Flying Jacket

This flying jacket was worn by the pilot of the B17 Flying Fortress aircraft, which was given the name 'Fever Beaver' by its crew, on its 100th mission. The plane saw action from January 1944 and survived the Second World War, returning to the US in July 1945.

The jacket represents an important episode in 20th century history when Norfolk became a massive airbase for American bomber aircraft and their crews, who helped swing the tide towards Allied victory in World War II.

This aircraft was in the 351st squadron which flew from an airfield at Thorpe Abbotts, in south Norfolk, where the 100th Bombardment Group were based. They were known as 'the bloody hundredth' due to the dreadful scale of fatalities among aircrews and their aircraft losses.

The flight jacket is a personal item, with a personal story, which can be backed-up at the museum by other diaries and records. It still has truly international relevance today.