Cockpit USA – Men’s Mountain Ranger Parka And G-1 Flight Jacket Review
The story behind Cockpit USA starts in 1975 with a seasoned Warbird pilot, Jeff Clyman, and his father’s Army Air Corps aviator jacket. After receiving a wave of attention over the jacket at a WWII era aircraft show, the company took flight.
For the past 43 years and counting, Cockpit USA has brought the finest American Made aviation apparel and genuine historical military fashion to life.
They’ve also invested a wealth of time into perfecting the production methods, sourcing lost records, exploring authentic materials, etc. while working from the original A-2, G-1 and B-3 jacket designs.
By doing so, Cockpit USA has managed to become an official government supplier registered with the US Dept. of Defense, selling their A-2 flight jacks to the US Air Force. Of course, it was only natural for other government agencies to follow, including the US Navy, NASA, US Army, international armed forces, and so on.
When the 1980s rolled around, you could find Cockpit USA jackets in the ever popular, “Top Gun” and “The Right Stuff” movies by Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures. Even Sylvester Stallone can be seen wearing his B-3 Shearling in the film Rocky III.
Today, you can find the same hardy, combat-ready construction, and functionality in every single piece that comes out of their New Jersey garment factory.
Luckily, I had a chance to give their Made in the USA outwear a try on and opted to give the men’s mountain ranger parka and G-1 flight jacket with removable fur collar a review. Below, you’ll find my impression on each jacket alongside why I see each piece as genuinely remarkable to own.
Quick Highlights:
Men’s Mountain Ranger Parka
- Modernized military classic Inspired by the USAF N3B Parka
- Water Repellant, durable waxed cotton construction
- Wears down gradually for q worn vintage appearance
- Poly quilted lining
- Two-way zipper underneath windflap with button closure
- Snap close side entry pockets
- Left sleeve pen/pencil pocket
- Double interior snap close pockets
- Hidden knit storm cuffs
- Slim contemporary fit but not too tight
- Available color options include navy and olive
- Proudly made in America
Men’s G-1 Flight Jacket With Removable Collar
- 100% Goatskin leather is lightweight, durable and tough as nails
- Smooth interior nylon lining
- Removable mouton shearling genuine fur collar
- Bi-swing back
- Front zipper over USN wind flap
- Double front flap pockets
- Side entry pockets
- Interior snap close pocket
- Knit cuffs and waistband
- Regular fit sized according to military specification (looser fit)
- Proudly made in America
Cockpit USA Olive Waxed Cotton Mountain Park Ranger Parka Review
If you look on the inside tag of the Cockpit USA men’s mountain ranger parka, you’ll notice the words, “Civilian Pilot Training.”
What does this mean exactly? Well, it refers to a program created in 1939 by the government which aimed to train civilians as pilots. By 1944 the program has done more than just accelerate the country’s entrance into WWII, in reality, it had managed to train a staggering 500,000 men and women to fly aircraft of all varieties.
Beyond the neat historical background, the Cockpit USA mountain ranger parka features a contemporary look fused with some elegant bits of vintage character. Inspired by their USAF N3B Parka, this modernized piece arrives with a super durable waxed cotton construction. While not only exceptionally warm to wear, it’s also water repellant and wears down over time to reveal a stunning antique appearance.
After putting on mine for the first time, the exterior felt somewhat stiff yet, the poly quilted lining on the interior offered plenty of soft comforts. Over time, I easily expect this parka to feel absolutely fantastic to wear.
To match the rugged construction, Cockpit USA has also included their wind flap covered two-way zipper and button closure, snap close side entry pockets, hidden knit storm cuffs, and double interior snap close pockets. Of course, you’ll also find an elegant touch beyond the above, with a handy, left sleeve pen and/or pencil pocket. Not to mention, drawstring cords and rear compression straps for getting the hood adjusted just perfect.
To make this parka boldly attractive, you’ll find an ultra-soft genuine fur collar around the holler. For extreme winter conditions, this is the one piece of outerwear I want to be equipped with. After taking the mountain ranger parka outdoors during our latest downfall of snow and frigid wind, it left me beyond impressed!
Cockpit USA Brown Goatskin Leather Men’s G-1 Flight Jacket With Removable CollarReview
While most notably recognized as the flight jacket worn by Tom Cruise in the hit movie, “Top Gun,” the history behind the G-1 Flight jacket is far more interesting.
The fur-lined World War II-era flight jacket made its first debut back in the 1930s with the U.S. Navy. Though it had been standardized as the M-422A in the 1940s, it wasn’t until after WWII for the jacket to take on the term G-1 to describe its unique style.
In the meantime, the Army Air Forces and the Navy began to replace the once beloved A-2 jacket with the M-422A. The non-fur-collared type took on the designation of G-1, though, today, it’s known as more understandably, the G-2.
With military budget cuts, the jacket has disappeared here and there, yet, it has always managed to make an even stronger comeback each time.
Now that you know the history behind this iconic piece of outerwear, it’s time to explore the authentic Cockpit USA G-1 flight jacket, complete with a removable fur collar. To start, you’ll find a beautiful 100% goatskin leather which is remarkably lightweight, yet, as tough as nails when it comes to durability.
A bi-swing back, front zipper over slotted USN wind flap, double front flap pockets, and knitted cuff/waistband, offer striking functionality alongside plenty of handsome charm. Combine it all, and you’ve got one piece of masculine outerwear that I’m honored to wear any day of the week.
When it comes to the interior, a buttery smooth nylon lining makes slipping and sliding this jacket on and off a breeze. Side entry pockets and an interior snap close pocket offer plenty of cargo capacity for all your daily carry essentials.
Regarding fit, expect it to run according to military specs; in other words, looser. After trying on the G-1 flight jacket myself in a 40, (About a 38R is my go-to), the fit was terrific.
To add to the enjoyment of wearing this piece, I found the removable mouton shearling genuine fur collar to be a treasure. To the touch it’s an ultra-plush feel, yet, the fur is densely packed enough to where the durability seems rock-solid. For removal, you’ll find two loop and buttons, alongside multiple snap tabs to make switching from cooler and warmer climate a near effortless process.
Overall, it really doesn’t get better than this American made piece of men’s outerwear. With a few extras over the mil-spec version of the USN G-1 flight jacket, you really do get the best of both worlds. And when you can see this level of craftsmanship and excellence up close, I can promise that you will never want to let go of it!
