Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an fantastic A2 leather flight jacket issued to a pilot of a P-51 Mustang in the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, 8th Air Force during WWII. The group flew P-47 Thunderbolts, and from October 1944, P-51 Mustangs, as escorts for bombing missions across occupied Europe and to strafe targets on the ground. Tactical missions included strafing and dive-bombing targets during the Allied invasion of Normandy and during the airborne assault of Holland.
Overall condition of the jacket is in excellent condition. The leather is still supple and does not have any major cracking or damage. The liner is original as are the cuffs and waistband. The zipper is marked on the slider and handle with CROWN, a known maker of quality zippers.
The original tag is still intact:
TYPE A-2
DRAWING No30-415
ORDER NoW 535 A. C. 2779
J.A. DUBOW MFG. CO.
CHICAGO. ILL.
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE U.S. ARMY
38
The front of the jacket has a hand painted leather multiple layer construction American flag on the right chest and on the left chest is an embroidered 305th Fighter Squadron patch. The 350th Fighter Squadron was also part of the 353rd Fighter Group. The reverses of the jacket features an incredible, vibrant full color hand painted P-51 Mustang shooting down a Luftwaffe fighter plan above 351st FIGHTER SQ, and an Eight Air Force insignia.
The 351st Fighter Squadron was constituted September 29 and activated October 1, 1942. It was deactivated October 18, 1945. It was stationed at Mitchel Field, New York October 1, 1942; Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia circa October 7, 1942; Norfolk Army Air Field, Virginia October 23, 1942; Millville Army Air Field, New Jersey February 16 – May 27, 1943; Goxhill, England June 8, 1943; Metfield, England August 5, 1943; Raydon, England April 14, 1944-circa October 11, 1945; Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, October 16-18, 1945. It served on operations in Air defense prior to overseas duty and combat in the European Theatre of Operations, August 9, 1943 – April 25, 1945. It holds campaign streamers for Air Offensive Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe and Air Combat European African Eastern Mediterrean Theatre (EAME). It was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation for operations in Holland September 17-23, 1944.
Callsigns and Identification:Metfield: Roughman
Raydon: Lawyer
Second Group Sqdn: Squirrel
Aicraft Code Letters: YJ
