More than 100 flight jackets are featured in a new book, “Bomber Boys — WWII Flight Jacket Art,” by John Slemp.
The coffee table book by the award-winning photographer is “the most comprehensive visual record of A-2 jackets ever produced,” according to Slemp.
He notes that the jackets featured in the book represent all World War II theaters and are from both museums and private owners, along with artifacts and personal accounts, that reveal a visual diary of service in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
The art on the World War II bomber jackets “depict the attitudes of young airmen subjected to the vagaries of modern warfare in the sky, and the successes, failures, and eventual triumphs of surviving 35 missions over stubbornly defended enemy territory,” Slemp explained.
“I’m not sure anyone ever sits down and consciously decides to write a book about the leather jackets worn by American aircrew during World War II. Yet, that’s precisely what happened after I began photographing A–2 flight jackets in 2014,” he said. “As the number of jackets photographed grew, the stories of their owners began to weigh more heavily on my mind. I began to realize that the jackets were mobile signposts reflecting the distinct mortal challenges every flyer faced. Initially, I was drawn to the artwork and symbology, but as I more fully understood their cultural and historical implications, I became more engaged.”
“The emotion these jackets engender has been nothing short of astounding,” he continued. “To illustrate that point is the case of the daughter of a World War II flyer who, during an early exhibition of the work, stood in front of a print of her dad’s jacket for almost two hours. As we were leaving, she pulled me aside and said in a quivering voice, ‘You have no idea what this means to me.’ It was a telling moment and has provided continuing incentive to bring the work to fruition.”
Slemp photographed more than 160 A-2 jackets for the project, including jackets from the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the 390th Memorial Museum, 475th Fighter Group Museum, Allen Airways Flying Museum, Indiana Military Museum, The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, Lowndes County Historical Society Museum, March Field Air Museum, Minnesota Historical Society, National Naval Aviation Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. Additionally, 37 jackets are from private collections that can only be seen in this book.
In addition to jackets like actor Jimmy Stewart’s, readers will find jackets and portraits of pilots, radio operators, Women Airforce Service Pilots, and even a member of the original unit who dropped supplies behind enemy lines.
The book also includes information on the care of the jackets by professional conservator Rachel Waters; information for collectors on how to find them, what to avoid, and how to establish provenance by Jeff Shrader of Antique Roadshow fame; and their influence on fashion over the years by expert Laura McLaws Helms.
To help the novice understand the experience of airmen from pilot to ball turret, Slemp has included six beautiful aircraft illustrations from artist John Mollison. Mollison is famously quoted as saying, “When an old man dies, a library burns.”
This lies at the very heart of why this book is so important, according to Slemp.
“While photographing Brigadier General Charles McGee of the Tuskegee Airmen, I asked him why at 101 years of age he was still at the AirVenture air show meeting kids. He simply replied, ‘It’s important to tell these stories.’ I felt like I got marching orders that day.”
The 12 x 12, 398-page book is available at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the 390th Memorial Museum, The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, March Field Air Museum, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, as well as at WWIIBomberBoys.com, for $129.95.
Wishing Mr. Slemp much success with “Bomber Boys”, as this project truly became a labor of love for him, as the stories unfolded.
One of the last WWII nose/pin up artists still alive, Owen Hughes of Newark, NY, recently passed away (2022) at 103. I met him some 20 years prior, through a friend, as I hoped he would paint my A-2 jacket, (in his 90’s) which he did. As it was, I loved (& still do) anything aviation, its history, and the hangar stories. From that jacket, a window opened not only on the pilots’ stories, but also a unique perspective from an artist who incorporates the stories into his artwork.
Owen enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941, and was in the European Theater with the Eighth Air Force. He painted most anything people wanted painted, from jackets to bombers, many of which he did not know. The crews and planes came and went from his base.
What made him unique and a treasure, was his warm personality, sharp mind (& wit), and ability to still paint many years after he retired, including the nose art on the, B29 “Doc”.
Owen actually had acquired a quasi fan club of many through email. That is where his vivid stories of WWII through his eyes, came to life, which included photos and artwork. He had a tremendous memory, and relived those days to us lucky enough to receive his emails over the years.
Thank you, Mr. Slemp, for capturing the jackets and stories, and inspiring me!
I still treasure my A-2, and miss Owen’s larger than life personality.
Blue skies,
Susan