December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 322:
Description
This is a highly desirable and scarce original United States Air Force Type B-15C Intermediate Flight Jacket, distinguished by its iconic -Air Force Blue- nylon shell and its rare -Unmodified- status. Manufactured by A. Pritzker & Sons, Inc. under the early 1950s specification MIL-J-6251, this Size 40 jacket represents the period when the newly independent Air Force sought to distinguish its visual identity from the Army with distinctive blue flight gear. This specific model is most famous in pop culture history as the flight jacket worn by Marilyn Monroe during her legendary USO tour of Korea in 1954.
Unlike the vast majority of B-15 series jackets that were recalled and -Modified- with wool knit collars, this example retains its original, plush dark blue mouton fur collar, making it a true collector s rarity. The deep blue nylon twill remains vibrant with a strong sheen, featuring the correct offset main zipper, the rectangular leather oxygen mask retention tab on the chest, and the zippered utility/pen pocket on the left sleeve. The waist and cuff knits appear to be original to the jacket, showing expected age and wear. Finding a B-15C in this original configuration with the fur collar intact and the blue color unfaded is increasingly difficult, making this a centerpiece artifact of the Korean War air war.
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