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
