RAF jacket overhall Aero

[John Lever]

Good news for Irvin fans. Aero are about to use an improved sheepskin from a new tannery and a new pattern -

The Aero Leather Clothing WW2 RAF Sheepskin jacket is being totally overhauled, new patterns have been cut from original examples in the Aero archives resulting in a much improved fit and more authentic sleeve profile, a completely new sheepskin has been sourced in The UK and tanned to perfectly match the original WW2 materials specification.
The first version will be a late WW2 multi panel, closely followed by both earlier panel configurations. These “new” RAF jackets will be fitted with very authentic deadstock zippers from the 1950s or 60s while stocks last, meanwhile a much more accurate replica than the current zipper is being especially made and should be ready by the late Spring."

That was from Ken 5 minutes ago

 

[767fo]

That's good news. Thanks for the update John.

 

[coalman]

This is good news and looking forward to seeing the new sheepskin, I am wondering if this is in response to Aces High jackets and the more original style of sheepskin / zips used by Jon.
However will this overhaul be reflected in a higher price?

 

[John Lever]

I doubt it.

 

[Persimmon]

I doubt it.

Is that a doubt about it being a response to Aces High or a doubt about their being an increase in price ?

 

[John Lever]

Aces High

 

[B-24J]

This is good news John.

Did Ken say which style zips his replicas will be based on?

John

 

[John Lever]

He did but I have deleted his message,sorry.

 

[TOMG1401]

We have heard this from you about AERO Irvins prior John, so is this now supposed to be another of the latest ultimate Irvin repros, we've been waiting for? There has been a few in the past year, none seem to have passed muster.Can't really see Aero investing a significant sum in this overhaul with the superior offerings out there. Oddly enough I like their Irvin for the money. Of course all this will fall to ashes when and if John decides to produce the jacket, even before one stitch is sewn it will be acclaimed as the ultimate, only, If you don't have one you are a loser, Irvin to even consider

 

[John Lever]

We have heard this from you about AERO Irvins prior John, so is this now supposed to be another of the latest ultimate Irvin repros, we've been waiting for? There has been a few in the past year, none seem to have passed muster.Can't really see Aero investing a significant sum in this overhaul with the superior offerings out there. Oddly enough I like their Irvin for the money. Of course all this will fall to ashes when and if John decides to produce the jacket, even before one stitch is sewn it will be acclaimed as the ultimate, only, If you don't have one you are a loser, Irvin to even consider

Yes sorry,
I know nothing about sheepskin jackets and never talk to the owners of the companies it's just a fantasy.

 

[petermack09]

Thanks for the info john,,,i have come to realise that no matter how many improvements Aero make, there are some on here who seem to take pleasure in slating their efforts. :?

 

[John Lever]

Thanks for the info john,,,i have come to realise that no matter how many improvements Aero make, there are some on here who seem to take pleasure in slating their efforts. :?

After a few false starts, I think is determined to make an improved jacket.

 

[Dr H]

Thanks for the info john,,,i have come to realise that no matter how many improvements Aero make, there are some on here who seem to take pleasure in slating their efforts. :?

Having read some of the VLJ baiting/slating stitch counting waffle on FL recently, I think a little balance on both sides would probably not go amiss...

 

[John Lever]

Ian,
Did you ever recover from the 'cuffs' incident ????

 

[Dr H]

No John, to my dying day I shall rue the day that I ever decided to send my late lamented 44L ELC A-1 jacket north of the border... :x

On reflection I could have tackled the job better myself (I have achieved Level 2 'Use of a tape measure'...) :roll:

 

[coalman]

I was lucky enough to try on a Aero Irvin 2 years ago, liked the style and no problems with either the repro zip or the buckle however the sheepskin used was far too soft and long, just did not look or feel right compared to an original Irvin.
I asked if they had any other sheepskin and they sent a sample down which they had made a jacket out of for you John, looked good but the outer tanning colour looked too red for my liking also they asked for another £90 ontop of the standard price which placed it out of my reach at the time.
Since then I have seen an Aero Irvin made years ago and the sheepskin used was more inline with the original Irvin I owned when both younger and slimmer :lol:

 

[John Lever]

Ken has found a new tannery who have prepared some skins copied from some old RAF trousers so lets hope they are good as he says. The skins Ken found when he returned to the factory had all been ironed and had lost all their crimp so the new tannery should be good news all round.

 

[flyboy]

The Aero I bought 2 years ago had exactly the same "problem": The sheepskin was way too wooly, thick and soft to my liking. The rest of the jacket also worked out well, but I never really came to terms with the inside. I gave it the "hot water soaking treatment" followed up with "the tumble dry treatment". After the second time, the fleece began to look like a original. And the surface of the jacket had lost "the shine".
As some of you know, I bought one of Aces High Irvins and sold the Aero.
But I am still looking forward to see, what they might come up with. No doubt they produce a lot of very high quality leatherjackets - could be nice if they could end up with a good Irvin repro too.

 

[TOMG1401]

John, I know full well you are THE sheepskin guy here, as previous posts attest, my point is there has been so much B.S. regarding the Irvin from so many quarters this past year, from seeing pics of zipps to com, pieces of shearling, jackets to be made from descendants of sheep used on original jackets, etc... and Aero particularly have made many claims ( doesn"t matter if the one who made them is now gone, was employed at Aero at the time) of amending the jackets shortcomings which never came to fruition. I wish for once someone would post a jacket as done, "here it is folks the best we can do" judge for yourselves. As some of us know this is exactly what John did as he was starting GW, sent pics of finished prototypes to us before any general advance nonsense went out regarding what was to come, he delivered right out of the gate. I know you talk to the company heads, maybe you should let them spread their own rumors of what "might " be to come.