Originalvs. Reproduction: Original - Aero Leather Clothing Co.
Era: WWII:Contract No.W535ac-21996, October 14th, 1941 (Order placedbeforethe bombing of Pearl Harbor)
Branch: United States Army Air Corps. The squadron patch is of the 499th Fighter Bomber Squadron. The back artwork is of Nora 2 of the 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Nora 2 (42-29529)was transferred twice. She was first part of 369th B.S., 306th B.G., then part of 422nd B.S., 305th B.G. and finally the 545th... She crash landed when she was part of the 545th.
Markings: The black tag label reads: \"TYPE A-2 / DWG NO. 30H1415 / A. C. CONTRACT / No. W 535 ac-21996 / AERO LEATHER CLO. CO. / BEACON, N.Y.\". The size tag is \"38\". The front is painted with a 499th Fighter Bomber Squadron Patch/Emblem, which is where I assume the owner of this jacket was transferred to or from, after or before the crash landing of Nora 2. The back is painted with \"NORA 2\", 12 mission bombs and a likeness of a lady who must have been Nora. The art work can be easily compared to the images included of the Plane (Nora 2), with its nose art and clearly ther back of this jacket and the nose art was done by the same hand.
Size: 38 - Shoulder to Shoulder: 17\", Sleeve Including Cuffs: 24 1/2\", Back, Including Waist Band: 24\", Armpit to Armpit: 20\"
Description: This isan original Painted A-2 flight jacket. This jacket contract was placed with Aero Leather Clothing Co. on Oct 14th, 1941 for a total of 25,000 jackets. Quite a bit of research and printed pictures are included, as well as one very attractive image on canvas of Nora 2 and the crew.
I bought this jacket for my collection and am letting it go as display space is dwindling... This jacket was purchased from Aero Leather in Scottland, and I had them replace the knits at the time of purchase. I will include a copy of the Aero Receipt with the jacket. Nora 2 (42-29529)was easily found online and there is a lot more information out there on her and her crew than is included here. In short, we learned that:
42-29529 Delivered to Cheyenne Modification Center, Colorado on 31 December 1942. Moved to Salina (Smokey Hill Army Airfield), Kansas on 10 January 1943, next moved to Morrison Field, Florida on 5 March 1943 then to Brookley Field, Alabama on 8 March 1943. Assigned to the 369th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group, Thurleigh, Station 111, UK on 24 March 1943. Transferred to the 422nd Bombardment Squadron, squadron code JJ*L, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, Station 105 in October 1943. Transferred to the 545th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code JD*U, 384th Bombardment Group, Grafton Underwood, Station 106 on 6 November 1943. While returning from a mission to Bremen on 13 December 1943, the aircraft lost two engines and crash landed in a field near the base, station 106. Pilot-George I. Poole Jr., Copilot-Robert Andrew Butler, Navigator-Morris Kantor, Bombardier-Peter S. Fillios, Radio Operator-Edwin R, Sigler, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner-Augustine Frank Mazzaccaro, Ball Turret-Gunner Herman Hoskins, Tail Gunner-Edward J. Holland, Flexible Gunner-William Martin Brennan, Flexible Gunner-Cleo Julius Hartline. All 10 returned to duty (10 RTD). The aircraft was salvaged. Aircraft Name: NORA II.
Condition:The jacket now exists as a solid example, with quite supple leather. There is some burn damage at the right wrist, this very well could have been incurred during the crash landing. The waist and cuffs have been replaced by Aero, though the lining, zipper and tag, etc. are original. I would rate the lining at about 85%, and though there are a few scattered holes and tears, the condition of the lining would not prevent the VERYOCCASIONALwearing of this jacket. I see no lost stitching and no holes in the leather. There is a bit of cracking and staining to the leather, but far less than I usually see on WWII jackets. Again, the leather is supple and would make this anoccasionallywearable jacket. The zipper was not replaced and is an original TALON zipper that still works well. The paint is only about 25% retained, but it is still very visible. The knits are new but are very well done and are solidly and attractively attached by one of the best in the business. The paint on this jacket is old and very worn. All buttons work and the collar clasp is present and solid. The vent holes still retain their metal rings. Two shoulder patches have been removed from the left shoulder, leaving stitch holes and a squadron patch was removed from the chest, also leaving stitch holes. There is only a little bit of old conditioner than could be removed with cleaner and the jacket\'s smell is notoffensive,
I am sad to see this jacket go...
Please see the pictures to get a better idea of condition and see the quality of the repair work that was done.
AdditionalItems: Everythingphotographed is included and only what is photographed is included.
Allitems included in this sale are shown in the pictures.
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Good Luck!
LSB
On Dec-10-15 at 15:11:39 PST, seller added the following information:
We will cancel the offer of any ZERO response user unless we are contacted first and you are given permission to offer. We have had too many problems with non paying 0 - response users.
