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

[Smithy]

Wonderful photos Andrew.

Also from what I can see, that RAAF SD looks to be in great nick.

 

[Hawk_Eye]

Here you are Paddy, got a chance to take some half decent pics. Just for referance I'm about 6'3 and 200 pounds.

 

[bburtner@moran]

Leather Weather

Need some help folks:Got rid of my Eastman B3 jacket last spring,did not care for it that much.Don`t get me wrong it was a fairly nice jacket.But a little cumbersome while driving.Have a early Foster 55j14 for cool days,a Lost Worlds G1 that I just sold(did not care for the thing).I do have enough winter jackets believe me,my old Filson cruiser,WW2 peacoat(high collar type) assorted others.I am looking for an old Eddier Bauer goose down jacket/mouton collar like they used to make or a Comfy down jacket much the same.Thoughts on the Irvin?Anyone,makers?Eastman?Aero?Thanks.

 

[aswatland]

ELC IMO make the best repro Irvin available. However for the same price as one of there's you could easily buy a wearable, robust original.

 

[Spitfire]

You really should read through the pretty large IRVIN thread here.
After doing that, a lot of your questions would be answered - and you might even have some new ones.
But fear not - the Irvin specialist here are happy to help.
Welcome.

 

[ethanedwards]

Canopy

As usual, it's probably impossible to ID these Irvins, but can anyone tell what the aircraft is?

 

[Smithy]

It's a Wellington Ethan.

 

[aswatland]

Certainly a Wellington. The pilot is wearing an electrically wired Irvin, most likely by IAC or Wareings as most of the pre-1940 ones I have seen were made by them. But without pictures of the entire jacket and of the details it is impossible to be sure.

 

[SKIDS]

Irvin repair

Hi all

Been reading this thread for awhile and its very interesting. Just picked up my first Irvin. Its in good condition but will need a few minor repairs.

What I wanted to know was - Is the best place to get it repaired Aero leather in Scotland?
Has a small split in underarm leather, also the zip has no toggle. The zipper works pefectly so not sure if I want to replace it.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

 

[ethanedwards]

Hi Skids,

I have an Irvin which was repaired by Aero, the work has been done very carefully and is completely in keeping with the jacket. One of the sleeve pullers was also missing and I was also able to buy a small NOS Lightning zip from Sefton (via ebay) and I used the puller off that - they pop out with just a little pressure.

I think Eastman also offer a repair service for original Irvin's, given the quality of their jackets I can only imagine this would be first rate too.

Maybe quotes for time and money could help your decide - either company is very highly regarded for excellent customer service although I reckon they might both be very busy round about now.

Post some pics of your Irvin if you can, be great to see it! Best of luck with the repairs.

 

[I Simonius]

Seen better days, and not very authentic but it has served me well

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Hi all

Been reading this thread for awhile and its very interesting. Just picked up my first Irvin. Its in good condition but will need a few minor repairs.

What I wanted to know was - Is the best place to get it repaired Aero leather in Scotland?
Has a small split in underarm leather, also the zip has no toggle. The zipper works pefectly so not sure if I want to replace it.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

I can supply you with a small piece of skin from an original Irvin - i bought several panels recently. If you send that to Aero with your jacket, i'm sure they'll be happy to use the skin you provide to replace the panel. if you let me know what size piece you need, i can probably oblige.

bk

 

[Windsock]

Those are beautiful shots. What camera do you use, and how is the light set up? I would love to photograph my jackets like that but I can never get the lighting right, as a result the jackets never look like they do in person.

Sorry Harrison, just realized i'd not responded to this- I use the Johnny Chapman method of photographing in natural light (only) laying the jacket on a white sheet pulled as tightly as possible to avoid creases, then in photoshop I select the white colour and delete it grabbing all the slightly grey tones as well so that the background becomes a flat white. The contrast may have been increased a bit as well- I can't recall now. These were shot on a balcony in the shade.

The camera is the small digital I use for work, a ricoh caplio R5 with an equivalent lens length of 28mm (wide angle)- nothing special.

 

[Windsock]

Wonderful photos Andrew.

Also from what I can see, that RAAF SD looks to be in great nick.

Thanks Tim, yes it is in good nic. I bought it from a Bloke in the UK, came with the trousers and service cap. I thought i'd found the owner via some initials inside, there were only two C G Thompsons in the RAAF, and one of which was in the same Squadron as my Beaufighter Mate who lives not far from me (455Sq Dallachy). I managed to track down this particular CGT's Son via the net and had a good old chat with him. Unfotunately both the Son and my Friend reckon "Tommy" was the shortest man in the Squadron, and these trousers fit me- so would be about a size 38 waist and are looong, so I guess I don't have the right one Interestingly the jacket is smaller- just goes to show that even though some may have been tall, they were still beanpoles.

 

[SKIDS]

I can supply you with a small piece of skin from an original Irvin - i bought several panels recently. If you send that to Aero with your jacket, i'm sure they'll be happy to use the skin you provide to replace the panel. if you let me know what size piece you need, i can probably oblige.

bk

Hi bk

The panel thats damaged is the under arm panel above the vents. Its about 5cm wide and 31cm long. If you can help let me know what you want for it?

Cant post pics yet as I am "new in town" as soon as I can I will.

Thanks

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I think you can send PMs after 15 posts or so. the traditional method in this forum has been to go around various threads making basic posts like "nice hat/jacket/suit" until you hit the right number of posts to be able to PM. When you're there send me a message and we can sort something out.

I thought that would be the panel you were talking about. I certainly have a piece that will work for you. Make sure with Aero that they will do such work with a customer-supplied panel. Al the panels i have are in pretty good shape so i can't see there being a problem. Your jacket is a WWII original, right? Looking forward to some pics/.

bk

 

[SKIDS]

Here are the pics of my Irvin

 

[Smithy]

Terrific Irvin you picked up there Skids with a lot of life left in that jacket.

Once you get that split fixed there's at least another 60 years wear in there

 

[SKIDS]

Is there any way of dating it?

 

[Spitfire]

Congrats with your jacket, Skids.
A beautifull piece of history.
About dating: My guesse is 40-42 due to the panels but Andrew might be able to date it precisely for you.