The M-445 Flight Jacket: The U.S. Navy’s WWII Winter Warrior
The M-445 flight jacket stands as one of the most sophisticated yet underappreciated pieces of American military aviation gear from World War II. While serving as the U.S. Navy’s primary winter flying jacket during WWII, this sheepskin masterpiece has remained overshadowed by its more famous Army Air Forces counterpart, the B-3 bomber jacket.
Historical Background
During World War II, U.S. Navy pilots faced extreme conditions in some of the war’s most challenging environments. From the bleak Aleutians to the isolated airstrips of the Pacific, naval aviators required protection against harsh winter weather at high altitudes. The M-445 was developed to meet these demanding requirements, and it did so with remarkable engineering sophistication.
The M-445A design proved vastly superior to the mainstay sheepskin jacket of the AAF, the B-3 flying jacket. This superiority was eventually recognized by the Army Air Forces, which led to an important development: by 1943, the AAF modified the Navy’s M-445A into the AN-J-4 jacket, though few were produced and all went exclusively to the AAF.
Design and Construction
The M-445 represented the pinnacle of WWII-era sheepskin flight jacket design. Its construction featured several distinctive elements:
Premium Materials: The jacket was constructed from high quality sheepskin leather with thick, plush wool fleece lining that provided exceptional insulation. The exterior leather was treated with a waterproof coating to repel moisture, making it suitable for the damp conditions often encountered in naval aviation operations.
Distinctive Features:
- Large diamond shaped leather elbow patches reinforced high wear areas
- Full length brass Talon zipper with a protective sheepskin wind flap
- Button closure front pockets made from premium vegetable tanned goatskin
- Leather strap and brass buckle side adjusters for a custom fit
- Knitted worsted wool storm cuffs with a narrow weave graduating into a wider weave
- “USN” stamping on the back underside of the collar
Specification Evolution: The jacket went through several specification revisions. The original M-445 was eventually updated to the M-445A specification, and later to the M-445B, each iteration incorporating improvements based on combat experience and pilot feedback.
Manufacturing
The M-445 was produced by several contracted manufacturers during the war years, including:
- Willis & Geiger, Inc.
- Crispus Industries
- Freid Ostermann Co.
- Gordon & Ferguson, Co.
- Monarch Manufacturing Co.
Each jacket bore an interior nomenclature tag reading “JACKETS, WINTER, HEAVY, Bu AERO- U.S. NAVY” followed by the specification number and contractor information.
Operational Service
The M-445 saw extensive service throughout World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater. Navy and Marine Corps pilots wore these jackets while flying combat missions from carriers and island air bases. The jacket proved especially valuable during operations in colder regions, including the Aleutian Islands campaign where temperatures could be brutally cold.
The thick sheepskin construction provided not only warmth but also a degree of protection against wind and moisture critical factors when flying in open or poorly heated aircraft cockpits at high altitudes. Unlike canvas or nylon jackets, the sheepskin offered natural insulation that remained effective even when damp.
Comparison to the B-3
While the Army Air Forces’ B-3 jacket has achieved iconic status in popular culture, military historians and collectors often regard the M-445 as the superior design. The Navy jacket incorporated more refined construction techniques, better reinforcement at stress points, and a more practical pocket configuration. The M-445A included costly features such as lavish quantities of leather and extra reinforcement at all critical areas.
The relative obscurity of the M-445 compared to the B-3 largely stems from the Navy’s aviation operations being conducted primarily in warmer Pacific climates, whereas the AAF’s heavy bombing campaigns over Europe took place in consistently cold conditions at high altitude, creating more widespread need for and awareness of heavy sheepskin jackets.
Collectibility Today
Original M-445 jackets have become highly sought after collectibles, though they remain less common in the market than Army Air Forces jackets. Several factors contribute to their desirability:
Rarity: Fewer M-445 jackets were produced compared to AAF jackets, and survival rates are lower due to the harsh conditions they endured in Pacific service.
Condition Challenges: While some examples show superficial cracking to the outer waterproof layer, well preserved specimens can have solid leather despite being 80 years old. Collectors should store these jackets flat rather than on hangers, in temperate environments away from humidity and moths.
Value: Original specimens in good condition command premium prices in the military memorabilia market. High quality reproductions by manufacturers like Buzz Rickson’s can retail for well over $2,000, reflecting the jacket’s complex construction and premium materials.
Authentication: Genuine WWII examples can be identified by their contract tags, proper Talon zippers, construction details, and appropriate aging characteristics. The presence of maker’s tags and size specifications helps verify authenticity.
Legacy and Influence
Though the M-445 never achieved the mainstream recognition of other flight jackets, it represents a high point in functional military outerwear design. Its influence extended beyond its service life when the Army Air Forces adopted its design principles for the AN-J-4. The jacket demonstrated that practical military gear could incorporate sophisticated design features without sacrificing durability or functionality.
For those interested in WWII naval aviation or military uniform history, the M-445 stands as a testament to the demanding conditions faced by naval aviators and the innovative solutions developed to protect them. It remains a prized artifact of American military heritage and a reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of naval aviation during World War II.
Conclusion
The M-445 flight jacket deserves recognition as one of the finest pieces of military aviation apparel produced during World War II. While it may not have the fame of its Army counterparts, its superior design, quality construction, and service record speak to its excellence. For collectors, historians, and aviation enthusiasts, the M-445 represents not just a piece of military gear, but a connection to the brave naval aviators who flew in some of the war’s most challenging conditions.