M-421A Navy Flight jacket

[bazelot]

I just received my M-421A summer flight jacket today. The Manufacturer is "Popular Mfg" I never heard of this manufacturer. It is in very good condition considering the age. Couple of stains but no rips.

 

[deeb7]

The Manufacturer is "Popular Mfg" I never heard of this manufacturer.

Neither had I, Tom ....

Contract number NOs-420A is from fiscal year 1943, just in case you were going to ask.

Popular Mfg also had an earlier contract, 85798 in 1941.

 

[bazelot]

Thanks for the info David. That's really useful.

 

[Peter Graham]

Very nice Tom. I've had my eye on one of those for a long time and I've bid on a few on ebay but always lose out. I'll get one yet. Interesting that the zipper is painted the same colour as the jacket.

 

[asiamiles]

Very nice Tom. I've had my eye on one of those for a long time and I've bid on a few on ebay but always lose out. I'll get one yet.

Really? Even in period photos, which seem fairly uncommon, these don't look very stylish to my eyes. The idea of a lightweight summer flight jacket, and one that falls slightly below the waist as well, was very appealing to me, but in reality I don't think they measure up. I'd recommend the ANJ2 over the M-421A as I think the rounded collar and 4 pocket design (and additional sleeve pocket) is an improvement, but I still didn't like it enough to keep my BR repro.

 

[bazelot]

THose are great jackets. This one fits me well actually but the wife actually said that I look like a gay bum in it. I don't have anything against the gay part but I resented the bum part . It does need to be ironed!
They always sell for a lot on Ebay and I hope I got a good price on that one. I used to own another one named to a Marine pilot and I sold it to JC. Always regretted.
I have to admit that the back design of the jacket is a bit funky but i love the front.

 

[bazelot]

Very nice Tom. I've had my eye on one of those for a long time and I've bid on a few on ebay but always lose out. I'll get one yet. Interesting that the zipper is painted the same colour as the jacket.

I had never seen a zipper pianted beige before. Even the teeth are painted . It looks like it is original to the jacket.