Page 264 - 88-BOOK3

LOT 3444
Painted Metal Artwork for Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-222, “Flying Deuces” - Established in 1942, VMF-222 was actively engaged
in the Philippines and Okinawa, operating out of Munda, Bougainville, Green Island, Guinan and Samar. The squadron was known as the “Flying Deuces” for the number of the squadron and was later dubbed the “SeaBee Air Force” due to the very tight relationship they established with the 61st Construction Battalion, which was still trying to assemble the airbase at Guinan when the 222 arrived and would carry the CB insignia on their engine cowlings in addition to their own, a winged “V” behind three “2” playing cards (spade, diamond and club). The earliest version
of the insignia, as seen here, had a green circle backing the “V” and the words “FLYING/DEUCES” arranged above and below. This example has been stencil painted on a sheet of blue painted aluminum, which is 27
1/2 inches wide and 19 inches tall, with white matting applied around the front side. The back side is completely exposed, with a set of repeating “24 ST.” and “.040 ANRA” markings on the back and a hand-signed “Save/ Lt. Barnett”. The repeating markings have been seen on sheet metal produced for American aircraft, and available records put a First Lieutenant Robert
V. Barnett with VMF-222; while not explicitly documented, this may have been taken directly off a VMF-222 fighter as a memento for Barnett,
likely from a section of fuselage, wing or tail slated for replacement. In contrast to WWI era fuselage canvas which could be rolled up for transport and storage, this would have been a much more awkward memento to transport, and few such items would return to the States following World War II. Full service records for Barnett aren’t available, but available records put him as a resident of Kenosha, Wisconsin, who qualified for aviator training in 1942, and saw action over Rabaul in 1944, losing a Corsair
but successfully bailing out and returning to the 222; newspapers of the period report that his bailout interrupted a USN instruction film about bailing out then being screened on Green Island. Post-war records are also limited, with a note in 1947 of Barnett being an aviator with the Marine Corps Reserve, but no obituary or other listings.
CONDITION: Very good overall. The front shows a few minor scuffs and flakes, while retaining strong color and detail in the paint. The back shows mild wear and traces of old tape around the edges.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
262 Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3445
Scarce Identified World War II Australian Made USAAF 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron V505/A-2 Flight Jacket - Australian made V505 flight jackets are nearly identical to the USAAF’s issued A-2 flight jacket and were purchased by the Department of the U.S. Army in June 1943 for U.S. airmen stationed in Australia. These flight jackets are rare and when encountered are generally identified to members of the 5th
Air Force like this example. This
jacket was worn by U.S. Lt. Robert E.
Wells, a pilot assigned to the 82nd
Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter)
which was re-designated 82nd
Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
in May 1944. In the months after the
attack on Pearl Harbor the 82nd flew
anti-submarine patrols off the California coast
and by late 1943 the unit was stationed in the Pacific, flying combat sorties until the end of
the war. The squadron was equipped with P-39s, P-40s and P-51/F-6s. Tactical reconnaissance squadrons flew risky missions over enemy occupied territory in order to gather much needed aerial intelligence that was desperately needed to win the war. Facing enemy fighters and antiaircraft fire, these aircrews risked their lives to gather information related to the location of targets and the results of bombing missions. The intelligence they gathered weighed heavily on the planning of future operations.
This rare leather flight jacket has the “MADE IN AUSTRALIA” tag marked “V505” over the date “1943.”
The size marking is absent. The lining is hand marked “Lt. R.E. Wells/ [illegible number]/82nd
Recon Squadron” at the collar. It has a Zipp zipper, a common brand of zipper found on these
jackets. The left chest carries Wells’ leather name tag (fair) and a 5th AF embroidered patch (likely
made in theater). Includes three photos (modern copies) of Lt. Wells, including one of him in the cockpit of his P-40.
CONDITION: Very good overall displaying authentic use and wear as expected for a flight jacket worn by a P-40 pilot in the Pacific Theater with the most visible wear appearing on the left cuff and lining. An identified P-40 pilot worn rare Australian made V505/A-2 flight jacket that displays very well. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500