Flying Tigers A-2

In August 1941, thirty young Americans stepped off their transport ship into the steaming air of Rangoon, Burma. They were the first of 60 pilots and 300 ground crew who volunteered to fight in China. Organized into the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Pursuit Squadrons, they flew P-40 Warhawks from primitive airstrips in Burma and China and shot down 299 aircraft while losing only 12 P-40’s. These young Americans were the First American Volunteer Group, more commonly known as the Flying Tigers. Despite their spectacular combat record, the Flying Tigers were disbanded in July 1942. Many went home, but five pilots joined the Army Air Force, flying P-51s with the 23rd Fighter Group and still referred to as the Flying Tigers.

Our AVG and CBI jackets are genuine Type A-2 Mark 41 jackets like those worn by many Flying Tigers. They are genuine russet brown horsehide with wool cuffs and waistband, cotton lining and nickel zipper with bell pull.

AVG Jacket includes an AVG leather blood chit that asks Chinese citizens to help the American pilot if he is shot down, a hand-stamped leather nametag with your name, and your choice of a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Pursuit Squadron leather patch.

CBI Jacket (pictured above) includes precisely reproduced 23rd Fighter Group, China-Burma-India, and Army Air Force leather patches as well as a leather AVG blood chit and hand-stamped leather nametag with your name.