ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

[aswatland]

Good question. There are quite a few pictures of USAAF bomber crews wearing Irvins. It is much less common to see RAF pilots and aircrew in USAAF flight jackets. But they did wear B-3, B-6s and A2s swapped from the Americans. In Prodger's Luftwaffe vs RAF there is a picture of an RAF officer wearing an A2 over his service uniform. (p.82)

 

[pipvh]

Thanks, Andrew - that's very helpful.

I wonder if the reason for more Irvins with Americans than vice-versa had to do with perceived quality issues, style, or that the American flyers were better at cards/drinking games? ... Also, were sheepskin jackets regarded as strictly 'uniform?' You obviously couldn't swap and then wear caps or uniform jackets, but did outerwear have some sort of non-issue status? I know this is fairly off-thread, but it does fascinate me for some reason.

 

[aswatland]

Thanks, Andrew - that's very helpful.

I wonder if the reason for more Irvins with Americans than vice-versa had to do with perceived quality issues, style, or that the American flyers were better at cards/drinking games? ... Also, were sheepskin jackets regarded as strictly 'uniform?' You obviously couldn't swap and then wear caps or uniform jackets, but did outerwear have some sort of non-issue status? I know this is fairly off-thread, but it does fascinate me for some reason.

Irvins were made in the UK and with the USAAF being over here in vast numbers from 1942 it was relatively easy to obtain one. Some I believe were actually issued to USAAF bomber crew, so there must have been an arrangement (albeit informal) with the AM or a local RAF stores for this to happen. The reason I say this is that there are several photos in existance of several members of the same crew in Irvins.

No Irvins or B3s did not have have some sort of non issued status unless they were private purchases. They were issued by AM or USAAF stores/depots and had to be returned at the end of the war-although as we know this was very hit and miss! Swapping issued clothing certainly happened, but was against military regs. There are many stories of jackets and other flight gear being unofficially passed on when pilots/aircrew failed to return from a mission.

 

[pipvh]

Brilliant, Andrew. Thanks.

 

[John Lever]

Irvins were made in the UK and with the USAAF being over here in vast numbers from 1942 it was relatively easy to obtain one. Some I believe were actually issued to USAAF bomber crew, so there must have been an arrangement (albeit informal) with the AM or a local RAF stores for this to happen. The reason I say this is that there are several photos in existance of several members of the same crew in Irvins.

No Irvins or B3s did not have have some sort of non issued status unless they were private purchases. They were issued by AM or USAAF stores/depots and had to be returned at the end of the war-although as we know this was very hit and miss! Swapping issued clothing certainly happened, but was against military regs. There are many stories of jackets and other flight gear being unofficially passed on when pilots/aircrew failed to return from a mission.

A junk shop in York I know used to buy wagon loads [ 100's at a time]of Irvins in the 1950's and sell to farmers and coal men for 10 shillings each.

 

[aswatland]

Those were the days John- a 50p Irvin!

 

[Nighthawk]

Director Terry Gilliam in Aviation Leathercraft? Irvin.

NH

 

[Hawk_Eye]

Forget it !
Gary WILL NOT DO CUSTOM WORK .

My bad, I didn't see what you said earlier about only the 1940 pattern skins being used. BTW John, whats your opinion on durability of the skins used for the 1940 pattern/late war jackets? In photos it can look a bit papery.

 

[pipvh]

Reading through the monster Irvin thread I was startled to come across quite a few posts relating to an Aero jacket I sold on ebay a couple of years ago. It was a copy of an original electrically wired Irvin I'd bought from Aero but couldn't justify keeping (I wanted a wearable jacket but it was just too tight across the shoulders and I knew seams would be splitting) but fell in love with. To me, the tapes for the wiring harness were an integral part of the jacket's charm. I've always liked them. I asked Ken if he could copy it and he said no problem - it didn't even cost that much extra, if at all. I ended up selling it because - and this seems to be a complaint that often gets leveled at Aero jackets - it never quite fitted properly: too wide at the bottom tending to bell out or puff up like the dreaded Michelin Man when belted, not a problem with originals I've worn. I did it with some regret (and in the end it went for a pretty pathetic sum, a bit to my surprise) as it was wearing in well and had original sleeve zips.

Anyway, just wanted to connect a very minor loose end, and because a few people said it was the only instance of a replica electric jacket they'd seen. Well, that's the story...

 

[aswatland]

Do you have any pictures of this one off electrically wired Aero Irvin?

 

[pipvh]

Possibly, on another hard drive... I'll have a look. It was an excellent replica, the only flaw, if you could call it that, being that the hook-up covers on the sleeves and waist were stitched all the way around, but all in all that's pretty minor...

 

[John Lever]

My bad, I didn't see what you said earlier about only the 1940 pattern skins being used. BTW John, whats your opinion on durability of the skins used for the 1940 pattern/late war jackets? In photos it can look a bit papery.

Rubbish

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

I scored an actual vintage 1962 Irvin today while thrifting.

Will look for the appropriate thread to show it off there too.

I'm thinking this one might be up for sale to one of you here if there's interest. It's labeled 44. I usually take a 38L in a suit coat or blazer. I'm 6'1" and slim. This jacket fits like all of a 42 or maybe truly a 44. It's a very cool piece in surprisingly good shape. Zip works great, all buttons and parts are there. Lots more photos at the link at bottom.

http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii79/harpplayergene/62 Irvin G1/?start=20

 

[KilroyCD]

That's a nice find. However, it isn't a Royal Air Force Irvin jacket but a USN G-1 jacket made by Irvin B. Foster Sportswear. It's a fine and very popular flight jacket, but a totally different type of jacket than the one this thread is about.
Here's a thread that might be of interest: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=37332&highlight=foster+G-1

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Thanks, Kilroy!

I was wondering about all that. Really didn't know. I'll enjoy reading and learning at that link.

Also, I edited out most of the photos to neaten up this thread but left the gist so these posts make sense and for others who may have the same confusion I had.

 

[KilroyCD]

No problem there HPG. Any confusion is quite understandable as the name Irvin is right there on the maker's tag.

 

[Naphtali]

Okay, your jacket is now "X" years old. You have worn it everywhere, from bicycling to-and-from work, to your unheated garage when working on your truck. The exposed wool at each cuff looks as though generations of rats have been living on them - discolored, stained, clotted with "stuff."

What do you do - try to clean the wool, or trim it off? Whichever you do, please explain how you do the procedure and what results you want, beyond reducing the eye sore.

 

[sbhva]

Hello;

I am a newbie here and I have just finished reading both of the Irvin threads. I really like some of the features of the Irvin style jackets, but I am not looking for total authenticity. I need pockets in my jacket. I know that this may sound like blasphemy to some here, but it is my understanding that this thread is about all Irvin style Repro jackets.

I was originally thinking about an ALC jacket, but based on what I have learned on this forum, I think they are heavier and bulkier than I would feel comfortable with. After seeing the pictures in this thread, I really like the ELC 1944 pattern, and if it had pockets it would probably be my choice.

Does anybody have any experience with the Noble House jackets? How is their quality? Their pricing is more in line with what I would like to spend, and they have pockets.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

 

[pipvh]

Hi Steve,

If you need pockets, why not go for a USAAF shearling jacket? Pockets, style, authenticity, pockets...

An Irvin with pockets isn't really an Irvin. It might be an attractive, comfy jacket, but it won't, really, be an Irvin.

In my opinion, that is.

 

[Smithy]

Steve, if you are after an ALC, how about getting one made in the lightweight fleece? Spitfire here has one and I've seen it in the flesh when I visited him in Københaven. Far nicer than the ALC standard weight, and they do offer Irvins with pockets if you simply must