Aero Leather USAAF Type AN-J-3

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The AN-J-3 was designed as a joint project for both the USAAF and the USN in 1943 but only a very few dozen were ever produced. The AN-J jackets were introduced as the result of the desire to standardize clothing and equipment, reduce inventories, and ease production burdens. The Navy’s jacket prior to this was the M-422A while the AAF were issued with the Type A-2.

The AN-J-3 was the AAF’s version of the new “combined” design but never got beyond the initial trail stages as only a very few dozen were ever produced as, by 1943, the USAAF were committed to the use of Alpaca Wool lined Gabardine clothing. It is not thought that more than a handful were ever issued to AAF personnel while the US Navy’s version, (the AN-J-3A) with it’s mouton collar, became standard issue.

Although there were very few AN-J-3s to start with there is enough historic knowledge of the jacket to determine that there were two slightly different versions produced at the experimental stage.
The jacket we offer here is our “standard” Type AN-J-3, the best known of the two versions, that is the one photographed above. It’s basically the M422a with a leather collar and epaulettes. Our AN-J-3 uses the same WW2 military grade goatskin as the originals, it retains the cotton lining used on the Type A-2, we use original deadstock vintage single thickness, double weave wool waistbands with matching cuffs and a offer choice of Talon zippers, both original deadstock and WW2 reproduction.
A few AN-J-3A’s were made with exterior storm flap like the A-2, some with an interior flap like the M-422A. We can offer either design although the more complicated version, the one with the wind-flap, is only available by special order and, due to the extra work, carries a premium charge .

After (or before) placing an order, we advise discussing the fine details, zipper, etc with one of our representatives.