U.S. Army Air Corps Type B-1 Flight Jacket – 1931 Shearling Leather Aviator Jacket (Pre-WWII Pattern)

The Type B-1 Flight Jacket was the first officially designated shearling flight jacket adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1931, preceding the later B-2 and B-3 patterns.
Built for early open-cockpit and unpressurized aircraft, the B-1 was made entirely from natural sheepskin shearling, offering excellent thermal insulation with minimal bulk. It featured a button-front closure, high shawl collar with throat strap, and side waist adjusters for a close fit.
Unlike later models, it had no knitted cuffs or waistband, relying on the natural fleece to trap warmth. The B-1’s clean, utilitarian design set the foundation for all subsequent U.S. shearling flight jackets, blending function with classic pre-war style.