Buzz Rickson's Men's MA-1 D-Type Flight Jacket, MIL-J-8279D Reproduction, Reversible Sage Green and Rescue Orange 100% Nylon Twill, Wool-Cotton Pile Interlining, Made in Japan (BR15930)
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¥104,600 JPY
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Buzz Rickson's Men's MA-1 D-Type Flight Jacket, MIL-J-8279D Reproduction, Reversible Sage Green and Rescue Orange 100% Nylon Twill, Wool-Cotton Pile Interlining, Made in Japan (BR15930)
Buzz Rickson's
This men's Type MA-1 flight jacket is made in Japan by Buzz Rickson's, Toyo Enterprises' military label specializing in reproductions and interpretations of vintage American military clothing. This model reproduces the MIL-J-8279D specification, the fifth version in the MA-1 specification sequence when the original MIL-J-8279 is counted as the first. Its reversible construction combines a sage green 100% nylon twill shell with a rescue orange 100% nylon twill reverse, reflecting the D-Type design intended to make a downed aircrew member easier to locate when the jacket was worn with the orange side facing outward. A 58% wool and 42% cotton pile interlining provides insulation and substantial volume through the body and sleeves, while a 100% wool rib-knit collar, cuffs, and waistband shape the garment at its openings. A reversible metal front zipper, a padded wind flap with zigzag stitching, snap-fastened pockets on both faces, a left-sleeve utility pocket, and a specification label positioned inside a pocket reproduce the practical details of this version. Its relatively short body, rounded sleeves, and gathered waist preserve the distinctive proportions of a classic MA-1, bringing its military construction and substantial feel into an everyday casual jacket.
Size and Fit Guide:
Gender: Men.
Fit: This jacket has the classic MA-1 silhouette, with visible fullness through the chest, body, and sleeves balanced by a relatively short body length. The rib-knit waistband draws the roomy body inward around the waist, creating a rounded, three-dimensional shape through the upper body. The substantial interlining between the two nylon layers adds thickness and volume, while the combination of dense nylon and insulation gives the jacket a noticeably weighty feel when worn. Rib-knit cuffs gather the sleeves at the wrists, emphasizing their characteristic rounded profile.
The shoulders are not cut excessively wide in relation to the chest, so the jacket does not rely on a pronounced dropped-shoulder shape to create its volume. Although the exterior looks full, the thick interlining occupies some of the space inside the garment. Depending on the thickness of your underlying layers, the actual fit may therefore feel less roomy than the flat chest-width measurement alone suggests.
A thinner jacket with the same listed width may fit differently because it has less material occupying the interior. Fit will also vary depending on your body type, the layers worn underneath, and your preferred amount of room. Please measure a similar insulated jacket that fits you well, ideally one with comparable thickness and construction, and compare its chest width, body length, center-back sleeve length, sleeve length from the shoulder seam, and shoulder width with the measurements below.
Our model wears Tagged Size M. He is 175 cm / approximately 5'9" tall, weighs 59 kg / approximately 130 lbs, and has a 91 cm / approximately 36" chest. For reference, he normally wears a US/EU size S/36. On him, Tagged Size M retains the characteristic MA-1 fullness through the chest and sleeves, while the rib-knit waistband draws in the lower body to create a rounded upper-body silhouette.
The following measurements show the garment itself laid flat, not the wearer's body measurements. Width is the straight-across measurement of the jacket and does not represent the garment's full chest circumference or the wearer's chest measurement.
In inches
Tagged Size S
Width: 23.6" / Length: 22.4"
Sleeve: 33.9" (25.2") / Shoulder: 18.1"
Tagged Size M
Width: 24.4" / Length: 24.4"
Sleeve: 35.0" (26.0") / Shoulder: 18.9"
Tagged Size L
Width: 26.0" / Length: 25.6"
Sleeve: 35.8" (26.4") / Shoulder: 19.7"
Tagged Size XL
Width: 26.4" / Length: 26.0"
Sleeve: 36.6" (26.8") / Shoulder: 20.5"
Tagged Size XXL (2XL)
Width: 27.6" / Length: 26.8"
Sleeve: 37.4" (27.2") / Shoulder: 21.3"
Tagged Size XXXL (3XL)
Width: 28.3" / Length: 26.8"
Sleeve: 38.2" (27.6") / Shoulder: 21.7"
In centimeters
Tagged Size S
Width: 60cm / Length: 57cm
Sleeve: 86cm (64cm) / Shoulder: 46cm
Tagged Size M
Width: 62cm / Length: 62cm
Sleeve: 89cm (66cm) / Shoulder: 48cm
Tagged Size L
Width: 66cm / Length: 65cm
Sleeve: 91cm (67cm) / Shoulder: 50cm
Tagged Size XL
Width: 67cm / Length: 66cm
Sleeve: 93cm (68cm) / Shoulder: 52cm
Tagged Size XXL (2XL)
Width: 70cm / Length: 68cm
Sleeve: 95cm (69cm) / Shoulder: 54cm
Tagged Size XXXL (3XL)
Width: 72cm / Length: 68cm
Sleeve: 97cm (70cm) / Shoulder: 55cm
[How We Measure the Actual Garment]
Width (Chest Width / Half Chest): Measured with the jacket laid flat, straight across from side to side approximately 3cm (about 1.2 in.) below the underarms. This is a flat width measurement, not the garment's full chest circumference or the wearer's chest measurement.
Length (Body Length): Measured down the back from the base of the collar, at the seam where the collar joins the body, to the bottom edge of the rib-knit waistband. The waistband is included, but the height of the collar is not.
Sleeve (Center-Back Sleeve Length): The first sleeve measurement is taken from the center back at the base of the collar seam, across the shoulder, and down to the end of the cuff. The full length of the rib-knit cuff is included.
Sleeve in Parentheses (Sleeve Length from Shoulder Seam): The measurement in parentheses is taken from the top of the shoulder seam down to the end of the cuff. The full length of the rib-knit cuff is included.
Shoulder (Shoulder Width): Measured straight across from one shoulder seam to the other.
Made in Japan.
- Brand new and unused.
- All measurements are taken by hand with the garment laid flat, using a measuring tape.
- Slight measurement differences may occur due to individual garment variations and the measuring method.
- Actual color may vary slightly from the photos due to lighting conditions and individual screen settings.
MA-1 Development and Specification Changes
The Type MA-1 was developed from the Type B-15 series beginning in the early 1950s and adopted by the U.S. Air Force in the mid-1950s as a flight jacket for the intermediate temperature zone. As jet aircraft and associated flight equipment evolved, hard flight helmets became part of aircrew equipment, creating a need to reconsider the collar area of the jacket. The MA-1 replaced the large mouton collar associated with the B-15 series with a rib-knit collar designed to reduce interference with the helmet.
Its basic construction combined a nylon shell with an insulating interlining, while successive specification revisions adapted the details to changing equipment and operational requirements. The sequence progressed from MIL-J-8279 through MIL-J-8279A, MIL-J-8279B, MIL-J-8279C, MIL-J-8279D, MIL-J-8279E, and MIL-J-8279F. The shape of the wind flap's upper end became rounded from the A-Type onward. The B-Type omitted the oxygen-hose retaining tab and the loops used to secure aircraft communication cords.
The D-Type introduced the reversible arrangement with a rescue orange lining, and the E-Type added flaps to the waist pockets. With the F-Type, the jacket's role shifted to ground-crew use and the lining changed to sage green. These revisions account for differences in the exterior details and internal construction of original MA-1 jackets. Hardware such as zippers could also vary according to the contractor and contract period.
MIL-J-8279D Reproduction with Reversible Construction
This model recreates the MIL-J-8279D configuration, the fifth specification in the sequence when counted from the original MA-1. Its sage green shell and rescue orange reverse reproduce the arrangement intended to allow aircrew members to turn the jacket inside out after an emergency escape, making them easier for rescuers to locate against terrain such as woodland.
The construction incorporates insulation between the nylon layers, rib-knit trim at the collar, cuffs, and hem, snap-fastened pockets on both faces, a sleeve utility pocket, a zigzag-stitched wind flap, and a metal front zipper with a pull on each face. The specification label is positioned inside a pocket, reflecting the relocation of the label that accompanied the reversible D-Type design. These details establish the jacket's particular configuration beyond the familiar overall MA-1 silhouette.
High-Density 100% Nylon Twill on Both Faces
Both the sage green shell and the rescue orange lining are made from densely woven 100% nylon twill. The tightly woven fabric has a smooth surface and a substantial hand, combining suppleness with enough firmness to support the shape of the insulated body and sleeves.
The nylon develops a restrained sheen as the light or viewing angle changes. Highlights appear on raised areas while folds and seams create shadows, giving definition to the jacket's rounded volume. The sage green has a muted gray cast, producing a subdued exterior color.
The rescue orange lining also serves as the outer face when the jacket is reversed. This contrasting color reproduces the historical visibility feature of the MA-1 D-Type, whose orange side was intended to be worn outward while awaiting rescue after an emergency escape. The two nylon faces provide distinctly different appearances while sharing the same insulated body and rib-knit trim.
58% Wool and 42% Cotton Pile Interlining
An insulating interlining made from 58% wool and 42% cotton is enclosed between the two nylon layers. This pile material holds air among its fibers, creating the insulating layer within the jacket's body and sleeves.
The interlining contributes substantial thickness as well as warmth. It gives the body and sleeves their rounded volume, while the dense nylon supports the outer contours. Together, the nylon and pile interlining produce a jacket with a full appearance and a noticeably weighty feel when worn.
Because this insulating material occupies space between the garment's outer surfaces, its thickness also affects the usable room inside. This relationship between exterior volume and interior space is an important part of the fit of this MA-1.
Reversible Metal Front Zipper with Pulls on Both Faces
The front closes with a metal zipper fitted with a single slider carrying a pull on each face. With the sage green side facing outward, the pull on that side operates the closure. When the jacket is reversed, the pull on the orange side provides access to the same slider.
This arrangement allows the front closure to be operated from either face of the jacket and forms part of the D-Type's reversible construction. The visible appearance of the fastening changes between the two sides because of the way the adjacent wind flap overlaps the zipper.
Padded Wind Flap with a Different Position on Each Face
When the sage green side is worn outward, a padded wind flap, also known as a storm flap, runs along the inside of the wearer's right front panel beside the zipper. With the jacket zipped closed, the zipper remains visible at the center front while the flap overlaps it from behind. The flap adds a layer behind the fastening to help reduce wind entering through gaps between the metal teeth and along the front opening.
When the rescue orange side is worn outward, this same flap sits on the outside of the zipper. As the front is closed, the flap overlaps the center fastening and covers the zipper line. The sage green face therefore presents an exposed center-front zipper, while the orange face displays the width and stitching of the wind flap across the fastening.
Rounded Wind-Flap End and Zigzag Stitching
The wind flap is faced with sage green nylon on one side and orange nylon on the other, matching the jacket's two-face construction. Its upper corner is rounded, and large zigzag stitches pass through the padded section to help limit movement and uneven distribution of the interlining inside.
These stitches are both a construction detail and a visible feature. With the sage green side outward, the flap and its zigzag stitching can be seen when the front is open. With the orange side outward, the flap remains visible over the zipper even when the jacket is fully closed.
100% Wool Rib-Knit Collar and Trim
The collar, cuffs, and waistband are knitted from 100% wool. The rib-knit collar follows the neck, using the flexibility and elasticity of the knit to accommodate movement while helping reduce wind entry around the neckline.
The same rib-knit components finish the neck, wrists, and hem regardless of which nylon face is worn outward. Their textured knitted surfaces contrast with the smooth nylon twill and provide flexible openings around the substantial insulated body and sleeves.
Graduated Rib-Knit Cuffs
The cuffs use a graduated rib construction, with a change in the knitting pattern partway along their length. The section adjoining the nylon sleeve has broader ribs, while the section toward the wrist opening has finer ribs.
The knitted cuff follows the wrist and helps reduce wind entering through the sleeve opening. At the same time, it draws the full nylon sleeve inward at its end, creating the transition from the rounded, insulated sleeve to the narrower wrist opening.
This cuff construction is shared by both faces of the jacket. When the rescue orange side is worn outward, the contrast between the full sleeve and the close-fitting ribbed end continues to define the same three-dimensional sleeve shape.
Rib-Knit Waistband with Sage Green Nylon Front Sections
At the lower front, sage green nylon sections sit on either side of the zipper. From these front sections, the hem transitions into a deep rib-knit waistband extending around the sides and back of the jacket.
The elasticity of the rib knit gathers the roomy body around the waist. Combined with the relatively short body length, chest room, and volume of the interlining, this creates the rounded proportions associated with the MA-1 flight jacket.
When the orange side is worn outward, the sage green nylon sections remain visible at the lower center front. Together with the rib-knit waistband, they introduce a contrasting color detail against the orange body.
Set-In Sleeves with Rounded Insulated Volume
The sleeves are sewn into the body using a set-in construction, creating defined shoulder and armhole seams. Room is provided through the shoulder area, upper arms, and elbows, while the thickness of the interlining gives the sleeves a substantial three-dimensional form.
Stitching follows the sleeve joins, outlining their construction. The firmness of the nylon, the fullness of the pile interlining, and the gathering effect of the rib-knit cuffs work together to produce the rounded sleeve profile characteristic of this jacket.
Seam Puckering and Surface Definition
Fine puckering appears along areas such as the sleeve seams, body side seams, zipper attachment, and rib-knit attachment seams. Puckering refers to the small ripples, creases, and raised areas that form in the fabric around a sewn seam. On this jacket, the nylon gathers into fine undulations along the stitching, giving the construction lines a textured, three-dimensional appearance.
Light catches the raised areas and creates small shadows beside them. These variations combine with the restrained sheen of the nylon twill and the volume of the interlining, adding depth to the jacket's surface and making its sewn construction visually apparent.
Sage Green Single-Welt Hand Pockets
The sage green front has one angled hand pocket at each side of the waist. Each opening is finished with a single welt made from the same nylon fabric as the shell and secured by a snap positioned at the center of the opening.
Bar tacks reinforce the upper and lower ends of each pocket opening. These short sections of concentrated stitching strengthen the areas that receive stress as the hands are inserted and removed. Brushed fabric is used inside the pockets.
These pockets serve as exterior hand pockets when the sage green side is worn outward. When the jacket is reversed to the orange side, they are positioned inside the body.
Orange Vertical-Opening Pockets with Cotton-Drill Pocketing
The orange front also has a pocket on each side, each secured with a snap. Their openings run approximately vertically, nearly parallel to the front zipper, allowing the hands to enter from the sides. This orientation differs from the angled openings on the sage green face.
Orange nylon finishes the pocket openings, with a snap at the center and reinforcing bar tacks at the upper and lower ends. Cotton drill is used for the pocket bags.
These pockets function as interior pockets with the sage green side outward and as exterior pockets when the orange side is worn outward. The differing pocket angles and positions on the two faces are part of the jacket's reversible construction.
Left-Sleeve Utility Pocket with CROWN-Marked Zipper
A zippered utility pocket is attached to the left upper sleeve on the sage green face. Often called a cigarette pocket, this storage detail originates in U.S. military flight-jacket design. The pocket is made from the same nylon fabric as the shell and closes with a metal zipper bearing the CROWN marking.
A nylon pen-holder panel is layered over the outside of the utility pocket. Vertical rows of stitching divide this panel into four insertion slots, combining a zippered storage compartment with separate spaces for pens on its outer surface.
Bar tacks reinforce key points at the ends of the openings and along the divisions, supporting areas subject to repeated stress as pens are inserted and removed. When the orange face is worn outward, the utility pocket and pen holders are positioned inside the sleeve.
Orange Nylon Hanger Loop below the Back Collar
A hanger loop is positioned horizontally below the back collar on the orange face. It is made from a narrow strip of matching nylon fabric and sewn down at both ends.
With the sage green side outward, the loop sits inside the back neckline. When the jacket is reversed, it appears on the exterior back immediately below the collar, reflecting the shared construction of the two faces.
Specification Label Concealed inside a Pocket
The specification label is attached inside one of the sage green slash pockets. It includes the designation "MIL-J-8279D(USAF)," the name "BUZZ RICKSON MFG. CO., INC.," the tagged size, and the fiber percentages of the interlining.
This placement follows the D-Type arrangement in which the label was moved from the upper back lining into a pocket as part of the reversible design. Keeping the label within the pocket prevents it from appearing on the visible body surface when either the sage green or orange side is worn outward.
Made in Japan
Buzz Rickson's Type MA-1 D-Type "BUZZ RICKSON MFG. CO., INC." is made in Japan. Its construction brings together dense nylon twill, substantial wool-cotton pile interlining, wool rib-knit trim, reversible hardware, and the pocket and label arrangements associated with the MIL-J-8279D version.
The contrasting sage green and rescue orange faces give the jacket two different appearances, while the rounded insulated body, shaped sleeves, relatively short length, and gathered waist preserve its characteristic MA-1 proportions. The materials, visible stitching, hardware, and internal details carry the practical construction of the historical flight jacket into this vintage reproduction.
Care Instructions
Do not wash.
Do not bleach.
Do not tumble dry.
Do not iron.
Do not dry clean.
Do not professionally wet clean.
Consult a specialist cleaner for advice on appropriate care in accordance with the garment's care label.
Always follow the care instructions attached to the actual product.
Important Notes
- Our inventory is shared among our physical retail store and multiple online stores, so inventory changes may not always be reflected immediately on each website.
- Even after an order has been placed, an item may occasionally be sold out due to the timing of simultaneous purchases. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
- All measurements are taken manually with the garment laid flat, using a measuring tape.
- Because individual garments and measuring methods may vary, slight measurement differences may occur.
- The actual color of the product may appear slightly different from the photographs depending on lighting conditions and the settings of your monitor or display.
Buzz Rickson's
This men's Type MA-1 flight jacket is made in Japan by Buzz Rickson's, Toyo Enterprises' military label specializing in reproductions and interpretations of vintage American military clothing. This model reproduces the MIL-J-8279D specification, the fifth version in the MA-1 specification sequence when the original MIL-J-8279 is counted as the first. Its reversible construction combines a sage green 100% nylon twill shell with a rescue orange 100% nylon twill reverse, reflecting the D-Type design intended to make a downed aircrew member easier to locate when the jacket was worn with the orange side facing outward. A 58% wool and 42% cotton pile interlining provides insulation and substantial volume through the body and sleeves, while a 100% wool rib-knit collar, cuffs, and waistband shape the garment at its openings. A reversible metal front zipper, a padded wind flap with zigzag stitching, snap-fastened pockets on both faces, a left-sleeve utility pocket, and a specification label positioned inside a pocket reproduce the practical details of this version. Its relatively short body, rounded sleeves, and gathered waist preserve the distinctive proportions of a classic MA-1, bringing its military construction and substantial feel into an everyday casual jacket.
Size and Fit Guide:
Gender: Men.
Fit: This jacket has the classic MA-1 silhouette, with visible fullness through the chest, body, and sleeves balanced by a relatively short body length. The rib-knit waistband draws the roomy body inward around the waist, creating a rounded, three-dimensional shape through the upper body. The substantial interlining between the two nylon layers adds thickness and volume, while the combination of dense nylon and insulation gives the jacket a noticeably weighty feel when worn. Rib-knit cuffs gather the sleeves at the wrists, emphasizing their characteristic rounded profile.
The shoulders are not cut excessively wide in relation to the chest, so the jacket does not rely on a pronounced dropped-shoulder shape to create its volume. Although the exterior looks full, the thick interlining occupies some of the space inside the garment. Depending on the thickness of your underlying layers, the actual fit may therefore feel less roomy than the flat chest-width measurement alone suggests.
A thinner jacket with the same listed width may fit differently because it has less material occupying the interior. Fit will also vary depending on your body type, the layers worn underneath, and your preferred amount of room. Please measure a similar insulated jacket that fits you well, ideally one with comparable thickness and construction, and compare its chest width, body length, center-back sleeve length, sleeve length from the shoulder seam, and shoulder width with the measurements below.
Our model wears Tagged Size M. He is 175 cm / approximately 5'9" tall, weighs 59 kg / approximately 130 lbs, and has a 91 cm / approximately 36" chest. For reference, he normally wears a US/EU size S/36. On him, Tagged Size M retains the characteristic MA-1 fullness through the chest and sleeves, while the rib-knit waistband draws in the lower body to create a rounded upper-body silhouette.
The following measurements show the garment itself laid flat, not the wearer's body measurements. Width is the straight-across measurement of the jacket and does not represent the garment's full chest circumference or the wearer's chest measurement.
In inches
Tagged Size S
Width: 23.6" / Length: 22.4"
Sleeve: 33.9" (25.2") / Shoulder: 18.1"
Tagged Size M
Width: 24.4" / Length: 24.4"
Sleeve: 35.0" (26.0") / Shoulder: 18.9"
Tagged Size L
Width: 26.0" / Length: 25.6"
Sleeve: 35.8" (26.4") / Shoulder: 19.7"
Tagged Size XL
Width: 26.4" / Length: 26.0"
Sleeve: 36.6" (26.8") / Shoulder: 20.5"
Tagged Size XXL (2XL)
Width: 27.6" / Length: 26.8"
Sleeve: 37.4" (27.2") / Shoulder: 21.3"
Tagged Size XXXL (3XL)
Width: 28.3" / Length: 26.8"
Sleeve: 38.2" (27.6") / Shoulder: 21.7"
In centimeters
Tagged Size S
Width: 60cm / Length: 57cm
Sleeve: 86cm (64cm) / Shoulder: 46cm
Tagged Size M
Width: 62cm / Length: 62cm
Sleeve: 89cm (66cm) / Shoulder: 48cm
Tagged Size L
Width: 66cm / Length: 65cm
Sleeve: 91cm (67cm) / Shoulder: 50cm
Tagged Size XL
Width: 67cm / Length: 66cm
Sleeve: 93cm (68cm) / Shoulder: 52cm
Tagged Size XXL (2XL)
Width: 70cm / Length: 68cm
Sleeve: 95cm (69cm) / Shoulder: 54cm
Tagged Size XXXL (3XL)
Width: 72cm / Length: 68cm
Sleeve: 97cm (70cm) / Shoulder: 55cm
[How We Measure the Actual Garment]
Width (Chest Width / Half Chest): Measured with the jacket laid flat, straight across from side to side approximately 3cm (about 1.2 in.) below the underarms. This is a flat width measurement, not the garment's full chest circumference or the wearer's chest measurement.
Length (Body Length): Measured down the back from the base of the collar, at the seam where the collar joins the body, to the bottom edge of the rib-knit waistband. The waistband is included, but the height of the collar is not.
Sleeve (Center-Back Sleeve Length): The first sleeve measurement is taken from the center back at the base of the collar seam, across the shoulder, and down to the end of the cuff. The full length of the rib-knit cuff is included.
Sleeve in Parentheses (Sleeve Length from Shoulder Seam): The measurement in parentheses is taken from the top of the shoulder seam down to the end of the cuff. The full length of the rib-knit cuff is included.
Shoulder (Shoulder Width): Measured straight across from one shoulder seam to the other.
Made in Japan.
- Brand new and unused.
- All measurements are taken by hand with the garment laid flat, using a measuring tape.
- Slight measurement differences may occur due to individual garment variations and the measuring method.
- Actual color may vary slightly from the photos due to lighting conditions and individual screen settings.
MA-1 Development and Specification Changes
The Type MA-1 was developed from the Type B-15 series beginning in the early 1950s and adopted by the U.S. Air Force in the mid-1950s as a flight jacket for the intermediate temperature zone. As jet aircraft and associated flight equipment evolved, hard flight helmets became part of aircrew equipment, creating a need to reconsider the collar area of the jacket. The MA-1 replaced the large mouton collar associated with the B-15 series with a rib-knit collar designed to reduce interference with the helmet.
Its basic construction combined a nylon shell with an insulating interlining, while successive specification revisions adapted the details to changing equipment and operational requirements. The sequence progressed from MIL-J-8279 through MIL-J-8279A, MIL-J-8279B, MIL-J-8279C, MIL-J-8279D, MIL-J-8279E, and MIL-J-8279F. The shape of the wind flap's upper end became rounded from the A-Type onward. The B-Type omitted the oxygen-hose retaining tab and the loops used to secure aircraft communication cords.
The D-Type introduced the reversible arrangement with a rescue orange lining, and the E-Type added flaps to the waist pockets. With the F-Type, the jacket's role shifted to ground-crew use and the lining changed to sage green. These revisions account for differences in the exterior details and internal construction of original MA-1 jackets. Hardware such as zippers could also vary according to the contractor and contract period.
MIL-J-8279D Reproduction with Reversible Construction
This model recreates the MIL-J-8279D configuration, the fifth specification in the sequence when counted from the original MA-1. Its sage green shell and rescue orange reverse reproduce the arrangement intended to allow aircrew members to turn the jacket inside out after an emergency escape, making them easier for rescuers to locate against terrain such as woodland.
The construction incorporates insulation between the nylon layers, rib-knit trim at the collar, cuffs, and hem, snap-fastened pockets on both faces, a sleeve utility pocket, a zigzag-stitched wind flap, and a metal front zipper with a pull on each face. The specification label is positioned inside a pocket, reflecting the relocation of the label that accompanied the reversible D-Type design. These details establish the jacket's particular configuration beyond the familiar overall MA-1 silhouette.
High-Density 100% Nylon Twill on Both Faces
Both the sage green shell and the rescue orange lining are made from densely woven 100% nylon twill. The tightly woven fabric has a smooth surface and a substantial hand, combining suppleness with enough firmness to support the shape of the insulated body and sleeves.
The nylon develops a restrained sheen as the light or viewing angle changes. Highlights appear on raised areas while folds and seams create shadows, giving definition to the jacket's rounded volume. The sage green has a muted gray cast, producing a subdued exterior color.
The rescue orange lining also serves as the outer face when the jacket is reversed. This contrasting color reproduces the historical visibility feature of the MA-1 D-Type, whose orange side was intended to be worn outward while awaiting rescue after an emergency escape. The two nylon faces provide distinctly different appearances while sharing the same insulated body and rib-knit trim.
58% Wool and 42% Cotton Pile Interlining
An insulating interlining made from 58% wool and 42% cotton is enclosed between the two nylon layers. This pile material holds air among its fibers, creating the insulating layer within the jacket's body and sleeves.
The interlining contributes substantial thickness as well as warmth. It gives the body and sleeves their rounded volume, while the dense nylon supports the outer contours. Together, the nylon and pile interlining produce a jacket with a full appearance and a noticeably weighty feel when worn.
Because this insulating material occupies space between the garment's outer surfaces, its thickness also affects the usable room inside. This relationship between exterior volume and interior space is an important part of the fit of this MA-1.
Reversible Metal Front Zipper with Pulls on Both Faces
The front closes with a metal zipper fitted with a single slider carrying a pull on each face. With the sage green side facing outward, the pull on that side operates the closure. When the jacket is reversed, the pull on the orange side provides access to the same slider.
This arrangement allows the front closure to be operated from either face of the jacket and forms part of the D-Type's reversible construction. The visible appearance of the fastening changes between the two sides because of the way the adjacent wind flap overlaps the zipper.
Padded Wind Flap with a Different Position on Each Face
When the sage green side is worn outward, a padded wind flap, also known as a storm flap, runs along the inside of the wearer's right front panel beside the zipper. With the jacket zipped closed, the zipper remains visible at the center front while the flap overlaps it from behind. The flap adds a layer behind the fastening to help reduce wind entering through gaps between the metal teeth and along the front opening.
When the rescue orange side is worn outward, this same flap sits on the outside of the zipper. As the front is closed, the flap overlaps the center fastening and covers the zipper line. The sage green face therefore presents an exposed center-front zipper, while the orange face displays the width and stitching of the wind flap across the fastening.
Rounded Wind-Flap End and Zigzag Stitching
The wind flap is faced with sage green nylon on one side and orange nylon on the other, matching the jacket's two-face construction. Its upper corner is rounded, and large zigzag stitches pass through the padded section to help limit movement and uneven distribution of the interlining inside.
These stitches are both a construction detail and a visible feature. With the sage green side outward, the flap and its zigzag stitching can be seen when the front is open. With the orange side outward, the flap remains visible over the zipper even when the jacket is fully closed.
100% Wool Rib-Knit Collar and Trim
The collar, cuffs, and waistband are knitted from 100% wool. The rib-knit collar follows the neck, using the flexibility and elasticity of the knit to accommodate movement while helping reduce wind entry around the neckline.
The same rib-knit components finish the neck, wrists, and hem regardless of which nylon face is worn outward. Their textured knitted surfaces contrast with the smooth nylon twill and provide flexible openings around the substantial insulated body and sleeves.
Graduated Rib-Knit Cuffs
The cuffs use a graduated rib construction, with a change in the knitting pattern partway along their length. The section adjoining the nylon sleeve has broader ribs, while the section toward the wrist opening has finer ribs.
The knitted cuff follows the wrist and helps reduce wind entering through the sleeve opening. At the same time, it draws the full nylon sleeve inward at its end, creating the transition from the rounded, insulated sleeve to the narrower wrist opening.
This cuff construction is shared by both faces of the jacket. When the rescue orange side is worn outward, the contrast between the full sleeve and the close-fitting ribbed end continues to define the same three-dimensional sleeve shape.
Rib-Knit Waistband with Sage Green Nylon Front Sections
At the lower front, sage green nylon sections sit on either side of the zipper. From these front sections, the hem transitions into a deep rib-knit waistband extending around the sides and back of the jacket.
The elasticity of the rib knit gathers the roomy body around the waist. Combined with the relatively short body length, chest room, and volume of the interlining, this creates the rounded proportions associated with the MA-1 flight jacket.
When the orange side is worn outward, the sage green nylon sections remain visible at the lower center front. Together with the rib-knit waistband, they introduce a contrasting color detail against the orange body.
Set-In Sleeves with Rounded Insulated Volume
The sleeves are sewn into the body using a set-in construction, creating defined shoulder and armhole seams. Room is provided through the shoulder area, upper arms, and elbows, while the thickness of the interlining gives the sleeves a substantial three-dimensional form.
Stitching follows the sleeve joins, outlining their construction. The firmness of the nylon, the fullness of the pile interlining, and the gathering effect of the rib-knit cuffs work together to produce the rounded sleeve profile characteristic of this jacket.
Seam Puckering and Surface Definition
Fine puckering appears along areas such as the sleeve seams, body side seams, zipper attachment, and rib-knit attachment seams. Puckering refers to the small ripples, creases, and raised areas that form in the fabric around a sewn seam. On this jacket, the nylon gathers into fine undulations along the stitching, giving the construction lines a textured, three-dimensional appearance.
Light catches the raised areas and creates small shadows beside them. These variations combine with the restrained sheen of the nylon twill and the volume of the interlining, adding depth to the jacket's surface and making its sewn construction visually apparent.
Sage Green Single-Welt Hand Pockets
The sage green front has one angled hand pocket at each side of the waist. Each opening is finished with a single welt made from the same nylon fabric as the shell and secured by a snap positioned at the center of the opening.
Bar tacks reinforce the upper and lower ends of each pocket opening. These short sections of concentrated stitching strengthen the areas that receive stress as the hands are inserted and removed. Brushed fabric is used inside the pockets.
These pockets serve as exterior hand pockets when the sage green side is worn outward. When the jacket is reversed to the orange side, they are positioned inside the body.
Orange Vertical-Opening Pockets with Cotton-Drill Pocketing
The orange front also has a pocket on each side, each secured with a snap. Their openings run approximately vertically, nearly parallel to the front zipper, allowing the hands to enter from the sides. This orientation differs from the angled openings on the sage green face.
Orange nylon finishes the pocket openings, with a snap at the center and reinforcing bar tacks at the upper and lower ends. Cotton drill is used for the pocket bags.
These pockets function as interior pockets with the sage green side outward and as exterior pockets when the orange side is worn outward. The differing pocket angles and positions on the two faces are part of the jacket's reversible construction.
Left-Sleeve Utility Pocket with CROWN-Marked Zipper
A zippered utility pocket is attached to the left upper sleeve on the sage green face. Often called a cigarette pocket, this storage detail originates in U.S. military flight-jacket design. The pocket is made from the same nylon fabric as the shell and closes with a metal zipper bearing the CROWN marking.
A nylon pen-holder panel is layered over the outside of the utility pocket. Vertical rows of stitching divide this panel into four insertion slots, combining a zippered storage compartment with separate spaces for pens on its outer surface.
Bar tacks reinforce key points at the ends of the openings and along the divisions, supporting areas subject to repeated stress as pens are inserted and removed. When the orange face is worn outward, the utility pocket and pen holders are positioned inside the sleeve.
Orange Nylon Hanger Loop below the Back Collar
A hanger loop is positioned horizontally below the back collar on the orange face. It is made from a narrow strip of matching nylon fabric and sewn down at both ends.
With the sage green side outward, the loop sits inside the back neckline. When the jacket is reversed, it appears on the exterior back immediately below the collar, reflecting the shared construction of the two faces.
Specification Label Concealed inside a Pocket
The specification label is attached inside one of the sage green slash pockets. It includes the designation "MIL-J-8279D(USAF)," the name "BUZZ RICKSON MFG. CO., INC.," the tagged size, and the fiber percentages of the interlining.
This placement follows the D-Type arrangement in which the label was moved from the upper back lining into a pocket as part of the reversible design. Keeping the label within the pocket prevents it from appearing on the visible body surface when either the sage green or orange side is worn outward.
Made in Japan
Buzz Rickson's Type MA-1 D-Type "BUZZ RICKSON MFG. CO., INC." is made in Japan. Its construction brings together dense nylon twill, substantial wool-cotton pile interlining, wool rib-knit trim, reversible hardware, and the pocket and label arrangements associated with the MIL-J-8279D version.
The contrasting sage green and rescue orange faces give the jacket two different appearances, while the rounded insulated body, shaped sleeves, relatively short length, and gathered waist preserve its characteristic MA-1 proportions. The materials, visible stitching, hardware, and internal details carry the practical construction of the historical flight jacket into this vintage reproduction.
Care Instructions
Do not wash.
Do not bleach.
Do not tumble dry.
Do not iron.
Do not dry clean.
Do not professionally wet clean.
Consult a specialist cleaner for advice on appropriate care in accordance with the garment's care label.
Always follow the care instructions attached to the actual product.
Important Notes
- Our inventory is shared among our physical retail store and multiple online stores, so inventory changes may not always be reflected immediately on each website.
- Even after an order has been placed, an item may occasionally be sold out due to the timing of simultaneous purchases. We sincerely appreciate your understanding.
- All measurements are taken manually with the garment laid flat, using a measuring tape.
- Because individual garments and measuring methods may vary, slight measurement differences may occur.
- The actual color of the product may appear slightly different from the photographs depending on lighting conditions and the settings of your monitor or display.
