WWII US NAVY FLIGHT JACKETS M-422, M-422A , M-421A , M-445A , AN-J-3A , AN-6552

[Stony]

 

I recently acquired this very nice example of an M-422A US Navy Flight Jacket to a pilot from Bombing Fighting Squadron One who flew off the USS Bennington in 1945.

 

 

The Squadron patch represents the logo of the "Royal Flushers" which was the nickname of VBF-1. It is an canvas screened patch. The pilot also removed the 'ENS" rank from his nametag as he had moved up in rank.

 

Bombing Fighting Squadron One, designated as VBF-1 was formed at the Naval Air Station in Fallon, Nevada in December 1944 and commissioned on 2 January 1945, to become the fourth squadron in the Veteran Air Group One. Following Japan's surrender and the end of World War II in the Pacific, VBF-1 was disbanded on 1 November 1945.

 

Flying F4U Corsairs, the VBF-1 squadron was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) in the Pacific on 17 June 1945, where it was based for the remainder of WWII. The squadron's pilots participated in strikes against the Imperial Japanese homeland and against her fleet at sea from 10 July 1945 until Japan's surrender on 15 August 1945, including attacks against the Nagato on 18 July 1945, and the battle of Kure from 24 July 1945 through 28 July 1945.

 

The jacket was made by Gordon and Ferguson which is a popular manufacturer because of the quality of the leather.

 

This jacket looks like he wore it during the war and then put it away for good. Its in remarkable condition.

 

Nice jacket! I am wondering, though, why there's a CBI patch on the arm. According to your text, they didn't fly anywhere except close to the home islands. Did the pilot serve with another carrier and/or squadron that was close to the mainland?

[Niki]

I have a m-445a jacket and a m-446a trouser that i buyed last month here in belgium.

I always see the jacket but no trousers.

Is this not a good thing to have?

I'm new in the US Navy gear field so a little help please.

 

Many thanks.

 

Niki

[bazelot]

They are both great to have. They just tale a ton of space to display together and most collectors only display the M445A for space reason.

[KASTAUFFER]

My newest M-422A US Navy flight jacket. Worn by a Radioman-gunner with Torpedo Squadron 16. He flew missions over Japan in June-Sept 1945.

The squadron patch is a decal on leather. The name tag has his name and USNR. The lack of wings/insignia is not unusual for WWII Navy name tags to enlisted men. The jacket was made by
Willis and Geiger.

 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

 

[KASTAUFFER]

Nice jacket! I am wondering, though, why there's a CBI patch on the arm. According to your text, they didn't fly anywhere except close to the home islands. Did the pilot serve with another carrier and/or squadron that was close to the mainland?

 

Hi Wilson

 

He only flew with VBF-1

 

Late in the war, the use of a CBI patch on Naval Flight clothing was not uncommon. I have period photos of pilots wearing their jackets with the CBI patch on them ( both carrier and land based units).

 

If they were attacking Japan, I think the thought was they might need to ditch in China, so they wore the patch. The same logic applies based on blood chits in the escape kits they carried.

 

Here are 2 men from VPB-118 taken in July 1945. Note the jacket and the flight suit.

 

Kurt

 

[pararaftanr2]

Stoney,

I agree with Kurt's explanation. Here is some further information and many vintage photos of the CBI patch in Navy use:

https://pilotsmanyourplanes.com/Page_153.html

 

Kurt,

Another great jacket, congratulations!

Regards, Paul

 

[mch979]

 

Hi Will,

 

The M-422 was created in 1938. The M-422a appeared in 1941.

 

 

My understanding the main difference between the M-422 and the M-422A is that that the pockets on the M-422 are both the same identical width ( the M-422'a pockets are different widths - 1/2" difference ).

 

The fur collar is also wider. I checked my M-422A's and they were all @2.25-2.5 inches wide. The M-422 is @ 3.5" wide. I measured from where the top of the zipper meets the collar to the tip of the collar.

 

Kurt

Kurt, how do you know that the M422 was created in 1938? Who told you that? What is their proof ?

 

Mark

[mch979]

hello is there any differance between the usmc and the navy g1 or m-422, will the usmc still have usn on the collar?

No… the Marine Corps flight gear came from Navy Supply…so the MC pilots were issued the same gear as the Navy Pilots.

 

The evolution sequence is this:

 

March 1940 M-422

Oct 1940 M-422a

1943 AN-6552 and ANJ-3a

1947 55J14

about 1950 G1 7823

about 1959 G1 7823A

1960 G1 7823B

1962 G1 7823C

1864 G1 7823D

 

I do not have my Nat. Archives materials here with me, so the dates are approximate, but very close...

 

photo. My Willis and Geiger M-422

 

Mark

[KASTAUFFER]

Kurt, how do you know that the M422 was created in 1938? Who told you that? What is their proof ?

 

Mark

 

 

I was basing that on information I had read somewhere when putting together the thread originally. If its not correct, please post the source information if you have it. It would benefit the thread.

 

Kurt

[VenitHora]

Great thread!

[jpstout]

I wanted to share this AN-6552 belonging to F.R. Bell, Jr., while with the VD-1 squadron, a Naval Photographic Squadron. I have not researched this man.

 

[jpstout]

Tags...

[jpstout]

Patches...

[KASTAUFFER]

Nice jacket!! I have some photos in a group I have to a man who flew with VD-1. I will see if he is in them,

 

Kurt

[jpstout]

The rear inside of the jacket has a multi language blood chit tacked on at 8 points by string. Pierces the the thickness of the jacket...

[jpstout]

Kurt,

 

That would be nice of you to check, thank you!

 

pat

[jpstout]

A more shots of the inside...

[KASTAUFFER]

Here he is in his other flight jacket

 

 

 

[jpstout]

What a cool "war" dog!

[jpstout]

Here is a Type B-3 jacket that belonged to a ground crewman while in VMF-212/VMF-113. It came with a grouping and I really had not given it much thought, since I am mainly after squadron patches and related insignia. However, I thought it would be appropriate to post since it was used by USMC aviation, Comments welcome...I am not well versed on these jackets.

 

pat

[jpstout]

The back with 2 panels. Some marked damage.

[jpstout]

Size tag and front with evidence of prior name tag...

[doyler]

Good Stuff!!

[jpstout]

This is an M41 utilized by Martin Houlroyd, jr when he was a member of VMSB-341.