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WWII "Booby Trap" Painted USAAF A-2 Flight Jacket and Uniforms

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:700.00 USD Estimated At:1,400.00 - 2,250.00 USD
WWII  Booby Trap  Painted USAAF A-2 Flight Jacket and Uniforms
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This USAAF Type A-2 flight jacket is a size 38 with an AAF winged star insignia stamped under the tag. The back of the jacket features a painted motif depicting a provocative red headed woman with the words "BOOBY TRAP". At the time of this writing we believe that "Booby Trap" was a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95282) which flew with the 827th Bombardment Squadron, 848th Bomb Group and is reported to have returned to the United States in late May 1945. Activated in 1943, the 827th bombed strategic targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the Balkans until Germany surrendered in May 1945. Before being inactivated in July 1945, the 827th participated in transport operations. Two winter service dress coats accompany this flight jacket. The first dress coat features U.S. and AAF officer lapel insignia with flight officer insignia on the shoulders. The lining of the coat is hand marked with the number "18". The second dress coat manufactured by Texryte, London, England, features U.S. and AAF officer lapel insignia with 1st Lieutenant bars on the shoulders. The left shoulder has an embroidered 8th Air Force patch and the right shoulder has an attractive bullion Army Air Forces winged star patch. Two service ribbons (Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal) are pinned to the right chest. Note that a shallow pocket has been stitched above the lower left pocket which would have been concealed by the belt. Both coats are without a belt. Along with a pair of Imported Fabric of Great Britain produced pink trousers, two officer's service shirts in olive drab (dark shade) are included. One shirt is produced by Yale, the other is produced by Command.
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Condition: The A-2 jacket is in good condition showing wear on the waist band and some tears on the lining. The leather shows typical wear with the squadron chest patch and left shoulder patch having been removed. The back of the jacket retains 80% of the paint. Both dress coats are very good showing some scattered mild wear. The Texryte coat has a few moth holes on the back. The trousers are very good with some scattered minor stains. The shirts are very good showing some scattered minor wear with a few moth holes on the Yale shirt.