Identity area
Reference code
2019.88
Title
B-15D Modified USAF Flight Jacket
Date(s)
- 1954 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
1
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Short green nylon jacket with two front slash pockets with snap closures and two internal slash pockets. Green wool ribbed collar, cuffs and hem (with holes). It has a zipped pen pocket with leather puller on the left sleeve. It fastens with a 1952 metal Crown zip with a zig zag stitch internal placket on the right side. The faded remnants of the US Air Force wings and star insignia transfer are still evident on the left shoulder sleeve. It has back shoulder darts and also features two front snap-closure tabs under the arms for retaining headset and microphone wiring leads and a heavy, parachute harness. Nylon tab sewn to left front chest for attaching oxygen mask retainer clip. These features were removed with the development of the MA-1 flight jacket.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Materials: Nylon, wool
Label details: Original label:
JACKET, FLYING, INTERMEDIATE
TYPE B-15D SPEC. MIL-J-525
"NO. 8310-483250-281 (rest of label is covered with Mod label)
Mod. label:
The B15-D on this Jacket has been changed to Type B15-D Modified
Size 34
8415-633-9614"
Label details: Original label:
JACKET, FLYING, INTERMEDIATE
TYPE B-15D SPEC. MIL-J-525
"NO. 8310-483250-281 (rest of label is covered with Mod label)
Mod. label:
The B15-D on this Jacket has been changed to Type B15-D Modified
Size 34
8415-633-9614"
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Invisible Men exhibition label:
B-15D MODIFIED USAF FLIGHT JACKET
Rolen Sportswear Co.
1954
At first glance, this may look like a classic MA-1 Flight jacket. However, the B-15D Mod flight jacket was developed into the MA-1. The ‘mod’ designation is for modified, as the jackets were recalled in the 1950s by the United States Air Force so that the original fur collar, which was a flammable fire hazard, could be replaced with jersey ribbing.
Nylon
Archive no. 2019.88
Note
This US Air Force B-15D Mod flight jacket is a very rare predecessor of the MA-1 Flight jacket. The ‘mod’ designation is used because this jacket was officially modified by the USAF in the 1950s. The original B-15D jackets were issued with mouton fur collars but these were found by the USAF to be a flammable fire hazard, the modification was the removal of the fur collar and replacement with ribbing.