Original WWII USAAF Type A-3 Sheepskin Flying Trousers Rare United States Army Air Forces High-Altitude Flight Clothing

Original WWII USAAF Type A-3 Sheepskin Flying Trousers
Rare United States Army Air Forces High-Altitude Flight Clothing | Companion to the Iconic B-3 Flying Jacket

There are few items of Second World War flying clothing that better capture the harsh realities of high-altitude aerial warfare than the USAAF Type A-3 Flying Trousers. Issued to aircrew of the United States Army Air Forces, these heavily insulated sheepskin trousers were specifically developed for operations in the unpressurised bombers that flew over Europe during the war.

Designed as the companion garment to the famous Type B-3 Sheepskin Flying Jacket, the A-3 trousers were manufactured as a matching two-piece extreme cold-weather flying suit rather than as a separate item. They provided vital protection against temperatures that regularly fell below –40°C during bombing missions over occupied Europe.

Constructed from heavyweight shearling with horsehide reinforcements in high-wear areas, the trousers feature the unmistakable full-length leg zips, adjustable braces and rugged construction that made them a favourite amongst American bomber crews.

Used by the Airmen of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

These trousers would have been familiar to the crews of some of America’s most famous aircraft, including the:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Boeing B-29 Superfortress (later in the war)
Martin B-26 Marauder
Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Pilots, navigators, bombardiers, engineers, radio operators and waist gunners all faced freezing conditions inside unheated aircraft. The A-3 trousers formed an essential layer beneath parachute harnesses and survival equipment, helping crews endure missions that could last eight hours or more. The National Museum of the United States Air Force notes that AAF aircrew selected clothing according to theatre and weather, often layering specialised cold-weather garments for high-altitude operations.

Construction
Genuine WWII USAAF Type A-3 Flying Trousers
Heavy sheepskin construction with fleece lining
Horsehide reinforced stress points
Full-length leg zip openings for ease of dressing
Adjustable webbing braces
Designed to be worn with the Type B-3 Flying Jacket
Built for extreme cold-weather operations
Historical Significance

By 1943, thousands of American heavy bombers were flying daily missions from Britain into occupied Europe. At operational altitudes approaching 30,000 feet, crews were exposed to temperatures capable of causing severe frostbite within minutes if adequate protective clothing was not worn.

Before pressurised aircraft became commonplace, garments such as the A-3 Flying Trousers represented the cutting edge of aviation survival equipment. Their specialised construction allowed aircrew to remain operational during some of the longest and most dangerous bombing missions of the Second World War.

Condition

An original wartime example displaying honest age and service wear consistent with military use, a couple of small tears, the zips will probably need replacement due to in poor condition. The natural patina acquired over more than eighty years only enhances its authenticity and collector appeal.

Please refer to the accompanying photographs for a full assessment of condition.

Collector’s Note

Original USAAF Type A-3 Flying Trousers are considerably scarcer than the better-known B-3 flying jackets, largely because fewer survive in complete condition. As the matching half of one of the most iconic cold-weather flying outfits of the Second World War, they are highly prized by collectors of USAAF flight clothing and military aviation memorabilia.

Whether displayed alongside a B-3 jacket, AN-H-15 flying helmet or A-2 flight jacket, these trousers represent an outstanding and increasingly difficult-to-find piece of wartime aviation history.