Freewheelers "TomCats" Type N1 Deck Jacket

FREEWHEELERS "NAVY DEPARTMENT"  Model #2631002
1943 U.S.N. BHNAS to 1953 USMC VMF-311 "TOMCATS" TYPE N-1 JACKET
1940s Military Clothing
Color: Dark Red Beige

Freewheelers' take on the 1940s U.S. Navy N-1 deck jacket. This version reproduces the earliest details under a woven label: alpaca-wool lining running all the way to the sleeve ends, the extra sleeve stitch, underarm loops, a loop at the hem drawcord, and small underarm and drawcord eyelets.

The fabric is Freewheelers' original Jungle Cloth — thick, dense, and paraffin-coated. Inside sits a custom wool-alpaca blend (70% / 30%), with a cotton flannel layer sandwiched between the two, for a triple-layer build made to block real cold and wind. The alpaca-wool collar carries a chin strap that stows away when not needed. Up front, a zipper modeled after a 1940s original pairs with urea buttons; inner ribbing, waist pockets, and a hem drawcord complete the details.

This is a custom model with a story behind it. The owner was a professional baseball player whose career was cut short by WWII. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1942, trained at Bunker Hill Naval Air Station (BHNAS), Indiana, in 1943 — the USN chest print, reflective "US NAVY" back, and stenciled "BHNAS" and "IND." markings track that chapter. He went on to serve as a Marine pilot and flight instructor, waiting out the war's end at Pearl Harbor.

Recalled for Korea in 1952, he retrained from props to jets at Cherry Point (left-shoulder patch), then joined Marine Fighting Squadron 311, the "Tomcats," and flew 39 combat missions. Airbrushed USMC wings cover the USN chest print, a Tomcats patch sits on the right chest, and the Tomcats insignia with "VMF 311" is bleed-printed over the original back graphics. Every patch is embroidered in cotton thread, backgrounds fully stitched.

In combat he took anti-aircraft fire, belly-landed his burning aircraft at 200 mph, and climbed out just before it exploded — a Marine Corps legend.

Heavy fabric, triple construction, and custom work with a real story. One of the best N1 jackets in the market ! 

Made in Japan