Howard Hughes' jacket photograph - 7 November 1947 - What is it?

[Naphtali]

In a 02-09-2008 thread started by Garrett in HATS Forum, titled Howard Hughes, RBH, in series of photographs originally from Dixon, is one of howard Hughes leaving his airplane in Washington, D.C. to probably respond to a subpoena to testify at Congressional hearings. Hughes is wearing his fedora and a bomber-type jacket I cannot identify. It appears to be leather with dark fur/sheep wool collar and appears to have dark fur/sheep wool lining (or it might be storm flap). I has two slash pockets, full zipper, no wool knit sleeve cuffs, no wool knit at the bottom. While my first thought was an ANJ-4, it cannot be with its pockets.

What is that jacket?

 

[Seb Lucas]

Isn't it just a generic civilian flight jacket?

 

[DanielJones]

In a 02-09-2008 thread started by Garrett in HATS Forum, titled Howard Hughes, RBH, in series of photographs originally from Dixon, is one of howard Hughes leaving his airplane in Washington, D.C. to probably respond to a subpoena to testify at Congressional hearings. Hughes is wearing his fedora and a bomber-type jacket I cannot identify. It appears to be leather with dark fur/sheep wool collar and appears to have dark fur/sheep wool lining (or it might be storm flap). I has two slash pockets, full zipper, no wool knit sleeve cuffs, no wool knit at the bottom. While my first thought was an ANJ-4, it cannot be with its pockets.

What is that jacket?

I presume you are speaking of this jacket.

It might have been this jacket, from 10 years earlier, but you can see the pockets under the coveralls.

Could have been a custom jacket he had made to fly in bi-planes years earlier.

Cheers!

Dan

 

[Seb Lucas]

Doubt it. Sleeves are way too short, like all off the rack clothing Hughes bought. He was six ft four a giant in that time.

At that time the leather bomber was as common as a nylon windbreaker today.

 

[Naphtali]

I presume you are speaking of this jacket.

Could have been a custom jacket he had made to fly in bi-planes years earlier.

Cheers!

Dan

Dan:

This is the jacket. I think it's a pleasing design as it appear to be a good fit for him. . . . So what is it?
***
Parenthetically, when I was a teenager and under the influence of my brother's friend, Ike Levy, I owned all long play albums of "I Can Hear It Now." In one for post-war America was an audio of Howard Hughes at a Congressional hearing. He was asked whether he could have one of his staff return for more testimony. Hughes, after responding at length that the man had been before the hearings committee "for unlimited testimony," Hughes was asked again whether he would have the man return for more. Hughes responded, "No. I don't think I will." And that is chutzpah that I only dream I had.

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

Napthali-

The jacket in that photo looks a lot like an Air Associates. They made civil aviation flight suits with separate jacket and trousers; he may be wearing just the jacket there. Of course there were many other flight gear makers at that time but that's my best guess.

Great photo by the way!

Noel

 

[Edward]

Definitely a civilian jacket, though reminiscent of a B2 design, imo - imagine it without the handwarmer pockets, and add in the one-of, button-down pocket on one side....

 

[Sloan1874]

Yes, that collar is definitely B-2ish

 

[Dinerman]