bebel
Active Member
I open this thread about the USN nylon "Jacket, Suits Flying Winter, hoping that some of you are interested in and could give us some other informations in order to increase knowledge about it.
Informations below need to be completed, as unfortunately I did not get a lot of details about this type of jacket. All I'm writing is coming from personal observations of some jackets I can have had in my hands and of course, some USN crews pictures.
OK let's go!
Mil spéc-S-18342 JSFW were issued at the late 1950s. It was the upper part of a cold weather flying suit. But it was rapidly used more like a "simple" jacket rather than the complete two-parts suit. Although this high-waisted jacket is not very easy to wear with a good size, it's pleasant to see worn. I would add that it's light enough despite of his warm garnish.
I never got nor seen a 18342A model but there is one displayed in the "Suit Up! The flight Jacket" Kesaharu Imai's book.
The B version also was issued before 1959 as some are still "(AER)" labeled. As we know, Bureau of Naval Weapons (WEP) replaced Bureau of Aeronautic (AER) at this year.
Last 18342C was issued about 1967/68, I guess. This version was retired from service at the beginning of the 1970s when moderner flight jackets were issued to USN squadrons. However, some former pilots were keeping their old and loved "WEP". We can see such jackets with velcroed tape name and patches, from time to time . This usage ended some years later...
We could notice that only the C version has a white canvas label while the older types have a black. All zippers seem to be Conmar or Scovill.
Manufacturers that I could listed are:
- Aviators Clothing Co. (only for first and A versions?)
- Aviators Equipment Corp. (only for B version?)
- Center Mfg. Co.
- King Points Mfg.
- Satellite Outerwear Corp.
- TS Lankford & Sons Inc.
- Land Manufacturing inc.
- ...
Photos:
Mil-S-18342. Note the mention "(AER)" instead of "(WEP)".
Two 18342B versions.
The first was modified by riggers by adding two pockets over the originals. It is a 18342B (AER).
The second has a contract of FY 1963. It was belonging to a VF-41 and VF-84 Phantom RIO.
Three 18342C versions. On some of these, note that knit cuffs are pointed.
This one is from a A-7 Corsair driver (1972):
Another C from a VP-47 pilot (1969):
And a third from a VF-96 Phantom RIO (1969):
To be completed...
Franck
Informations below need to be completed, as unfortunately I did not get a lot of details about this type of jacket. All I'm writing is coming from personal observations of some jackets I can have had in my hands and of course, some USN crews pictures.
OK let's go!
Mil spéc-S-18342 JSFW were issued at the late 1950s. It was the upper part of a cold weather flying suit. But it was rapidly used more like a "simple" jacket rather than the complete two-parts suit. Although this high-waisted jacket is not very easy to wear with a good size, it's pleasant to see worn. I would add that it's light enough despite of his warm garnish.
I never got nor seen a 18342A model but there is one displayed in the "Suit Up! The flight Jacket" Kesaharu Imai's book.
The B version also was issued before 1959 as some are still "(AER)" labeled. As we know, Bureau of Naval Weapons (WEP) replaced Bureau of Aeronautic (AER) at this year.
Last 18342C was issued about 1967/68, I guess. This version was retired from service at the beginning of the 1970s when moderner flight jackets were issued to USN squadrons. However, some former pilots were keeping their old and loved "WEP". We can see such jackets with velcroed tape name and patches, from time to time . This usage ended some years later...
We could notice that only the C version has a white canvas label while the older types have a black. All zippers seem to be Conmar or Scovill.
Manufacturers that I could listed are:
- Aviators Clothing Co. (only for first and A versions?)
- Aviators Equipment Corp. (only for B version?)
- Center Mfg. Co.
- King Points Mfg.
- Satellite Outerwear Corp.
- TS Lankford & Sons Inc.
- Land Manufacturing inc.
- ...
Photos:
Mil-S-18342. Note the mention "(AER)" instead of "(WEP)".
Two 18342B versions.
The first was modified by riggers by adding two pockets over the originals. It is a 18342B (AER).
The second has a contract of FY 1963. It was belonging to a VF-41 and VF-84 Phantom RIO.
Three 18342C versions. On some of these, note that knit cuffs are pointed.
This one is from a A-7 Corsair driver (1972):
Another C from a VP-47 pilot (1969):
And a third from a VF-96 Phantom RIO (1969):
To be completed...
Franck
