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ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

Smithy

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,139
Location
Norway
Great photo Søren! Sorry I didn't call last week, been flat tack with unloading boxes - managed to find my Irvin though ;)
 

devilish

A-List Customer
Messages
473
Location
Devon
I'm moving back to the homeland (UK) in a few months and hope to have enough for an Irvin by the time next winter roles around. Because of the connection to where I'm from I want a Devon fleece from ELC but some details deter me a little. Might have to go with an Aces High instead.
 

devilish

A-List Customer
Messages
473
Location
Devon
John, if you're asking me which details bug me about the ELC then yes, the cuffs a little and the zippers. It would also be personally more pleasing if it were in an early war pattern but that's not a deal breaker. The things in it's favor are, I am from Devon and will be living there again when I move back. I'll actually be about 30- 40 minutes away from the ELC facility.
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
Messages
1,012
Location
Kentucky
Might I ask what details in the cuffs you find objectionable?

I have the 38 pattern ELC Irvin but wouldn't know a proper Irvin cuff from a ham sandwich. ;-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

John Lever

One Too Many
Messages
1,820
Location
Southern England
Might I ask what details in the cuffs you find objectionable?

I have the 38 pattern ELC Irvin but wouldn't know a proper Irvin cuff from a ham sandwich. ;-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Because the lower arm panels are made from very coarse sheepskin,separate higher quality cuffs are sewn on to the ends of the arm. This adds an extra seam and in my case unsightly bald skin or flattened wool.
 

aswatland

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,338
Location
Kent, England
It was very common to install cuffs made from a close pile sheepskin on Irvins from the mid-War onwards. I have owned original jackets with this feature and have never noticed "unsightly bald skin or flattened wool". The addition of close pile cuffs, waistband and collar were to reduce wear and increase comfort. Longer, shaggy fleece at the cuffs and waistband was prone to greater wear.
 

Deacon211

One Too Many
Messages
1,012
Location
Kentucky
I'm sorry are you saying that the ELC should have the extra wrist cuff in tighter fleece, or that it does and shouldn't.

My ELC has pretty thick fleece at the cuffs and no extra seam. I'm not sure if you are speaking of the later war jackets which might be different.






I know what you mean though in general. My ELC B-6 developed bald spots on the bottoms of the wrists after a few years...always wondered if that was how the originals aged.

Deacon
 

aswatland

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,338
Location
Kent, England
Early War jackets were made from close pile fleece and did not have cuffs added from a different fleece. It was quite normal in the War for cuffs to wear and develop bald areas.
 

John Lever

One Too Many
Messages
1,820
Location
Southern England
I was talking specifically about the latest ELC 44 pattern jacket. The cuffs on mine weren't will made so I returned it. I believe Andrew has an earlier superior version that is no longer available.
 

B-24J

One of the Regulars
Messages
295
Location
Pennsylvania,USA
Terry Gilliam at the UK Premiere of Mortdecai

terry-gilliam-uk-premiere-mortdecai-02_zpsd07bbeec.jpg


Terry Gilliam and his repro Irvin hit the red carpet.

(Photo credit: Mario Mitsis / WENN)

John
 

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