Jacket, Intermediate Cold Weather, CWU-7/P
General Information
Name: Jacket, Intermediate Cold Weather, CWU-7/P.
Country of Origin: The United States.
Date of Manufacture: 1973.
Manufacturer: Centre MFG, Co, INC.
Federal Stock Number (FSN): 8415-768-4100.
Mil Spec: Mil-J-38183B (USAF).
Contract Number: DSA100-73-C-1416.
Colour Pattern: Sage green.
Uniform Family: USAF Cold Weather Clothing System.
Size: Medium.
Number Of Pockets: Four.
Volume Capacity: 6L.
Weight: 1Kg.
Windproof: Yes.
Waterproof: No.
History
Introduced around 1965, the Jacket, Intermediate Cold Weather, CWU-7/P formed part of the US Air Force’s cold-weather clothing system, providing an intermediate level of thermal protection. In more severe conditions it could be worn beneath the Parka, Extreme Cold Weather, Type N-3B.
The jacket was not fire resistant and was intended for use by ground personnel rather than aircrew. This is reinforced by the warning printed on the jacket’s label: “Do Not Subject To Heat In Excess Of 200 Deg Fahrenheit.”
By 1983 the jacket was being withdrawn from service, with its specification, MIL-J-38183C, cancelled without replacement on 16 June 1983.
Description
The jacket is fabricated from a heavy sage green cotton cloth and is lined with a lighter-weight cotton cloth, with a thermal batting interlining.
The jacket has a sage green knitted woollen collar. Sewn to each side of the collar is a small plastic button. A cloth tab is sewn to the left side and can be folded across and buttoned to the right side to provide an improved wind seal around the neck. When not in use, the tab is folded back and secured to the button on the left side.
The jacket closes at the front with a full-length metal zip fitted with a webbing pull-tab to make it easier to operate while wearing gloves.
The upper front of the jacket has a small patch-type chest pocket on each side, with tapered openings and a lid secured with a metal dome.
The lower front of the jacket has a large patch pocket on each side. The relatively small pocket openings would make access difficult while wearing gloves. The body of each pocket tapers towards the rear, which may result in small items becoming trapped at the back of the pocket. Each pocket has a centrally positioned opening and a lid secured with a metal dome.
The sleeve cuffs are adjusted by a cloth tab secured with metal domes, providing two points of adjustment.
Internally, behind the front zip, is a wide cloth wind cover with a plastic or vinyl interlining to limit wind entering through the zip. At the base of the wind cover is a metal dome fastener that allows the left side of the jacket to be secured to the cover before the front zip is closed.
Examples
Example One
Volume Capacity: 6L.
Top pockets- 500ml.
Bottom pockets- 2.5L
ASMO Number: 8720-840-46110.
