{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-army-air-forces-b-3-sheepskin-shearling-bomber-jacket-with-1943-dated-mae-west-life-jacket","title":"Original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces B-3 Sheepskin Shearling Bomber Jacket with 1943-Dated Mae West Life Jacket","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items. Only One Group Available. During World War Two the B-3 was a jacket designed specifically for the high-altitude needs of bombers. This was a bulky sheepskin jacket with a heavy-duty sheep-fur lining meant to keep men warm 25,000 feet in the air. For extra protection, the wide sheepskin collar could be closed with two leather straps. Far bulkier than typical flight jackets, the B-3 does not have a knit waistband and trim fit that made the other jackets famous. Rather its warmth and durability made it a hit, even with Army General George S. Patton. The B3 was a heavy-duty jacket designed for the sub-freezing temperatures of high-altitude flying. Today multiple reproductions are produced and many cost well over $1000 because the B-3 is a great, time-tested option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example retains the tag:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTYPE - B3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDWG. NO. 33H5595\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA.C. ORDER NO. W535 AC-17756\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eROUGH WEAR CLOTHING CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMIDDLETOWN, P.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREGULAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e42\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jacket has a nametape sewn near the bottom reading \u003cstrong\u003eLT. STALEY\u003c\/strong\u003e, which may be for Philip Clement Staley, Tailgunner on A\/C 42-39943 \"Lassie Come Home\". The TALON zipper is intact and the jacket has heavy service wear overall. The sheepskin is very well-retained. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso included is a great Mae West life jacket. During World War II the U.S. aviators and the Royal Air Force servicemen had available to them a vital piece of American-made equipment for emergencies that had only been in use for a few years: an inflatable (Mae West) life preserver. This wonderful example is complete and clearly marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVEST: LIFE-PRESERVER TYPE b-4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPECIFICATION NO. 94-3135\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTOCK NO. R 37-J-150\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDATE OF MFG. OCT 5 1943\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONTRACT NO. N288s-13877\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUNITED STATES RUBBER CORP.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePROPERTY - USN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great set of a named jacket and Mae West life jacket, perfect for any WWII AAF Collection. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42978243379269,"sku":"ONSV25OAC115","price":1095.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25OAC115__01.jpg?v=1751317638","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-army-air-forces-b-3-sheepskin-shearling-bomber-jacket-with-1943-dated-mae-west-life-jacket","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}