Item Description
Original 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.
This example is not marked as a B-3 but shares many design characteristics, namely the front pocket only being on one side. The jacket has a tag for the Aero Leather Clothing Co. and is marked as size 44R. The jacket has some heavy damage including a hole in the back which pokes through the lining. The TALON zipper is intact and the jacket has heavy service wear overall. The sheepskin is very well-retained.
The set comes with two pairs of Type B-1 Shearling Trousers, one of which has the ARMY AIR FORCES stencil on the front. Both sets retain their tags, the AAF Marked pair reading:
TROUSER TYPE B-1
SPEC. NO. 94-3085A
ORDER NO. 43-13608 AR
WERBER SPORTSWEAR CO.
NEWBURGH, N.Y.
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY
C (SIZE)
And the other set’s tag reads:
TYPE B-1 TROUSER
SIZE MEDIUM
SPEC NO. 94-3085-A
ORDER NO. 42-22266-P
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY
WERBER SPORTSWEAR CO.
NEWBURGH, N.Y.
Both sets of trousers appear to be WWII manufacture and are in good condition overall with the zippers all retained. However, the main zipper on the AAF Marked set is heavily corroded and may not close anymore. Otherwise, the trousers with their suspenders are in fair shape.
This is a great set of a jacket and two pairs of trousers, perfect for any WWII AAF Collection. Comes ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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