Item Description
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 link.
B-17 SKY Ball #42-31714 an be found on the American Air Museum in Britain at this link and also on the 511th BS website at this link.
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 link.
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!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
