Best most accurate repro Irvin ? which maker?

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Hello all,
wanted tu buy an Irvin repro, which one is in your all opinion the best most accurated repro Irvin jacket.
Best zips, best buckle, best fur, best label, best hanger ( chain or loop) best design..all of course to be as close as possible to its original grandfather.
I know it has been treated here already, but a few years ago..and a few new models are available right now...so, happy to read your opinion and remarks.
BTW, I own one ELC Devon fur alredy in size 44" .
Thx in advance to all.

 

[tonypaj]

Hello all,
wanted tu buy an Irvin repro, which one is in your all opinion the best most accurated repro Irvin jacket.
Best zips, best buckle, best fur, best label, best hanger ( chain or loop) best design..all of course to be as close as possible to its original grandfather.
I know it has been treated here already, but a few years ago..and a few new models are available right now...so, happy to read your opinion and remarks.
BTW, I own one ELC Devon fur alredy in size 44" .
Thx in advance to all.

With these parameters, I'd get an original. You have a good retro, an original is as accurate as you can get. I think...

 

[aswatland]

This is an often asked question and is answered in the Repro Irvin thread.

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

thx, the only thread I found is from 7 years ago...so no change in 7 years?
How about new Co' s like Aces High? or others.
Please sent the link to the thread you are refering to, maybe I missed out something.
Thx.
cheers

 

[aswatland]

This is the current RAF Irvin repro thread with very recent posting activity!

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?35314-ALL-REPRO-R-A-F-Irvin-type-jackets

 

[Spitfire]

I have been on this quest for the Holy Grail of repro Irvins for many, many years. Just ask anybody here - or read the whole thread, Andrew posted. Good, informative and funny.
As many others I started out with a jacket from Aviation Leathercraft - thought they were the only ones doing repros back in the early 70's. I was happy with it for many years. Until I started reading more about the originals on this forum.
Then I bought a Irvin from Aero in Scotland - and realized that they had got the zipper and the sleeves all wrong! (Still according to this forum)
Later they changed that - and I must say that they are doing some pretty good repros now.
For a short time I even had a go on one of them cheap repros from WPG (What Price Glory) - not good!!!! You get what you pay for.
Then I heard about Aces High! Very impressing stuff. Bought one of the very first Irvins, Jon produced - in fact jacket no 0007.
My journey ended right there. To me - and many others - they are absolutely the closest you can get to an original.
Zippers, buckels, hide, fur, shape - everything is just right.
Why hasn't I mentioned Eastman? Because I have never owned one. That's why. A lot of people swear to Eastmans jackets.
I just happen to like Aces High better - and Jon makes them large enough

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Buying an original...it would be very fragile to wear at 70 years old by now.

I think the Repro would be fine.

 

[aswatland]

Buying an original...it would be very fragile to wear at 70 years old by now.

I think the Repro would be fine.

Repros are of course the way to go for a daily wearer. However the comment about originals being very fragile today is only partially correct. Having handled hundreds of Irvins over the years I have seen/owned many robust and wearable ones and of course seen fragile examples too. However as a collector I would not wear one of my originals regularly in case it got damaged.

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Thx to all...
Had an Aero A-2, what a disapointment...! wrong knits, wrong fasteners, from Talon, wrong liner, wron label...not even as per the pics on their website...sold it on zebay with a big loss...I have had it with Aero, ..never again...thats why I am still looking for a good GW OR ELC "real maker " A-2...different story...
Irvin, I want to try another maker with a more "glazed " leather skin and with more accurate zips.
The ELC zips on my Devon Irvin are a bit too " heavy" if compared to real WW2 lightnings and the IRVIN design is quite "baggy", the surface of the Devon shearling leather is very fragile and stains easily...but still a great jacket....and a real rare and wanted item...no doubt.
Will try an Aces High Mod 43 multi-panel...
Thx to all...
cheers

 

[Dr H]

Aces High is the way to go if your budget allows. It looks like Jon has a group of excellent products.

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Repros are of course the way to go for a daily wearer. However the comment about originals being very fragile today is only partially correct. Having handled hundreds of Irvins over the years I have seen/owned many robust and wearable ones and of course seen fragile examples too. However as a collector I would not wear one of my originals regularly in case it got damaged.

Of course I sincerely Share this sentiment absolutely. Always remember...you are Like the BE-ALL end all Expert on these Jackets, most people cant tell the difference between a robust Healthy jacket and one that is only fit for Display and should be on permanent Retirement. That is the Whole thing.

Its something else to a new begginer to pick and choose what will work best for them subjectionally...and I think I speak for a lot of people who are grateful for Guys like you Andrew, you definetly have an upper Edge approach to the hobby, Its with Respect that I trust your op.

I would say only a small handful of people know all the specialized info youre Experience has given you about Irvin Jacket protocol.

Anyway It does Vex me that its infact an option to Use an original as a daily Wearer, You might see hundreds in your Day, but I mean also not as common here In north America as in UK for Originals, I see more B-3 workhorses over here than IRVIN but NEVER firsthand...I have YET to see the one person out there on the one day he decides to wear his original and bump into me, maybe thats why I consider as being fit for Museums and for refference to re-copy the originals to the finest detail...I mean thats what its all about..finding a Repro that has that Every single Detail that says it IS infact as close to original as possible.

That is the kind of Satisfaction Im more into than the satisfaction from enjoying an original on a country walk once in awhile.

I want a Jacket I can slip into Hells Crack wearing and come back all tattered and worn.

An original already has that mojo to it IMO and Repros are up to the Daily Wear an original no matter how its aged will simply not do.

Put it this way;

If I had an original I liked because of its individuality I would invest the time and money to have the exact Jacket re-made as close as possible...flaws and all..money would be no object for that kind of project.

 

[Luftwaffe-Jacket-Wanted]

Hi Dd,
thx for your comments and opinion.
In our Airshows in England, France, and Eastern Europe countries, we have a lot of " fans" wearing originals..
Irvins, B-3 , Other USAAF USAAC, USN, jackets and even original russian and Luftwaffe jackets.
Come and join us.
You are very welcome.
Cheers