Original Item: Only One Available. This an excellent condition rare US Army Air Corps flight suit with all snaps and functional zippers. It features a large 6 1/2" x 5" China Burma India Theater Patch on the left chest and a Allied Air Force patch to the left shoulder. The original data tag is still present and reads:

TYPE A-4
DWG. NO. 30-732
A.C. ORDER NO. 42-16474-P
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE U.S. ARMY
SIZE 46

WWII US Army Air Force Summer Type A-4 Flight Suit - When the United States entered World War Two much of the military was unprepared for combat. The uniforms and equipment employed was very antiquated, most of it dated back to World War one. Advancements in the field of aviation require that the US Army Air Force develop a new line of uniforms known as flight suits. The one featured here is designed for summer wear. It was manufactured of a cotton and wool material and they were khaki in color.

The design of the flight suit consisted of a khaki colored jump suit. With a zipper that secures the front shut. Additional zippers are placed at the bottom of the legs. This feature makes it easier to put on and take off the flying boots. A belt is permanently attached to the waist area. A metal buckle is provided.

These were designed and put into production pre-WWII so they are well used by the Army Air Corps and the Army Air Forces. These were used by all pilots and flight crews during the war and were see in all theaters of the war. As described in the book "Gear Up," the A-4 Type suit was made of olive drab gabardine with a zipper front and belted waist. It usually had a diagonal chest pocket and an open pocket on the right shin. This suit was standardized March 18, 1930 and was used in various forms throughout WWII.

China Burma India Theater (CBI) was the United States military designation during World War II for the China and Southeast Asian or India–Burma (IBT) theaters. Operational command of Allied forces (including US forces) in the CBI was officially the responsibility of the Supreme Commanders for South East Asia or China. However, US forces in practice were usually overseen by General Joseph Stilwell, the Deputy Allied Commander in China; the term "CBI" was significant in logistical, material and personnel matters; it was and is commonly used within the US for these theaters.

Well-known Allied units in the CBI included the Chinese Expeditionary Force, the Flying Tigers, transport and bomber units flying the Hump, the 1st Air Commando Group, the engineers who built Ledo Road, the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), popularly known as "Merrill's Marauders", and the 5332d Brigade, Provisional or 'Mars Task Force', which assumed the Marauders' mission.