Jorgeenriqueaguilera
Well-Known Member
Gents,
Today I wanted to share one that left to a new home last week and I never got the chance to post here. This is a Rough Wear Clothing Co. from contract no. W535AC-23380. This example is one of only 12,000 made under this specific contract awarded in 1941.
This jacket belonged to Lt. Lyle V. Carr, he was a B-24 Nose Gunner from the "Egan" crew assigned to the 718th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
This example comes in an attractive dark brown leather, with dark brown knits. The exterior leather is in good condition and definitely shows that "been there, done that" look from real action. The front zipper was replaced at some point with an original Talon zipper. The cuffs are both heavily frayed, and there are further spots of damage and small holes along the hem. The original inventory label is still present in the left side pocket and lists serial #460. The interior lining of the jacket is in good shape, but does exhibit quite a few tears at the collar stand, and at the sleeve seams.
The jacket is embellished with a large, heavily flaked, but still discernible Bombing Eagle emblem from the 718th Bomber Squadron.
The leather name strip is present just above the emblem: "L.V. CARR / ENG. GUNNER."
The incised leather 15th Air Force patch, surcharged with the Bomb Group ID and “NEW YORK” on the left shoulder (a construction technique commonly found on locally manufactured Italian patches).
The 449th Bomb Group 'Flying Horsemen' was comprised of the 716th, 717th, 718th, and 719th Squadrons, and flew from bases in Italy from 1944 until the war ended, attacking strategic targets across Southern Europe. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations: first for the unescorted bombing of the rail marshaling yards at Bucharest on April 4, 1944, under intense fighter attack; second for an attack on the oil refineries at Ploesti on July 9, 1944.
This was an interesting piece of WWII history, worn by an airman who flew on the infamous Ploesti Raids.
Today I wanted to share one that left to a new home last week and I never got the chance to post here. This is a Rough Wear Clothing Co. from contract no. W535AC-23380. This example is one of only 12,000 made under this specific contract awarded in 1941.
This jacket belonged to Lt. Lyle V. Carr, he was a B-24 Nose Gunner from the "Egan" crew assigned to the 718th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.
This example comes in an attractive dark brown leather, with dark brown knits. The exterior leather is in good condition and definitely shows that "been there, done that" look from real action. The front zipper was replaced at some point with an original Talon zipper. The cuffs are both heavily frayed, and there are further spots of damage and small holes along the hem. The original inventory label is still present in the left side pocket and lists serial #460. The interior lining of the jacket is in good shape, but does exhibit quite a few tears at the collar stand, and at the sleeve seams.
The jacket is embellished with a large, heavily flaked, but still discernible Bombing Eagle emblem from the 718th Bomber Squadron.
The leather name strip is present just above the emblem: "L.V. CARR / ENG. GUNNER."
The incised leather 15th Air Force patch, surcharged with the Bomb Group ID and “NEW YORK” on the left shoulder (a construction technique commonly found on locally manufactured Italian patches).
The 449th Bomb Group 'Flying Horsemen' was comprised of the 716th, 717th, 718th, and 719th Squadrons, and flew from bases in Italy from 1944 until the war ended, attacking strategic targets across Southern Europe. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations: first for the unescorted bombing of the rail marshaling yards at Bucharest on April 4, 1944, under intense fighter attack; second for an attack on the oil refineries at Ploesti on July 9, 1944.
This was an interesting piece of WWII history, worn by an airman who flew on the infamous Ploesti Raids.
