This listing is for a pair of lightweight overalls worn by a crewmember of a bomber during World War 2.  These came from the estate of Melvin Lee CHESTNUT.  Staff Sergeant CHESTNUT was a combination armorer and aerial gunner.  According to the family, he saw service in the European Theater as well as the Pacific Theater.  His obituary states that he personally observed the dropping of one of the atomic bombs on Japan.  I could not find what unit he was in so the only information I have came from the family.  Along with this pair of overalls, I acquired an Aviator's Kit Bag that had the name Sonny Timbers on it.  I was able to trace Timbers to the 319th Bombardment Group, 439th Bombardment Squadron.  I'm thinking since the kit bag was in CHESTNUT's possession then maybe they were in the same unit.  It's only a guess that I have no proof of.

These overalls are identified to the AIR FORCES, US ARMY and are called out as SUIT, SUMMER, FLYING.

This pair of overalls is a size 36 Medium.  The tag in the collar has 36M on it and the manufacturer's tag states it as well.  

There are two pockets located on the lower extremities of the legs as well as cloth straps that can be adjusted to close the leg opening to fit them into boots.  

The wings on the chest have been hand sewn on.  

CHESTNUT's service number is 38540857.  The laundry mark is not stamped well but you can make out a faint "C" and the last three numbers 857 which would be appropriate for CHESTNUT.

There is a period repair to a tear on the back of the suit near the collar that can be seen in the close up photograph of the back.

The TALON zipper works perfectly.


 

 Please Note:

I've been collecting militaria for over 50 years. My collection covers all branches and all time periods. I'm sorry if I'm not an expert but it's extremely hard to know everything about everything.  I do my best in describing what I have listed.  Many people will know what they are looking at and know if I am correct in my description but there are some people that are like me and are still trying to learn the terms, lingo and nuances of the military collecting field.  To those people I apologize if I make a mistake in a description.  If you notice a mistake, just let me know.  I will happily correct the error in the listing.