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Anj-3
- Thread starter jpk_NJ
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Atticus Finch
Call Me a Cab
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There were two versions of the ANJ-3. One version was more like the M-422A in that it had a mouton collar and an interior wind flap. The other was more like the A-2 in that it had a leather collar and an exterior wind flap and maybe epaulets...I can't recall for sure. They both were goatskin and they both had the pleated or "action back".
The first version was actually issued in relatively small numbers and examples can still be found. The second version wasn't issued (except possibly as a test jacket) and I've only seen one photograph of one example. A very rare bird, indeed.
AF
The first version was actually issued in relatively small numbers and examples can still be found. The second version wasn't issued (except possibly as a test jacket) and I've only seen one photograph of one example. A very rare bird, indeed.
AF
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Dr H
Call Me a Cab
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I owned one of each issued type several years ago, but sold them on (they are posted here or on VLJF) as neither was quite my size - one was a shade small (snug 40-42) and the other too large (genuine 44-46).
There was no indication of the manufacturer in either case (no label remained of course, in common with other AN-J-3 jackets), but there were distinctly different in key features: size of collar, shape of pocket flaps, windflap, etc.
Lots of good info. I was never really a fan of how A2s look on me personally. They look great in pictures and on other folks but just not on me. However, I really like the ANJ3 style. I'll post a few photos of my GB ANJ3 (exterior flap & epaulettes) once it's done drying. Currently giving it a bath in some cool water. Definitely a nice thick goat from GB and I lucked out scoring one of the last they had.
I've always had a niggle in the back of my mind to get an ANJ-3 and it's still there. It's not top of my list but I reckon I might pull the trigger one day and get one.
As a flight jacket it makes a lot of sense, in many ways it's like an A-2 but more user friendly.
As a flight jacket it makes a lot of sense, in many ways it's like an A-2 but more user friendly.
It is a real shame it was killed off so quickly. It is a wonderful design and if you compare it with an A-2 at a purely functional level it makes far, far more sense. But us human beings are such emotive creatures and all those pics of aircrew in their A-2s is what has no doubt tipped it in favour for the A-2 in the repro market.
The more I read this thread, the more I want one. That itch isn't going away!
nick123
I'll Lock Up
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Just bought a used G&B G-1 on ebay. Hope it's a trimmer fit. Right when I thought common sense got the best of me to run away, this thread did it. Thanks enablers.
Precisely what I was thinking. Seal goat with rust knits would look good.
Atticus Finch
Call Me a Cab
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I've noticed that civilian versions of the ANJ-3 often combine the two original versions. In other words, they simply take a G-1 shell and replace the mouton collar with leather.
I think the reason the ANJ-3 never gained traction in the military is because it was obsolete before it was designed. Leather flight jackets are good flight jackets only if you have no other choice. Yes, they look great and develop fabulous character with wear...but they are heavy and cold and expensive. Or, in the case of the B-jackets, bulky. By the time WWII ended, there were better options.
AF
I think the reason the ANJ-3 never gained traction in the military is because it was obsolete before it was designed. Leather flight jackets are good flight jackets only if you have no other choice. Yes, they look great and develop fabulous character with wear...but they are heavy and cold and expensive. Or, in the case of the B-jackets, bulky. By the time WWII ended, there were better options.
AF
nick123
I'll Lock Up
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Third or fourth time now, but I love that jacket.
Seal definitely. Rust knits might not be historically accurate but I'm with you Sloan, it'd look brilliant
Too true AF. Cloth and eventually nylon was the way it was going. Leather was on the way out. But it's just a shame the ANJ-3 hasn't kicked off as well with the repro buying public. It's such a good looking, functional jacket and dare I say it, better designed than our beloved A-2.
The US Navy never did drop their G-1 as far as I recollect, and I think the A-2 has made a comeback in the USAF. A number of USAF pilots bought their own versions of an "A-2" with their own funds. My G-1 was issued to me in 1967. It's really too bad that all branches of the US military didn't follow through with the ANJ-3 as standard military issue all of these years,
Thurston's pics of Aero's Anj-3 are good: http://www.thurston-bros.com/#!product/prd1/2606307781/aero-usaaf-type-an-j-3-in-goatskin
I don't see why you couldn't or shouldn't go for rust knits as specific technical info on the jackets is sparse. I know - I spent months trawling the net for it before I went for mine. And I never did find out what the linings were made of; from what I could tell, it would appear that rayon was used for those allotted for the USN, but there's no reason to suppose that the ones designated for the ASAAF wouldn't have had cotton linings.
So who's to say what colour knits should be "proper" also? There were so many variations by degree and anomalies out there of every type of jacket and patch … if it's what you'd like, I say go for it. I mean, I don't know if the original Aero Company ever made the ANJ-3, but you'd have one that would look like an ANJ-3 that was made by Aero with those knits. No bad thing.
I don't see why you couldn't or shouldn't go for rust knits as specific technical info on the jackets is sparse. I know - I spent months trawling the net for it before I went for mine. For instance, I never did find out what the linings were made of; from what I could tell, it would appear that rayon was used for the majority which were allotted for the USN, but there's no reason to suppose that the ones designated for the USAAF wouldn't have had cotton linings (which is what I wanted and opted for).
So who's to say what colour knits should be "proper" also? There were so many variations by degree and anomalies out there of every type of jacket and patch … if it's what you'd like, I say go for it. I mean, I don't know if the original Aero Company ever made the ANJ-3, but you'd have one that would look like an ANJ-3 that was made by Aero with those knits. No bad thing.
Well, I have a light/regular frame too (when I watched Captain America with my girlfriend and they put Steve Rogers in the machine in the lab and the door opens and suddenly he's all buff, my girlfriend sat up and clapped like a seal saying "Oooh! We have to get one of those for you!". LOL), and this is how my Aero looked on me last Summer (intended for the Top 3 Jacket thread that I never got to add to - but it's in my Top 3).
And from the mission tallies, you'll notice we've rescued extra pets from Texas since the original post!
[Oh my, just look at all that green in the background. A far cry from the -22C this morning and all the ice.
