Following the success of their first volume American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft: A History of U.S. Flyers Jackets from World War I to Desert Storm, Jon Maguire and John Conway focus solely on the painted leather jackets of the World War II years in this all new volume.

This new comprehensive look at the evolution of the American flight jacket from World War I to Desert Storm addresses not only the types worn, but focuses primarily on the art and adornment applied to the jackets. The most colorful and creative period for flight jacket art was World War II, and it is this era that comprises a major portion of this book. Additionally, many of the pieces are attributed to the original owner with biographical information, contemporary photographs of the individual, and the aircraft on which he served. Personal combat accounts are also included. Also covered are other military jackets used by flyers. American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft was compiled over a number of years by Jon Maguire and John Conway. The authors became friends through a mutual passion for aviation history and collecting. This book provides a valuable reference for the historians and collectors alike, and includes over 1000 photographs.

This new comprehensive look at the evolution of the American flight jacket from World War I to Desert Storm addresses not only the types worn, but focuses primarily on the art and adornment applied to the jackets. The most colorful and creative period for flight jacket art was World War II, and it is this era that comprises a major portion of this book. Additionally, many of the pieces are attributed to the original owner with biographical information, contemporary photographs of the individual, and the aircraft on which he served. Personal combat accounts are also included. Also covered are other military jackets used by flyers. American Flight Jackets, Airmen & Aircraft was compiled over a number of years by Jon Maguire and John Conway. The authors became friends through a mutual passion for aviation history and collecting. This book provides a valuable reference for the historians and collectors alike, and includes over 1000 photographs.

The stories of those who wore the highly decorated "bomber jackets" in the US Army Air Corps during WWII continues to fascinate, educate, and entertain to this day. Worn as unique identifiers and to create an atmosphere of "esprit de corps" amongst the crew, these jackets offer a visual diary that reflected the hedonistic mindset of these extremely young airmen, pride in their part in fighting the enemy, and the social mores of the time. The high resolution photographs, featuring jackets from all WWII theaters and from museums and private collections across the USA, offer a glimpse into this seldom seem genre of military folk art. Supplemented with contemporary portraits, research, and never-heard-before wartime accounts, additional chapters examine their influence on fashion design worldwide, how to care for them as artifacts, and a section on collecting and appraisals. The book is rounded out with an index, for those who wish to dive further into WWII military clothing and history.The coffee table 300+ page book is arguably the definitive source ever produced on this subject.

Nostalgic black-and-white and period color photos depict the legendary Army Air Corps and Air Force jacket as worn by airmen in World War II and the Korean War. Anecdotes and a history of the jacket's service are accompanied by marvelous images of the hand-painted art that more often than not adorned the backs of these garments. *This is a paperback re-issue of Hell Bent for Leather.*

Join all the characters in our book on a wonderful journey as they fly your little one to sleep!

Planes on the ground, being readied for the fight. Others in mid-battle, soaring above smoke-and-fire filled targets or engaging in skirmishes with nearby enemy pilots. And still more, returning from the fray, their crews blessedly still alive. 75 breathtaking paintings capture in vivid detail the drama and action of air combat in World War II--the war that launched a new era in military history with its strategic use of bombers. The contributors include many of today's most noted historical artists, including Robert Bailey, Stan Stokes, Robert Taylor, Roy Grinnell, and Jim Dietz. Extensive captions offer insight into each scene, with information on the pilot, crew, and unit, while archival photographs of these brave soldiers of the air breathe life into each scene--Publisher.