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Lot 1436:WWII USAAF B-24 "Blues in the Nite" Painted Flight Jacket

December 9th, 2023|Bedford, TX
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  • /Lot 1436

Lot 1436:WWII USAAF B-24 "Blues in the Nite" Painted Flight Jacket

December 9th, 2023|Bedford, TX
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Estimated Price$3,000 - $4,500
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Identified World War II USAAF 8th Air Force B-24 "Blues in the Nite" Painted A-2 Flight Jacket

This A-2 flight jacket is identified to nose turret gunner Ben W. Johnson, Jr. of the 448th Bomb Group as confirmed in the included statement of provenance indicating the jacket was released by the Johnson family by his granddaughter. Johnson flew 35 missions aboard the B-24 "Blues in the Nite" over occupied Europe and Germany. His life story was told in the included book "Lifelines of Liberty: The Life and Legacy of Ben W. Johnson Jr." by his granddaughter Aliceson Haynes. Johnson's jacket was made by Perry Sportswear Inc. (unsigned label), is a size 38, and has a Conmar zipper. The back of the jacket serves as the leather canvas for painted artwork: a pinup girl surrounded by 34 bomb silhouettes representing 34 bombing missions and a parachuting create representing an airdrop along with "Blues in the Nite" in blue paint. Originally organized during World War II, the 448th Bomb Group flew bombing missions in support of the Allied strategic bombing campaign against Germany. In all, the 448th BG flew 262 combat missions, dropped 15,272 tons of bombs on enemy targets, and lost 101 bombers in combat.

ConditionVery good overall, displaying moderate, as expected, wear overall to the leather, a small hole in the lining, and minimal wear to the waist and cuffs. Much of the original paint to the artwork remains. An attractive example of an identified B-24 crewmember's A-2 flight jacket.
Details
TypeOther
ClassOther

Item LocationBedford, TX
Views1455
Catalog page322
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