The B-15 bomber jacket as the innovator

In the 1940s, Alpha Industries did not yet exist, so other manufacturers handled the production of clothing for American sailors and pilots. They followed standard practices, making jackets from leather for years, which were durable but did not suit everyone.

Alpha brought innovation to the flight jacket market by breaking with tradition and making the B-15 model out of nylon instead of leather. American aviation pioneer Henry Harley Arnold, a five-star general of the US Army Air Forces, supported research and technology development, and thus enthusiastically backed Alpha's innovation with the B-15 jacket. He did this not only because the finished pieces were cheaper than genuine leather, but also because wearing them was more comfortable and warmer for the soldiers.

Technological advancements also brought many changes to aircraft. The nose of the planes narrowed and the cockpit became tighter, marking the beginning of the jet aircraft era. Pilots needed garments that allowed them to fit comfortably inside the cockpit while providing good insulation, as their planes flew higher and higher. In the unpressurized, unheated cabins of aircraft under extreme conditions, temperatures could drop to -50 degrees. The jacket was extremely popular among soldiers; during the Korean War, Marilyn Monroe, who arrived to entertain the troops, also wore a B-15 model.

While the style and code name remained unchanged, the material of the B-15 jacket evolved. Nylon proved to be a good choice, standing the test even under extreme conditions. Originally, the lining was stuffed with wool, which was later replaced by polyester filling. This was much lighter and warmer than wool.

The B-15 jacket is the predecessor to the MA-1, which ready-to-wear fashion designers often copy, but the original is still manufactured by Alpha. The B-15 is a less popular clothing item, but precisely because of that, anyone who wears it stands out even more in the urban crowd.

The uniqueness of the jacket is given by the lambskin collar, whose elegance inspired the creation of many fur-trimmed jackets. The fur section is detachable. The functional buttons on the jacket were used by pilots to connect their oxygen masks and headphone wires. Alpha kept these accessories for street wear not just for authenticity, but also for practical reasons, as young people find good use for them to route their headphone cords.

It is durable and hard-wearing, while providing the wearer with a fashionable and authentic look. You can find this model in multiple colours in our webshop and store.