WWII era Civilian B-2

[Dinerman]

I think this is one of the most interesting jackets I've had in a while. The jacket is made from capeskin, with a full alpaca pile lining. The overall lines, with the off-center zip, large collar, waist belt, zipped and snapped sleeves, two piece back, and large collar remind me of the pre-war B-2. The jacket is heavily worn, and the label has partially worn away, however the word "Aviation" is still visible in the upper right hand corner, and the location of the manufacturer, Kansas City, MO is still visible at the bottom. The style and what's left of the tag suggest that this was a specialty aviation manufacturer/retailer, not a fashion one. The buckle on the belt is of the same type used on wartime Colvinex flight suits, which were similar in construction to this jacket, and the size tag and reorder tag look of a military style. So it's very possible they had military contracts. The main zip is one of those Talons with the unmarked deco stopboxes, which puts the manufacture around 1942-1943. I'm slogging through wartime St. Louis phonebooks to see if I can find any matches.

 

[mr_lits]

Holy sweet jacket! Quite a rare thing to find.

 

[Dinerman]

For reference, here's what those Colvinex flight suits look like when cut down post-war into a jacket. This is what I had originally thought I'd stumbled across.



And here's a thread on an original early 1930s B-2 flight jacket
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?57770-Grandpas-original-B-2-Flight-Jacket

 

[Dumpster Diver]

That my friend...is what We in the Dumpster Biz like to refer to as *Killer Material*

Now that is one DOPE Jacket you have yourself!!! holy smokes!!! Look at that!!! Glory be!!!

good thing its small or it would have been worn out by now.

I would say it looks like it was *loved* more than it was *worn*

 

[Big J]

That's really nice!

 

[Monitor]

The first one is really beautiful!

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

Very nice, Dinerman! The overall design looks similar to the Air Associates jackets of the 30s/40s. That's a great find - thanks for sharing.

Noel

 

[vintage.vendeuse]

Dinerman, your items never cease to impress me, as does your photography! May I inquire what kind of camera you use? Your lighting is fantastic.

 

[John Lever]

A similar jacket with sheepskin lining,this one from around 1937

 

[pilot error]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dinerman]

Thanks, all!
John, that collar/throat latch detail look especially close. That's a very interesting jacket.

Dinerman, your items never cease to impress me, as does your photography! May I inquire what kind of camera you use? Your lighting is fantastic.

Right now I'm shooting with a Fujifilm x100s and a set of continuous LED studio lights.

 

[devilish]

Forgive me but doesn't that say Kansas City, MO. Not St Louis?

 

[Dinerman]

Yes, that's what it says.

 

[John Lever]

Thanks, all!
John, that collar/throat latch detail look especially close. That's a very interesting jacket.



Right now I'm shooting with a Fujifilm x100s and a set of continuous LED studio lights.

I may have a copy one day in the not too distant future

 

[John Lever]

It hasn't happened yet but maybe one day who know's ?