A-5 flight trousers

[ranchnman]

hey guys, if im not mistaken the A-5s were paired up with the B-6 flight jacket. My question is were they of lighter weight than the A-3 pants that were paired up with the B-3? Like were they a kind of a cheap rip-off of the A-3 pants like the B-6 was kind of a cheap rip off of the B-3? (so to speak of course, they are both great jackets and pants, but the B-3s were thicker is what im trying to say). I hope yall know what im talking about here... please let me know, thanks!

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

Right on the money

Yes, that's right. The A-5 trousers were made from sheepskin that had the pile shaved down to 1/4 inch just like the B-6 jacket. The A-3 trousers and B-3 jacket had much thicker piling.

Noel

 

[Fletch]

AIUI, B-6/A-5 were preferred by gunners, because they didn't restrict movement so badly as the thicker B-3/A-3.

 

[ranchnman]

thanks guys! thats what I figured, just wanted to be sure though.

 

[Tim P]

I have originals of both and the A-5's are significantly lighter in weight by design. the shin pockets are zippered rather than the open patch pockets of the A-3 but in almost every other sense they are just a lightweight version.
i can post a link for repros if you are interested?