ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

[Spitfire]

Sound advice, Spitfire. I have one of those really awful and cheap A-2 knockoffs from Korea (thin, flimsy leather, handwarmer pockets, synthetic knits, and a liner that is a map of Korea, for some reason, but I only paid $20, so I guess I can't really complain), so for an Irvin I want as much quality as I can get. Really, the only reason I'm looking at WPG is because I can afford it in the here and now before the onset of winter, whereas if I save up for an aero or an ELC, it'll already be April or May by the time I get it, and so I'll have to wait another full year before I can break it out! Oh, the choices we have to make...
But what sizes for the originals are we talking about here? I wear a... well, I can squeeze into a 38 on some shearling jackets with just a tee shirt, but I should be really wearing a 40 or even a 42 if I've got on a thick sweater.

Irvins from both ELC and Aero tend to be quite big - just like the originals. So if you are 38 I wouldn't go for more than a 40. But give Garry at ELC or Amanda at Aero a call. They are both very helpfull and serviceminded.
Just post a picture taken yesterday, where there (luckily) was a bit of chill in the air, so I could wear my Irvin. It gives you a good impression of the fleece and the leather from Aero.

(Sorry 'bout the size of this picture, didn't scale it down before posting:eusa_doh: )

Compared with the WPG Irvin

 

[greeny]

That's a terrific looking jacket!! I've spent weeks looking into Irvin jackets, and am so glad i found the threads here - very educational!!!
I had been looking at the modern "Irvin", but have now realised how inaccurate it is compared to the Eastman or Aero. As it is, if I can't find an original, I guess I will go for an Eastman.

 

[greeny]

Actually, could anyone comment on how quickly a brand new Eastman develops character and loses the "out of the box" look? I presume as it's lambskin, it shouldn't take toooooo long?

 

[greeny]

And one other question: I've seen on some originals that the sleeves are a fair bit longer than the body. But on the Aviation Leather jacket the sleeves mostly seem about the same length as the body. Is this because they make the body too long or the sleeves too short??

 

[aswatland]

And one other question: I've seen on some originals that the sleeves are a fair bit longer than the body. But on the Aviation Leather jacket the sleeves mostly seem about the same length as the body. Is this because they make the body too long or the sleeves too short??

Welcome to the forum. You are quite correct many original Irvins had quite long sleeves, often 27 or 28" from shoulder seam to end of the cuff. Late war ones generally had shorter sleeves, around 23-25". ALC Irvins are of course not accurate repros and the body is often too long and the sleeves proprtionally shorter. I would avoid their jackets if you want an authentic repro. ELC is the way to go, but if you are a size 38 chest you can pick up a decent original for less than the price of an Eastman.

 

[greeny]

Thanks - I'm a 42 chest and am still hunting an original. Unfortunately a lot of the listings that come up on ebay can't be viewed here in Austria - even though I'm British!!
If i end up getting a replica, it'll probably be teh Eastman. My only concern is that it'll look SO new!! I know they have an aged hide as well - but only in the 1942 pattern and I prefer the BofB pattern. I like the look of Spitfire's Aero - I was a bit put off by the current wait of 8 weeks - and I think I read the collar is too rounded?

 

[aswatland]

Andrew, Windsock here, buys Irvins through Ebay and he lives in Australia. If you log onto Ebay.com you should be able to see all the world wide auctions. With a size 42 chest you would need an original in a size 5 or 6.

 

[greeny]

Oh, I can see the listings alright - but if I click on them I get a response saying that due to my location i'm not authorised to view the listing. Tends to be when WWII is mentioned.

I'm still also rather unsure about sizing. Generally I wear a 42 jacket. I have worn size 40 and size 42 Indiana Jones style jackets - and found that the 42 is the better fit. So will a 42 Irvin be Ok or would I need to go for 44 to be on the safe side???

 

[greeny]

Thanks - I've had my eye on that one. I work a lot with leather so I could probably replace the belt loops myself without too much difficulty. With some good close up pics, I could probably make them pretty authentic looking too.

 

[D-503]

Thanks for those photos, Spitfire. You've convinced me to either save up for an Aero or ELC, or try to find a used repro or original on eBay or the lounge forum. BTW, love the Irvin with the rollneck sweater! Hopefully I can pull off that look within the next couple of months.

 

[PADDY]

Check FL Classifieds.

There's still a pre-war Irvin for sale (albeit 4 panel).

 

[Spitfire]

Thanks for those photos, Spitfire. You've convinced me to either save up for an Aero or ELC, or try to find a used repro or original on eBay or the lounge forum. BTW, love the Irvin with the rollneck sweater! Hopefully I can pull off that look within the next couple of months.

Best of luck with the hunt - looking foreward to the pics.

 

[greeny]

There's still a pre-war Irvin for sale (albeit 4 panel).

Where?? I can't find one.

 

[aswatland]

Where?? I can't find one.

Paddy is selling his own jacket. Why not send him a pm?

 

[John Lever]

There's still a pre-war Irvin for sale (albeit 4 panel).

I can't find it

 

[greeny]

Well, it looks like I'm going to go for a replica. Trouble is I'm torn between the Aero and the Eastman!!
I'd like to get the Aero as I really like a 2 panel jacket, and the Eastman is 100 more for the 2 panel version.
On the other hand, the Aero collar seems to not have much shape to it (on the few pics I've dug up), whereas the Eastman has a terrific collar.
I prefer the look of the "real deal" Aero leather compared to Eastman's.
On the otherhand, I've read that the Aero is bulkier and heavier than the Eastman. I don't want to look too puffed up.

The little details like zippers are not so important to me - so it basically comes down to the collar shape and the weight. Is the Aero really much bulkier than the Eastman? And does anyone have any good pics of the collar looking cool on an Aero?

 

[Spitfire]

Greeny - try looking at this.(scroll dow a bit):
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=14753&page=79

James has both a Aero and a ELC. With several pics of both jackets. Gives you a good impression of the two jackets.
I guesse it's a matter of personal taste, when it comes to the shape of the collar. Both shapes (Aero/ELC) were manufactured pre-war.
The slightly rounded collar - like on Aero's came from Links.

(P.S. Mine is a "Real deal" too.)

 

[greeny]

Thanks - I did see those pics - but he asked for a smaller collar- so they're perhaps not particularly representative. Any more more pcs of your jacket Spitfire?

 

[Spitfire]

No more than the ones allready posted.
When/if I take some more I'll post them. Right now I am breaking it in.

 

[John Lever]

Apparently there is a better casting of the belt buckle on the way.