Fantastic Russet brown leather Type A-2 flight jacket from World War II in size 42. Manufacturer tag inside neck reads:
The jacket itself features incredible hand-painted insignia, including: a set of pilot wings to left chest which is above a hand-burned branded leather name tag that read D. M. HELLER and an ultra rare cloth 511th Bomb Squadron patch. The left should bears a hand painted 8th Air Force insignia and Lieutenant bars are painted on each epaulet.
The reverse of the jacket bears a detailed and impressive hand-painted SKY BALL in vintage font of red and yellow above a 511 Ball Boys insignia above 36 yellow bombs which indicate successful bombing missions. Beneath the bombs is large an embroidered patch that reads:
The jacket is in functional, original condition, with Crown zipper to front, two front pouch pockets, and replacement period correct knitted waist with cuffs. Also included with the jacket is a newly printed glossy photo of the B-17 Sky Ball nose art.
Lt. Heller can be found on the American Air Museum in Britain at this .
B-17 SKY Ball #42-31714 an be found on the American Air Museum in Britain at this and also on the 511th BS website at this .
Lt. Heller is recorder as the pilot of B-17 Sky Ball and listed in formation for the 351 BF 80th mission as seen at this .
The 511th Bomb Squadron was activated in late 1942 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomb squadron, trained under Second Air Force. Deployed to England in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during April 1943, assigned to VIII Bomber Command as a strategic bombardment squadron. Participated in the air offensive over NSDAP Germany and Occupied Europe until German capitulation in May 1945.
This exceptional A-2 jacket is sure to be a focal point of any WWII collection!
