Maverickson
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
Tomorrow marks my my Size 38 Switlik M-422 jacket's birthday and I wanted to share this occasion with the forum.
The grand daddy of all USN jackets made to date. Something I believe well worth while celebrating. Not not many can say that they know the birth date of their vintage jacket. Especially one that is among the most unique and rarely seen USN jackets ever made and combat worn to boot.
Among some of the other items found in the jacket's pocket was the jacket's missing left button.
No doubt part of the USN order for 247 Switlik jackets that I found were delivered to NAS Pensacola during the first quarter of 1941. However, it was not issued until July 2, 1941 to a graduating member Ensign P. E. Pirtle USNR. As per the original owners receipt that was received with the jacket.
During the jacket's early years had to have been this jackets most exciting period. It spent the first two years of WW-2 at NAS Pensacola when it's owner (Edelle to his friends) taught flight school. Then from 1943 until 1945 as an active participant in two combat tours with VPB-135 flying the PV-1 Ventura. Both done in Alaska flying the Empire Express. Regularly flying 1,500 mile round trip combat missions between the Japanese Kurile Islands and Attu. Ultimately, It's owner received the DFC for his efforts.
Considering the jacket's current condition tells me that the jacket was given little or no wear time post War. The jacket remains all original. With the exception of having a squadron and I D patch attached, it has never been altered or modified. More than likely neatly stored away with a few mementos left in the jacket's pockets. All from it's war time experiences for the next 75 years in Wyoming.
In April of 2000 with the passing of the jacket's original owner the winged leather ID tag was removed. It now resides with Edelle. Thereafter the M-422 remained in storage for the next 20 years in a family member's care.
Currently, kept by me here in VA. Bch., VA as the jacket's new custodian. During my tenure only to be used from time to time as a reference for my reproduction jackets.
The jacket is destined out last me.
Cheers, Dave
Tomorrow marks my my Size 38 Switlik M-422 jacket's birthday and I wanted to share this occasion with the forum.
The grand daddy of all USN jackets made to date. Something I believe well worth while celebrating. Not not many can say that they know the birth date of their vintage jacket. Especially one that is among the most unique and rarely seen USN jackets ever made and combat worn to boot.
Among some of the other items found in the jacket's pocket was the jacket's missing left button.
No doubt part of the USN order for 247 Switlik jackets that I found were delivered to NAS Pensacola during the first quarter of 1941. However, it was not issued until July 2, 1941 to a graduating member Ensign P. E. Pirtle USNR. As per the original owners receipt that was received with the jacket.
During the jacket's early years had to have been this jackets most exciting period. It spent the first two years of WW-2 at NAS Pensacola when it's owner (Edelle to his friends) taught flight school. Then from 1943 until 1945 as an active participant in two combat tours with VPB-135 flying the PV-1 Ventura. Both done in Alaska flying the Empire Express. Regularly flying 1,500 mile round trip combat missions between the Japanese Kurile Islands and Attu. Ultimately, It's owner received the DFC for his efforts.
Considering the jacket's current condition tells me that the jacket was given little or no wear time post War. The jacket remains all original. With the exception of having a squadron and I D patch attached, it has never been altered or modified. More than likely neatly stored away with a few mementos left in the jacket's pockets. All from it's war time experiences for the next 75 years in Wyoming.
In April of 2000 with the passing of the jacket's original owner the winged leather ID tag was removed. It now resides with Edelle. Thereafter the M-422 remained in storage for the next 20 years in a family member's care.
Currently, kept by me here in VA. Bch., VA as the jacket's new custodian. During my tenure only to be used from time to time as a reference for my reproduction jackets.
The jacket is destined out last me.
Cheers, Dave
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