A Tribute to Captain Jerry Yellin and the P-51 Mustang
Our hand-painted flight jacket, “Tokyo Club,” tells the story of one of the most significant aircraft of World War II: the P-51 P51D-20NA Mustang with serial number 44-63422, known as #134. This Mustang was flown by Captain Jerry Yellin, a legendary pilot of the 78th Fighter Squadron “Bushmasters” within the 15th Fighter Group. Yellin was renowned for his bravery and his role in history when he flew the last combat mission of World War II on August 14, 1945, from Iwo Jima.
The Story Behind the Jacket
Our version of the hand-painted flight jacket is a tribute to this extraordinary story. The P-51 Mustang was a symbol of the strength and courage of the Allies in the Pacific. Captain Yellin and his comrades flew numerous perilous missions over Japan to combat the Japanese air force and escort B-29 bombers. The hand-painted flight jackets of that era were not only protection from the cold but also an expression of the pilots’ personality and pride.
