This is a painted leather flight jacket attributed to the American Volunteer Group — the Flying Tigers — and specifically to the 1st Pursuit Squadron “Adam and Eves,” which fought at Rangoon from December 1941 and at Kunming through mid-1942.
The chest carries four painted elements: the pilot nickname “Blackie,” the 1st Pursuit Squadron’s Adam and Eves insignia (the green apple with the chasing figures — Adam pursuing Eve as history’s first pursuit), the designation “1ST PURSUIT SQDN,” and “A.V.G.” flanking the dates “’41–’42.”
The back carries a full blood chit composition painted directly on the leather: a leaping tiger, the Republic of China flag (12-pointed white sun on blue canton, red field), and Chinese characters in the standard AVG blood chit format. The blood chit bears serial number 0342. Chits numbered 0001 through approximately 0200 were retained personally by General Claire Chennault. Number 0342 falls in the range distributed directly to pilots.
The possible pilot identity under active research is John Ed Blackburn (1918–1942), 1st Pursuit Squadron wingman, 4 confirmed aerial kills, killed April 28, 1942 when his P-40E went down into Lake Dianchi (Lake Kunming). “Blackie” is a documented informal nickname pattern for Blackburn. NARA personnel records requests and archive research at the Hoover Institution are in progress to confirm or rule out this identification.
The jacket is dark brown leather with a mahogany mouton fur collar, burgundy knit cuffs and waistband, and a brass Talon zipper. Talon is the period-correct zipper manufacturer for U.S. military flight jackets. The fur collar and construction are consistent with a U.S. Navy G-1 or M-422 pattern. A significant portion of AVG pilots came directly from Navy units and flew in Navy-issue gear.
All historical details on this jacket are precise. The 1st Pursuit Squadron designation, the Adam and Eves apple insignia, the ’41–’42 dates, and the ROC blood chit format are correct in every particular. Physical authentication of leather, paint aging, and construction by Jeff Shrader (the leading U.S. specialist in WWII A-2 jacket authentication) is in progress.
Estimated value range pending authentication:
- Floor (authenticated physically, no provenance chain): $15,000 – $30,000
- Mid (authenticated with probable pilot identification): $40,000 – $75,000
- Ceiling (full provenance chain confirmed to named pilot): $100,000 – $200,000 and above
Details:
- Unit: A.V.G., 1st Pursuit Squadron “Adam and Eves”
- Dates: ’41–’42 (AVG active December 1941 to July 1942)
- Pilot name: “Blackie” (John Ed Blackburn under active research)
- Jacket type: Leather flight jacket, mouton fur collar (G-1/M-422 pattern)
- Leather: Dark brown
- Collar: Mouton/sheepskin fur, mahogany
- Ribbing: Burgundy knit at cuffs and waistband
- Zipper: Brass Talon (period-correct authentication marker confirmed)
- Front: Painted — “Blackie,” Adam and Eves apple insignia, 1ST PURSUIT SQDN, ’41–’42, A.V.G.
- Back: Painted blood chit — leaping tiger, ROC flag, Chinese text, serial number 0342
- Authentication: In progress with Jeff Shrader/Bannerman Auctions, Craig Gottlieb, Bonhams
- Condition: Heavy patina and wear consistent with age; paint intact