As WW2 drew to a close, the US Army Air Force started looking at alternative designs and materials to replace the cumbersome shearling jackets worn at the time by bomber crews. The first few jackets, the B-10 and B-15 were much liked by crews, and the Air Force would continue to develop these patterns in nylon, a lightweight new material developed by Dupont in the early 40s.
The first result in 1947/48 was the stunning B-15B jacket, incorporating the B-15 design with an olive drab nylon shell. This was a very short-lived design as the Air Force would incorporate in 1947 and from then on produce all uniforms in blue to differentiate themselves from the army. This particular example is made by The Gardener Corporation, it features head to toe original Prentice zipper, working popper and all buttons.
Condition:
This is is great, but used condition. The fur is still very thick, and more importantly soft and pliable. The incredibly rare original Pentice zippers work perfectly, and do all the trimmings. There are a few moth nips in the knits, but nothing that would make he jacket any less desirable.
Sizing:
- Tagged Size 38 and fits a modern medium
- Pit to pit 23"
- Shoulder to shoulder 19"
- Shoulder to cuff 24"
- Collar to hem 25"