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CBI 492nd BG 10th USAAF jacket with blood chit


SEABEE SON
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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.

 

post-101060-0-65519300-1548048533_thumb.jpg

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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.

 

 

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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

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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.

 

 

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Here is the link to the video interview which is interspersed with pictures of the grouping.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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