US Wings Cooper Original™ Flying Tigers Cape Buffalo G-1

Why Cooper? Cooper Sportswear has been in business since 1922 and supplied jackets for the U.S. Army Air Force and began supplying many of the jackets for the Flying Tigers in late 1941.

The Cooper Original™ Flying Tigers Cape Buffalo G-1 features:

• 100% Cape Buffalo leather
• Honey-colored vintage-style fur collar
• Two front cargo pockets with side-entry hand-warmers
• Interior pocket
• Brown satiny lining
• Hand painted leather patches:
  • 14th Air Force Flying Tigers patch on left chest
  • USAAF patch on left sleeve
  • CBI patch on right sleeve
• Optional:
  • WWII-style leather name-strip which will be embossed with your name (or any other lettering up to 14 characters in length) – no additional charge
  • Add Hand Painted Flying Tiger artwork to the back of your jacket – $850
  • Add Hand Painted Memphis Belle artwork to the back of your jacket – $650
  • Add Hand Painted Flying Tiger Blood Chit to the back of your jacket- $270
• Color: Antique Brown
• Fit: Normal
• Custom Jacket – Final Sale

Protect your jacket with our new jacket care products.

These products are all natural and hand made in the USA. It will help preserve your new jacket or add years back to your old one. Exposure to the elements and regular wear will dry out and fade your jacket. Replenish your jacket now!

History of Cooper:

Founded in 1922, Cooper manufactured raincoats for the US Army in 1917-1918 as well as field jackets from 1941-1945. On January 5 1942, Cooper was awarded the contract to produce A-2 jackets for the USAAF during WWII. In 1988, they were awarded a contract to produce A-2s for the USAF; the jackets were created using patterns from an original A-2 but were made in a fuller cut to accommodate modern physiques. In 1996, they were awarded a contract from the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) to re-design the A-2 into what would become the current military-issue version. Fit & functionality upgrades were made to this venerable Air Force flight jacket, including side-entry hand-warmer pockets and an interior pocket (which had previously only been available on civilian A-2 versions, not on military-issue A-2s), underarm gussets, and a more roomy fit.

Their contribution to the civilian market was no less significant. Cooper produced a range of A-2s, G-1s, Indy jackets and more to customers around the world. US Wings partnered with Cooper in 1986 and ending when Cooper ceased production in the late 1990s. US Wings is the official home of the Cooper name and we’re proud to continue the tradition of excellence. This line consists of classic Cooper jackets as well as a number of “new classics” that are sure to appeal to any leather jacket enthusiast. Rest assured that we’ve retained Cooper’s commitment to quality, putting only the finest materials and the highest level of craftsmanship into the jackets that bear the Cooper Original name. This ensures that our jackets will be of the same high quality as the original Cooper Sportswear jackets worn by your father, grandfather or even great-grandfather.

History of the G-1:

From the beginning, aviators chose leather for its warmth, durability, and good looks. Made famous by the AVG in China, and Hellcat pilots over the Pacific during WWII! The G-1 jacket is the USN and USCG leather flight jacket. Worn with pride by our Phantom crews during Vietnam. The G-1 remains a current issue jacket for officer and enlisted aviation personnel on flying status in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard.