TYPE A-2 / JOLLY ROGER

The A-2 is perhaps the most iconic of all Real McCoy products. Made by a small team nestled within our Kobe headquarters, the jackets are produced using specially selected horsehide leather to exacting standards.

The introduction of the zipper marked a significant milestone in the evolution of flight jackets, with the first zipper-equipped A-2 debuting in 1931. While production ceased in 1943 due to leather shortages driven by wartime mass production, the A-2’s legacy has endured.

The TYPE A-2 / JOLLY ROGER follows our Model 220 pattern, a renewed cut for mobility and comfort. The stitching has been perfected to be thoroughly controlled, with correct thread tension allowing precise stitching on details like the curved pockets and collar. The thickness of the leather has been adjusted in areas where the leather overlaps to reduce bulk and increase comfort. A level of quality only made available with an in-house factory, where quality and character are valued over efficiency.

Adorning the jacket is expertly hand-painted JOLLY ROGER artwork, which references the 90th Bombardment group. Artwork on Type A-2 leather jackets became a hallmark of U.S. Army Air Forces personnel during World War II, serving as a form of personal expression and unit pride. Painted designs often featured nose art from aircraft, squadron insignias, or images inspired by pop culture, including pin-up girls and cartoon characters. These customizations would serve as a morale booster and would help to foster camaraderie within squads. It would also offer airmen a sense of individuality in an otherwise uniform environment

Operating in the Southwest Pacific Theater, the 90th Bombardment Group played a pivotal role in critical campaigns, including the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and operations over Leyte Gulf, significantly disrupting enemy airpower and securing key Allied victories. Their daring missions and precision were symbolised by their iconic insignia - a skull and crossed bombs - which earned them the nickname “The Best Damn Heavy Bomb Group in the World.”

The 90th Bombardment Group, famously known as the “Jolly Rogers”, was a highly distinguished unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Activated on April 15, 1942, at Key Field in Meridian, Mississippi, the group began training with B-24 Liberator bombers under the III Bomber Command. Key Field played a crucial role in transitioning the unit from formation to combat readiness, providing the resources and infrastructure essential for their development. After completing this initial phase, the group continued training at other southeastern U.S. locations before deploying to Hawaii in September 1942. By November 1942, they had moved to the Southwest Pacific, joining the Fifth Air Force and beginning their combat operations.

• 100% Horsehide Leather
• Horsehide, Vegetable Tanned, Pigment Finished
• Cotton Broad Cloth Lining
• 40s Bell-Shaped Front Zipper, Nickle Finish, Cotton Tape
• Wool Ribbing
• Cotton Sewing Thread Construction
• Horsehide Leather Patch on Chest
• Hand-Printed Design on Back
• Made in Japan