Its this a stunner or what! This beautiful jacket was handmade in Tokyo during the Korean War for a member of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. This group were the last in the USAF to flying the legendary P-51 Mustang, and from the very early days of the war, until it's very last, would provide tactical air support, attacking tanks and armoured vehicles, artillery and antiaircraft guns etc. Uniquely, this was a mixed group of US and South African squadrons, and thus the SA flag featured on the jacket. For the bulk of their time in Korea, the squadron were stationed at Pusan East, and would take the name Dogpatchers from the base's K-9 code.
I've been told this is an original Tailor Toyo, with little details like the arrowheads on the pockets emblematic of his early work, but I can't confirm this without a tag.
There is another one of these on display in the National Museum of the US Air Force (pictured).
Condition
This is virtually deadstock and unused. There is some fading of the blue silk on one side, but otherwise this is perfect. The NBK zip works perfectly. A truly exceptional piece, given few of the souvenir jackets are military themed, and of those that survive, most are wrecked.
Size
- No tag, but fits modern size medium
- Pit to pit 21"
- Collar to cuff 31"
- Collar to hem 24"