Anj-3 makers?

[Aerojoe]

I'm planning to purchase an Anj-3 jacket with no epaulets

I have found this one but the comments are not too convincing;

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/product/9086

and I really like this one but I don't want any patches or paint;

http://www.cockpitusa.com/store/uss-forrestal-carrier-pilots-vietnam-flight-jacket.html

any other option?

 

[GHQ1]

http://www.gibson-barnes.com/prod-293974/Anj3-Usaaf-And-Usn.html

I have one and it's a beauty. Mine has eps and no interior pockets.

 

[Dr H]

I have an original mil spec AN-J-3 for sale in a 44-46 if you're interested (although it does has eps)?

 

[Aerojoe]

No epaulets, thanks

 

[Dr H]

No problem. Too rare a beast to have the luxury of choice

 

[KELORGO]

I have one of the Sporty's AN-J-3s from when they were made in the States and it is nice. Also take a look at Pop's Leather. Their G1 has a removable fur collar and is sweet in calfskin. Also, take a look at the Orchard jackets being offered on ebay. They will make you a G1 without the fur collar. They sell for about $400 in horsehide and half that in cowhide. I don't have any experience with the Orchard jackets, but have emailed them and have been told they are newly made.

None of the above jackets have epaulets. You can order the Pop's or the Orchard with or without hidden hand warmer pockets. The Sporty's has them as standard. The only other difference between the Sporty's and the others is that the Sporty's has the traditional A2 snap down collar, while the others have a rounded lay down collar.
KELORGO

 

[Aerojoe]

Hi Kelorgo!

I have one of the Sporty's AN-J-3s from when they were made in the States and it is nice.

Where are they made now? China? The comments on their web say the jacket is too thin. I don't know. I prefer to spend more in a quality jacket.

Also take a look at Pop's Leather.

Yeah, I definitely have to try Pop's stuff someday. A removable thinsulate liner is very appealing to me.

take a look at the Orchard jackets being offered on ebay. They will make you a G1 without the fur collar. They sell for about $400 in horsehide and half that in cowhide. I don't have any experience with the Orchard jackets, but have emailed them and have been told they are newly made.

Do they have any web page to check their products?

 

[KELORGO]

The leather on the Sporty's I have is a heavy as the heavier sample I received from US Authentic (USAs seal brown). It has great grain and seems tough, but lightweight. It's a great spring/fall jacket. Mine was made in the US, but I believe they are now made in Pakistan. From what I've read, Pakistan produces nice goatskin. For the money, the Sporty's is a nice jacket. It also most closely resembles the AN-J-3 out of the jackets I mentioned, since it has the A2 collar. I actually like the look of this collar the best, but the lay down and rounded collar of the Pop's is much more comfortable when sitting and/or driving.

The calfskin on the Pop's is like a high end fashion leather. Mine is black and still shows some nice grain.

Orchard does have a website, but I've mostly emailed them through ebay. I think the website is something like Orchard Motorcycle Distributing. I have to check to see if their horsehide G1/ANJ3 is new, or something I just newly noticed.

As somebody mentioned above, Gibson & Barnes sells an AN-J-3. I don't like the outside wind flap as much, nor do I prefer epaulets.

Good luck in your search!
Keith

 

[KELORGO]

The Orchard Branded website is www.800branded.com Wow, wasn't even close to remembering it correctly! The G1 is on page 14. You can get a better look at their jackets on ebay, where they sell under 800brandedcom and OrchardMotorcycledist.inc. Search "cowhide G1" and sometimes "horsehide G1". Seems like their prices are a little better on ebay as well.
Keith

 

[Aerojoe]

Thanks for the info! Let's see what I find

 

[Edward]

I briefly owned a secondhand Aero model a couple of years ago. Very impressive, just too small. A clear size smaller than the same labelled size AN6552. I don't recall whether there were epaulettes, though I am sure they could make you one that way. Of course, given current backlog it might be a while.

 

[Aerojoe]

Hi Edward

I saw your jacket on the thread you posted when you sold it. It looked nice but it had epaulets. Is it epaulets in English or epaulettes? The later sounds french to me

 

[Dr H]

Epaulettes in English too (we have stolen many words from the French over the years); epaulets in American.

 

[Aerojoe]

Ok I like better the shorter version

 

[Dr H]

Less stylish though... ;-)

 

[Dr H]

.

 

[Stand By]

I have the Aero ANJ-3 - without epaulettes. I can vouch for it whole-heartedly.
I posted photos on the FL a few months ago ...

 

[Edward]

Hi Edward

I saw your jacket on the thread you posted when you sold it. It looked nice but it had epaulets. Is it epaulets in English or epaulettes? The later sounds french to me

Ah! I have photos somewhere, but I only had the jacket for a few days, owing to sizing issues... Yes, if it had them, they were definitely epaulettes.