The Army Air Force developed the AN-J-3 in 1943 under a joint Army-Navy effort to standardize military clothing. "AN" meant it was for both the Army and the Navy.  "J" showed it was a jacket, and "3" stood for the third jacket developed under the program.

The AN-J-3 was a good-looking flight jacket, but the Air Force bought only a few.  A Navy version, called the AN-J-3a, was almost identical to the M-422 and was issued to Naval aviators for years.  After buying a few thousand AN-J-3s, the Air Force abandoned leather flight clothing completely, switching to new fabrics such as nylon and polyester.

The Airforce AN-J-3 combined the features of the A-2 and the M-422.  All AN-J-3s had the M-422's action back, underarm gussets, rib-rack knit waistband, and button pockets as well as the A-2's collar without the snaps or hook-and-eye.  Some had the A-2 epaulets and storm flap while others had the M-422's storm flap, inside chart pocket, and pencil slot under the left pocket flap.

Gibson & Barnes' AN-J-3 jacket features the best features of the Air Force AN-J-3.  It has an action back, underarm gussets, rib-rack knit waistband with rib knit cuffs, button-flap pockets, epaulets, outside storm flap, and the leather collar without snaps or hook-and-eye.

The AN-J-3 is made from drum-dyed, lightly pigmented, glazed goatskin, giving it the same look and feel as a World War II original. It also has the same comfortable brown twill lining, pure wool waistand and cuffs, and size 5 nickel zipper with bell pull and leather thong.

Standard Size Chart
Types Of Leather
Learn About Leather

Other items you may need:

Historical Patches
Flying Scarves