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HLB B-3 dating question

Peter Graham

Well-Known Member
I recently bought an HLB B-3. The label has the following information -
TYPE B-3
SIZE 38....REGULAR
AC DRAWING NO.33H5595
ORDER NO.42-5112-P
HLB CORPS N.Y.
I'm assuming it's a pre 42 contract as it has AC rather than AAF but I'm hoping an expert out there can be more exact.
 

Roughwear

Well-Known Member
Peter your jacket is HLB Corp's second B-3 contract. Their first, AC 17811 dates to 1941 and this one would be from the 1942 fiscal year. It was the first of three B-3 contracts for this maker placed in this fiscal year, so it most likely dates from early 1942 before the US Air Corps ceased to be an administrative organization on March 9, 1942.
 
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