Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an exceptional A2 leather flight jacket issued to a member of the crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress “Veni Vidi Vici”. It is very good condition in a large size 42 chest. There is some wear at the shoulders and fraying with minor holes in cotton waist band and cuffs. Has a complete fully working zipper.

The best aspect of this incredible jacket is the hand painted “Veni Vidi Vici” in yellow paint on the back of the jacket along with 25 bombs. The bombs signify the number of successful bombing runs made by the crew. Once they reached 25 they were sent back the USA and their combat service was complete. This crewman completed 25 missions before his plane was damaged and had an emergency landing in Sweden on the 24th of February 1944.

The plane was part of the 388th Bomb Group, 562nd Bomb Squadron. Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress "Veni Vidi Vici" - Serial # 42-30661 USAAF 388 BG, 562 BS, Knettishall, Stn 136 Delivered Amarillo 7/7/43; Dallas 19/7/43; Geiger 8/8/43; Pendleton 12/8/43; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 3/9/43; 35m Missing in Action Rostock 24/2/44 with Albt Montgomery, Co-pilot: Russ Tyler, Navigator: Howard Carpenter, Bombardier: Jim Driscoll, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Doyle Thomas, Radio Operator: Bob Anliker, Ball turret gunner: Graham Nye, Waist gunner: Bob Oda, Waist gunner: Rolland Trantner,Tail gunner: Bob Buckler. (10INT); mechanical problem and losing gas, force landed Galltofta, Sweden. Missing Air Crew Report 3080. VENI, VIDI, VICI.