B-Man2
Well-Known Member
So it’s been a while since I posted anything that was even remotely interesting, so I thought I’d go back to a jacket that has held my interest for several years, the RAF Irvin. I’ve always been fascinated with this jacket and more so it’s history. It was developed in the 1930s for open cockpit flying and throughout the WWII years it was the mainstay of cold weather kit for RAF Bomber crews.It was closely associated with the Battle of Britain pilots but in reality the bomber crews wore Irvin jackets more often than RAF fighter pilots, and were photographed wearing them in various theaters of operation and different climates. On at least one occasion I remember seeing an RAF pilot of a bomber somewhere in a jungle environment wearing an Irvin with shorts and a pair of 1936 Pattern Flight boots. I think my interest in Irvins is due to the fact that while B-3s , B-6s and D-1 jackets were plentiful here in the US during the years following the war and could be purchased very cheaply on the military surplus market, Irvin’s were not really seen here that often.
Occasionally, back in the 1960s I would see photos of a member of a British rock group wearing one, while on tour here in the US, and I’d think “Damn that’s a cool looking sheepskin”
To my mind the Irvin looks cooler than any sheepskin jacket that was in the US inventory during the war. I guess I just like the cut of the jacket compared to say a B-3 or a B-6.
The jacket is known by a couple of different manufacturers names ; The Warings , the Links and the Irvin are some of them . I’m fortunate to have an original 1939 Warings jacket that is in great condition in a larger size that actually fits me .
In 1984 Eastman Leather Company was founded and from that time forward the flight jacket reproduction business was changed forever. Eastman incorporated quality and authenticity in their reproductions. Their Battle of Britain reproduction Irvin was so well made, that it was the top of the line repro of the original WWII Irvin at that time. Today early production ELC Irvin’s are highly sought after and can bring as much as newer ELC Irvin repros . The photo below is an early ELC repro Irvin formerly owned by John Lever. The jacket is representative of the authenticity and quality of the early ELC Irvin’s of that period .
Most recently both ELC and Aero of Scotland have manufactured a light weight Irvin that has gotten high reviews. Both the Aero and the ELC light weight versions look exceptional for their authenticity and are wearable in a wider variety of temperatures and climates.
ELC LIGHTWEIGHT
AERO LIGHTWEIGHT
In my opinion Irvin’s have always been an iconic jacket and as I said, they just look cool. Today there are a variety of makers producing repro Irvin’s . Several of us are anxiously waiting for the arrival of the 5 Star Irvin which should be out soon.
So these are my thoughts on the classic RAF Irvin Flight Jacket. What are yours ?
Now for those of you who think that this post is over, well O Contraire Mon Ami
This post has just begun, because I know that there are several of you out there who have some beautiful Irvin’s. Guys like Chris 55, who has an Aces High Irvin that is a killer repro. Also guys like Grant who has an early ELC Irvin that also looks awesome, not to mention Steve (Micawber) who has the only Aero black sheep Irvin repro I’ve seen. Let’s not forget Nick D7X *** who has a couple of early repro Irvin’s. Also don’t forget Phil and his new Irvin. Phil is the guy who motivated me to post this piece . So ok guys … let’s post all them and tell a little bit about them . How old, how much , where, when etc, etc. So it’s your turn now….. let’s see them!
Occasionally, back in the 1960s I would see photos of a member of a British rock group wearing one, while on tour here in the US, and I’d think “Damn that’s a cool looking sheepskin”
To my mind the Irvin looks cooler than any sheepskin jacket that was in the US inventory during the war. I guess I just like the cut of the jacket compared to say a B-3 or a B-6.
The jacket is known by a couple of different manufacturers names ; The Warings , the Links and the Irvin are some of them . I’m fortunate to have an original 1939 Warings jacket that is in great condition in a larger size that actually fits me .
In 1984 Eastman Leather Company was founded and from that time forward the flight jacket reproduction business was changed forever. Eastman incorporated quality and authenticity in their reproductions. Their Battle of Britain reproduction Irvin was so well made, that it was the top of the line repro of the original WWII Irvin at that time. Today early production ELC Irvin’s are highly sought after and can bring as much as newer ELC Irvin repros . The photo below is an early ELC repro Irvin formerly owned by John Lever. The jacket is representative of the authenticity and quality of the early ELC Irvin’s of that period .
Most recently both ELC and Aero of Scotland have manufactured a light weight Irvin that has gotten high reviews. Both the Aero and the ELC light weight versions look exceptional for their authenticity and are wearable in a wider variety of temperatures and climates.
ELC LIGHTWEIGHT
AERO LIGHTWEIGHT
In my opinion Irvin’s have always been an iconic jacket and as I said, they just look cool. Today there are a variety of makers producing repro Irvin’s . Several of us are anxiously waiting for the arrival of the 5 Star Irvin which should be out soon.
So these are my thoughts on the classic RAF Irvin Flight Jacket. What are yours ?
Now for those of you who think that this post is over, well O Contraire Mon Ami
This post has just begun, because I know that there are several of you out there who have some beautiful Irvin’s. Guys like Chris 55, who has an Aces High Irvin that is a killer repro. Also guys like Grant who has an early ELC Irvin that also looks awesome, not to mention Steve (Micawber) who has the only Aero black sheep Irvin repro I’ve seen. Let’s not forget Nick D7X *** who has a couple of early repro Irvin’s. Also don’t forget Phil and his new Irvin. Phil is the guy who motivated me to post this piece . So ok guys … let’s post all them and tell a little bit about them . How old, how much , where, when etc, etc. So it’s your turn now….. let’s see them!
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