November 7-8, 2018 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2018
This group is attributed to the pilot of the "Joltin' Josie", Major Jack Catton. Major Catton's aircraft was a B-29 (42-24614) attached to the 873 Bomb Squadron, 498th Bomb Group, 73rd Air Wing. On October 12, 1944, the "Joltin' Josie" led the vanguard of the 73rd Wing to Saipan in the Marianas. The aircraft is alleged to have been named for Catton's wife; the "Pacific Pioneer" was added by Brig. General Haywood S. Hansell, Jr. who flew in the commander's seat on the mission Saipan. The "Joltin' Josie" took part in many missions over Japan and was eventually shot down with a loss of all its crew (Major Catton was no longer attached to the aircraft). A) The B-15 jacket has been painted with patriotic image of a typical pinup girl of the period dressed in see-through underwear, wearing a coonskin cap and armed with a musket and knife. Fourteen bombs, indicating missions, are painted alongside the central image. The jacket itself is in very good condition with the usual wear to the jersey cuffs and waistband, the zipper is missing the pull, and some light soiling. The nomenclature tag has been removed. B)Leather navigators' case which has also been painted with the plane's nose art. CONDITION: Both are in very good condition. Case exhibits moderate edge wear and working zippers. From the Ray Bentley collection.
Item Dimensions: Largest : 22" x 15".