"8th Air Force Salute"
- Featuring model Samantha - © Britt Dietz -

When the 8th Air Force first found it's way to England with the early B-17E/F models, they had a lot to learn about combat and daylight bombing. Even things such as being ill prepared for the negative 50 degree weather at the high altitudes (keep in mind the B-17s were not pressurized like an airliner and often had open waist gunner windows) caused many cases of frost bite where your spit would freeze before leaving your mouth and touching one of the .50 caliber machine guns with bare hands could literally freeze your skin to the metal. Samantha is wearing a heavy B-3 jacket style jacket with matching A-3 trousers. These were used together until electronically heated flight suits were standardized during 1944.

The Dietz Dolls Military Pinup series celebrates the rich history of the United States Military during World War 2 with the Army, Navy, Army Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Using authentic uniforms and equipment, this series is perfect for the military fan to hang framed on their wall!