Highblooded
New Member
Greetings,
My Father has begun passing down his collection of militaria to me. I have my own small collection that is primarily WW2 army equipment(original and repro) so Air Force is not my specialty. Among the many items he has given me is a B-3 Bomber Jacket.
He purchased it (with the pants and boots as well) from a leather shop many years ago for $700. His recollection was that it was authentic and that it was the same model as the WW2 jackets but was postwar production for jet bomber crews.
This does not add up as B-3 were only made before and during the war from what I have found out.
Tag states the Jacket is made by Aero Leather Clothing Company. in Beacon, NY. DWG. No. 33H5595; AC Contract No. 42-5110-P; Size 42-R.
Research has shown me that a new 'Aero Leather Clothing Co' produces these jackets in Scotland(I believe the owner is a member here). In looking at the jackets they produce this appears to be a 'Contract No. 42-22899-P' with the opposite coloration(dark sheepskin body with russet horsehide trim, upper arms and pocket).
Details are different which lead me to wonder if it is an original. It uses a Crown zipper(Aero seems to only use Talon). The pocket stitching is quite different(upper corner reinforcements are rectangular on mine - Aero uses a triangle reinforcement on the dozens I have seen) and the lower pocket fold design allow mine to unfold out. The buckles look different as well.
The hanger strap is leather and Aero seems to only use a chain type. Jacket also uses different lengths of pile on the sheepskin if that makes a difference.
The tag does not say Property of the US or anything similar, would that mean anything?
As an aside, I am curious about what the shoulder tabs are for? And also the two chest button studs.
I will include several pics if possible. I will try to get more if it will help.
My Father has begun passing down his collection of militaria to me. I have my own small collection that is primarily WW2 army equipment(original and repro) so Air Force is not my specialty. Among the many items he has given me is a B-3 Bomber Jacket.
He purchased it (with the pants and boots as well) from a leather shop many years ago for $700. His recollection was that it was authentic and that it was the same model as the WW2 jackets but was postwar production for jet bomber crews.
This does not add up as B-3 were only made before and during the war from what I have found out.
Tag states the Jacket is made by Aero Leather Clothing Company. in Beacon, NY. DWG. No. 33H5595; AC Contract No. 42-5110-P; Size 42-R.
Research has shown me that a new 'Aero Leather Clothing Co' produces these jackets in Scotland(I believe the owner is a member here). In looking at the jackets they produce this appears to be a 'Contract No. 42-22899-P' with the opposite coloration(dark sheepskin body with russet horsehide trim, upper arms and pocket).
Details are different which lead me to wonder if it is an original. It uses a Crown zipper(Aero seems to only use Talon). The pocket stitching is quite different(upper corner reinforcements are rectangular on mine - Aero uses a triangle reinforcement on the dozens I have seen) and the lower pocket fold design allow mine to unfold out. The buckles look different as well.
The hanger strap is leather and Aero seems to only use a chain type. Jacket also uses different lengths of pile on the sheepskin if that makes a difference.
The tag does not say Property of the US or anything similar, would that mean anything?
As an aside, I am curious about what the shoulder tabs are for? And also the two chest button studs.
I will include several pics if possible. I will try to get more if it will help.
