Original Design 04: Jacket, Flying Intermediate Type B-15
Posted on April 2, 2008
Filed Under Military Design, Feature: Original Design, Jackets and Shoulderpieces, Stone Island
The B-15 and its variants was first introduced in the early 1940’s and continued to see action well into the 1960’s. The B-15 jacket is among those with the longest history of continued service in the USAF, a service history of almost 20 years. Click below to read more.
Above: Jacket, Flying Intermediate Type B-15.
History of the Jacket, Flying Intermediate Type B-15
The emergence of the jet age in military aviation prompted a need for a new, more modern flight jacket. The B-15 was the USAF replacement for the previously bulky, leather flight jackets of the WWII era.
The first of the USAF synthetic flight jackets, the B-15 was ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter. These jackets were an instant success with aviators, as they afforded them far less bulk and considerably more comfort in their cramped cockpits of the emerging jet fighters.
Above: Jacket, Flying Intermediate Type B-15A.
The design of the B-15 introduced many new features, which can still be seen on flight jackets today. Including, a pen pocket on the arm, diagonal slash pockets, and a place to clip the oxygen mask.
Shown Type B-15A. Left: Triangle attachments for aviators to clip their oxygen mask to. Right: Extra long, synthetic storm flap to secure the pilots oxygen hose.
A new addition to the the B-15 type A were triangle shaped attachments where the oxygen mask snapped on to when not being used. Later versions of the B-15 incorporated a single vertical patch of fabric either on the left or right. The storm flap on the b-15 was designed extra long and included synthetic fur on the flap, not for warmth but to hold the aviator’s oxygen hose in place during high altitude flights.
Shown Type B-15B. Left: Shoulder pocket for pens. Right: Snaps at the side to secure the pilots headphone wires.
The B-15 was the first jacket to incorporate a side pocket for the specific purpose of holding pens. Another feature is the addition of two straps under the armpit that were were used to secure the pilots headphone wires.
Above: Jacket, Flying Intermediate Type B-15A.
The official lifespan of the B-15 designation was, however, rather short, being superseded by the newer B-15A specification in 1945. Still, the B-15 continued to see combat service for several more years. The B-15 and it’s A, B, C and D variants all saw action in the Korea War, and into the 1960’s, being used by pilots of both WWII era planes such as the P-51 Mustang and B-17 Bomber, and the newly introduced F-80 and F-86 fighter jets.
See the different types of B-15s below:
Left: Type B-15. Aircraft: Consolidated B-24 Liberator.
Left: Type B-15A. Aircraft: B-17 Flying Fortress.
Left: Type B-15B. Aircraft: P-51 Mustang.
Left: Type B-15A. Aircraft: Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star.
Left: Type B-15D. Aircraft:Grumman F9F Panther.
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Left: Type B-15D (Mod). Aircraft: F-86 Sabre.
Click here to view more Original Design Features
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3 Responses to “Original Design 04: Jacket, Flying Intermediate Type B-15”
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Great job as usual Gene! keep ‘em coming
Nice find G!
As fabio said, keep ‘em coming!
is the stone island version of this flying jacket available anywere.? think its the best jacket ive ever seen.