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  • "Thumper" Jacket

    "Thumper" was a 9th Air Force B-26 Marauder with the 587th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bomb Group, based in England and then in western Europe. Eventually, three of the unit's B-26's carried the nickname, for it was transferred to subsequent aircraft as the previous "Thumper" was lost. The numbers after

  • "Times A'wastin'" Jacket

    The donor, a B-17 pilot with the 91st Bomb Group, paid about $4 each to have "Times A-wastin'" and the 401st Bomb Squadron insigne, featuring Hairless Joe and Lonesome Polecat from the Lil' Abner comic strip, painted on this jacket. The bombs represent 35 missions over France. The artist was Sgt.

  • "The Knockout Drops" Jacket

    "The Knockout Drops" was selected by the crew as the nickname for their B-17G and the radio operator painted appropriate artwork on the aircraft and the crew's jackets. The donor flew as flight engineer and gunner on 26 bombing raids between September 1944 and May 1945, plus food drop missions to

  • 52nd Bomb Squadron Jacket

    This B-10 jacket provides a detailed record of dates and targets of 28 B-29 missions. The donor, who painted this jacket, flew as a pilot with the 52nd Bomb Squadron, 29th Bomb Group, beginning in early 1945. The first mission marker represents the war's most destructive incendiary raid against

  • "Flying Circus" Jacket

    In 1944 the 380th Bomb Group adopted the name "Flying Circus." The donor served with the group in the Pacific as a statistical control officer and sometimes flew as an observer on B-24 missions, wearing this jacket.This jacket was donated by Mr. Max Markman, South Euclid, Ohio.Click here to return

  • "Stinky" Jacket

    "Stinky" was a B-17 with the 447th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. Capt. Marvin Lubinsky flew 30 missions with the 708th Bomb Squadron.This jacket was donated by Mr. Marvin Lubinsky, Dunedin, Fla.Click here to return to the WWII Aviator Jackets Overview.  Find Out More

  • "Mrs Aldaflak" Jacket

    In a fine play of words, "Mrs Aldaflak" was the nickname chosen for their B-17 by a crew in the 615th Bomb Squadron, 401st Bomb Group. As a flight engineer, the donor flew 35 missions between July and November 1944. The artwork was applied by a squadron member who decorated many jackets.The jacket

  • WWII Aviator Jackets

    Note: This exhibit is located in the connecting link between the World War II and Korean War Galleries. World War II USAAF aviators often personalized their flight jackets (usually the popular leather A-2 jacket), using such painted decorations as unit insignia, artwork that appeared on their

  • Evolution of USAF Flight Clothing

    Note: This exhibit is located in the connecting link between the World War II and Korean War Galleries.Through the years, advances in aircraft performance have increased the need for improved aircrew protection from the weather, a lack of oxygen, intense heat or cold, or even violent maneuvers in

  • A Child's Prized Possession

    In 1939 the Nazis increased their persecution of the Jews in Germany, forcing many of them to leave the country. However, these Jews had trouble finding another nation that would accept them. The British government decided to allow Jewish children under the age of 17 to enter the country. A series