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THE AMERICAN FLIGHT JACKET - The flight jacket has captured the imagination of kids and adults since the invention of flight. From its begining in WWI to the present, nothing symbolizes adventure more than the flight jacket. This page provides the visitor with a wide array of variations employed by the US Air Force and Army Air Corps. 


The construction of the flight jackets evolved considerably since its inception in World War One. The first jackets were made of leather. As technology progressed and new materials were developed the manufacturing process changed. Also, the invention of pressurized cabins meant the pilots and crew were not as exposed to the elements as the earlier days. 

The information provided here acts as a guide for the identification of military flight jackets.


 

JACKET INFORMATION

Buttons and Zipper types

Materials of construction

Jacket markings

Perspective View

Buying US flight jackets

AMERICAN FLIGHT JACKET YEARS OF PRODUCTION 
The following is a list of some of the US flight jackets and the years in which they were produced.

 
 

US NAVY FLIGHT JACKET SPECIFICATION NUMBERS


Every jacket produced for the US armed forces had a tag sewn to the inside. Most commonly found near the neck area. An specification number was written on the tag. This information makes it possible to determine the year in which the jacket was manufactured. The following chart applies to US Navy jackets. 
 

NumSpecification numberYear of production

1M-4221940

2M-422A1940

3AN 65521943

4AN-J3A1943

555J14 (AER)1947

6MIL-J-7823 (AER)1951

7MIL-J-7823B (WEP)1960

8MIL-J-7823A (AER)1961

9MIL-J-7823C (WEP)1962

10MIL-J-7823D (WP)1966

11MIL-J-7823E (AS)1971

   

US NAVY FLIGHT JACKET MANUFACTURING COMPANIES


The following is a table of some of the companies that manufactured flight jackets for the US Navy. Where possible the start and end of years of manufacturing is provided. If not available, the date for an example jacket is provided.

Nummanufacturer NameStarting YearEnding YearExample found

3American Sportswear CO.UnknownUnknownUnknown

4A Pritzker & Sons, INC.UnknownUnknownUnknown

5Arnoff Mfg. CompanyUnknownUnknownUnknown

6Aviator Clothing CO., INC.UnknownUnknownUnknown

7B.-G. INC.UnknownUnknownUnknown

8Breier of Amsterdam, INC.196019601960

9Brill Bros., INC.199819981998

10Bogen & TenenbaumUnknownUnknownUnknown

11Burjac Sportswear MFG., CO. Lynn, Mass.UnknownUnknownUnknown

12Cagleco Sportswear195719571957

13California Sportswear Company196019601960

14Cooper Sportswear MFG. CO. INC.19891996Several

15Edmund T. Church CO. INC.UnknownUnknownUnknown

16Excelled Sheepskin & Leather Coat CO.19992004Several

17Ferguson of Oklahoma197619761976

18Fried, Osterman CO.UnknownUnknownUnknown

19Gordon & Ferguson CO.UnknownUnknownUnknown

20Gregory Sportswear INC.196719671967

21H. & L. BlockUnknownUnknownUnknown

22Imperial Fashions INC.197419741974

23Imperial Leather & Sportswear INC.197619761976

24Irvin B. Foster Sportswear CO.19621963Several

25Irvin B. Foster & Sons Sportswear CO. INC.196119611961

26J. A. Dubow Sporting Goods CorpUnknownUnknownUnknown

27L. W. Foster Sportswear CO. INC.UnknownUnknownUnknown

1Monarch Mfg. CO.UnknownUnknown1951

28Orchard M/C Dist. INC.198619861986

31Pharr Brand Name Apparel2004Present (2013)Several

29Ralph Edwards Sportswear19611964Several

30Schott Bros, INC.199819981998

2Star Sportswear Mfg. CO. Lynn, Mass.UnknownUnknown1970

32Star Sportswear Mfg. Corp.19641967Several

33The Martin Lane CO. n INC.19681969Several

34Werber Sportswear INC.UnknownUnknownUnknown

35Willis and Geiger INC.UnknownUnknownUnknown




FLIGHT JACKET EXAMPLES

 
1976 USN G1 Flight Jacket 
1970 USN G1 Flight Jacket 
1990 Cooper Flight Jacket 
1950'S US Jacket Liner

1958 US Jacket Liner 
1972 MA-1 Flight Jacket 
US Air Force Fire Fighter Suit 
US Navy G1 Flight Jacket with Leather Patch

1978 CWU-27/P Flight Suit 
1979 CWU-36/P Flight Jacket 
1980 CWU-36/P Flight Jacket 
1984 Lightweight Flight Jacket

1988 MA-1 Flight Jacket 
WWII B-15 Flight Jacket 
Black MA-1 Flight Jacket 
US Air Force E-1A Flight Pants

MA-1 Flight Jacket 

US Navy G1 Flight Jacket 
US G-1 Flight Jacket 
US G-1 Flight Jacket

US Air Force K-2B Flight Suit 

US L-2B Flight Jacket 
US L-2B Flight Jacket 
US N-3B Flight Jacket

After Market MA-1 Flight Jacket 

WWII US Pilot Goggles 
USN 1968 G-1 Flight Jacket 
US Schotts Flight Jacket

MA-1 Flight Jacket 

WWII US G-1 Flight Jacket 
USAF MA-1 Flight Jacket 
USAF MA-1 Flight Jacket

Vietnam G-1 Flight Jacket 

Private Leather Jacket 
US Schotts Flight Jacket 
1980 US G1 Flight Jacket

451st Bomber Squadron Flight Jacket 

G-1 Flight Jacket with Patches 
1951 USN G-1 Flight Jacket 
1940 USN G-1 Flight Jacket

WWII B-15 Flight Jacket 

WWII USN G-1 Flight Jacket

 

From: The American Flight Jacket Price Guide - MilitaryItems.com

 

 

 

 

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