【FREEWHEELERS】"TOMCATS" DECK JACKET TYPE N-1

Introducing the “DECK JACKET TYPE N-1” from FREEWHEELERS, made with the brand’s original jungle cloth.

This original FREEWHEELERS deck jacket is based on an early 1940s N-1.

The shell uses original jungle cloth, with cotton flannel layered inside and an alpaca-blend wool pile lining added underneath, creating a three-layer construction.

This structure provides excellent warmth and wind resistance, giving the jacket both a substantial appearance and highly practical cold-weather performance.

The custom theme traces approximately ten years in the military career of a single pilot who served with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation units from World War II through the Korean War.

The story begins in 1943, when he was assigned to NAS BUNKER HILL in Indiana, and continues through 1953, when he served with the U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron VMF-311, known as the “TOMCATS.”

Details representing the 1943 Navy period include a “USN” stencil on the left chest, along with a reflective “U.S.NAVY” print and a “BHNAS IND” stencil on the back, indicating the naval air station to which he was assigned.

To represent the later 1953 Marine Corps period, an airbrushed Marine Corps pilot wing insignia is layered over the original USN marking on the left chest.

The back also features a bold discharge print of the black cat motif associated with VMF-311 “TOMCATS.”

A heart-shaped “VMF-311” squadron patch featuring the black cat appears on the right chest, while the left sleeve carries a patch connected to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, where pilots trained with the F9F Panther jet fighter.

These patches are produced using a dense embroidery technique in which even the red base areas are completely filled with cotton thread.

This highly detailed construction makes them more durable against abrasion and snagging than ordinary fabric-based patches.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the custom is the way the original Navy markings are intentionally left visible beneath the later Marine Corps additions.

By layering the different periods of service rather than replacing one with the other, the jacket expresses the transition between units and eras.

Rather than functioning as simple decoration, the custom tells the story of one pilot’s military career through FREEWHEELERS’ own interpretation.

The front uses both a zipper and button closure for increased wind protection, while inner ribbed cuffs help prevent cold air from entering through the sleeves.

Combined with the alpaca-blend wool pile lining, the jacket provides excellent insulation and works especially well for riding motorcycles or bicycles in colder weather.

The paraffin-coated jungle cloth gradually softens with wear and develops more character over time, making the aging process another important part of the jacket’s appeal.

With its practical military construction, elaborate custom details, and strong historical narrative, this is a special N-1 that reflects the distinctive approach of FREEWHEELERS.

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DETAIL

Brand: FREEWHEELERS
Style: 1940s MILITARY CLOTHING
Category: NAVY DEPARTMENT
Custom: 1943 U.S.N. BHNAS to 1953 USMC VMF-311 “TOMCATS”
Product: DECK JACKET TYPE N-1
Color: Dark Red Beige
Material: COTTON 100%
Shell: Original Jungle Cloth with Paraffin Coating
Lining: Alpaca-Blend Wool Pile
Construction: Jungle Cloth / Cotton Flannel / Alpaca-Blend Wool Pile, Three-Layer Construction

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SIZE GUIDE

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SIZE INFORMATION

Size	Body Length	Chest Width	Shoulder Width	Sleeve Length
38	67cm	54cm	45cm	64cm
40	69cm	57cm	48cm	65cm
42	71cm	60cm	50cm	65.5cm
44	73cm	63cm	53cm	67cm

Measurements are taken from the actual product. Please allow for slight individual differences and measurement variations.

SIZE INFORMATION

Body length is measured from the center of the back neck seam to the hem. Chest width is measured straight across from underarm to underarm. Shoulder width is measured from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, and sleeve length is measured from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff.

For the best comparison, we recommend measuring a similar jacket that you already own.

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ATTENTION

Actual colors may appear slightly different depending on your monitor or device settings.

Because the shell is finished with a paraffin coating, slight differences in surface texture and color appearance may occur from piece to piece. Please consider this part of the character of the material.

This item is also sold at our physical store. Inventory is updated regularly, but an item may occasionally sell out before the online stock is updated. If the item is unavailable and cannot be restocked, your order may be cancelled.