John James Capdevielle

Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps

As the pilot of a small L4 “Grasshopper” observation plane, Lieutenant Capdevielle encountered plenty of nasty weather above the battlefields of Europe. To protect him from the elements, he wore this heavy leather flight suit. Although it kept the cold out, it could not stop anti-aircraft fire from the ground. The Grasshopper did not have any armor or armament.

  • U.S Army Air Corps, 1944-45  B-3 Leather Flight Jacket
  • B-6 Leather Flight Helmet
  • A-6 Leather Flight Pants