FLIGHT JACKETS AND GEAR
GROUPINGS & MEDALS| METAL INSIGNIA & MISC ITEMS
| WWII FLIGHT JACKETS |
         8th Air Force Painted Type A-2 Flight Jacket An excellent original flight jacket made by "Bronco Mfg. Co. New York" in a (size 38). Features a nice English made 706th Bomb Squadron patch to chest. Original knit elements, zipper, liner, spec. tag etc. Shows typical light use wear only, in overall solid original condition. The artwork is in wonderful condition with minimal paint loss from wear. Unfortunately, no veteran information with the jacket. A wonderful display example! $4,000.00 |
              8th Air Force B-17 Pilot's Type A-2 Jacket - Named to Lt. Alfred P. Johansen - 369th Bomb Squadron 306th Bomb Group 8th Air Force ETO. Lt. Johansen flew the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber named "Steady Hedy" in combat and served from July 1944 - November 1944 in England. This jacket is a beautiful original made by Aero Leather Clothing Co. in a (size 40)- featuring a great English theater made 369th Bomb Squadron "Fightin 'Bitin" patch to chest, original leather name strip, and evidence of leather rank tabs to epaulets (now removed). No other insignia ever on the jacket. Features original knit waistband with typical use wear, period replaced knit cuffs, original Talon zipper fully functional to 95% of the run - the last inch of the upper track has a split (as shown) otherwise it zips up fine. Original liner with light use wear only, original spec and size tags. The leather body is soft and supple ~ overall an excellent solid original jacket with great history. Lots more information on Lt. Johansen's combat history on the 306th BG Association website. A nice opportunity for the 8th Air Force collector! $3,000.00 |
           AAF / CBI 436th Bomb Squadron Type M-41 Cloth Jacket A fantastic heavily adorned cloth M-41 jacket featuring all CBI theater made leather insignia and Chits. The patches and Chits are all multi-piece leather construction in excellent condition. The cloth body is in excellent overall condition (without) the typical use wear and fraying you generally see to the cuff bottoms - these are excellent! The liner shows some period wool cloth repairs, but well done. A very solid M-41 jacket example with great insignia! The 436th flew B-24 Liberators in the CBI theater of operations. SOLD $2,500.00 |
          AAF Type A-2 jacket 819th Bomb Squadron (H) / 30th Bomb Group - known as the "Bats Out Of Hell" - flying B-24 Liberators in the SWP Theater. Jacket made by "J.A. Dubow, Inc" in a (size 38) - features an original theater made painted on leather 819th "Bats Out Of Hell" patch to chest, original knit elements with some typical mothing to cuffs, otherwise very good. Original "Talon" zipper fully functional, original spec and size tags. The liner is very good plus, with some light use wear only. The leather shell is also very good plus, with typical light use wear only. No other trace of insignia ever on the jacket. Overall, a nice straight original jacket. $2,000.00 |
        14th Air Force CBI Type A-2 Jacket A solid original early government contract jacket in (size 38). This came from a 375th Bomb Squadron veteran who had it relined and re-knitted for wear. Sent directly from the veteran to a local collector. Period original patches and Blood Chit. An excellent display example. SOLD $1,650.00  |
                USAAF Type B-3 Shearling Flight Jacket This early Type B-3 jacket is in excellent condition showing little evidence of use wear. The original yellow QM card inventory stock tag indicates it is in wartime serviceable condition. The tag is dated 1944 and was un-doubtedly placed on this garment following a depot inspection and re-dye process. This jacket was originally manufactured in 1941, and as one of the earlier prewar B-3 jackets, it was originally manufactured in redskin shearling. The original maker remains a mystery as the tag illustrates this is one of the many “no maker” labels produced during that period. Also note that the tag does not indicate “U.S. Army Air Forces Property”. This is typical of prewar tags, many of which did not include this verbiage. The jacket also features the two-piece back with the vertical seam running from collar to waist down the rear of the jacket, again typical of these early prewar B-3’s. The jacket shows little wear to the lining, illustrating perfectly the intent of the re-dye was to standardize the color. In 1943, the U.S. Government began a program where original flight equipment, including jackets, were submitted to various depots for inspection, repair and overhaul. In the case of leather flight jackets, including both the A-2 and B-3, this overhaul process often included a refinish or re-dye of the original leather. Original orders outlined that the intent was to evaluate these garments for re-issue, and the re-dye process was intended to both protect the jacket for continued service and to re-color the jackets to improve their appearance and provide more consistency for a uniform appearance. The dyes used for this process were almost always in a dark brown “seal” color, although some A-2’s have been seen re-dyed in the russet brown color as well. Many of these re-dyed B-3’s did find their way back into planes prior to the end of hostilities, and there are many re-dyed B-3’s named to servicemen who saw action before the end of the war that are in private collections today. I have no doubt this jacket was placed back into inventory, but was never re-issued before the end of the war. Overall condition is excellent and ready for display! $1,500.00 |
        20th Air Force Type B-15 cloth jacket 25th Bombardment Squadron - B-29s 20th Air Force SWP Theater. Approximately a size (40) jacket with a great CBI made multi-piece leather 25th BS patch to chest and a nice inked AAF insignia to shoulder. Original knit elements in very good condition with some light wear only, original "Talon" zipper fully functional, a nice original honey-brown fur collar. The cloth shell is excellent overall, very clean. A very solid original B-15 jacket from a distinguished 20th Air Force unit. $1,350.00 |
      8th Air Force Type A-2 Jacket A nice A-2 jacket named to Lt. "A.F. Burch". This is a "J.A. Dubow" made jacket in (size 40). Has been relined, re-zipped and re-knitted for wear. Original leather name strip, embroidered squadron patch and Lt. rank on shoulders. Solid leather body. Could be researched? $1,200.00 |
    WWII U.S. Navy Pilot's Trench Coat A nice heavy WWII era leather Pilot's Type M-69 trench coat made by "Gordon & Ferguson Co." in a (size 42). These were generally worn by long-range transport Pilot's and in cold weather flight operators. Overall, very good condition ~ a nice fur collar, soft supple leather, excellent knit elements. A nice solid original example. $375.00 |
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| POST WWII JACKETS |
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       USAF Type B-15D Flight Jacket Early USAF / Korea era nylon cloth flight jacket made by "Rolen Sportswear, Inc." (size 38). All original knits in good condition with some typical nips and wear. Excellent fur collar, original zipper fully functional. A few small stains to the shell, but displays very nicely. $425.00 |
    USN Type G-1 Flight Jacket 1951 dated G-1 jacket ~ made by "L.W. Foster Sportswear Co. Inc." in (size 42). This jacket is near mint with light use wear only. A real beauty! SOLD $395.00 |
| CURRENT ISSUE /REPRODUCTION JACKETS |
        CBI ICWATC A-2 Flight Jacket High quality reproduction leather flight jacket made by Good Wear Leather Clothing Co. in a large (size 46). Features reproduction leather Blood Chit, ICWATC squadron patch and CBI Theater shoulder patch. Some light use wear to cuffs, otherwise this jacket is in near mint condition. An excellent jacket for wear or display. $725.00 |
        CBI 23rd Fighter Group B-10 Flight Jacket High quality reproduction Type B-10 cloth flight jacket made by At The Front Clothing Co. in a large (size 48). Features reproduction leather Blood Chit, 23rd F.G. unit patch and 14th Air Force shoulder patch. This jacket looks hardly worn - in mint condition. An excellent jacket for wear or display. SOLD $275.00 |
      USAF Flight Jacket Modern nylon production of a type CWU-45 flight jacket. Made by Ultra Force in a large (size XXL). Never worn with tags. Add your own patches ~ a perfect wearer! $125.00 |
