![Raindance MA2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Raindance_MA2.jpg)
The MA-2 bomber jacket (also known as the MA-2 flight jacket or CWU-45 flight jacket) is an advanced version derived of the original
MA-1 bomber jacket
The MA-1 bomber jacket (also known as the MA-1 flight jacket) is an American military jacket which was developed in the 1950s. The MA-1 and its predecessor, the B-15 flight jacket, were originally developed and needed at that time because the ch ...
that was originally designed for the American military during the 1950s. ''CWU'' stands for "Cold Weather Uniform."
The term ''MA-2'' was a trademark of the Cobles Clothing Company,
MA2 trademark hearing document
/ref> adopted in the late 1980s when the CWU-45 military jacket started to gain popularity in street fashion. The term ''MA-2'' has become so popular it is now used interchangeably with ''CWU-45'' to represent this type of jacket.
There is also a lightweight version of this jacket, referred to as CWU-36.
Design
The MA-2 has several design changes compared to an MA-1;
* Large cargo pockets sewn onto the front of the jacket rather than the small slash pockets on the MA-1 Jackets.
* A fold-down collar rather than the elasticated collar of the MA-1
* Usually not orange lining, usually the same colour as the outer nylon
* A different design where the sleeves join the back to allow easier movement
* The cut is somewhat shorter - the jacket sits high on the waist compared to the MA-1.
* Genuine, military-issue CWU-45 and CWU-36 jackets (not the commercially available copies) are mostly made from the flame-resistant fabric Nomex
Nomex is a flame-resistant meta-aramid material developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967.
Properties
Nomex and related aramid polymers are related to nylon, but have aromatic backbones, and hence are more rigid and mo ...
, rather than the flammable fabrics used in earlier jackets.
* Genuine, military-issue Nomex CWU-45 and CWU-36 jackets have slightly larger and higher pocket openings.
See also
* MA-1 bomber jacket
The MA-1 bomber jacket (also known as the MA-1 flight jacket) is an American military jacket which was developed in the 1950s. The MA-1 and its predecessor, the B-15 flight jacket, were originally developed and needed at that time because the ch ...
* Bomber jacket
A flight jacket is a casual jacket that was originally created for pilots and eventually became part of popular culture and apparel. It has evolved into various styles and silhouettes, including the "letterman" jacket and the fashionable "bomber ...
* Blouson
A blouson or blouse jacket is a jacket that is drawn tight at the waist, causing it to blouse out and hang over the waistband. Originating in military uniforms of the mid-20th century, versions continue to be used as part of military and polic ...
References
{{Reflist
Jackets
American military uniforms
Aircrew clothing
United States Air Force uniforms
Military equipment introduced in the 1950s