WWII Bomber Jacket Art

Ever see a guy with a really cool leather bomber jacket? Here's the history on how they became iconic. The best part is that they used to be even more badass than they are now.

“The commanders, for the most part, understood this,” Conway continues, “So there was a little bit more leniency in that regard than there would have been with ground guys. The officers figured, ‘Well, if this guy wants to paint a naked lady on the back of the jacket, what good is it to try to stop him? He could be dead tomorrow morning.’ The main objective was winning the war, not enforcing minor regulations and rules.”

The B-17 known as “Lady Lorrie,” from the 306th Bomb Group, flew 35 missions, according to this jacket. The original owner is unknown. Via Manion’s International Auction House.

Pretty awesome. I can definitely see how the guys who wore them all the time during the war wouldn't wear them again afterwards. Probably too many bad memories and/or they'd be criticized by people who didn't understand the context.