Fall 2026 Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 336:
Description
Early U.S. Navy BUAER "WEP" Winter Flying Suit Jacket (J-WFS), Specification MIL-S-18342(AER), Contract No. N383-20814A, by Aviators Clothing Co., Inc., Size 46L, circa 1953-1956. Offered here is an early production example of the U.S. Navy’s iconic "WEP" jacket, the cropped upper component of the two-piece winter flying suit worn by naval aviators and aircrews in the early jet age. The woven interior label identifies the maker as Aviators Clothing Co., Inc., along with the governing specification and contract number, and a separate size tab reads "46L." Manufactured under Bureau of Aeronautics (BUAER) authority – a designation predating the later Bureau of Naval Weapons (BUWEP) and Defense Supply Agency (DSA) contract markings – this jacket carries the earliest generation of specification labeling for the type, making it notably scarcer than the more commonly encountered 1960s and 1970s variants. No individual recipient or unit association has been identified for this example; its significance rests in its documented BUAER contract data and early specification markings rather than a personal biography. The WEP jacket emerged in the early 1950s as naval aviation transitioned into the jet era, when pilots found the bulkier bomber-style flight jackets of the World War II period ill-suited to the tight confines of jet cockpits and the lap-belt harnesses of ejection seats. BUAER’s response, formalized under Specification MIL-S-18342, was a shortened, high-collared jacket designed to button directly into matching high-waisted winter flight trousers via internal waist tabs, creating a snug, integrated cold-weather flying suit that would not interfere with parachute harnesses, oxygen hoses, or survival gear. Favored for its cropped torso sitting comfortably above lap harnesses, the jacket became a familiar sight among carrier-based jet pilots during the mid-1950s buildup of naval aviation. The nylon-twill shell features two large flap-covered chest pockets with snap closures, a flap-covered upper left-sleeve pocket, a zip front protected by a buttoned storm flap, and an elasticated waist hem. A knitted collar closes with a buttoned tab, and knitted cuffs finish the sleeves. The olive-toned interior lining retains the woven label reading "BUAER-U.S. NAVY, JACKET, WINTER FLYING, SPECIFICATION MIL-S-18342(AER), CONTRACT NO. N383-20814A, AVIATORS CLOTHING CO., INC., " with the separate "46L" size tab beneath it; all four internal trouser-attachment tabs are present along the interior waistband. The garment presents in very good vintage condition overall, with the shell showing light creasing, minor surface spotting, and scattered scuffs consistent with honest military use. The knitted collar and cuffs retain good elasticity, with only minor pilling and light wear. The interior lining is intact, and a loose thread is visible at the edge of one attachment tab. The zipper, snap closures, and buttoned storm flap all appear intact and functional. An appealing, well-marked early BUAER-contract WEP jacket in a desirable larger size, its precisely documented label offering tangible connection to the practical demands of naval jet flying in the formative years of the type.
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