US NAVY G-1 1980 FLIGHT JACKET -
Military aviation was first introduced during WWI. The need arose for pilots to wear special protective
clothing to save them from the elements caused by flying in an exposed cockpit. This was the birth of
the flight jacket and flight suits.
The "G-1" military flight jacket is the commonly accepted name for the fur-lined collar World War II
United States Army Air Corps/Navy flight jacket, also currently in use by the U.S. Coast Guard.
More technically, the jacket may be considered the U.S. Military flight jacket developed in 1947 and
used in the Korean War since the term "G-1" was not used as a label for this fur-collared military-issued jacket until after World War II. However, the term "G-1" has come to be used for this style of naval
leather flight jacket. Technically, prior to the end of World War II, and starting in 1940 when it was officially named by the Navy, the jacket had the military spec number of M-422.
The item featured here is an example of the flight attire employed by the American armed forces.
Dated 1980. The outer shell is of leather construction. The collar is outfitted with brown fur-like
material. This is one of the characteristics of a type G-1 flight jacket.
The initials "USN" are punched along the side of the zipper flap. The jacket was produced in the
1980's.
The zipper is made of brass and has a wire type puller. The name of the manufacturer of the zipper is
written on the body of the puller.
This page is a recognition and identification guide for US Military Flight jackets
Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point
out clearly defined areas that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my flight jacket worth?".
A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the jacket is
reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth
of the American military flight jackets in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality
military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
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The military specifications under which the naval flight jackets were made are listed here:
MIL-J-7823E(AS) 1971 |
MIL-J-7823D(WP) 1966 |
MIL-J-7823C (WEP) 1962 |
MIL-J-7823B(WEP)1960 |
MIL-J-7823A(AER) 1958 |
MIL-J-7823(AER) 1951 |
55J14 (AER) 1947 |
AN-J3A 1943 |
AN 6552 1943 |
M-422A 1940 |
M-422 1940 |
The first Navy designation of "G-1" came under the 55J14 specification.
The tag shows a fair amount of wear. This is caused by normal use of the flight jacket.
It is hard to read the contents of the tag. the following information is displayed:
Jacket, Flyers
Intermediate
Size 42
MIL-Spec-
DLA
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This US flight jacket may be currently
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because
the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with
the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item.
Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of
the collectible.
If you have an interest is seeing other US military flight jackets, you can do so by going to our
The History of the American Flight Jacket
identification and price guide.
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