December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 321:
Description
This is a striking and identified example of the iconic -Air Force Blue- United States Air Force Type B-15C Intermediate Flight Jacket, famously associated with the Korean War era and Marilyn Monroe s USO tours. Named to a Command Pilot of the 3501st Pilot Training Squadron, this jacket represents the colorful transition period of the early 1950s when the USAF established its own distinct visual identity separate from the Army. The centerpiece of this garment is the vibrant, fully embroidered squadron patch on the right chest, depicting a red devil emerging from a whirlwind against a green and gold checkered backgroundÑthe distinctive insignia of the 3501st PTS based at Reese Air Force Base, Texas. As part of the Air Training Command ATC , this unit was responsible for training the next generation of jet pilots during the height of the Cold War.
The jacket is personalized with a leather name strip embossed -BAARSON- and a matching leather patch above it featuring the star-and-wreath wings of a USAF Command Pilot, indicating a senior aviator with thousands of flight hours, likely serving as a senior instructor or squadron commander. The shoulders feature leather tabs for officer rank insignia. Technically, this is a -Modified- B-15C Spec MIL-J-6251 , meaning it was recalled in the mid-1950s to have its original mouton fur collar replaced with a wool knit collar to accommodate newer hard-shell flight helmets. The original white -Modified- over-label is stitched directly over the main spec tag in the collar, confirming this official depot-level alteration. The nylon shell retains its deep blue luster, and the Air Force Headquarters decal on the left sleeve remains visible, making this a textbook example of a named Korean War instructor s jacket.
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