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LOST WORLDS
FLIGHT JACKET COLLECTION
A-2 FLIGHT JACKET
720th Bombardment Squadron,
450th Bombardment Group, 15 AF
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The actual jacket
worn by Lt. A. Epstein in the classic photo that we proudly use in our company
image. Lt. Epstein flew 51 B-24 missions as a navigator in the Mediterranean theater. The
A-2 illustrates the elaborate artwork characteristic of MTO AAF flight jackets:
Italian-made incised leather painted XV AF and US Flag Patches; Squadron Patch (aircraft
tail markings); Painted 50 Mission Leather Patch; Painted-to-Jacket 51st Mission; Leather
Name Tag.
We were lucky
enough to obtain from Lt. Epstein this jacket as well as his massive and truly historic
& unequalled wartime grouping, which includes a comprehensive mission notebook,
original squadron patch artwork and a fantastic album of original combat photos taken by
the co-pilot -- a commercial photographer before the war. Among the photos are those of
enlisted crew donning Epstein's jacket for the occasion. Lt. Epstein recorded his combat
experiences with the same meticulous care in which he kept his beloved A-2 for 50 years
until illness compelled him to entrust it to our Collection, where it will remain as an inspiration both
to us and to those fortunate to view it.
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