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On the flight deck the pilot, 1st Lt. R. C. Wilson, and co-pilot, 1st Lt. Paul W. McCormack, were trapped in their seats -- unable to move against the forces of their falling B-24. Then a moment later TIMES A-WASTIN’ blew up and both of them found themselves blown clear by the explosion. One other man, navigator Conrad L. Kantzler,
also got free -- he doesn’t remember how. All the rest went in with their Liberator” (see http://usafunithistory.com/PDF/0400/491%20 BOMB%20GP.pdf ). SSGT Kelly was not aboard Ain’t Bluffin’ when the B-24 went down in September 1944 as period newspapers indicate that Kelly returned stateside by mid-December 1944, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal, and flew a total of 30 combat missions over Europe and Southwest Pacific. The American Air Museum in Britain website does not list Kelly among the Ain’t Bluffin’ crew
when it went down (https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/ aircraft/44-40246). SSGT Kelly died at age 71 in 1991.
CONDITION: Very good showing authentic wear and use with some tears in the lining and some absent stitching on the right pocket. The cuffs and waist band are replacements. The back of the jacket retains most of the vivid artwork. A fantastic painted 8th Air Force A-2 jacket identified to a known B-24 and airman that will be a welcome addition to any World War II aviation collection no matter how advanced. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 8,000 - 14,000
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