Great Escape – Capt. Virgil Hilts

This is our replica of the legendary A-2 jacket that appears in the epic 1963 war movie “The Great Escape”.

It’s a well-known fact among fans and enthusiasts that the screen used jacket was made by Rough Wear Clothing Co. and most experts would agree that it is one from the W535-AC-27752 contract.

The story we hear goes that the jacket was an original, remnant from the war, which was handpicked by the starring actor from a thrift store before filming started. Moreover, it appears that the jacket was a depot re-dye to a darker color as the color of Rough Wear 27752 jackets when issued was seal brown.

We offer the jacket in our dark seal Liberty horsehide which is made so that after a bit of wearing the top coating will fade allowing the lighter shade of the leather to show though underneath and thus replicate the distressed appearance of the film jacket.

Our excellent reproduction features:

• Shoulder decal depicting the Winged Star i.e. the “Hap Arnold Emblem” insignia of the U.S. Army Air Forces
• “V. HILTS” nametag, engraved with the correct typeface
• Hand painted Captain’s ranks
• Small AAF Winged Star wind flap decal
• “V. HILTS” name and Army Serial Number stenciled on the lining
• AAF Winged Star stamp on the lining
• Western Costume Co., costume identification and size tag replica by Bill Kelso

Jacket on display made with Liberty Horsehide Dark Seal, dull orange lining and olive drab thread.

New evidence suggests that what appears to be a re-dye might have been only a result of how the film color was processed and supports a theory that the jacket was just seal brown in color as it appears as such in several indoors scenes. Thus, we offer the seal color option also.