Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This bag is in wonderful condition and is offered without any extensive damage. The bag features a lovely array of painted images that are still easily discernible. The images consist of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress with 21 painted bombs beneath it, all painted on one side. The opposite side has a large winged 8-ball flanked by the 8th Air Force shoulder sleeve insignia on the left and bombardier badge on the right.
There are no names present on the exterior or interior. It measures 24"W x 16"H x 8".
During World War Two the USAAF issued a bag called the "Bag, Flight, USAAF, B-4" which was a folding suitcase. This bag was very popular with Officers from all Branch of Services and if you were not issued with one, you could privately purchase one from shops or the P.X. etc.
The Officers B4 suit case is like a portable wardrobe. On the inside there are two zips running half way down each side so when the bag is laid out flat and the zips unzipped your uniform can be placed in easily and hung up on the brass hoop at the top. At the top on the outside there is a large brass hook so it can be hung up easily keeping your clothes clean and tidy. For ease of transport the case is folded in half and secured with a leather strap and the brass hanging hook clips into a leather loop at the bottom. On the outside there are three pockets for shoes and personal effects etc and a blank leather name tab with a strong leather carrying handle.
A lovely example ready for further research and display.
Many of the planes in the 351st Bomb Group, 511th Bomb Squadron notoriously had Ball in the names of their planes. "Speed Ball", "No Ball", and in this case possibly "Flying 8 Ball" although there is not a name painted anywhere. The 351st is a storied outfit in its own right and early on they had Clark Gable flying with them as promotion for the war effort.
