Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an incredible A2 leather flight jacket issued to a crew member aboard B-17 #43-38606 "Moonlight Mission" during World War II and was assigned to the8th Air Force, 457th Bombardment Group, 749th Bomb Squadron.
This is fantastic Russet brown leather Type A-2 flight jacket from World War II in size 38. Manufacturer tag from Bronco MFG. CORP. of New York, N.Y.
The jacket itself features stunning and vibrant hand-painted features including:
- Hand Painted full color 749th Bomb Squadron insignia which features a red devil dropping bombs.
- Left Chest: Hand Painted full color 748th Bomb Squadron insignia.
- Left Chest: Hand Painted full color 35 Silver painted Bombs over Blue Background. The Bombs signify successful bombing runs.
- Right Chest: Hand Painted full color 457th Bombardment Group "FAIT ACCOMPLIE" insignia.
- Right Chest: Hand Painted SALLY in red/white paint.
- Left Front Pocket Flap: Hand Painted full color Belgian National Flag and Imperial Japanese Rising Sun Flag with a question mark over it.
- Left Front Pocket Flap: Hand Painted full color French National Flag and NSDAP Flag
- Left Shoulder: Hand Painted full color 8th Air Force insignia on left shoulder.
- Right Shoulder: Hand Painted full color U aircraft tail insignia for the 748th.
- Reverse: Hand Painted full color MOONLIGHT MISSION topless pinup girl in Hula skirt with lei wearing a U.S. Army Air Force Officer Cap under the full moon with blue background.
The jacket is in fine, original condition, with functional CROWN zipper to front, two front pouch pockets, and original knitted waist with cuffs. The lining is also original. The body of both front pockets also bore art but it appears that paint was intentionally removed.
Also included with this jacket are high quality printed photos of the B-17 #43-38606 "Moonlight Mission"
B-17 Moonlight Mission can be found on the American Air Museum in Britain Website at this link, as well as the 457th Bomb Group website at this link. It was shot down and declared Missing in Action over Oranienburg April 10th, 1945.
The 457th Bomb Group began combat operations during the Big Week of 20-25 February when American bombers carried out concentrated raids against German aircraft bases, factories and assembly plants. The air crews' targets on that first mission were Gutersloh and Lippstadt. Although the Group continued to strike German industrial targets, they also undertook tactical missions. D-Day found them bombing coastal defenses along the Cherbourg peninsula. The Group continued to switch between strategic and support missions for the remainder of the war. After VE Day, the Group transported POWs from Austria to France.
The 748th Bomb squadron assembled at its combat station, RAF Glatton by the end of January 1944. The air echelon had begun arriving at Glatton on 21 January. The squadron flew its first missions during Big Week on 21 February 1944. It engaged primarily in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, attacking ball bearing plants, oil refineries and aircraft factories until June 1944. In July 1944, the squadron returned to strategic targets, which remained its primary objectives through April 1945. On 2 November 1944, a two group formation including the squadron strayed from the main bomber stream and its fighter cover. Luftwaffe fighter controllers directed a geschwader of interceptors against the formation. Nine of the 457th Group's Flying Fortresses were lost to this attack.
In June 1944, the squadron was diverted from its strategic mission to prepare for Operation Overlord, the invasion of France. On D Day, it attacked coastal defenses on the Cherbourg Peninsula. For the remainder of the month it was engaged in air interdiction, striking airfields, rail systems and roads and depots behind enemy lines. The squadron was also diverted to tactical targets for shorter periods. In July 1944, it supported Operation Cobra the breakout of ground forces at Saint Lo. During Operation Market Garden, the attempt to secure bridgeheads across the Rhine River in the Netherlands, it supported the British 1st Airborne Division. It provided similar support during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, and Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.
The squadron flew its last combat mission on 20 April 1945. Following V-E Day, it transported prisoners of war from Austria to France.[2] The air echelon departed Glatton between 19 and 23 May, while the ground echelon sailed on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on 24 June, arriving at the New York Port of Emarkation five days later.[3] It assembled at Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota in late July. It was inactivated there the following month.
This is fantastic Russet brown leather Type A-2 flight jacket from World War II in size 38. Manufacturer tag from Bronco MFG. CORP. of New York, N.Y.
The jacket itself features stunning and vibrant hand-painted features including:
- Hand Painted full color 749th Bomb Squadron insignia which features a red devil dropping bombs.
- Left Chest: Hand Painted full color 748th Bomb Squadron insignia.
- Left Chest: Hand Painted full color 35 Silver painted Bombs over Blue Background. The Bombs signify successful bombing runs.
- Right Chest: Hand Painted full color 457th Bombardment Group "FAIT ACCOMPLIE" insignia.
- Right Chest: Hand Painted SALLY in red/white paint.
- Left Front Pocket Flap: Hand Painted full color Belgian National Flag and Imperial Japanese Rising Sun Flag with a question mark over it.
- Left Front Pocket Flap: Hand Painted full color French National Flag and NSDAP Flag
- Left Shoulder: Hand Painted full color 8th Air Force insignia on left shoulder.
- Right Shoulder: Hand Painted full color U aircraft tail insignia for the 748th.
- Reverse: Hand Painted full color MOONLIGHT MISSION topless pinup girl in Hula skirt with lei wearing a U.S. Army Air Force Officer Cap under the full moon with blue background.
The jacket is in fine, original condition, with functional CROWN zipper to front, two front pouch pockets, and original knitted waist with cuffs. The lining is also original. The body of both front pockets also bore art but it appears that paint was intentionally removed.
Also included with this jacket are high quality printed photos of the B-17 #43-38606 "Moonlight Mission"
B-17 Moonlight Mission can be found on the American Air Museum in Britain Website at this link, as well as the 457th Bomb Group website at this link. It was shot down and declared Missing in Action over Oranienburg April 10th, 1945.
The 457th Bomb Group began combat operations during the Big Week of 20-25 February when American bombers carried out concentrated raids against German aircraft bases, factories and assembly plants. The air crews' targets on that first mission were Gutersloh and Lippstadt. Although the Group continued to strike German industrial targets, they also undertook tactical missions. D-Day found them bombing coastal defenses along the Cherbourg peninsula. The Group continued to switch between strategic and support missions for the remainder of the war. After VE Day, the Group transported POWs from Austria to France.
The 748th Bomb squadron assembled at its combat station, RAF Glatton by the end of January 1944. The air echelon had begun arriving at Glatton on 21 January. The squadron flew its first missions during Big Week on 21 February 1944. It engaged primarily in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, attacking ball bearing plants, oil refineries and aircraft factories until June 1944. In July 1944, the squadron returned to strategic targets, which remained its primary objectives through April 1945. On 2 November 1944, a two group formation including the squadron strayed from the main bomber stream and its fighter cover. Luftwaffe fighter controllers directed a geschwader of interceptors against the formation. Nine of the 457th Group's Flying Fortresses were lost to this attack.
In June 1944, the squadron was diverted from its strategic mission to prepare for Operation Overlord, the invasion of France. On D Day, it attacked coastal defenses on the Cherbourg Peninsula. For the remainder of the month it was engaged in air interdiction, striking airfields, rail systems and roads and depots behind enemy lines. The squadron was also diverted to tactical targets for shorter periods. In July 1944, it supported Operation Cobra the breakout of ground forces at Saint Lo. During Operation Market Garden, the attempt to secure bridgeheads across the Rhine River in the Netherlands, it supported the British 1st Airborne Division. It provided similar support during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, and Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.
The squadron flew its last combat mission on 20 April 1945. Following V-E Day, it transported prisoners of war from Austria to France.[2] The air echelon departed Glatton between 19 and 23 May, while the ground echelon sailed on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on 24 June, arriving at the New York Port of Emarkation five days later.[3] It assembled at Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota in late July. It was inactivated there the following month.
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