Buzz Rickson's BR80541 A-2 Horsehide Flight Jacket, 21st Bomb Squadron, Queen of Hearts Back Painting, Bumble Bee Front, Size 38, Unused

A Type A-2 flight jacket from Buzz Rickson's in dark seal-brown horsehide, painted across the back with a pin-up beneath the words Queen of Hearts and, on the front, with the lettering Bumble Bee and a bee emblem. Size 38, unused, hang tag attached.

The Piece

Buzz Rickson's is the Tokyo maker that has devoted itself to reproducing American military clothing with an almost archival exactness, and the A-2 is its great subject. The model follows the leather flight jacket of the United States Army Air Forces: a plain collar, flapped hip pockets, a centre zip, and knit cuffs and waistband in olive wool. The inner label records the type, drawing number and contract reference in the manner of the originals, and the lining carries the Army Air Forces wings.

What lifts this example is the painting. Aircrews of the period decorated their jackets with the same art as their aircraft, and here the back holds a figure in orange and cream, drawn in a long, confident line, with Queen of Hearts lettered in white script above her. On the chest, Bumble Bee is lettered in ochre beside a small painted insignia, the 21st Bomb Squadron reference of the model name. The horsehide is deeply coloured and carries a natural, uneven grain.

Measured flat: shoulder width 43 cm (16.9 in), body width 52 cm (20.5 in), length 64 cm (25.2 in), sleeve length 63 cm (24.8 in). Every measurement is taken by hand with the piece laid flat, so please allow a gentle margin of about 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1 in).

Details

• Maker: Buzz Rickson's (Toyo Enterprise)
• Reference: BR80541, Type A-2 No. 23380, 21st Bomb Squadron
• Shell: Horsehide
• Lining: 100% cotton
• Rib: 100% wool
• Colour: Seal brown with olive rib
• Artwork: Painted pin-up on the back; Bumble Bee lettering and emblem on the front
• Size: 38 on the label
• Shoulder width: 43 cm (16.9 in)
• Body width: 52 cm (20.5 in)
• Length: 64 cm (25.2 in)
• Sleeve length: 63 cm (24.8 in)
• Included: Maker's hang tag attached

Condition

• Unused, with the hang tag still attached.
• Very faint creasing from display, as recorded.

Condition grade N (new) on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.

Authenticity & Care

The Buzz Rickson's hang tag, the Type A-2 specification label, the Genuine Horsehide label and the Japanese composition and care labels are all present and photographed. Natural leather is delicate and may change in colour with light and humidity; we advise a specialist leather cleaner, a broad hanger, and storage away from direct sun.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Tokyo and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything before you buy, and see our published policy.

Every figure above is taken by hand with the garment laid flat, in centimetres. Lay a shirt or jacket you already love beside them and allow a centimetre or two of margin, the quiet safeguard on a final sale. Our size guide to tops and jackets turns pit-to-pit figures into US, UK, EU and Japanese sizes, and for anything it leaves open the curator team replies within one Tokyo business day.