WW2 AERO A-2 FLIGHT JACKET 57th FIGHTER GROUP & PATCH

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presents: WW2 AERO MANIFACTURER A-2 FLIGHT JACKET 57th FIGHTER GROUP with NINTH AIR FORCE 66th FIGHTER SQUADRON PATCH-SIZE MARKED 40 Up for your consideration is an original 1942 WW2 A-2 flight jacket with a rare 57th fighter group hand painted leather 66th fighter squadron patch. This A-2 jacket is rather large for the average fighter pilot at a marked size 40 & measures considerably larger that marked. This particular unit was attached to the RAF to support the 8th army back then. This jacket was recently unearthed at an estate sale up & still smells of mothballs from footlocker storage 60+ years ago. This evidently preserved the original knits & liner that are still in excellent condition after all those years. I looked for other WW2 mementos & additional history on this jacket but could not find any. This particular WW2 USAAF government issued jacket features a rare dark chocolate brown coloured exterior shell as opposed to the typical russet colour & bright red coloured knit elements as opposed to the typical original brown coloured type so often found on eBay. Horsehide leather is as expected dry in some places along shoulders & otherwise excellent all around. Liner looks near perfect as also the Aero specification tag. Upon further examination I found the original cutter tag inside of the left pocket which is pictured. Original Talon zipper is a rarer style victory model that looks & functions perfectly. Squadron patch is stitched to the jacket pictured featuring a rooster wearing boxing gloves which incidentally was a mascot in Rhode Island. No name tag was ever sewn on. Our photo's are a little bit darker than the jacket as contrast levels with natural light are harder to gauge up in the Eastern Sierra's. According to our research the 66th fighter squadron used P-40 type aircraft & was part of the cactus air force stationed in North Africa. Our reserve is undisclosed & as usual well below market. Measurements: Chest 22" Sleeves 24" Back 24" Shoulders 17" Combat information: * Began operations in Oct 1942. Took part in the Battle of El Alamein and, as part of Ninth AF, supported British Eighth Army's drive across Egypt and Libya, escorting bombers and flying strafing and dive-bombing missions against airfields, communications, and troop concentrations until the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia in May 1943. Received a DUC for performance on 18 Apr 1943 when the group destroyed more than 70 of the enemy's transport and fighter planes in an aerial battle over the Gulf of Tunis. Participated in the reduction of Pantelleria (May-Jun 1943) and the conquest of Sicily (Jul-Aug 1943). Received another DUC for front-line operations in direct support of British Eighth Army from the Battle of El Alamein to the capitulation of enemy forces in Sicily. Assigned to Twelfth AF in Aug 1943 and continued operations in the Mediterranean theater until the end of the war. Supported British Eighth Army's landing at Termoli and subsequent operations in Italy (Oct 1943-Feb 1944) by flying dive-bombing, strafing, patrol, and escort missions. Converted to P-47's early in 1944 and used the new aircraft for interdictory operations in Italy, receiving a DUC for a series of devastating attacks on rail lines, trains, motor vehicles, bridges, and other targets in the Florence-Arezzo area on 14 Apr 1944. Participated in the French campaign against Elba in Jun 1944 and in the invasion of Southern France in Aug. Engaged in interdictory and support operations in northern Italy from Sep 1944toMay1945. Returned to the US in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945. Check out this cool old picture link below of a squadron painted P-40 War Hawk. /~royb/images/66th_57fg.jpg read more

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