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


KASTAUFFER
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Just bought this jacket. It is in amazing condition. I have owned many many M445As over the years and this one is the best. No cracking anywhere and the shearling is still VERY soft. I lay the emphasis on very soft because i had never seen one so supple. It is marked size 40 but feels more like a confortable 42. This one is fully wearable.
The jacket belonged to Rear Admiral Ira McMillian (He was a Commander in WWII) He received a Navy Cross, Silver Star and Legion of Merit. The helmet and jacket were used by him while in the Aleutian Islands where he played a key role in the planning phases of the Attu and Kiska operations. Rear Admiral McMillian also served as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. NEWCOMB (DD-586), Flagship of the Screen Commander in Task Force FIFTY-FOUR (TF-54).
The jacket came with a M-450 flight helmet, an amazing scarf man of parachute silk and a mint NAF1092 Lift the Dot Navy flight helmet with a pre war contract. Very rare helmet in any condition.

 

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Reposting pictures of this one as the pictures were gone:

 

Named to Major General Carson A Roberts USMC. Jacket is in outstanding condition and everything is original. It is one of my favorite jackets.

This is the jacket he used in Korea when he was a Colonel (the patch was only used there) and I assume the nametag was replaced when he was promoted to Major General in 1957.

He received the DFC in Korea when he flew missions there as a Colonel:

https://www.mcu.usmc...roberts_ca.aspx


"Ordered to Korea in May 1951, Colonel Roberts saw action there until March 1952, serving successfully as Deputy Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; Commander, Marine Aircraft Group 33; and Chief of Staff, 1st Wing. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for outstanding service as group commander, and the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in that capacity on 10 November 1951 while leading a close air support strike near Sohui-ri. In May 1952, he became Chief of Staff, Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, at Norfolk, Virginia."

His Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia....on_Abel_Roberts

 

 

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VP-812 Korean War M-422A flight jacket. This jacket has seen a ton of cockpit time and VP-812 was active in the Korean war flying coast patrol mission

 

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And now for comparisson a AN6552 W&G with different lining color and black US instead of white. Except for the missing tag it is in stellar condition. Everything is original. The leather is fantastic and really soft. Mouton collar is perfect and so are the lining and the waistband. Size is roughly a 40.

 

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For comparison a super rare Willis & Geiger AN-J-3A. I had never seen one quite like it before. It is made of horsehide (first Navy jacket I see in horsehide) and it has red knits (original). It is in great shape and i could have made the leather look brand new with a coat of Pecard but I decided against it to preserve the typical horsehide wear on the leather.

 

 

 

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Not a WWII flight jacket but cool nonetheless; Korean War Monarch G-1 and it is in stellar condition. Everything is original and the leather is in perfect shape and is the heaviest I have seen. The patches are original to the jacket and reflect the pilot's service. He was first with VC-3 during Korea and then went on to VF-23 after the war

 

 

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Always great to see your collection here and over on VLJ. I have to ask, where do you find these beauties. Help a rookie out.

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