WWII 8th AF B-17 Navigator A-2 Flight Jacket

A size 40 Army Air Force World War II flight jacket that was worn by Richard A. Bettencourt, a B-17 navigator with the 532nd Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. The jacket carries a large, chenille squadron patch on the left breast, above which is Bettencourt’s leather name tag. The left shoulder was painted with an 8th Air Force emblem while the back of the jacket was painted with the name of the bomber, “Old Irongut”, along with 26 bombs for the combat missions flown. The jacket shows only minor spots of typical flaking of the leather, primarily in the collar area. The leather jacket overall is quite soft and supple and in excellent combat worn condition. The full manufacturer tag of the Rough Wear Clothing Company is present, and the original Talon zipper is fully functional. Waist band appears to be period replaced.