LOST WORLDS
FLIGHT JACKET COLLECTION
A-2 FLIGHTJACKET
95TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 8TH
AF
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T his
jacket belonged to an air gunner who was a member of "The Caterpillar Club" --
that exclusive organization only for those who bailed out of their aircraft.
Shot down over France, he made his way back to Allied lines. The Nazi cross
encircled by red mission bombs represents a German fighter he downed with his
machine guns, as well as flak hits taken by his B-17, beautifully rendered on
the back of the jacket. The 95th BG insignia is painted directly onto the left
chest with his name and gunners wings. A great example displaying many of the
ways A-2 jackets were decorated during WWII. Rare indeed to find a jacket whose
owner actually had to use his parachute.
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