401st Bomb Group (H) Association
The best damned outfit in the USAAF!
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Garey d Smith
7/9/2004 5:48:22 PM
Recently aquired a B-3 Leather Flight Jacket with the "Tantalizing Takeoff" Logo painted on the back. A Golden Winged "8" th Air Force logo, with a semi nude girl in the center of the "8". Also a large "V" made from 33 Bombs at the bottom of the painting. Jacket appears to be very little worn and in excellent condition with a little damage to the zipper. Anyone with knowledge of this particular aircraft and the squadron of origin would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time, Garey D Smith, Mary Esther, Florida (Ft Walton Beach area)
Donald Byers
7/15/2004 7:14:24 PM
Yes you discribed it correctly and it appears on page 113 of Garmy M. Valant book of Vintage Aircraft Nose Art. (Not in publication any more I believe)

This is an unknown aircraft with no serial number or squadron that it was flown by.  If there happens to be a serial number some where on the jack or a name that would help locate additional info on the aircraft.

Don Byers
Lubbock Texas

Don Byers
Garey D Smith
7/22/2004 10:25:39 PM
Other than the painting on the back 0f the jacket, there are no other identifying info on it. I aquired it at an estate sale while living in California some time ago. The jacket is in excellent, almost unworn condition, other thanm a small amount of flaking of the leather from age, and some damage to the zipper. (A small piece cut from it) The jacket is an extra large size and a great piece of history. I now live in Mary Esther, Florida, near Ft. Walton Beach (Hurleburt AFB and Eglin AFB are just 3 miles east of where I live. Thanks Don , for your input. I was hoping to put a squadron identification with the jacket. My book lists four different squadrons attached to the 401st BG
Jack Jasnoch
5/14/2006 8:51:09 PM
My Dad flew on this aircraft. He is now 81. According to the info he was with the Woodward Crew

Jack