December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 310:
Description
World War II Type A-2 flight jacket identified to Charles Wilson of the elite 416th Night Fighter Squadron. Manufactured by the desirable Poughkeepsie Leather Coat Co. Inc. under the 1942 contract W535-AC-23560, this size 40 horsehide jacket serves as a canvas for spectacular theater-made artistry. The insignia configuration is a rare -triple-patch- setup featuring exquisite leather tooling: the left chest displays the 416thÕs distinctive emblemÑa hooded skeleton guiding a Great Horned Owl clutching a Thompson submachine gunÑwhile the left shoulder bears a vibrant, gilt-painted leather 12th Air Force shield. Dominating the reverse is a massive, hand-painted leather oval depicting a de Havilland Mosquito, the legendary British -Wooden Wonder,- rendering this a highly specific artifact from the unitÕs operations during the later stages of the war.
Historically, the 416th Night Fighter Squadron holds a unique place in Army Air Forces lore as the only USAAF unit to operationally fly the Mosquito in the Mediterranean Theater. After initially flying Beaufighters, the squadron transitioned to the faster, more agile Mosquito specifically the NF.30 variant in late 1944. Flying under American command but utilizing these British -Reverse Lend-Lease- aircraft, the 416th used the MosquitoÕs superior speed and advanced radar to hunt German aircraft across Italy and into Southern Germany. This specific artwork likely dates the jacketÕs customization to this pivotal 1944Ð1945 period, where the squadron provided critical night cover and conducted intruder missions against Axis transport.
The jacket survives in honest, combat-worn condition, displaying a rich patina, crazing, and the expected fraying to the original wool knits consistent with operational use. The interior retains its original Poughkeepsie contract label and features a stenciled laundry mark, -W602,- on the lining, which aligns with the handwritten identification card included with the lot. This is a -grail- level acquisition for collectors, combining a rare manufacturer, stunning theater-made leather patches, and a unique visual record of the few American airmen who piloted the Mosquito in combat.
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