December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 330:
Description
This is a superb, combat-era United States Navy Type G-1 Intermediate Flight Jacket, featuring an impressive array of colorful squadron and carrier patches that tell the story of a Naval Aviator s service during the Vietnam War. Manufactured by Ralph Edwards Sportswear, Inc. under the mid-60s specification MIL-J-7823C WEP , this jacket bears the contract number DSA-1-9366, dating its production to approximately 1965. The -C- series G-1 is highly regarded by collectors for being the last model to feature a genuine mouton fur collar before the switch to synthetic materials in later revisions. The jacket is constructed of high-quality dark brown goatskin leather and features the perforated -USN- wind flap, a standard detail of the period.
The jacket is adorned with significant insignia identifying the owner as a member of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 11 VAW-11 , known as the -Early Eleven.- The right chest features the squadron s distinctive patch: a black bat guiding a radar beam over a cloud, symbolizing their mission of providing radar surveillance and air defense coordination. VAW-11 detachments deployed aboard various carriers, which explains the two large, vibrant cruise patches on the back: one for the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA-42 and one for the USS Independence CVA-62 . This configuration suggests the aviator served on multiple carrier rotations, providing critical -eyes in the sky- coverage during combat operations in Southeast Asia. The jacket remains in excellent condition, with the leather retaining a strong finish and the original wool knits showing far less wear than typically found on garments of this vintage.
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