US Army AAF WW2 B-17 BOMBER PILOT B-3 SHEEPSKIN LEATHER FLIGHT JACKET Vtg Coat For Sale

abramsantiques Store The US Army Air Forces early in WW2 issued the B-3 sheepskin leather flight jacket to protect B-17 Bomber pilots and air crews from frigid temperatures at high altitudes. Though the B-3 was effective in preventing frost bite, it was far too expensive to produce. It was quickly replaced by the more common alpaca lined cotton flight clothing, making any original AAF WW2 B-3 sheepskin leather flight jacket quite difficult to acquire today. This US Army AAF WW2 B-17 BOMBER PILOT B-3 SHEEPSKIN LEATHER FLIGHT JACKET is in fair condition, with a long, deep tear through the right side of the collar, heavy tearing and moderate thinning at the back right hem, heavy tearing to the left cuff, moderate scuffing and surface tearing at the lower right side and the lower right sleeve, some scuffing and surface tearing at the lower right back, some nicking and surface tearing at the left chest, some stitch holes at the left chest where a name tag appears to have once been, a moderate zipper imprint running vertically along the left front, some dark soiling to the interior lining at the right side and the left hem, some patina to the metal zipper and zipper track, some verdigris to the ends of the metal chain hanger at the upper back, and with moderate scattered scuffing, fragility, and age wear evident (most pictured). Otherwise, the jacket is in fair shape for its age, with no other damage to the thick, tough genuine sheepskin leather construction. It boasts a functional \"TALON\" metal front zipper, sports intact leather strap and metal buckle waist adjusters and throat straps, and carries an open top pocket at the lower right front. Most interestingly, the jacket bears a thick, warm sheepskin fleece collar and interior lining, and features beautiful russet leather arm panels, neck and collar reinforcements, flap tabs at each shoulder, and seam taping throughout. Interestingly, it was incorrectly marked a Size \"48R\" on the original \"TYPE B-3\" silver and black AAF nomenclature tag at the inside neck, and was then properly tagged a Size \"38\" underneath. An honest example of a very rare, original US Army AAF WW2 B-17 BOMBER PILOT B-3 SHEEPSKIN LEATHER FLIGHT JACKET. Now celebrating our 15th year on . offer with confidence and please view our other great military and aviation classics, including a rare, original US Navy Vietnam PILOT CUSTOM IN-COUNTRY COWBOY GUN BELT + PISTOL HOLSTER RIG in good condition, featuring all of the original shell loops around the back, and carrying the name \"John\" and an illegible last name hand marked at the interior right front, along with \"U.S. NAVY\".Abramsantiques appreciates your positive response and full five star ratings.We strive to make every transaction an exceptional one, and your complete satisfaction is our utmost concern.If for any reason you cannot leave fully positive response, contact us first and we will make it right.