Chaqueta de vuelo A-2 personalizada de Buzz Rickson's, pintura trasera “Bonnie ‘B’ II” del P-51, 353.er Escuadrón de Caza, talla 36

A one-off custom A-2 by Buzz Rickson's that reads like a combat diary painted onto horsehide. Its back honors Capt. Donald M. Beerbower's P-51 “Bonnie ‘B’ II” with a counted mission tally, and its heavy wear is part of the story rather than a footnote to it.

The Piece

This custom A-2 flight jacket by Buzz Rickson's references the aircraft “Bonnie ‘B’ II” associated with Capt. Donald M. “Buzz” Beerbower of the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force. The back panel presents a painted P-51 Mustang in mid-flight beneath bold typographic identification, with the squadron identifiers, the pilot attribution and mission tally markings rendered in a direct, unembellished manner.

Unlike refined, balanced compositions, the piece leans into raw identity and visual storytelling, and the tally marks are where it shifts from collectible to artifact: a scoreboard of war, neither stylized nor softened, simply counted. It feels closer to something personal and field-worn than curated.

The base is Buzz Rickson's, with its extremely accurate WWII reproduction patterns, correct silhouette and panel shaping and strong structural integrity even under wear. The WAC custom layer adds hand-painted narrative and non-factory individuality in a full custom back-painted, multi-patch configuration, with a hand-aged, vintage-treated finish, making this a non-repeatable, one-off piece.

Such jackets occupy a narrow band of the collector market, where the intensity of historical reference outweighs conventional wear standards; this one speaks to advanced collectors who value authenticity and narrative depth.

Details

• Maker: Buzz Rickson's (custom WAC build)
• Model: A-2 flight jacket
• Theme: “BONNIE ‘B’ II” / 353rd FS / 354th FG / Ninth Air Force
• Figure referenced: Capt. Donald M. “Buzz” Beerbower
• Material: Horsehide, aniline finish
• Size: 36
• Construction: Full custom back paint (P-51 Mustang profile, tally marks) with multi-patch configuration
• Finish: Hand-aged / vintage-treated aesthetic

Condition

Japonista grade C · Collector or restoration grade; wear and faults are described in full.

• Heavily worn and stated as junk, graded C (collector or restoration grade); the wear contributes to its narrative character.
• Visible creasing and surface marks across the aniline horsehide, which absorbs wear readily.
• Knit cuffs and components show clear wear and fraying, consistent with use and the intended vintage aesthetic.
• Paint shows natural cracking, patina and aging. Not pristine; this is lived-in leather.

Authenticity & Care

A Buzz Rickson's A-2 base with a one-off WAC custom paint and patch layer; the Beerbower reference is a tribute theme, not wartime provenance. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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