The Alpha Industries famous MA-1 Flight Jacket is a mid-weight nylon jacket with water resistance and lots of versatility. The MA-1 US Navy fighter pilot jacket was the first military flight jacket to cross over into civilian fashion. Our nylon flight jacket includes knit cuffs, a knit collar and waistband, as well as a strong front zipper with storm flap for warmth. Our MA-1 jackets are reversible to bright orange, making them ideal for rescue missions and other times when visibility is imperative. This current version has been kept as close as possible to the classic specifications, which debuted in 1950 and received several revisions during the 1960's. Alpha Industries History In October, 1959, more than 50 years ago, Alpha Industries began its operations making military clothing in the basement of a rented Knoxville, Tennessee factory using leased sewing machines and only a few employees. The first few years were very difficult for newly formed Alpha because it was a time of peace and the U.S. Defence Department purchased only small quantities of military clothing. However, the outstanding quality of Alpha's clothing quickly came to the Defence Department's attention and as America's need for military clothing increased as the Vietnam conflict deepened, Alpha's growth as a manufacturer for the Defence Department rapidly accelerated. Alpha specialized in manufacturing many types of jackets and pants for U.S. military forces. As the years went by America's Defence Forces came to rely more and more on Alpha's expertise to produce U.S. Air Force and Naval Aviation flight jackets, Army and Marine Corps field jackets and a host of military pants and other clothing. During this time Alpha manufactured over 40 million garments for the U.S. military ranging from simple hoods to complicated cold weather Gore-Tex parkas. Although Alpha made many different types of clothing the company became most associated with several jackets that became classics of American fashion. Two of these jackets--- the MA-1 flight jacket and the M-65 field jacket-- were almost exclusively made by Alpha for the military and Alpha was instrumental in working with the U.S. military designers to improve their performance and design. Subsequently when these garments migrated from their military roots into globally popular casual or street wear styles Alpha, as the authentic producer of the MA-1 and M-65 for the military, also became famous in the public's mind for these styles. Alpha Industries Sizing Men's XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL 4XL 5XL Imperial Weight (lbs) 95-110 110-130 130-160 160-185 185-210 210-230 230-250 250-270 270-290 Height (in) 58-62 60-67 65-74 67-76 67-76 67-76 67-76 67-76 67-76 Chest (in) 32-34 34-36 38-40 40-42 44-46 46-48 48-50 50-52 52-54 Metric XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL Weight (kg) 43-50 50-59 59-72 72-83 83-95 95-104 104-113 113-121 121-130 Height (cm) 147-157 152-170 165-188 170-193 170-193 170-193 170-193 170-193 170-193 Chest (cm) 81-86 86-91 97-102 102-107 112-117 117-122 122-127 127-135 135-140 The MA-1 Flight Jacket from Alpha Industries was the first military flight jacket to cross over into civilian fashion. It is a padded jacket that features a reversible to bright orange lining. It is available in various colours in a wide size range from Small to 5XL. This current version has been kept as close as possible to the classic specifications, which debuted in 1950 and received several revisions during the 1960's.