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ORIGINAL GREENBRIER INDUSTRIES, INC. COLD WEATHER FLYERS’ JACKET MIL-J-83388A

Jorgeenriqueaguilera

Well-Known Member
Gents,

Today I wanted to share a mint example of the first pattern from the Cold Weather Flyers’ Jacket; the MIL-J-83388A was established by the Department of Defense on September 5, 1973. This model was adopted as the successor to the MA-1 and WEP jackets for USAF and USN pilots respectively, becoming their main cold protection flight jacket and since it was given the name of CWU-45/P later in 1977, it has undergone several spec revisions until present.

Based on the bitter experience of the Vietnam War, this is an intermediate flight jacket that uses flame-resistant fiber; Aromatic Polyamide (Aramid) for the first time. Quilting is used for the internal lining for heat retention.
It includes an inner pocket with velcro closure that comes with an Indian orange rescue panel. This early pattern also features a bi-swing back for effortless arm movement.

The condition of this example is unworn, which is rare considering it is around 45 years old. Serval zippers are working perfectly and still retain their black paint. Knits are inmaculate. Inside lining is spotless and as a bonus, the original inner pocket with the orange rescue panel is still attached.

As a side note, this pattern is extremely comfortable and probably one of the most practical flight jackets ever designed.

Say no more guys, enjoy the pics!

Regards,
Jorge
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B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Jorge :oops:
What are we going to do with you ?
You keep coming up with these 70 and 45 year old unissued jackets, but yet you try to convince us that you are not a “Time Traveler” . Our patience are growing thin ... “ We have ways of making you talk!”o_O
 

MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
That’s pretty much identical to the one I used to have. Mine had a very subtle stripe pattern in the fabric. I didn’t take the signal flag out too often, the edges were unfinished and liable to unravel.
 

MaydayWei

Well-Known Member
Just a thought that came to mind...
Would it be a good idea to start a new category dedicated to archiving posts (with such good pictures) of very rare jackets, such as the one seen above?
It's probably far more work than its worth, but I'd be a cool little section where it's just a collective of threads of such fine and mint pieced that (really) the majority of us would not have the opportunity to see anywhere else. For posterity's sake.
Ah, but that might be asking too much!
I'm just glad I get to see them at all! :)
 

Jorgeenriqueaguilera

Well-Known Member
Thanks, guys! They pop out occasionally, but most of the time they are in poor condition as you would expect from a jacket that is over 40 years old. I have a couple from this same pattern but this is my best example and hard to upgrade. The inner pocket came only in the MIL-J-83388A design @Flightengineer, the “B” did not include this feature, although some “B” featured the bi-swing back and some didn’t.
 

Jorgeenriqueaguilera

Well-Known Member
That’s pretty much identical to the one I used to have. Mine had a very subtle stripe pattern in the fabric. I didn’t take the signal flag out too often, the edges were unfinished and liable to unravel.
I think I have the one you are talking about as well @MikeyB-17. Although the stripes are very notorious in my example. I have not seen other with this shell, so if you still have pics of your that would be great.
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