For many years customers have been asking us to do the definitive WWII Luftwaffe fighter pilots jacket, as worn by the highly regarded Luftwaffe pilot Eric Hartmann. Well, here it is. After many months of preparation and development, we bring you 'The Hartmann'.

Eric Hartmann was accredited with with 352 aerial victories during his service with the Luftwaffe in WWII - the highest scoring ace of all time - a record that is very unlikely to be beaten. Known as the 'Blonde Knight of Germany', his ability at aerial combat was astounding. Most of this took place on the Eastern Front, and with the famed fighter squadron JG52. Collecting many awards for his skill and bravery as a fighter pilot, he was eventually awarded with highest decoration for combat in the German armed forces - The Knights Cross, with oakleaves, swords and diamonds.

Throughout his time with the Luftwaffe, he can often be seen, in archive images, wearing his short leather jacket, which he no doubt acquired during the early part of the war while spending time in France. Many Luftwaffe fighter pilots had these style jackets, which were commercially purchased (not issued), at ordinary high street clothing shops in France. They were actually referred to as 'Cyclists Jackets'. Of a fairly lightweight and close-cut construction, they appealed to the German fighter pilots for their applicable use in the cramped cockpits of aircraft such as the Me109.

Archive pictures and existing examples illustrate that although following a very similar design to each other, these jackets would differ slightly from one another in terms of pocket profiles, positioning of the pockets, different fabrics for the lining etc. This being due most probably to the fact they were produced by many different manufacturers. They can be found in black and brown, but in most of the Luftwaffe archive shots it's impossible to tell which shade was favoured most, as the images are generally in black and white. We have had several original examples at the factory whilst studying this design, and this has revealed that both shades were as common as each other. Most people believed them to be always black, but again this is largely due to the archive images being in black and white, where obviously brown would easily appear to be black.

Our reproduction of this style is as accurate to the original as is feasible to be. We have even had the correct, unusual little front buckle reproduced, to ensure the utmost authenticity. It is available in a choice of black or brown soft aniline Steerhide, lined with 100% wool plaid in the body, and 100% cotton in the sleeves. Buttons to the pockets and cuffs are real horn, and zips are by Riri, with the correct brown taping as is always seen on these jackets whether the leather is black or brown. As these were commercial jackets, no one label can be deemed as correct, so we have made our own, baring the name 'Hartmann' and the insignia of his squadron JG54.

Without question, no other manufacturer has been able to reproduce this style with such authenticity, and we hope you will like it. Please note, that this style is cut and designed just like the originals, which is very close and 'nippy' - it's supposed to be this way. Some of you may prefer to go for a larger size than you would normally would wear because of this, however, it looks much more stylish if it is worn like Hartmann, close and snug.

Available in sizes 36 - 48