I am minded of the leather flying jacket issued to the USAF aircrew back in the 80s. As a so called retention benefit, USAF aircrew were issued with a leather flying jacket - however, the AWACS mission crew were not allowed to have one because they were not "real" aircrew: there was certainly some leather envy going on with the American AWACS people at Geilenkirchen! As a result, it was suggested that the rear crew be issued with goat leather flying helmets to keep them happy....real goat mind you because synthetic goat leather would make them look cheap!!