One of the most rare flight jackets out there from the early jet age. Could have seen duty in some of the first jet dogfights over Korea. The L-2 was the original jacket and was replaced by the L-2A in 1950. This one retains it’s U. Airforce stamp inside below the label and the blue field and gold wings patch on the left shoulder. The owner was also in the Texas Civil Air Patrol and apparently wanted to continue to use this jacket there has a Texas CAP patch sewn over the US Air Force patch but could easily be removed if you like. I have tried to research the markings 4656-G on the liner but can’t find anything that seems relevant. Could be a program or plane ID. The only listed tail number I can find for 4656 was one used in Air America but I don’t think this was related to that. The only issues other than normal minor wear is some mothing on the color and cuffs and a small spot on the waist cuff. The wool is still stretchy and the jacket itself is not brittle or coming apart. Could be worn easily. Here is more info from Buzz Rickson. Possibly the most rare of all the U. Air Force nylon flying jackets, the Type L-2 Light Flight Jacket specification dates back to 1945, with production spanning the years 1947- 1949. The lightweight construction, comfortable non-bulky warmth and natural good looks made this style and instant success with aircrew at bases around the world. It was intended for wear in climates between 42 degrees and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, thus ideally suited for spring, summer and fall. The L-2 Flight Jacket was superseded by the newer L-2A Flight Jacket specification made in U. Air Force blue in 1950. Both the L-2 Flight Jacket and L-2A Flight Jacket saw action in historys first jet-on-jet air battles of the Korean War, and although the final variant, the L-2B Flight Jacket, entered service well before the Viet Nam War, it was not uncommon to find an old veteran still wearing his L-2 Flying Jacket into the 1960s. Throughout its evolution, the L-2 Flight Jacket remained a favorite amongst airmen and anyone who could get their hands on one. The item “L-2 US Air Force Jet flight jacket pre 1950 Not L2A or L2B RARE” is in sale since Sunday, June 30, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\1946-49\Original Period Items”. The seller is “deftecsllc” and is located in Baytown, Texas. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Bolivia, Uruguay.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States