Pilot's Jacket
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Rocco T. Capobianco
American, 1924 - 1987
MakerMade by
I. Spiewak & Sons, Inc.
American, founded 1904
Date1942
Mediumleather, horsehair or goatskin, cotton, elastic-knit
DimensionsJacket (center back x shoulder span): 26 × 19in. (66 × 48.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Gloria A. Capobianco
DescriptionRocco Thomas Capobianco's size 42 WWII Army Air Corps uniform type A-2 U. S. Army pilot’s flight jacket. The jacket is one of the 25,000 manufactured by I. Spiewak & Sons Co., Inc., government contract number W535 AC-28820, order number 42-18776P, contract date 18-May-42.
The jacket is constructed according to military specifications from seal brown horsehide leather (possibly goatskin) and features a brown cotton lining and brown knitted wristlets and waistband (skirt). There are snap-flap patch pockets on either side of the torso, a leather shirt-style snap-down collar, and leather shoulder straps (or Epaulets). The back of the jacket is constructed from a single piece of leather. The interior lining features a leather hang strap and a military spec tag attached just below the back collar. The proper left shoulder features a painted version of the Army Air Forces World War II Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. There are pick holes surrounding the painted patch indicating there was once an leather or embroidered patch of some kind in that area. Military regulations describe the insignia as "on an ultramarine disk (2-5/8" dia.) is imposed in the lower segment a White Star (1-1/8" point to point) with a red disk superimposed and covering the the entire center of the Star. Surmounting the Star are two stylized wings extending upward and outward at a 45 degree-angle." A tan leather patch with an eagle designed embossed has been affixed to the proper left chest, the name "CAPPY" has been carved into the patch. The right proper shoulder features a unit patch for the WWII 15th Air Force: a tan Incised leather patch with painted details depicting a 48 star American Flag and a sheild decorated with the air force winged star and number XV.
The jacket is constructed according to military specifications from seal brown horsehide leather (possibly goatskin) and features a brown cotton lining and brown knitted wristlets and waistband (skirt). There are snap-flap patch pockets on either side of the torso, a leather shirt-style snap-down collar, and leather shoulder straps (or Epaulets). The back of the jacket is constructed from a single piece of leather. The interior lining features a leather hang strap and a military spec tag attached just below the back collar. The proper left shoulder features a painted version of the Army Air Forces World War II Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. There are pick holes surrounding the painted patch indicating there was once an leather or embroidered patch of some kind in that area. Military regulations describe the insignia as "on an ultramarine disk (2-5/8" dia.) is imposed in the lower segment a White Star (1-1/8" point to point) with a red disk superimposed and covering the the entire center of the Star. Surmounting the Star are two stylized wings extending upward and outward at a 45 degree-angle." A tan leather patch with an eagle designed embossed has been affixed to the proper left chest, the name "CAPPY" has been carved into the patch. The right proper shoulder features a unit patch for the WWII 15th Air Force: a tan Incised leather patch with painted details depicting a 48 star American Flag and a sheild decorated with the air force winged star and number XV.
Object number2022.52.1
MarkingsEmbroidered patch, center back lining: "TYPE A2 / DRAWING NO. 30-1415 / AC NO 42-1877GP / PROPERTY / AIR FORCE U.S. ARMY / I. SPIEWAK & SONS / NORTH BERGEN N.J.'On View
Not on view
