Spring Military Aviation and Militaria Auction
Lot 329:
Description
World War II-issue United States Army Air Forces Type A-2 leather flight jacket. The garment is constructed from dark brown leather and follows the standard military pattern featuring a snap-down collar, shoulder epaulets, and two front patch pockets with snap-down flaps. The jacket is fitted with a brass Talon brand zipper featuring a bell-shaped pull tab. The interior is lined with mustard-colored cotton fabric. Hand-inked in black on the lining below the neck area are the name Tourtellot and the service number 37270102. Historical records associate this service number with Robert A. Tourtellot, who served in the 490th Bombardment Squadron. The left breast displays a hand-painted leather squadron patch measuring approximately 5 inches in diameter. The insignia depicts a vertical blue aerial bomb with a green and yellow rattlesnake coiled around it, set against a yellow circular background and enclosed by a green wreath with red roses. This is the official insignia for the 490th Bombardment Squadron, nicknamed the Burma Bridge Busters, which operated in the China-Burma-India Theater as part of the 341st Bombardment Group, 10th Air Force. The original manufacturer label is missing, with only stitch remnants remaining.
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