IHM-16 - Olive Cotton Satin B-10 Type Flight Jacket
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Since I still can not wrap my head around why there is not more interest in this jacket, I figured I'd share some cool info I found while researching the history of the B-10. I'm sure a lot of you guys know this stuff already, but I found it cool, so I thought it was worth a share.
"Borrowed" from the History Preservation Website
"The U. S. Army Air Force Type B-10 Intermediate Flight Jacket was developed as a replacement for both the leather A-2 and sheepskin B-6 Flight Jackets. The B-10 Flight Jacket was the first cloth-shelled, alpaca fur-lined flying jacket of the USAAF, being standardized for service in July 1943. However, actual combat issue did not take place until late February 1944, with the 8th Air Force in England receiving an initial issue of B-10 Flight Jackets with the corresponding A-9 Trousers.
By the spring of 1944, the B-10 Flight Jacket was appearing in much greater quantities, as evidenced by the many 8th and 9th Air Force aircrews outfitted in this jacket in time for the D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944. The B-10 Flight Jacket was an instant success with just about every aviator who encountered one, being much lighter and more versatile than the jackets they replaced. Intended for wear in climates between 25 degrees and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the B-10 was ideally suited for early spring, late fall and winter. Fighter pilots took a particular shine to this slick new jacket style, as it afforded them far less bulk and considerably more comfort in their cramped cockpits. Just as with all of the flight jackets of the USAAF, the B-10 Flight Jacket's natural good looks and smart style immediately made it a coveted garment with anyone who could get their hands on one. This proved especially true among most of the senior officer ranks of the U. S. Army fighting in Europe, as numerous photographs depict non-flying, non-USAAF personnel, such as Generals Ridgeway, Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley wearing the B-10 Flight Jacket even though they had no rightful authorization to wear the jacket. Furthermore, all officers of the U. S. airborne units received B-10 Flight Jacket as issue garments just as they had once been issued leather A-2 Flight Jackets, thus furthering their elite image within the army. But it was the fighter pilot of 1944 and 1945 who was most typically personified through the wearing of a B-10 Flight Jacket."
This is awesome - thanks for sharing! Knowing this jacket has a long history of badassness makes me want it more!
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IMO it looks dope on you. A great testimonial for that piece!
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@rocket what @Max Power said. Looks brilliant.
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@rocket ya I'll echo these guys, it looks boss! Where do you feel that it's too tight? Or are you just wanting a roomier fit for ease of layering?
I'm still on the fence between this, the IHM-15 and the deck jacket (all so amazing in their own ways)…but once it gets colder I'm going to "tear the fence down" and grab one of them bad boys
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Cheers guys, just doesn't help… pics might not tell, but it is too tight in the arms and shoulders to be comfy. Not speaking to think about to wear anything other than a tee under it... what would be Ok for me. But even with just the tee, there is not enough freedom of movement... and boy that sucks, since I really like it...
Way warmer and heavier than I expected it and to quote someone
"It's off the scale amazing. I have no idea why it does not sell like crack…..." -
@rocket
I'm a 40" jacket size for suits, etc. and got a medium and thought it was a tad tight, but I think it will loosen up with wear and movement.Keep it.
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@rocket I'll do it a little later today.
Bear with me. -
Please note; I don't have a gut!
I'm wearing 666SII again and can't make a dent in them. -
@piranha that jacket looks great on you. The colour and texture of the fabric seem very different to the website pics and that goes for the IH-718's which I own and are made of the same material. Actually better irl in my opinion.
@Sam are these products that would do better photographed in natural light? Studio lighting seems to pick up the sheen of the material a bit more.
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Thanks @neph93 and there is a sheen to the material. Since it's been warm here I haven't had a chance to wear it yet but by late October it should be cold enough for that.
