ALL ORIGINAL Irvin RAF type Jackets - Loving that Wolf in sheeps' clothing!

[PADDY]

As we gradually disseminate 'all' the great information gathered from our love for the Irvin style RAF flight jacket into their separate categories (as the GREAT IRVIN THREAD was just getting too large and cluttered for referencing), so 'THIS' is the place 'HERE' where you can post all photos and information related to ORIGINAL IRVIN STYLE flight jackets (Irvin is just a generic term to describe a 'type' of sheepskin jacket in this case).


For those who wish to 'reference' the original 'Irvin Nuts' thread, please CLICK on the link below, thankyou.

ORIGINAL "IRVIN NUTS" THREAD

 

[Windsock]

Thanks Paddy

Classic well known shot which for me embodies the essence of the Irvin

 

[ethanedwards]

........ and possibly a less well known shot......... for me anyway........

 

[blacklagoon]

Fleet Air Arm

Members of the Fleet Air Arm wearing their Irvin flying jackets.

 

[aswatland]

Although a small sample, your pictures lend weight to the view that the yellow-hooded Irvin was not generally worn by members of the Fleet Air Arm, but by those in Coastal Command. The third picture is of a two panel electrically heated Irvin, possibly the 1939 Irvin Air Chute contract, B25526. BTW where did you find these pics? Thanks for posting them.

 

[blacklagoon]

My pleasure Andrew.
Here are links to the pictures:

http://www.74squadron.org.uk/Mungo%20Park.htm

http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH0583&type=P

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/3321969.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=86F19F6C94FCC84F3BA04434B6F5CA3BA55A1E4F32AD3138

http://www.historyofwar.org/Pictures/pictures_fleet_air_arm_crew.html

http://www.nith.org.uk/custom/P%20T%20Medhurst%2001.jpg


Plus an extra picture

Here is a link to a fleet air arm archives site,where they show the uniforms they used.I noticed they do not show the irvin with the yellow hood or make any reference to it.

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/daedalus/Equipment.html

 

[blacklagoon]

Here are three pictures of myself,wearing a size 2 Irvin Coastal Command Jacket.
I have two of these jackets.The other is a size 3,and away,waiting to be repaired.

 

[blacklagoon]

Three more pictures of Fleet Air Arm members wearing Irvin Flying Jackets

This picture is of a flying officer in Coastal Command,wearing his Irvin flying jacket.He is decorating the plane with christmas trimmings.

 

[blacklagoon]

These pictures are of R.A.F pilots wearing Their Irvin Jackets.The small scrambling picture was taken during the battle of britain.

 

[ethanedwards]

Great pictures these, thanks for posting them. In the last but one, I think that's Canadian ace Johnny Kent second from left.............. but Tim or Soren can probably tell you who everbody is in that picture............!

 

[blacklagoon]

Here are a couple of more pictures of him wearing an irvin flying jacket.

 

[blacklagoon]

A few more pictures of canadian pilots wearing irvin flying jackets.

 

[KilroyCD]

These pictures are of R.A.F pilots wearing Their Irvin Jackets.

Just getting a bit off-topic, I'd like to thank you for posting this shot of my late friend Dennis David. I have many happy memories of visiting with him and his wife Margaret on my trips to the UK. He also hosted a few of us for dinner at the RAF Club in London.
Now, time to get back on topic!

 

[blacklagoon]

My pleasure kilroyCD.Here are the links i got some of the photographs from,both have a section with a photograph of your dear departed friend Group Captain William Dennis David CBE,DFC,AFC.

http://www.aviationcollectables.co.uk/pub/photographs/spbb.php


http://www.nostalgicaviation.com/commonwealth_aces.htm

 

[N2S3]

Winter flying - time to grab your Irvin

1/11: I've planned a nice trip of winter flying. Snow, sunshining, smooth air, cold enough to grab my 24 year Irvin Replica. Preflight checks, jacket is solid warm. Thanks to Clive Cessna the 172 has not an open cockpit, the Irvin could be thrown to backseats.

Ready to enter aircraft
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr53/N2S3/P1010098.jpg

anybody knows this little 500 ft chapel in Cologne? Crossing Cologne CTR along the river Rhine
http://i469.photobucket.com/albums/rr53/N2S3/P1010042.jpg

 

[kampkatz]

Hohe Domkirche St Peter und Maria. Foundation laid in 1248. Has a rich history. Rebuilt after WW2 damage. A real historic beauty.

 

[holdemchamp1225]

How do you ORIGINAL Irvin owners...

wash the pile and sheepskin facings before applying leather dressings such as Pecards? I know some wash repros and there are kits to purchase which allow a repro or any sheepskin jacket to be washed in a washing machine without damage BUT I would be afraid to do that with an ORIGINAL since I would feel the leather would be much more fragile.

Anyways, any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Don't.

Some cretin over at VLJ destroyed an (IIRC) original D-1 by washing it. What a loss!

bk

 

[holdemchamp1225]

Care to elaborate on that Baron?

I thought it best to have the leather surface COMPLETELY clean before applying leather dressing like Pecard? Am I wrong in thinking this? What about the wool pile inside the jacket? How would one clean it and remove dirt, grime, residue from age? Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Bruce

Don't.

Some cretin over at VLJ destroyed an (IIRC) original D-1 by washing it. What a loss!

bk

 

[aswatland]

I have never washed an original Irvin as it will most likely ruin the jacket. If the fleece is dirty I wouldn't worry too much as it adds to the history of the jacket. Only apply a light coat of Pecards to the reversed sheepskin side (not the fleece!). It will be abosorbed in a couple of days. Then give it another coat a few days later. Don't over do the Pecards and wipe off any residue.