A WWII USAAF 8th Air Force B-17 (42-3329) A-2 bomber jacket belonging to Corporal Bernard J. Jensen, tailgunner on ‘Skippy’ (390th Bombardment Group, 570th Bomb Squadron), a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress whose crew were forced to bale out when the aircraft’s number one engine caught fire en route to Romilly-sur-Seine, France, on February 5, 1944; the ‘Skippy’ crashed in Salehurst, East Sussex, England. This handsome dark brown leather, issue jacket with russet-brown elastique hem and cuffs has a single, original Talon front zipper with collar snaps, and a hook and eye fastener at the throat. The jacket, size 36, was made by J. A. Dubow Mfg. Co. of Chicago, IL, and has the one-piece label peculiar to Dubow jackets made under the W33-038 AC-1755 (11631) contract. The inner collar is stamped and the left chest bears hand-painted calligraphic script, “B. J. Jensen.” The back is prominently embellished with the aircraft name in blue and white paint, “SKIPPY,” and a cluster of 30 yellow bombs and a single white parachutist, signifying his 30 flown missions and his safe and successful bale out. The condition of the exterior leather is a blend of being both supple and slightly rigid, with scattered marks, fading, and some flaking to front, back, and sleeves; the cuffs and hem feature some tears, small holes, and fraying; and the inner liner contains tears to collar section and right armpit; the paint to front and back is worn but still quite colorful and presentable.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
