Alpha Industries has been making jackets for the US military for over half a century. They also make military-inspired fashion apparel, like this Top Gun style MA-1 bomber jacket. Known for its compact warmth, it was originally developed in the 1950s for the new jets flown by US Air Force and Navy pilots. 

I believe this coat was made after 2000, but it does a very good job of recreating a 1970s or 1980s military bomber jacket and is very similar to one of the jackets worn by Tom Cruise in Top Gun. MA-1’s were also worn by punks, mods, and skinheads, starting in the late-70s, and were popularised by actors like Steve McQueen and in films and tv shows like MacGyver, Basic Instinct, 24, This is England, and Pulp Fiction.

Eight patches, including “UNITED STATES NAVY TOP GUN FIGHTER WEAPONS SCHOOL”, “US ARMY APACHE” helicopter, “AIRBORNE” with eagle head, and “GATHERING OF EAGLES 1978”.

Two-sided Alpha zipper to front; smaller zipper to left arm pocket with “REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT” hang tag.

In addition to arm pocket, there are two side flap pockets with secure snap closures to the exterior and two small interior welt pockets with snap closures. This coat is also fully reversible so that the orange-lined side can be worn as the exterior.

Hang loop to inside neck of jacket.

Shell 100% nylon.

In good vintage condition, the only flaws being some pilling to the elasticated fabric at the collar, cuffs, and bottom hem, and at the rivet of the pull tag on the sleeve zipper has been torn free (see pic); bright orange lining fully intact and clean, bar a little staining to edge of centre flap (see pic); odour free and ready to wear.

Tag reads: YM (Youth Medium), but this jacket fitted our two female models perfectly. Measures approximately Laid flat): 41” armpit-to-armpit; 23.5” length (should to bottom hem); 16.5” bottom width (will stretch comfortable to 20.5”, ie., 41” circumference); 21” sleeve length; 16.5” shoulder-to-shoulder.