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G-1 military flight jacket

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US WWII-era navy flight jacket
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Navy G-1 flight jacket

The "G-1" military flight jacket is the commonly accepted name for the fur-lined-collar World War II-era leather flight jacket of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. A similar jacket used by the United States Army Air Corps/United States Army Air Forces was usually called the A-2 jacket.

Usage

The G-1 remains a current uniform-issue item in naval aviation for officer and enlisted aviation personnel on flying status in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard (i.e., Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, Naval Flight Surgeon, Naval Aircrewman, etc.) and was featured as the leather flight jacket worn by Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun.

Development prior to 1947

The G1 jacket can trace its history back to the M-422 jacket, which was brought into use by the U.S. Navy in the 1930s, originally standardized by the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics on 28 March 1940. The lengthening of the sleeves by one inch, the internal bi-swing elastic increased from 3/4 inch to 1 inch, and 7 lines of stitches added to the collar to add rigidity, warranted the change of spec to M-422A on 1 October 1941. This jacket shared the double button pocket design and the mouton fur collar of later designs, but was a bulkier cut which was also longer in the body and normally had a salmon red lining.

VB-3 Pilots in 1942. Some of whom are wearing M422A jackets.

In 1942 the M-422A jacket, was replaced by the US Navy by the visually similar AN-6552/AN-J-3A (the latter sometimes being made in horsehide) in an attempt to streamline production between the services as a war economy measure. The AN-J-3 (an AN-6552 without a fur collar and made in horsehide) also replaced the Army Air Forces A-2 jacket, although it was not widely issued. There was also a light weight AN-6551/AN-J-2 and a heavy weight AN-6553/ANJ-4 with the latter being the only one widely adopted by the USAAF.

The M422A jackets and their Second World War compatriots are not commonly seen with patches beyond name, qualification, and service on the left breast. By exception there is sometimes a single squadron badge on the right breast, but not to the level seen on the post war jackets.

Since 1947

In 1947, the US Navy introduced the first G1 jacket which can be correctly named as such: the 55-J-14 jacket. The 55-J-14 was called the G1 on its specification label. It shared the hallmarks of the original M422 jacket, but was shorter in the body so that it didn't bunch up when aircrew were sat down. This was the jacket more commonly seen during the Korean War. It retained the USN stamp in white lettering on the back of the collar from the M422a, and was the only G1 to do so.

Pilots aboard the USS Leyte in 1950, wearing 55-J-14 jackets.

The MIL-J-7823(AER) which was introduced in 1950 is the ancestor of the G1 still issued today. This was the first to have USN stamped on the wind flap. This jacket evolved through to the D model (which was the last to have a black specification label) before the introduction of the E model in 1971. The E deviated by allowing synthetic materials to be used in the collar, and stamped cowhide rather than goatskin to be used in the outer.

After the Second World War, it became common for G1 jackets to be adorned with patches earned during a pilot's career. Patches include types of aircraft flown, milestones in carrier landings or total flying hours, and deployments or cruises carried out on certain ships.

For a very brief period from 1979 until early 1981, issuance of the G-1 to new USN, USMC, and USCG flight crew personnel (i.e., officer flight students and newly designated enlisted Naval Aircrewman) was discontinued as a budgetary economy action, with those personnel being issued summer weight green Nomex flight jackets identical to those issued to their U.S. Air Force counterparts. Replacement of worn-out G-1 jackets for extant Naval Aviation personnel was also discontinued during this period. This action was reversed by Secretary of the Navy action in early 1981, and those USN, USMC, and USCG flight-crew personnel who had not received G-1 jackets were issued one retroactively.

Modifications to USN, USMC, and USCG uniform regulations in the 1990s reduced the type and number of permissible insignia on the G-1, but concurrently permitted wear of the G-1 jacket off base with service uniforms.

Commercial exploitation

Commercial versions of the jacket have been available on the consumer market. Official military suppliers which also sold similar spec jackets to the public include Cockpit USA, Cooper Sportswear, Orchard M/C, Brill Bros., Schott, and Excelled. After the success of the 1986 film Top Gun, shopping-mall leather stores carried a variety of G-1 variants. These are new production and come in goatskin and cowhide varieties stamped USN, USCG, or USMC. Jackets are offered by many companies for the civilian market, including US Authentic Mfg. Co., Lost Worlds, Gibson and Barnes, Eastman, US Wings and Bill Kelso Mfg.

Specifications

The military specifications under which the naval flight jackets were made, in the order of latest to earliest, are

  • MIL-J-7823E (AS) 1971
  • MIL-J-7823D (WP) 1966
  • MIL-J-7823C (WEP) 1962
  • MIL-J-7823B (WEP) 1960
  • MIL-J-7823A (AER) 1959
  • MIL-J-7823 (AER) 1950
  • 55-J-14 (AER) 1947
  • AN-J3A 1943
  • AN-6552 1943
  • M-422A 1941
  • M-422 1940

The first Navy designation of "G-1" came under the 55-J-14 specification.

Manufacturers

The makers of the Navy's jackets of the above specifications, in rough chronological order from the current supplier to pre-WWII include:

  • PHARR BRAND NAME APPAREL SP0100-04-D-4247-0001 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • EXCELLED SHEEPSKIN & LEATHER COAT CO. SP0 100-04-4119 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • EXCELLED SHEEPSKIN & LEATHER COAT CO. SPO 100-99-D-5076-0001 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • SCHOTT BROS., INC. SPO100-98-C-5015 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • COOPER SPORTSWEAR MFG. CO., INC SPO-100-96-C-4015 MIL-J-7823E
  • COOPER SPORTSWEAR MFG. CO., INC SPO-100-95-M-SH82 MIL-J-7823E
  • COOPER SPORTSWEAR MFG. CO. INC DLA100-92-C-0454 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • COOPER SPORTSWEAR MFG. CO., INC DLA100-91-C-0323 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • COOPER SPORTSWEAR MFG. CO., INC DLA100-89-C-0480 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DLA100-87-C-0739
  • ORCHARD M/C DIST. INC. DLA100-86-C-0481 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DLA100-86-C-0451 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPORTSWEAR, INC. DLA100-84-C-0771 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DLA100-82-C-0564 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPORTSWEAR, INC. DSA100-77-C-1518 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • FERGUSON OF OKLAHOMA DSA100-76-C-1788 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • IMPERIAL LEATHER & SPORTSWEAR INC. DSA100-76-C-1788 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • IMPERIAL LEATHER & SPORTSWEAR INC. DSA100-76-C-0375 MIL - J 7823E(AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DSA100-75-C-0332 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA100-75-C-0331 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • IMPERIAL FASHIONS, INC. DSA100-74-0162 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DSA-73-C-0035 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA100-73-C-0034 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DSA-72-C1138 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA100-72-C-0060 MIL-J-7823E(AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DSA 100-71-C-1343 MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG.CO. DSA100-71-C-0535 MIL-J-7823D(WP)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DSA 100-71-C-0141 MIL-J-7823C(WP)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPORTSWEAR, INC. NONE ON TAG MIL-J-7823E (AS)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DSA 100-70-C-0484 MIL-J-7823D(WP)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA100-70-C-0483 MIL-J-7823D(WP)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA 100-70-C-0475 MIL-J-7823D(WP)
  • THE MARTIN LANE CO., INC. DSA 100-69-C-1545 MIL-J-7823D (WP)
  • BRILL BROS., INC. DSA 100-68-C-1805 MIL-J-7823D (WP)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA 100-68-C-0759 MIL-J-7823D (WP)
  • THE MARTIN LANE CO., INC. DSA 100-68-C-0099 MIL-J-7823D (WP)
  • GREGORY SPORTSWEAR INC. CONTRACT NO. DSA 100-67-C-3929 SPEC.MIL-J-7823D(WEP)
  • GREGORY SPORTSWEAR INC. CONTRACT NO. DSA 100-67-C-3928 SPEC.MIL-J-7823D(WEP)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPRTSWEAR, INC. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-5366 SPEC.MIL-J-7823D (WEP)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. DSA 100-67-C-1095 SPEC.MIL-J-7823D(WEP)
  • IRVIN B. FOSTER SPTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-8826 SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP)
  • IRVIN B. FOSTER SPTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-8825 SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP)
  • IRVIN B. FOSTER SPTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO. DSA-10003081 SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP)
  • IRVIN B. FOSTER SPTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO. DSA-100-598 SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPRTSWEAR, INC. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-4342-64-C SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPRTSWEAR, INC. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-9365 SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-3271-64-C SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP) W/E
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG. CORP. CONTRACT NO. DSA 100-599 SPEC.MIL-J-7823C (WEP)
  • IRVIN B. FOSTER SPTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-2071-63-C SPEC.MIL-J-7823B(WEP)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPORTSWEAR, INC. CONTRACT NO.DSA- -1040-63-C SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823B(WEP)
  • IRVIN B. FOSTER SPTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO. DSA-1-435-C-62 SPEC.MIL-J-7823B(WEP)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPORTSWEAR, INC. CONTRACT NO. QM(CTM) 10276-C-61 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823B(WEP)
  • IRVIN B.FOSTER&SONS SPORTSWEAR CO., INC. CONTRACT NO. DA 36-243-QM(CTM)8834-C-61 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823A(AER)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPORTSWEAR, INC. CONTRACT NO. QM(CTM)8833C-61 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823A(AER)
  • BREIER OF AMSTERDAM, INC. QM(CTM)6837-C-60 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823(AER)
  • CALIFORNIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY CONTRACT #QM(CTM)4771-E-60 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • CAGLECO SPORTSWEAR CONT QM(CTM)-144-O.I.-2515-E-57 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • CAGLECO SPORTSWEAR CONTRACT NO N383-39321A SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • CAGLECO SPORTSWEAR CONTRACT NO N383-28657A SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • CAGLECO SPORTSWEAR CONTRACT NO N383s-14722A SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • CAGLECO SPORTSWEAR CONTRACT NO N383s-9211A SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • J.A.DUBOW SPORTING GOODS CORP. CONTRACT NO. N383S-4833A SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • J.A.DUBOW SPORTING GOODS CORP. CONTRACT NO. N383S-4765A SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • L.W. FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO, INC. CONTRACT N383-22356A SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823(AER) & AMEND. #2
  • L.W. FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO., INC. CONTRACT NO.DA-36-243-QM(CTM)2312 SPECIFICATION NO. MIL-J-7823(AER)
  • L.W.FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO., INC CONTRACT NO. DA-36-243-QM(CTM)2134 SPECIFICATION NO. MIL-J-7823(AER)
  • L.W.FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO., INC CONTRACT NO.N383s-74471 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823(AER)
  • MONARCH MFG. CO. CONTRACT NO. N383s-80667 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • RALPH EDWARDS SPORTSWEAR CONTRACT NO. QM.(CTM)-2313 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823 (AER)
  • WERBER SPORTSWEAR, INC. CONTRACT NO.383S-88886 SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7823(AER)
  • A. PRITZKER & SONS, INC. CONTRACT NO.N383S-69537 SPEC. 55J14 (AER)
  • AVIATORS CLOTHING CO., INC. CONTRACT NO. N-383s-22111 SPEC. 55J14(AER)
  • B.-G. INC. CONTRACT NO. 383s-25923 SPEC. 55J14 (AER)
  • BURJAC SPORTSWEAR INC. CONTRACT No N383s-5299 SPECIFICATION 55J14 (AER)
  • L.W.FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO. INC. CONTRACT NO.N-383s-96273 SPEC. 55J14 (AER)
  • L.W.FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO. INC. CONTRACT NO. N383s-13120 SPEC. 55J14 (AER)
  • L.W.FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO. INC. CONTRACT NO. N383s-20445 SPEC. 55J14 (AER)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG.CO. LYNN, MASS. CONTRACT NO. N383S-39943 SPEC. 55J14 (AER)
  • STAR SPORTSWEAR MFG.CO. LYNN, MASS. CONTRACT NO. N383S-51863 SPEC. 55J14 (AER)
  • BURJAC SPORTSWEAR INC. CONTRACT #N288s-24369 SPECIFICATION AN-J3A
  • BURJAC SPORTSWEAR INC. CONTRACT #N288s-24368 SPECIFICATION AN-J3A
  • L.W.FOSTER SPORTSWEAR CO.INC. CONT. NO. N383s1035 AN-J-3a
  • MONARCH MFG.CO. MILWAUKEE CONTRACT NO. N288s-20570 SPECIFICATION AN-J-3A
  • MONARCH MFG. CO. MILWAUKEE CONTRACT NO. N288S-28665 SPECIFICATION AN-J-3A
  • ARNOFF MFG. COMPANY CONTRACT NO. N288 S-24248 TYPE AN-J-3A
  • WILLIS AND GEIGER INC. CONTRACT-N288s-35805 SPEC. AN-J-3A
  • AMERICAN SPORTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO.N288s-28628 AN 6552
  • AMERICAN SPORTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO.N288s-23627 AN 6552
  • AMERICAN SPORTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO.N288s-24332 AN 6552
  • BOGEN & TENENBAUM CONTRACT NO. N 288s32281 AN 6552-42
  • BOGEN & TENENBAUM Contract No. N 288s24333 AN 6552-40
  • WILLIS AND GEIGER INC. CONTRACT -N288S32357 AN 6552-38
  • WILLIS AND GEIGER INC. CONTRACT -N288S28628 AN 6552-40
  • H.& L.BLOCK CONTRACT NO.N288s-20559 AN 6552
  • EDMUND T.CHURCH CO. INC. CONTRACT No. NXs-5133 SPECIFICATION M - 422 A
  • FRIED, OSTERMAN CO. CONTRACT NO. 1405-A SPECIFICATION M - 422 A
  • FRIED, OSTERMAN CO. CONTRACT NO. 1406 EXT.A SPECIFICATION M - 422 A
  • GORDON & FERGUSON CO. CONTRACT NO. 88860 SPECIFICATION M 422A
  • GORDON & FERGUSON CO. CONTRACT NO. NXs.416-A SPECIFICATION M-422 A
  • GORDON & FERGUSON CO. CONTRACT NO. NXs.416 SPECIFICATION M-422 A
  • H.&L. BLOCK CONTRACT No. Nxsa-5134 SPECIFICATION M-422a
  • WILLIS AND GEIGER INC. CONTRACT-Nos.290A SPECIFICATION M 422A
  • WILLIS AND GEIGER INC. CONTRACT-N Xs-290 SPECIFICATION M 422a
  • WILLIS AND GEIGER INC. CONTRACT-No. S-74892 SPECIFICATION M 422
  • Monarch Mfg. Company CONTRACT-No. 79633 SPECIFICATION M-422

See also

References

  1. Kirkland, Justin (23 July 2019). "Top Gun: Maverick Features a Big Change to Tom Cruise's Iconic Jacket". www.esquire.com. Esquire Magazine. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  2. "Eastman :: M-422A". Eastman Leather Clothing. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  3. "Flight Jacket History". AVI LEATHER. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  4. "M-422A Flight Jacket (NXs. 416)". AVI LEATHER. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  5. "MIL-J-7823 E JACKETS FLYERS INTERMEDIATE TYPE G-1". everyspec.com. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
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