Irvin Air Chute Jacket-Pre-War in a large size

[Roughwear]

Irvin Air Chute of Letchworth, Herts was the first maker of Irvin flying jackets from the early 1930s and continued to produce them for the rest of the decade and during the War. The quality of their jackets was usually excellent, especially the pre-War ones where the contracts were relatively small.

This jacket dates to just before the outbreak of War, i.e. 1938-9, when production of Irvin suits was stepped up for the RAF. It is made from extremely soft fleece, possibly lambskin, which was used to make some Irvins. Most of the original surface finish is in tact. The Dot Made in England zips are all original to the jacket and work perfectly. It has nine underarm vents (rather than the usual eight) and an eyelet ring on the female size of the belt are features only found on IAC jackets from this time. It shows little service wear and is an extremely comfortable jacket to wear.

 

[John Lever]

A very beautiful jacket, made to last.

 

[Roughwear]

Thanks John. It has lasted very well for a 75+ year old jacket! BTW. It has not been restored by me or by anyone else.

 

[TOMG1401]

Beautiful Andrew, perfect fit

 

[Skyhawk]

WOW! Now there is a historical treasure. Beautiful.

 

[Roughwear]

The Dot main zip.

 

[CBI]

really super, looks like you are still pretty serious about collecting jackets!!!!!

 

[dujardin]

wowwwwwwwww

that's a beauty

 

[Roughwear]

really super, looks like you are still pretty serious about collecting jackets!!!!!

Thanks John and yes I'm still collecting jackets, but in a lesser way than I used to do several years ago as decent originals in my size are few and far between these days.

 

[TOMG1401]

Most likely because at one time or another you owned them all !!!

 

[Roughwear]

Most likely because at one time or another you owned them all !!!

Well of course!

 

[Steve27752]

Wonderful, where do you find your superb jackets?
P.S. Don't tell me, as everyone else will know.

 

[MikeyB-17]

Another beauty Andrew. What was the eyelet ring on the buckle side of the belt for?

 

[Roughwear]

Mike, the eyelet on the buckle side was to prevent wear to the leather from the prong. It was only a feature of 1938-9 IAC jackets.

 

[Roughwear]

Wonderful, where do you find your superb jackets?
P.S. Don't tell me, as everyone else will know.

I obtain jackets from a variety of sources Steve and the collector network is always useful.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Really nice jacket, it won't be lambskin however.
It's very rare to find an untrimmed lambskin over about 6 ft, most are around 4.5 to 5 Sq Ft.
The pelt will lose at least a foot in trimming so it would be near on impossible, nay impossible, to cut the fronts or sleeves for an Irvin much above a 36" chest from a lambskin.
Sheepskins, on the other hand, are genearally around 8 to 9 Sq Ft, big Aussie or US pelts can reach 12 SqFt. They'd still need trimming too, of course
Lambskin would also be quite weak in comparison to sheepskin and unsuitable for use as a Flight Jacket
Here's a more suitable use for lambskin.............http://britishcondoms.uk/lamb-skin-condoms/?gclid=CKDBgdLc3MsCFUyeGwodl5oMaQ
Beats wrapping an Irvin around one's weapon too I suppose?

 

[MikeyB-17]

Mike, the eyelet on the buckle side was to prevent wear to the leather from the prong. It was only a feature of 1938-9 IAC jackets.

Aah, I gotcha. Thanks Andrew.

 

[Roughwear]

Really nice jacket, it won't be lambskin however.
It's very rare to find an untrimmed lambskin over about 6 ft, most are around 4.5 to 5 Sq Ft.
The pelt will lose at least a foot in trimming so it would be near on impossible, nay impossible, to cut the fronts or sleeves for an Irvin much above a 36" chest from a lambskin.
Sheepskins, on the other hand, are genearally around 8 to 9 Sq Ft, big Aussie or US pelts can reach 12 SqFt. They'd still need trimming too, of course
Lambskin would also be quite weak in comparison to sheepskin and unsuitable for use as a Flight Jacket
Here's a more suitable use for lambskin.............http://britishcondoms.uk/lamb-skin-condoms/?gclid=CKDBgdLc3MsCFUyeGwodl5oMaQ
Beats wrapping an Irvin around one's weapon too I suppose?

Thanks Ken. The pre-War IAC adverts said they were made of lambskin. This is from a 1939 advert. "THE Irvinsuit is a two-piece with perfect air-seals at the waist, wrists, neck and ankles, compounded of clever ideas—and made from wind- and water-proof reversed lambskin with a marvellously soft surface." Perhaps the lambs they were thinking of were nearly fully grown sheep.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

They wouldn't be the only firm to get the terminology wrong, advertising copy is always best written in house :>)

 

[John Lever]

I bought some skins from Fenland tannery a few years ago and was surprised to see how small they were. I have seen mule sheep as big as donkeys, well almost.