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LOT 1304
Highly Desirable Identified
World War II Painted USAAF
B-17 “Lady Satan” A-2 Flight
Jacket - This stunning World
War II USAAF A-2 flight jacket was
manufactured by Aero Leather
Clothing Co., is a size 42, has a
Crown zipper, and was worn by
gunner Technical Sargent Carl
Stevens who served aboard the
B-17 “Lady Satan” of the 729th
Bomb Squadron (later 728th Bomb
Squadron), 452nd Bomb Group, 8th
Air Force. On the right chest is the
name “Steve” painted in yellow and
red lettering. 729th BS insignia is
painted on the left chest. The back
of the jacket serves as the leather
canvas for a fantastic work of highly
personalized wartime art: “Lady
Satan” over a B-17 on a bombing
run striking the Third Reich along
with a tally of 27 missions. The
artwork covers nearly all of the
back surface and shows the skills
of a talented artist. Just above the
tag on the lining of the jacket is the
handwritten notation “Neiswanger
N-7344.”
T/Sgt. Stevens was awarded the Air
Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.
The Air Medal and all five original
citations with certification card
are included. These citations were
“for meritorious achievement
while participating in heavy
bombardment missions in the
air offensive against the enemy
over Continental Europe.” Stevens
reflected on the dangers of flying
aboard a B-17 in combat. During an
attack on the oil refineries at Politz,
Germany, he had a close call with
death: “As I raised my head to look
at one of the Fortresses crippled
by flak, a piece of shrapnel, about
the size of my fist, ripped through
the side where I’d been resting my
head. After that the turret became
one of the most uncomfortable
places I’ve ever been in.” Stevens
completed his tour of duty. “Lady
Satan” was not as fortunate and
was lost by enemy flak on February
6, 1945 over Wiesbaden, Germany.
The 452nd BG engaged primarily
in the bombardment of strategic
targets in occupied Europe as well
as supported ground forces and
interdictory operations in support
of the Allied invasion of Normandy.
Stevens’ other personal items
include: 729th BS patch, sterling
silver ID bracelet, five ribbons
including Air Medal with four
Oak Clusters, flying charm,
Lucky Bastard Club certificate
(an unofficial award to 8th
AF bomber crewmembers
who completed a tour of
duty), Acme whistle, and a
wonderful grouping of period
photographs including “Lady
Satan” crewmembers and B-17s
in theater that perfectly capture
the human side of the Allied
bombardment offensive.
CONDITION: Very fine, displaying
some typical wear, supple
leather, and retaining most of
the original painted artwork. An
identified World War II 8th AF
B-17 crewmember’s A-2 flight
jacket with fantastic wartime
artwork that will make a grand
statement to any aviation
collection no matter how
advanced.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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