Original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces B-3 Sheepskin Shearling Bomber Jacket with 1943-Dated Mae West Life Jacket

Original Items. Only One Group Available. During World War Two the B-3 was a jacket designed specifically for the high-altitude needs of bombers. This was a bulky sheepskin jacket with a heavy-duty sheep-fur lining meant to keep men warm 25,000 feet in the air. For extra protection, the wide sheepskin collar could be closed with two leather straps. Far bulkier than typical flight jackets, the B-3 does not have a knit waistband and trim fit that made the other jackets famous. Rather its warmth and durability made it a hit, even with Army General George S. Patton. The B3 was a heavy-duty jacket designed for the sub-freezing temperatures of high-altitude flying. Today multiple reproductions are produced and many cost well over $1000 because the B-3 is a great, time-tested option.

This example retains the tag:

TYPE - B3
DWG. NO. 33H5595
A.C. ORDER NO. W535 AC-17756
ROUGH WEAR CLOTHING CO.
MIDDLETOWN, P.A.
REGULAR
42

The jacket has a nametape sewn near the bottom reading LT. STALEY, which may be for Philip Clement Staley, Tailgunner on A/C 42-39943 "Lassie Come Home". The TALON zipper is intact and the jacket has heavy service wear overall. The sheepskin is very well-retained. 

Also included is a great Mae West life jacket. During World War II the U.S. aviators and the Royal Air Force servicemen had available to them a vital piece of American-made equipment for emergencies that had only been in use for a few years: an inflatable (Mae West) life preserver. This wonderful example is complete and clearly marked:

VEST: LIFE-PRESERVER TYPE b-4
SPECIFICATION NO. 94-3135
STOCK NO. R 37-J-150
DATE OF MFG. OCT 5 1943
CONTRACT NO. N288s-13877
UNITED STATES RUBBER CORP.
PROPERTY - USN

This is a great set of a named jacket and Mae West life jacket, perfect for any WWII AAF Collection. Comes ready for further research and display.