ANJ-4 jackets

[rocketeer]

My M445A a couple of pages back was a Gordon Ferguson if anyone was curious.

 

[Unwissender]

Hi guys

I'm still thinking, b-6 or Anj-4?
My favorite is the Anj-4 because of construction on the sleeves. I think so you have the most freedom of movement for the arms.

How long is the Aero Anj-4? About as long as a Longhalfbelt or more like a Highwayman?

 

[rocketeer]

Longer than a Highwayman, mine(Eastman) is slightly longer than a B3(Eastman), a lot shorter than a Teamster. Tends to ride up slightly in a driving position and it is an old one.
Hope that may help.

 

[Gromulus]

Most of the ones I have seen are slightly shorter than a B-3. My size 44 is 25" long in back (bottom of collar to end) which suits my 5'7" just fine.

 

[Edward]

Hi guys

I'm still thinking, b-6 or Anj-4?
My favorite is the Anj-4 because of construction on the sleeves. I think so you have the most freedom of movement for the arms.

Both great jackets, though the ANJ4 would be my preference for Winter if I could only have one or the other. Depends on how hot/cold you run.

 

[Unwissender]

Thank you guys !!

I am 6.2 and I think that the length is 28 be good. When the zip begins at the belly button, it would be perfect.
This design with buttons and zip I find particularly good. When you must sit in the cold, you can opening the buttons. This is much more convenient.

The Anj-4 will be sure warm enough for winter in Germany. At the B-3 like with the leather sleeves with the HH better than the Anj-4 but overall it is the better jacket for me personally.

I hope I can get more pockets for this jacket.

Have a nice day all

 

[Unwissender]

Hi guys
The thickness of the sheepskin at the ANJ-4 is the same as in the B-3 and B-6? The sheepskin of D-1 is thinner, right?

Are there any recommendations on what temperatures the jackets are appropriate? I need to know if I should take better but the skin of the D-1 for my ANJ-4 ??

Greetings

 

[rocketeer]

Eastmans B6 fleece is a lot thinner than their B3 or ANJ4, more like the D1. Dont think the B6 would work with the action back around the shoulders in the B3 fleece. The thinner fleece would work for an ANJ4 and you could layer up but I love it as it is, just wish I could loose some weight to get into it as the price of a new one is a bit too high for me these days.

 

[Unwissender]

Thanks Rocketeer

I will take an Aero. Have so many good experiences with Aero that I will only order there.
From what temperature You prefer at your warm jackets?

 

[John Lever]

I am looking for a size 42 Anj4 from LW if anyone has one for sale ?

 

[rocketeer]

Thanks Rocketeer

I will take an Aero. Have so many good experiences with Aero that I will only order there.
From what temperature You prefer at your warm jackets?

Wise choice, my first jacket was an Aero and despite having a few Eastmans , Im still with Aero 33 years later.
As for temperature to wear a jacket, I would put a sheepskin on at anytime from autumn on to spring for outdoor wear. I just love wearing them. Also, despite the days being still warm, some evenings can be quite cold so I will be taking some kind of sheepskin to Beaulieu autojumble to be worn in the evening(it is an outside event)

 

[Unwissender]

That would be good if I can wear the ANJ-4 from autumn to spring. I previously thought, I can wear them only 1-2 months when it is colder or at least 105 °F (5 °C ).

Aero is my favorite because it has the option for custom-size, specific equipment and a very good quality ! Moreover, the very kind in Galashiels. In especially the have always been very good helped me.

 

[Naphtali]

I, too, own an Aero B-3 that proved not quite warm enough last year during our record setting cold week. It wasn't equal to minus 38 degrees Farhenheit. But, then, neither was I. Being unhappy with its single pocket, I acquired an Aero Longshoreman that is extremely heavy horsehide atop moderate sheepskin, with four pockets.

I would dispose of both jackets were ANJ4s available with four pockets - that is, two cargo plus handwarmers. These four are incorporated in my Longshorman.

 

[samo]

For the next year I am planning to get one ANJ4, probably from AL. I am wondering what is with fragility of this jacket which is mentioned a few times in this topic? I would suspect that it is the least fragile shearling jacket due to HH or goat leather reinforcements?

 

[Plumbline]

I've had my eastman for 8 years and it's not been in any way fragile at all ... and easilly on a par with any shearling jacket. Granted it won't have the abrasion resistance of a FQHH jacket but the normal wear points are FQHH overlayed and I havn't noticed any considerable wear on mine at all. My two Aero's showed a little wear on the cuff area after about 5 years but nothing that could be attributed to a "flaw" just a little bit of character.

Some early Eastmans showed flaking of the topcoat ( Acrylic) on the sheepskin but the sheepskin beneath was still strong and ntact ..... originals can show the dreaded "American Shearling Rot" problem which is a problem of many original wartime US shearling jackets mostly attributable to poor storage ....... I believe both Aero and Eastman currently use British Sheepskin and as such you should be fine.

No issues with mine and no sign of wear after 8 winters ....... looking forward to the next 50

 

[John Lever]

They look great but forget wearing one for long periods. The weight causes aching shoulders after a couple of hours.

 

[samo]

Thanks Plumbline, I feel much better now

 

[rocketeer]

Many manufacturers of American sheepskin jackets claim that they make the most accurate copies of original jackets, using the same techniques used back in WWII waffle waffle, etc. Does that mean that their jackets will fall apart after so long and the copies of original Irvins will not?

 

[Big J]

Many manufacturers of American sheepskin jackets claim that they make the most accurate copies of original jackets, using the same techniques used back in WWII waffle waffle, etc. Does that mean that their jackets will fall apart after so long and the copies of original Irvins will not?

My Aero B-3 is maybe 5 years old now (maybe 6, can't remember). Anyway, I wear it carelessly, throw it on the floor all the time, and except for a little abrasion to the finish around the inside of the wrists (where they sometimes rub against the buckles at the waist of the jacket), it still looks almost brand new!
How the hell did those guys manage to beat their jackets up so much in only 50 missions?

 

[Stand By]

Methinks it wasn't just the wear and tear they got in the confines of an aircraft with all the metal edges and hardware to rough them up. I think it was the abuse and battering they took being worn as a free winter jacket for post-war winter chores with no thought of conditioning. I came across a very lovely looking and completely vintage Aero ANJ-4 and ordered it as it looked so good from the front - and when it arrived, I immediately saw that it was a jacket of two halves as the back panels and backs of the sleeves were completely dried out and fragile like I'd never before seen - absolutely perished and it didn't even resemble leather any more. No amount of conditioner would ever save it. I could only surmise that it had spent a couple of decades hanging against the walls of a cold garage made of breeze blocks and that they'd sucked the absolute life out of it over the years. I returned it immediately and got my money back. A real shame.