The Type AN-J-4 Flight Jacket was introduced in 1943 as the cold-weather counterpart to the lighter AN-J-3. It was the result of a Joint Army-Navy (A/N) specification intended to standardize flight clothing across both services.
Constructed from heavy sheepskin shearling with a seal-brown leather finish and natural fleece interior, the AN-J-4 was designed to replace both the Army Air Forces B-3 and the Navy’s M-445A jackets.
Key features include reinforced horsehide overlays on shoulders, elbows, and underarms, full-length brass zipper, adjustable waist straps, and a high shearling collar with twin throat latches for maximum insulation.
The jacket offered exceptional warmth at high altitude and remained in limited use with USAAF and USN aviators through the end of WWII.
The Type AN-J-4 Flight Jacket was introduced in 1943 as the cold-weather counterpart to the lighter AN-J-3. It was the result of a Joint Army-Navy (A/N) specification intended to standardize flight clothing across both services.
Constructed from heavy sheepskin shearling with a seal-brown leather finish and natural fleece interior, the AN-J-4 was designed to replace both the Army Air Forces B-3 and the Navy’s M-445A jackets.
Key features include reinforced horsehide overlays on shoulders, elbows, and underarms, full-length brass zipper, adjustable waist straps, and a high shearling collar with twin throat latches for maximum insulation.
The jacket offered exceptional warmth at high altitude and remained in limited use with USAAF and USN aviators through the end of WWII.
