREA AND WWII), get this book, but if you want just modern jackets then shop elsewhere.

If I had to be picky about the book, I would have to say that there were too many blood chits on jackets pictured and not enough pin-up work, but that's only if I had to be picky. The authors did their homework for this book as they don't just give you tons of photographs (BY THE WAY, THERE ARE TONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS) but also chronicle the jacket's history and when possible, the owner's history as well.

Fantastic layouts as the information is presented in a very professional and orderly way. They break down the jackets by theater as there's a section on the CBI theater, the European Theater, Korean theater, etc. Good paper and a nice sized book.

A bit on the pricey side but I still got it and I would still recommend it to the hardcore fan of the subject. May be too much cash for the casual fan.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent pictorial monograph, March 13, 2003

By 

Iain Williams "Iain D. Williams" (Hobart, Tasmania Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Flight Jackets: A History of U.S. Flyers Jackets from World War II to Desert Storm (Hardcover)

If you are interested in flight jackets, their design, styles and art work, then this book is for you. There are literally hundreds of colour and black and white photographs of aviator leather jackets. World War Two jackets are covered in detail as are Korean and Vietnam period flight jackets. The book is well set out, has large high resolution photographs and is a well constructed hardcover. The only fault I could find with the book is that in many of the photographs it fails to identify the jacket type and specification. It also does not deal with jacket construction or design. As with many of Maguire's books it has excellent reference photographs and information on who used or wore the artical in question, but fails to provide detailed information on the item other than the basics. Still, it is worthwhile addition to a library, although the book is expensive.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have, May 22, 2001

By 

Frans Hens (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft: A History of U.S. Flyers' Jackets from World War I to Desert Storm (Schiffer Military Aviation History) (Hardcover)

The reason I ordered this book is very simple: I'm an incurable nostalgic. Although I was born in a year (1960) not even close to the era from the great flight jackets, my interest has been growing since I started collecting memorabilia. (Books, magazines, newspapers, etc. from the period). As the owner of a (replica) A-2 jacket I decided I wanted to know more about them. This book has provided me with an excellent insight in the era and the men that wore the jackets. The sub-title promises a time span, roughly, from WWI to Desert Storm and although the emphasis is on WWII, the book delivers. Flight jacket buff and novice (like me) alike, this work takes you on a sentimental journey through the very interesting world of the American flight jacket. About one thousand pictures, most of them in colour and with great detail, show the flight jacket not just as a utilitarian garment but first and foremost as a means of expression and emotion. And that's why the authors shy away from quoting prices and don't talk about `market value'. Because some unscrupulous traders do not care about the intrinsic value but go for cold, hard cash, many jackets have been torn from their historical context and thus are lost. Not so in this book. Page after page of jackets, jacket art and the men who owned them. But not only leather jackets. Also all the other materials used in jackets are shown. (After the 50's, many jackets were made of other materials than leather). And some of the smaller details, like the lucky bells and the dinky whistles that some pilots used to hang from the collar hook of their jackets make even more interesting reading. The only thing I miss, is a summary of jacket manufacturers and some more technical details about the jackets themselves. Also, if you don't like reading a lot, this is a book for you. For all of you who are interested in a very special part of American heritage, or just want to know more about the flight jacket, this is required reading. To me: a must have.