usaaf93 Posted January 6, 2016 Share #1 Posted January 6, 2016 Hello Here are my last finds. 1/ This lot came from the estate of 1 Lt Robert M Wells. I was lucky to get this nice red lined jacket and its M-41 jacket. The tan jacket was with it. I was really surprised to find a pathfinder patch on the sleeve as it was not pictured in the auction. Do you have any information about these patches worn by 8th air force officers ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted January 6, 2016 Here is a picture from the man as I found his yearbook online Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted January 6, 2016 Here is what I missed from this auction. I am surprised as he is listed as a bombardier from his yearbook... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted January 6, 2016 And then from an another auction. Unfortunately it is not named and the moths have eaten the back of one sleeve. I guess it was blue back month ! There is only a small tag inside. Do you think it has something to do with the last owner ? Thanks for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesy1275 Posted January 6, 2016 Share #5 Posted January 6, 2016 Gorgeous jackets. It's a shame you missed out on the other items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted January 6, 2016 Gorgeous jackets. It's a shame you missed out on the other items. I know but I just could not afford them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Jack Posted January 6, 2016 Share #7 Posted January 6, 2016 What a fine grouping! The paint on the A-2 jacket is very nice. I'm envious of the pathfinder insignia on the tan jacket. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted January 6, 2016 The A2 went for more than $ 3000 .... Here is an another picture from the auction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted January 7, 2016 Share #9 Posted January 7, 2016 Wow! Very nice! The patch on the A-2 is that of the 351st BS from the very famous 100th Bomb Group!! 100th BG items always command a premium. Congrats on your find. Also to whomever got his other items. There was some very nice material there! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks for your comments JDK. Do you have any information on the pathfinder patch ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Jack Posted January 7, 2016 Share #11 Posted January 7, 2016 If I recall correctly, certain AAF personnel, like their ground counter-parts, could be qualified as Pathfinders as well. Only their mission was to lead squadrons to their designated mission locations. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted January 7, 2016 Share #12 Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks for your comments JDK. Do you have any information on the pathfinder patch ? Jack is correct. Adding to his answer.... He may have served as the squadron lead bombardier. Also, some crews were tasked with dropping smoke markers or incendiary bombs ahead of the rest of the squadron to mark the bombing target. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks to both of you. What do you think about the fact he is wearing observer wings on his red lined jacket but he was first trained as a bombardier ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mghcal Posted January 7, 2016 Share #14 Posted January 7, 2016 Glad to see a forum member ended up with his uniforms. I bid on the A-2 but didn't win. It sold for $3,835. If I would've known there was a pathfinder patch I'd have given you some more competition on the uniforms haha. The other lots did include many bombardier wings so it's surprising to see the wing on his uniform is an observer wing. Hopefully another forum member won his papers and we can see more of those. Congrats on the great purchase! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted January 7, 2016 Share #15 Posted January 7, 2016 WOW! Nice grouping if you could get it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted January 7, 2016 I asked the auctionner to send an email to the winner who won the paper lot to tell him that I wanted to contact him. They told they will do it but I got no answer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted January 7, 2016 Share #17 Posted January 7, 2016 Mouth watering stuff you got there. Good luck in your quest for the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usaaf93 Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted January 10, 2016 Any comments on the observer wings ? He was qualified as a bombardier. Does it means he qualified for something else after to be able to wear those wings ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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