I've had a lot of flight jackets in my time (those who have followed me since the beginning will know that flight jackets are where my interest started!) but this one is up there with the rarest and the best.
At first you may think this is a B-15B, but look again, and look closely! In 1952, with the Korean War in full swing, the Air Force looked at modernising much of its equipment. The very popular B-15 series, which had already changed to nylon with the B-15B, was very slightly redesigned, centring the zip from it's previously asymmetrical position. Only two contracts of this newly designated B-15C were ordered in the olive drab colour before the Air Force decided to switch their uniforms to the dark blue. And of the small number that were produced, the majority would immediately be sent out to B-29 crews in the cold Korean skies.
The result today is one of the most sought after flight jackets, and certainly the rarest of all the nylons.
This jacket has all the features you would expect of an early 1950s nylon. Chunky spring loaded Crown main zipper, and a Talon on the sleeve, both with original leather pulls intact. The leather oxygen tab is the original, and the fur collar is rich, thick and very pliable! This lining is thick wool, perfect to take on winter!
I'll also send along the 1957 dated pocket finds, naming the jacket to a Frank Lynch, a possible research project to see whether he was in the Air Force!
Condition
This is in amazing condition. All zips and poppers are original and fully functional. The original knits are present, and bar one tiny pull in the back of a cuff, are in great shape. The nylon is great, there is a small run in the back of a sleeve (as pictured) but otherwise no issues. There is a tiny it of red fading on the sleeve beneath the sleeve pocket, and a few spot of paint/marks on one sleeve.
Size
- Tagged a size 38, and fits a perfect size med/lrg
- Pit to pit 24"
- Shoulder to shoulder 19"
- Shoulder to cuff 25"
- Collar to hem 24"