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

[Shenkursk]

Dustin & Owen - the fact that this image comes from NARA, and was featured in a magazine article at some point in the past are not mutually-exclusive. It absolutely adds to the conversation here, and nobody is concerned or offended. Very interesting to see them sorted by specification!

[kammo-man]

Agreed 100%.

 

 

When I first seen the picture in 1995 I asked myself how many of those jackets survived.

 

I just bought the SUIT UP magazine in a Japanese bookshop in London beside ST PAULS Cathedral and brought it with excitement and read it cover to cover on the steps of the cathedral that afternoon.

I was working in the City for Reuters and my boss called me up and made me shift into gear and get down to 85 fleet ST ASAP.

Funny bought in a Japanese book shop on land bombed by the Luftwaffe.

Business first as they say.

 

Always loved the picture.

 

owen

[jerry_k]

 

That's a picture of my closet

hahah you wish !

[mch979]

Kurt I am not so sure, the collar matches the smaller size of the M422 (from memory the M422 has smaller collar then the M422A as this jacket does 2 1/2 I believe?) the pockets on the M422 are different sizes ( I believe the left hand pocket) then the M422A as this jacket has, I believe the M422A has a wide left pocket with pencil hole? This Jacket has a narrower left pocket then all of the M422A jackets I have.

The 422 is strong on the tag no appearance evidence of missing A.

 

I could be wrong but I believe this is a M422 not a M422A

 

 

Your jacket is most definitely an M 422... Look at the back of the collar....there are NO 7 horizontal lines of stitching, as required by the M422a, and the contract number is an M422 contract. It is an M422, no question. If you read the original specification book for the M422 and the M422a, you see two major differences between the two specs, are the collar stand (7lines of horizontal stitching) required on the M422a, and the sleeve lengths are lengthened 1" for all jacket sizes in the M422a.

[Maverickson]

 

 

Your jacket is most definitely an M 422... Look at the back of the collar....there are NO 7 horizontal lines of stitching, as required by the M422a, and the contract number is an M422 contract. It is an M422, no question. If you read the original specification book for the M422 and the M422a, you see two major differences between the two specs, are the collar stand (7lines of horizontal stitching) required on the M422a, and the sleeve lengths are lengthened 1" for all jacket sizes in the M422a.

 

You brought up some good points on the differences between the M-422 and M-422A model jackets. However from those three know M-422 makers (Monarch, Switlik and W&G) only the W&G jackets were required to receive that added sleeve length with the advent of the M-422A.

 

Needless to say, both Monarch and Switlik M-422 jackets came equipped with normal length sleeves from the get go !

 

Cheers, Dave.

[bobgee]

Found this great thread recently. Here is my combat-flown Gordan & Fereguson M-422A which was given to me many years ago by the Marine Corps aviator vet who was a friend in the Marine Corps League. He flew the Corsair in VMF-224 in combat in the Marshalls and at Okinawa. 1 Zero kill recorded.

 

The first pic is the jacket followed by the well worn label, (sz 38), his very faded and worn original brown name tag and the USN collar stamp. The final pic is the jacket with his original squadron patch laid on, It was never sewn on. Enjoy! Semper Fi! Bobgee

[KASTAUFFER]

Found this great thread recently. Here is my combat-flown Gordan & Fereguson M-422A which was given to me many years ago by the Marine Corps aviator vet who was a friend in the Marine Corps League. He flew the Corsair in VMF-224 in combat in the Marshalls and at Okinawa. 1 Zero kill recorded.

 

The first pic is the jacket followed by the well worn label, (sz 38), his very faded and worn original brown name tag and the USN collar stamp. The final pic is the jacket with his original squadron patch laid on, It was never sewn on. Enjoy! Semper Fi! Bobgee

 

Nice jacket Bob!

[Maverickson]

Hi All,

 

I'm proud to present my now fully restored Size 40 SWITLIK PARACHUTE AND EQUIPMENT CO. M-422. When initially received it was a basket case.

 

This Switlik jacket was taken down to it's individual panels by me. Then patterned and restitched in it's entirety.  All done by carefully aligning all panels and restitching in 100% silk thread as per original. Most notably, also recently found that all M-422 jackets in general were in fact completely stitched in silk thread . To include the lining. 

 

 

 

Through my research at the National Archives in Washington DC I found that this jacket is 1 of 247. These Switlik jackets were all delivered to the USN in three individual shipments directly to N.A.S.Pensacola.  All made during the first quarter of 1941. 

 

Now apart of my personal collection and model for reproductions going forward. 

 

Cheers, Dave

[Maverickson]

Hi Again,

 

Please see a couple of other views of my Switlik jacket. 

 

 

 

Cheers, Dave

[Maverickson]

Hi All,

Please see a couple more images that show some of this Switlik jacket's unique details.

 

 

Cheers, Dave

[dmar836]

It's OKAY, I guess.

Kidding. The attention to detail to get it hanging right again must have been intense. Great work, Dave!

The other Dave

[KASTAUFFER]

I was pleased to add this M-422A to my stable of  USN/USMC flight jackets.

The owner flew with VMTB-232 in WWII and VMF-214 during the Korean War. He earned a DFC in each conflict. 

 

The jacket is a nice WWII vintage Edmund T Church contract example. 
 

The VMF 214 patch dates from the Korean War. He became a Captain  in World War II, so the name tag could be from either war.

[dmar836]

That’s in great nick for two combat tours. Kudos!

Dave

[phantomfixer]

now there is a piece of history you do not see everyday...and in excellent condition...congrats

 

[jerry_k]

Ahhh there was more items in the grouping. I hope you will show us more of it.

 

Thanks,

Jerry