SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Share #1 Posted January 21, 2019 This is part of a large grouping that I have posted in the Grouping section. I thought I would post the jacket here as well. This jacket was worn by Lt. Robert Fillet, who flew 26 missions with the 10th USAAF 492nd BG over Burma, as well as supply missions to China. On one mission, he was forced to bail out when his B-24J started leaking fuel from a gas tank installed for ferrying fuel to China. His blood chit helped enable his rescue by natives behind enemy lines. The whole story, including a video interview with him, here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/320900-cbi-pilot-grouping/ Here is the jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted January 21, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted January 21, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted January 21, 2019 Blood chit as map pocket, with silk escape map of Burma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted January 21, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted January 21, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted January 21, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted January 21, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted January 21, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted January 21, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted January 21, 2019 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 21, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted January 21, 2019 He was reassigned to fly Air Sea Rescue in the Bay of Bengal after his ordeal. Here he is as pilot in command wearing the same jacket. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted January 21, 2019 Share #13 Posted January 21, 2019 Very nice jacket.Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted January 21, 2019 Share #14 Posted January 21, 2019 WOW, is that a gorgeous jacket. Thanks for letting us see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty-rva Posted January 21, 2019 Share #15 Posted January 21, 2019 Great jacket and group... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantomfixer Posted January 21, 2019 Share #16 Posted January 21, 2019 Very nice! question about the lining...I have read that A-2s were at times relined in Australia with a rayon type material, because the cotton lining would not hold up in humid climates...was yours relined...? looks to be a period relining..wondering if any evidence of stitch holes etc.. I had a Cable Raincoat A2 with a rayon lining...not knowing the story of the relining then... Anyway great addition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted January 22, 2019 Very nice! question about the lining...I have read that A-2s were at times relined in Australia with a rayon type material, because the cotton lining would not hold up in humid climates...was yours relined...? looks to be a period relining..wondering if any evidence of stitch holes etc.. I had a Cable Raincoat A2 with a rayon lining...not knowing the story of the relining then... Anyway great addition I really can’t tell, to be honest. I don’t know much about hoe these jackets were constructed. A new field for me. Reading about blood chits, I understand that rayon was abandoned in favor of cotton late in the war as it was not durable in hot climates. The chit on this one is leather, and the flag on the back is likely rayon or maybe silk. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VenitHora Posted January 22, 2019 Share #18 Posted January 22, 2019 Very Cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEABEE SON Posted January 22, 2019 Author Share #19 Posted January 22, 2019 Here is the link to the video interview which is interspersed with pictures of the grouping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZPhil Posted January 23, 2019 Share #20 Posted January 23, 2019 Excellent pick up!!! Semper Fi Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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