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LOT 425
Identified Historic World War II USAAF 13th Air Force B-24 Pilot Painted A-2 Flight Jacket - This World War II USAAF A-2 flight jacket was manufactured by J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co., is a size 44, has a Crown zipper, and was worn by B-24 pilot Captain Dan A. MacDonald of the 372nd Bomb Squadron, 307th Heavy Bomb Group. MacDonald is referenced several times in Sam S, Britt’s “The Long Rangers: A Diary of the 307th Bombardment Group(H)” and Samuel I. Walker’s “Up the Slot: An Historical Account of the 307th Heavy Bomb Group and the Air Battles over the Solomon Islands Slot” (note in Walker’s book MacDonald’s middle initial is incorrectly presented as the letter “E”). Copies of both books are included and tell the heroic story of the 307th BG operating out of jungle air bases and flying long range combat missions against heavily defended Japanese airfields, shipping, harbors,
and other targets in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The 307th BG completed 625 missions and received two Distinguished Unit Citations. Included in this lot are mission
reports, crew loading lists, and flight schedules for 440904, 440910, 440913, and 440918, which MacDonald few lead. On both 440910 and 440918, MacDonald flew B-24 “Persua- ‘der.” As for MacDonald’s A-2 flight jacket, the left chest carries MacDonald’s leather name tag and painted 372nd Bomb Squadron emblem. The back of the jacket serves as the painted leather canvas for a B-24 Liberator centered over the 13TH AF emblem along with “JUNGLE/AIR FORCE.”“MacDonald, DA” is hand marked on the lining under the data label. CONDITION: Very good with some dry rot mostly on the shoulders and sleeves associated with being in a tropical environment, worn cuffs, a broken zipper, and a pleasing 372nd BS emblem retaining most of the original paint. Much of the original paint to the “Jungle Air Force” artwork remains with vivid blue and yellow colors. An identified World War II Pacific Theater B-24 pilot’s A-2 flight jacket that would look great in any aviation collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500