Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Click image to open expanded view
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used
Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used

Late 1940s–Early 1950s, U.S. Air Force, B-15C Flight Jacket, Rare Green Version, Used

Price
$4,511
Only 1 left in stock!

When people hear “B-15C,” what comes to mind for many is a nylon shell in deep Air Force Blue. However, the piece we’ve just received is an OLIVE DRAB B-15C that defies that conventional wisdom. With extremely few surviving examples, it is regarded as a particularly special collector’s item even within the B-15 series.

 

In 1947, the U.S. Air Force was established as an independent branch, separate from the former Army Air Corps. To assert its identity as a new branch of the military, the Air Force began transitioning its flight wear from the traditional olive drab (OD) color scheme to Air Force Blue around 1950. The B-15C appeared during this transitional period.

The B-15C was adopted around 1950 as the successor to the B-15B; in the early days, the Olive Drab version existed in very limited quantities. Subsequently, the majority of production shifted to Air Force Blue.In fact, according to specialized sources, the early OD B-15C was issued to aircrew during the early stages of the Korean War, around 1950–51, and surviving examples are extremely rare.

The black tag on this item reads:

JACKET, FLYING, INTERMEDIATE
TYPE B-15C
SPECIFICATION NO. MIL-J-6251
SIZE 36
ORDER NO. AF-33(038) 25245
MIDWEST FUR & GARMENT CO., INC.

is clearly inscribed.

Even more significant is the contract designation “AF-33(038) 25245 / MIDWEST FUR & GARMENT CO., INC.”Even in physical records of the same contract remaining in Japan, it has been confirmed as an olive-colored B-15C from the 1952 contract and is described as one of the very few OD-spec contracts among B-15C models.

In other words, it is not simply a “B-15C in a rare color.”

This jacket is a tangible artifact from the transitional period when the USAF was establishing its own identity, shifting from OD to Air Force Blue.

It features the distinctive construction of the B-15C, with the front zipper—which had been offset to the right up to the B-15B—moved to the center, and it is packed with details characteristic of intermediate flight jackets from this era, such as a brown shearling collar, an oxygen tab on the left chest, and a pocket on the left sleeve.The center-aligned zipper on the OD B-15C is also known as a distinguishing feature from the OD B-15B.

This jacket is further equipped with a CONMAR zipper. Examples of CONMAR zippers can also be confirmed on authentic pieces from the same contract manufactured by MIDWEST FUR & GARMENT.

And above all, the condition is outstanding.

For an authentic flight jacket over 70 years old, it shows very little wear, and the nylon shell retains its vibrant color. The brown shearling, in particular, is exceptionally beautiful, with a thick, substantial pile. The color combination created by the olive nylon and the dark brown collar has a striking presence entirely different from the Air Force Blue version.

On the other hand, there is some dirt and natural aging appropriate for its age, and the knit ribbing on the cuffs and hem shows damage from moth holes and similar issues. While there are few signs of wear and the jacket is in very good overall condition, please review the photos as this is a genuine vintage item.

Size 36.

This particular piece came from an estate sale on the U.S. East Coast. Through a stroke of luck, it found its way to MILITARIA 1911. Even with years of experience dealing in vintage military gear, opportunities to encounter an original olive B-15C—unlike the standard Air Force Blue B-15C—are extremely rare. 

Its historical background, the black MIL-J-6251 tag, the 1952 contract, the fact that it was manufactured by MIDWEST FUR & GARMENT, the CONMAR zipper, and the well-preserved brown boar fur all make this piece exceptional.

Even among the masterpieces known as the B-15C, the OLIVE DRAB version is clearly in a league of its own.

There is no guarantee we’ll be able to source another jacket in this condition. This is a special piece that we at MILITARIA 1911 strongly recommend—one that serious flight jacket collectors should definitely see.

Please note that since this is a used item, returns are not accepted.

Size (measured flat)
: Shoulder width: 45 cm;
Chest width: 58 cm;
Sleeve length: 64 cm; Total
length: 60 cm

You may also like