ANJ3 in the wild

[ZuZu]

Pre-apologies if this photo has been discussed before. Does this photo not show an ANJ3 out "in the wild" so to speak? Here's a crew and one of the guys is wearing what seems to be an actual moutonless ANJ3. Another guy has a civvie jacket so maybe they went to a leather jacket store somewhere and got non issue jackets. The ANJ3 looks pretty issue to me however. Have you guys talked about this image before?

 

[Grant]

Yes, I've seen it before. I believe it's a post war photo. They look much more relaxed than the typical wartime crew photos! LOLs

 

[Micawber]

Patches are 570th BS of the 390th BG H stationed at Framingham / Parham July '43 - Aug '45.
As far as my memory serves the 390th BG were not part of Operation Casey Jones that took place immediately post VE Day.The aim of of the operation was photo surveying Europe. I believe that task was undertaken by the 305th & 306th BG's who were assigned to the 98th Combat Wing.

 

[ZuZu]

Why do they have the 570th Squadron patches? Reassignment?

 

[ZuZu]

I think the photo was received from the 325th Reconnaissance Wing- so the phot's not post war- just archived post war. Right?

 

[Micawber]

I think the photo was received from the 325th Reconnaissance Wing- so the phot's not post war- just archived post war. Right?

I reckon so.

 

[Erwin]

It is a great picture indeed, there is information on the picture regarding the date and squadron number. That would be great to have a separate thread [maybe this one] for historical images of ANJ3 jackets in use or collections [no repro or fake ones].

 

[Micawber]

390th Bomb Group was inactivated in August of '45.

 

[Micawber]

It is a great picture indeed, there is information on the picture regarding the date and squadron number. That would be great to have a separate thread [maybe this one] for historical images of ANJ3 jackets in use or collections [no repro or fake ones].

The info in pencil left side border is pertinent. The typed info top right is when the image was received by what unit in 1947. That info does not indicate the actual unit depicted and when.

 

[ZuZu]

Yes, I've seen it before. I believe it's a post war photo. They look much more relaxed than the typical wartime crew photos! LOLs

Grant- I went through a cursory sampling of my "Crew Photos" folders and you're right- most crews look far more sober. e.g.:

However a small proportion look pretty relaxed. e.g.:

 

[Micawber]

Perhaps taken after VE Day but obvs prior to Aug 1945 when the 390th was deactivated. Maybe this individual crew at some point after they finished their tour. Who knows.

 

[Erwin]

Very informative guys and thanks for the corrective information related to my input here I'm sure you know this website [https://390th.org/], but for those who don't, I highly recommend it!

These jackets are amazing [https://5085.sydneyplus.com/argus/portal.aspx?lang=en-US] I'm sure that information about this flight crew from the initial picture can be found after some online research.

 

[ZuZu]

You can barely see it but Whoopi wore an original 390th A-2s in "Jumping Jack Flash":