IRVIN NUTS?...the ULTIMATE thread for those who love 'em!

[Edward]

Carting an extra Irvin around would be quite an inconvenience, I imagine.... of course, if the situation looked like he was going to have to evade Wehrmacht troops, he'd probably also have to get rid of anything that too readily identified him as RAF anyhow...

 

[BellyTank]

...makes for a good yarn anyway.
That's probably all it is.
This is an eBay item description.
Pinch of salt.

B
T

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Not sure that the first thought of a recently shot down crewman would be to scavenge the Irvin from the body of his pilot. Hmmmm.

Nice jacket, though, eh?

bk

 

[Smithy]

Not sure that the first thought of a recently shot down crewman would be to scavenge the Irvin from the body of his pilot. Hmmmm.

Actually, I don't think that's what the seller means.

My reading of it was that the Irvin belonged to a pilot who was killed whilst not wearing it. As was standard procedure, any flying kit left by the deceased air crew member was divvied up between squadron mates, with Irvins usually in hot demand.

This occurrence would not be unlikely if this occurred during the height of the Battle of France (May to June) as chances were that most aircrew were not wearing Irvins at this time of the year (I collect information and things pertaining to 73 Sqn during the BoF and nearly every photo I have taken after 10th May show pilots not wearing Irvins).

I really think it's highly unlikely the seller means that it was taken off a dead pilot's body.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

oi...i really need to get an Irvin...it started snowing about 7pm last nite and hasn't stopped...got almost a foot of snow!!!!! ...and its freezing...Irvin is looking like the light at the end of the tunnel...i don't care if i can't afford it, i'm going to get one..lol...sorry for the rant fellas..but i want one lol

 

["Doc" Devereux]

It's ok, Sam. We understand.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

'preciate it, Doc

 

[Alan Eardley]

Bandit is 'bowled over' by Mabel...

Alan (and Bandit)

Will do Alan!

And this one's for you - me and Mad Mabel the Staffy puppy....

 

[Windsock]

This occurrence would not be unlikely if this occurred during the height of the Battle of France (May to June) as chances were that most aircrew were not wearing Irvins at this time of the year .

Yes the full meaning is pretty clear on re-reading it, however the same could be said for anyone in that situation as everyone was trying to get out. Not being a necessity at that time of year it would be just baggage, but that's obviously why it was worth so little I guess. It's a great story.

I agree with BT- it's just a bunch of pitch unless there's a signed letter from the fellow who traded it, maybe he has one. Every jacket he's sold (about 4 i've seen over the last 2 years) has had a full and colourful history, yet with the lack of identifying marks on Irvins in particular it is usually impossible to say where they came from. Just seems unlikely but not impossible he only had jackets with proven provenance. Not meaning to rain on the parade but I advise caution unless some evidence was produced.

hmmm... I shall have to dig out Galland's Irvin from the back of the cupboard and see what it fetches...

 

[Smithy]

Yes the full meaning is pretty clear on re-reading it, however the same could be said for anyone in that situation as everyone was trying to get out. Not being a necessity at that time of year it would be just baggage, but that's obviously why it was worth so little I guess. It's a great story.

I agree with BT- it's just a bunch of pitch unless there's a signed letter from the fellow who traded it, maybe he has one. Every jacket he's sold (about 4 i've seen over the last 2 years) has had a full and colourful history, yet with the lack of identifying marks on Irvins in particular it is usually impossible to say where they came from. Just seems unlikely but not impossible he only had jackets with proven provenance. Not meaning to rain on the parade but I advise caution unless some evidence was produced.

hmmm... I shall have to dig out Galland's Irvin from the back of the cupboard and see what it fetches...

I know what you mean Windsock and I would urge caution to anyone thinking of bidding before knowing for sure. However that doesn't change the fact that it may very well be able to be proven that it does have such a history.

I think with most things on that auction site, we have a tendency to tend towards scepticism due to the amount of rubbish and nonsense that gets listed there. But that's not to say that items from the war with provenance and history don't come up for sale on such sites. Although a written certification from someone who can actually say it is the best to have.

I know the person who currently has Cobber Kain's cap badge complete with a letter of certificate from Cobber's fiancee and correspondence regarding the gifting of the item from the squadron. Needless to say with my interest in 73 I would very much like to acquire it.

 

[Windsock]

I have 3 original A-2's which I have researched and have discovered their provenance, and several items of gear which came with some form of it, but I continue to research those just to find out as much as possible to confirm that the info is correct. If I can think of any leads I try to look into them- it's more fun than receiving them I think...

As a Kiwi you'd appreciate this, I have my care the 1936 pattern flying boots which belonged to a certain Commander of a certain famous RNZAF Mosquito Squadron. This was a pair he received during his time training here in Australia and are well worn. I have a copy of the original letter he wrote and signed where he decribes this pair of boots and his flying history incl. certain accomplishments, and the chap who was given these boots who I bought them from is refered to in the letter so the link is not too distant.

I have in the back of my mind that one day the NZFPM might be interested in them but I wonder would the evidence be enough to convince them? I'm not so sure.

 

[SamMarlowPI]

question for the experts:
i plan on wearing my RAF rollneck under an Irvin since it gets pretty darn cold up here, SO...when ordering an Irvin should i go one size larger so it will fit over the sweater?

 

[Spitfire]

Sam - first of all: IRVINS are warm! Very warm!!!
Even in hard wintertime I only have a very light pullover under mine. The white navysweater is only for showoff!!! - and flying in unheated cockpits angels 20
The only one who can give you a straight answere, must be the seller of your new Irvin. He should know if they are large in numbers.

 

[Smithy]

I have 3 original A-2's which I have researched and have discovered their provenance, and several items of gear which came with some form of it, but I continue to research those just to find out as much as possible to confirm that the info is correct. If I can think of any leads I try to look into them- it's more fun than receiving them I think...

As a Kiwi you'd appreciate this, I have my care the 1936 pattern flying boots which belonged to a certain Commander of a certain famous RNZAF Mosquito Squadron. This was a pair he received during his time training here in Australia and are well worn. I have a copy of the original letter he wrote and signed where he decribes this pair of boots and his flying history incl. certain accomplishments, and the chap who was given these boots who I bought them from is refered to in the letter so the link is not too distant.

I have in the back of my mind that one day the NZFPM might be interested in them but I wonder would the evidence be enough to convince them? I'm not so sure.

Any chance of posting some pics of these Windsock? Be great to see them.

That's a great little piece of history you have there.

 

[Mike1973]

Mike,

Let us know when the 'freebie' Irvin reaches you.

Alan

My wifes just emailed me to say I have a huge parcel waiting for me at home! :eusa_clap

Just a shame I'm at work, and have to wait 9 hours before I can have a shufti... :eusa_doh:

 

[Windsock]

Any chance of posting some pics of these Windsock? Be great to see them.

That's a great little piece of history you have there.

Will do Smithy, but since the jackets aren't off a sheeps back i'll put them up in another thread at some time. The boots are not as interesting per se- their significance is where they came from.

I think this would make a really interesting thread (provenance), thanks for providing the spark.

 

[Windsock]

BTW, I meant to add that I had a scan of my copy of "Fighter Pilot" (ist Ed 1941) recently- do you know that one? Mine's the anonymous version written by Paul Richey during the time when it was all shusshh and all the name's are blanked out. It's a great account and has a couple of fantastic shots of the personnel, with very worn out looking 2 panel standard Irvins.

You probably already know it but 73 Sqn were the last to leave.

 

[Edward]

question for the experts:
i plan on wearing my RAF rollneck under an Irvin since it gets pretty darn cold up here, SO...when ordering an Irvin should i go one size larger so it will fit over the sweater?

Might be worth retrawling the thread.... I'm sure i read one of Paddy's posts where he said he'd gone a size up to accomodate a sweater under his.... As Spitfire says, though, your best bet is to ask the seller what their sizing policy is.

 

[Smithy]

Might be worth retrawling the thread.... I'm sure i read one of Paddy's posts where he said he'd gone a size up to accomodate a sweater under his.... As Spitfire says, though, your best bet is to ask the seller what their sizing policy is.

It probably mostly depends on the maker Edward.

Sam, with my Eastman I went one size up (2 inches) from my standard shirt jacket size. I wear a 40'' shirt and so my Irvin is a 42''. This means I can wear just a shirt (but I don't look swamped in the thing) but I have room to wear a jumper under it as well without it being too tight (I just came in from wearing my Irvin with a thick rollneck jumper now). I also had an extra 1 and a half inches put on the body and sleeves as I'm tallish. All up she's perfect

 

[Smithy]

BTW, I meant to add that I had a scan of my copy of "Fighter Pilot" (ist Ed 1941) recently- do you know that one? Mine's the anonymous version written by Paul Richey during the time when it was all shusshh and all the name's are blanked out. It's a great account and has a couple of fantastic shots of the personnel, with very worn out looking 2 panel standard Irvins.

You probably already know it but 73 Sqn were the last to leave.

I must've read Fighter Pilot half a dozen times It's a great book Windsock and IMHO one of the best from the war. Richey and his estate looked at legal action against Derek Robinson because they felt he'd ripped off FP for Piece of Cake.

And in terms of 73 being the last to leave, that's one of the reasons why I am sure Cobber made such a fatal mistake in his beat up before leaving. He'd been in constant action and was the last to leave of 73's original members that had arrived in France in '39. He was absolutely buggered.

Two things I collect info on are 73 and 1 Sqns during the Battle of France. As an Aussie you might be interested to know I've been knocking around with an idea to do something about Les Clisby, as I think it's overdue that something is done about him and he's becoming forgotten in Oz which is a shame as he's one of your greatest war heroes.

Looking forward to seeing the boots Windsock, are they '43 escape pattern?