Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The U. S. Army Air Force Type B-15 Intermediate Flight Jacket was developed from lessons learned in field use of the highly popular B-10 Flight Jacket of 1943. As early as 1942, the Materiel Division of the US Army Air Forces was seeking an alternative material to sheepskin for producing flying suits, and by October of that same year development had begun at Wright Field on the Intermediate Flying Jacket, Type B-10. Originally constructed of an outer shell made from a fine, cotton twill, and lined with an alpaca-and-wool pile lining, the B-10 Flight Jacket was standardized on July 22,1943, though it was superseded less than 9 months later by the B-15 Flight Jacket. Both the B-10 and B-15 Flight Jackets were designed as replacements for the sheepskin flight jackets of the 1930s and early 1940s, and represented the first cloth-shelled, alpaca fur-lined flight jackets of the USAAF. These flight jackets were an instant success with just about every aviator who encountered one, being much lighter and more versatile than the flight jackets they replaced. Intended for wear in climates between 25 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the B-15 Flight Jacket was ideally suited for early spring and late fall and winter.
The jacket is still in lovely condition but there is some fur loss on the collar and overall fading. The left side still features a legible US Air Forces insignia but slightly faded. The label is still present on the back of the inside lining and states that this is a size 36.
A lovely example that comes more than ready for display.
Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 10”
Shoulder to sleeve: 25.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 20.5”
Waist width: 19”
Hip width: 16.5”
Front length: 27"
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