What time period is this coat? There are not any tags. Thanks Steve

Jacket, unknown time period: Vietnam era MA-1 Flight Jacket and WWII predecessor
#1
Posted 16 November 2019 - 08:34 PM
#2
Posted 16 November 2019 - 08:39 PM
#3
Posted 16 November 2019 - 09:24 PM
A late-sh 60s-early 70s worn one we should think because of the Black thread used in the subdued insignia. The Wings seem to be U.S. Made too. U.S. Air Force used subdued insignia in South East Asia during the war, so wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't worn there as a flight item.
Examples Black Thread Insignia on Utilities from the period.
http://www.usmilitar...patch-question/
http://www.usmilitar...-jungle-jacket/
#4
Posted 16 November 2019 - 09:26 PM
Seeing no ranks on the shoulder tops correct? With that Master Pilots Badge (Command Pilot) this Marsh would have to be a senior ranking officer.
Edited by patches, 16 November 2019 - 09:36 PM.
#5
Posted 16 November 2019 - 09:40 PM
The example of the late-sh 70s USAF subdued badges, these and the embroidered U.S. AIR FORCE and NAME tape are markedly Blue in color
#6
Posted 17 November 2019 - 10:37 AM
The jacket is late 60s, early 70s
They adopted the orange lining in the mid 60s and by 1970 they had pockets on the flap. I don't have the exact dates in front of me, but that should give you a rough estimate
Edited by saxecoburg, 17 November 2019 - 10:39 AM.
#7
Posted 19 November 2019 - 03:00 PM
i picked up this coat. It has a date label of 5 March 1965, I took pictures of the rank insignia. I have to down load them and then put them on.
#9
Posted 19 November 2019 - 03:58 PM
This came from the estate of LT. COL. Robert E. Marsh. He had a long career in the air force, Starting as pilot in the CBI in the 530th fighter squadron. I do not know his full career. I know he was at Whiteman AFB from 66 to 68 as commander of the 510th SMS. I have pictures of his CBI leather jacket. It is worn. Pictures to come , He was in the YELLOW SCORPIONS. Neat jacket
#11
Posted 19 November 2019 - 04:44 PM
Good job.
#12
Posted 19 November 2019 - 06:12 PM
I wish I had that flight jacket, maybe it will come available in the future.
#14
Posted 20 November 2019 - 08:30 AM
Jacket is Vietnam Era and combat-related, obviously pre-1966.
Notice that the insignia is black and missing the missileman badge that would have coincided with the command assignment to 510th SMS.
I wouldn't be surprised if the rank insignia is actually Army. The tapes were locally manufactured.
Configuration (placement) of the name and US Air Force tape was worn as late as 1978.
#15
Posted 20 November 2019 - 01:57 PM
Name tape looks vietnamese made but the USAF tape is US made, pebbled canvas tapes are seen in the late VN years.
#16
Posted 21 November 2019 - 07:14 AM
The missile museum at Whiteman AFB contacted me today after my inquiry about LT. COL . Robert E. Marsh time period at Whiteman. They told me that he was at Whiteman in 1968-1969. So I guess I need to find out where he was in 1965 with the coat dated 1965.
#17
Posted 21 November 2019 - 09:01 AM
#18
Posted 21 November 2019 - 11:04 AM
The only other jacket that I have seen is the other one I posted earlier with his patches on it. They family still has other items.
#19
Posted 26 November 2019 - 07:12 AM
That B-10 is jaw dropping
#20
Posted 26 November 2019 - 08:54 AM
The missile museum at Whiteman AFB contacted me today after my inquiry about LT. COL . Robert E. Marsh time period at Whiteman. They told me that he was at Whiteman in 1968-1969. So I guess I need to find out where he was in 1965 with the coat dated 1965.
The contract date on the jacket isn't necessarily an indication of where and where Lt. Col. Marsh was assigned. It could have been issued long after manufacture or there might be needle punctures under the insignia that could verify earlier usage. Also, it might have been worn with only the command patch.
I knew a major/Minuteman missile launch officer who (a former boss at Elmendorf AFB) who only work a SAC emblem on his MA-1. My own MA-1 (circa 1978/79) has subdued Alaskan Air Command insignia. I have never looked at the label to see when it was made.
Amazing quality in those older MA-1s. Mine is more than 30 years old. I still wear it occasionally and even the knit cuffs have lasted.
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