USAAF, USAF and USN Flight Jackets and Flight Pants

[khwchan888]

These are from WW2 to present day. It will take a while for me to finish posting these as there are a lot of photos.

 

 

B-15

 

B-15 was developed in 1944 to replace the B-10 and the A-2. It was a immediate jacket ( that is not for very cold weather).

 

 

The jacket below was for 435th Fighter Squadron, 8th AAF

 

 

 

The jacket below was for 76th Fighter Squadron, 14th AAF

 

 

 

Below was the label of the B-15 jacket

 

[khwchan888]

A-2

 

The A-2 jacket was manufactured between 1939-1943.

 

 

The jacket below is an A-2 with an name strip

 

 

 

Label of A-2

 

[khwchan888]

B-15A

 

B-15A is the modification of B-15 by the addition of leather patches to the front of the jacket for the attachment of the oxygen clip. This pattern jacket was manufactured in 1945 just before the end of the war and mainly seen action in the Korean War. This is the last USAAF flight jacket that is manufactured during the WW2.

 

Front

 

 

 

Label

 

[khwchan888]

B-15C

 

This is the second flight jacket in the B-15 series isuued after the formation of the USAF in 1947. It was made during the period of 1950-1953 only. they were in blue colour to reflect the airforce but has to be discountued due to it is distinctive when the pilot was shot down

 

USAF 9th Fighter Bomber Squadron (9th FBS)

 

 

 

Label

 

[khwchan888]

M-41 Field Jacket

 

Strictly speaking this was not a flight jacket. However, as the AAF was under the control of the Army and a lot of AAF personnel did use it, it is included here for completeness.

 

23rd Fighter Group, 14th AAF, USAAF (23rd FG)

 

Label

[khwchan888]

L-2

 

This was the earliest nylon flight designed for Light Zone. The decal of the jacket told you that it was manufactured after 1947 as the decal is USAF not USAAF. It is a very rare jacket.

 

 

324th Reconnaissance Squadron (324th RS)

 

 

Label

[khwchan888]

L-2A

This was issued the same time as B-15C, 1950-1953

 

 

Front

 

Label

[khwchan888]

L-2B (Type J-7448B)

 

This was the standard light zone flight jacket for the USAF during late 50s and early 60s.

 

Front

 

Label

[doyler]

Kenneth,

Very nice collection.

 

RON

[316th FS 324th FG]

Kenneth

 

Any B-10 or B-13 jackets?

 

Keep 'em coming!

 

D

[FightenIrish35]

great jackets

[khwchan888]

Thanks a lot, more to come as well.

[khwchan888]

L-2B (Type J-7448F)

This is the standard flight jacket for light zone around 1964-1965.

 

4485th Training Squadron (4485th TS)

 

Label

[khwchan888]

L-2B (Type J-7448H)

 

This is the standard light zone flight jacket for the later part of the Vietnam War around 1967-1969.

 

309th Tactical Fighter Squadron (309th TFS)

 

Label

[brandon_rss18]

VERY NICE!!!! I love the A-2 (still need to get one of them). Very nice collection Kenneth.

[Bluehawk]

What do L-2Bs go for these days?

 

I'm looking for one, strictly for personal use.

 

That was my USAF era, and I miss the one I had (naturally).

[khwchan888]

L-2B (Type J-7448J)

This is the last model of L-2B. It was used in the early 70s to about 1975 or 1976 when it was replaced by the CWU/36P.

 

9th Tactical Fighter Squadron (9th TFS)

 

7th Tactical Fighter Squadron (7th TFS)

This jacket is no longer in my possession. It is now living with one of my panzers.

 

Label

[khwchan888]

Private Purchase Leather Flight Jacket

 

Lucky Strike

The jacket was belong to an Ace (5 or more KO's) of the USAAF or USN pilot in the Pacific Threater in WW2 because of the 6 kill marks of Japanese Navy Flags at the back.

 

Front

 

Back

[Bluehawk]

Private Purchase Leather Flight Jacket

 

Lucky Strike

The jacket was belong to an Ace (5 or more KO's) of the USAAF or USN pilot in the Pacific Threater in WW2 because of the 6 kill marks of Japanese Navy Flags at the back.

 

Front

 

Back

Dang!

 

That thing is surely in VERY good condition!

[khwchan888]

Yes, normally I only collect issue items but I am hooked on by the painting.

[khwchan888]

M-43 Field Jacket

This is not strictly a flight jacket. However, as a lot of USAAF and USAF personal did use it so it is included here.

Front

 

Back

Back painted M-43 are very rare. Unfortunately the back painting is only did in outline and not in full colour. The back paint was the shield of an USAF Air Base in French North Africa for basing of nuclear bombers. This base was returned to France in 1951.

[Bluehawk]

I'm pretty sure this is the type of fatigue jacket I wore... anyway, it is right around that time, especially given the blue name tags which were common then. And, that jacket was maybe the last one made without any kind of velcro?

 

M-43 Field Jacket

This is not strictly a flight jacket. However, as a lot of USAAF and USAF personal did use it so it is included here.

Front

 

Back

Back painted M-43 are very rare. Unfortunately the back painting is only did in outline and not in full colour. The back paint was the shield of an USAF Air Base in French North Africa for basing of nuclear bombers. This base was returned to France in 1951.

[khwchan888]

MA-1 (Type J-8279B)

 

49th Fighter Intercepter Squadron (49th FIS)

 

Label

[khwchan888]

MA-1 (Type J-8279D)

 

497th Tactical Fighter Squadron (497th TFS)

 

Without Insignia

 

Label

[khwchan888]

MA-1 (Type J-8279F)

 

This is the last model of MA-1 and this jacket is a non-flying status as it is being replaced by CWU-36/P and CWU-45/P jackets.

 

10th Mountain Division

 

Label

The label clearly shows that this jacket is now a non-flying ststus jacket.