Original World War Two leather A-2 flight jacket in very good condition. The leather is supple yet it shows signs of wear and use.

Exterior body has no seam separations but does show some creasing from being worn which is normal for any leather garment. The overall exterior appearance is pleasing.

Both front pockets have flaps and working snaps are present. Collar has hook and eye closure while both collar tabs have working snaps. Leather on the exterior collar shows some wear from sweat and rubbing against the wearer’s neck use but nothing major. Brown knit cuffs and waistband are in excellent condition. Front zipper is marked “TALON” and works properly.

Brown cotton interior lining shows wear in the collar from sweat and has several small areas where it has deteriorated. There is also some discoloration in the armpits and surface dirt on the lining near the zipper. Both are signs of use. The body of the lining has several small stains but this is from normal use and does not detract.

Inside collar is the production label that reads “TYPE-A-2 / DWG. NO. 30H1415 / A.C. CONTRACT / ORDER NO. 42-18775-P / PROPERTY / AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY / AERO LEATHER CLO. CO. / BEACON, N.Y.”

Sewn to the left front chest is a circular squadron patch that meas. approx. 5.00 inches across. Worked into the leather is a winged dinosaur made to look like a B-24 Liberator bomber with machine guns sticking out of its nose and butt. Across the top of the patch is “LARDASSARUS REX” while across the bottom is “745th” which denotes the 745^th Bomb Squadron of the 456^th Bomb Group which was stationed it Stornara, near Cerignola, Italy. Squadron patch is Italian made

Painted on the back of the jacket is a well done B-24 Liberator bomber showing its right side. The painting takes up the upper half of the back of the jacket. The aircraft is about 7.75 inches long with a 9.00 inch wingspan. The B-24 is in the natural metal finish with the tail markings of the 456^th Bomb Group on the vertical stabilizer of the tail. This marking consists of a black diamond over a red lower portion of the stabilizer. This marking was adopted in May of 1944. Also painted on the aircraft is the US star and bar marking and on the nose is a horse and the just visible name of the ship “THE GALLOPPING GALOOT.” Paint has crackled over the years and there is minor paint loss but all details are visible.

There is no ID to the jacket but in one of the pockets is a card that looks to be from a cleaners that has a man’s name on it that is difficult to read. This may be the former owner. Also in the pocket is a bobby pin and a 1940’s discount stamp for a company called Sperry & Hutchinson.

There is no doubt about the authenticity of this jacket and that it was worn by a member of the 745^th Squadron, 456^th Bomb Group.

The 456^th Bomb Group was created on May 14, 1943. The Group moved to Italy in January of 1944 and began combat operations with the 15^th Air Force on February 10, 1944. The 15^th Air Force was responsible for bombing targets in Italy, Austria, eastern Germany and Eastern Europe. The 456^th Bomb Group flew its last mission on April 26, 1945.

The 456^th flew 249 combat missions and hit targets such as Ploesti, Linz, Monte Cassino and Wiener Neustadt just to name a few, and they also supported the invasion of southern France. They dropped 13,939 tons of bombs on Axis targets. Group losses were:

91 B-24's lost in combat

18 B-24's lost in accidents

331 men killed in action

206 men missing in action

271 men captured

6 men interned

This classic A-2 jacket would be a wonderful addition to any World War Two or aviation collection.  [AD]

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