Which manufacturer made the largest Irvins?

[flyboy]

In my search for a original Irvin - in a LARGE size, I have started to wonder wether all manufacturers made the Irvins in the same precise sizes - or wether there were some, who made the largest size larger than the others. I do remember reading something about it once - but can't remember where - or what.
So I thought this knowledgeable group of aficionados might know

 

[coalman]

Me thinks there is only one person on here who can answer this one :lol:

 

[RCSignals]

What was the largest a pilot was acceptable to be?

 

[Roughwear]

Of course they were not just issued to pilots. The majority went to bomber crew and there were some big chaps among them! The largest size was a size 8. Some of the largest I have seen were made by Wareings, with an armpit measurement of around 26-27". Size 7 and 8 jackets were supposed to be the same size around the chest, but size 8s were a little longer in the body.

 

[RCSignals]

Of course they were not just issued to pilots

of course. Just an attempt at humour.

armpit measurement of around 26-27

that's big

 

[deeb7]

armpit measurement of around 26-27

that's big

So a total of 52"-54" ... yeah, bigger than me, but not that big considering it was designed to wear over a uniform jacket. For a comparison, the B-3 was made up to size 50.

 

[Andrew]

That's easy- Wainwright!

 

[Roughwear]

That's easy- Wainwright!

Absolutely in 2011! :lol:

 

[RCSignals]

armpit measurement of around 26-27

that's big

So a total of 52"-54" ... yeah, bigger than me, but not that big considering it was designed to wear over a uniform jacket. For a comparison, the B-3 was made up to size 50.

So about the same for the B-3. about total chest circumference of 54 or so inches.

Didn't all the airforces have size limit standards for aircrew?

 

[flyboy]

What was the largest a pilot was acceptable to be?

I am 6'3 - exact same hight as Albert Gerald Lewis (- Hurricane pilot from Battle of France and battle of Britain.)
But I am not 22 years old anymore and have probably another build now than I had in my "skinny" youth.
And I seriously doubt I would feel very comfortable in a Hurricane or Spitfire cockpit today with a chestsize close to 52".

Besides that most people were both shorter and skinnier back then. And the jackets were made for them - not us.
But - as Andrew also pointed out - most jackets were made for aircrew in bomber command - and they came in many different sizes and heights. So I am still hoping. As you see here - it almost happened some time ago...so why not?

 

[RCSignals]

it's out there Søren, somewhere, waiting.

 

[coalman]

Sorry to bring back an old post but I am asking is there an official list of Irvin sizes against hieght, and do todays manufacturers such as Aero and Eastman use it.

 

[Andrew]

Yep,

IRVIN JACKET SIZES
22C/317 1 Height...5' "2"- 5',4", breast 32"-34", waist..30"- 32"
22C/318 2 Height...5'4"- 5'6" Breast...34" -36" .waist....30"-32"
22C/319 3 HEIGHT 5' 7 - 5' 8" - BREAST 34-36" - WAIST 30-32"
22C/320 4 Height 5'.8/5.9" Breast 36"-38" Waist 32"-34"
22C/321 5 Height 5' 10" - 5' 11", breast 38"-40", waist 34"-36"
22C/322 6 Height 5'11 to 6'0" Chest 40-42 Waist 36-38
22C/323 7 Height 6'- 6'2" breast 42" -44", Waist 38"-40"
22C/324 8 Height 6' 2"‚ -6' 4"‚ breast 42"-44", waist 38" - 40"

per Andrew Swatland

 

[coalman]

hello Andrew,

Thank you for the info, do you know if the current replica manufacturers such as Aero, Eastman and Aces high use this information?

 

[coalman]

Just come across 2 photos of original jackets(sadly cannot upload them onto this page) which gives different sizing yet for the same size 5 .

1st label reads
Size 5
Hieght 5ft 10/11
Breast 38/40
Waist 34/36
D,G Ltd


2nd label reads
Size 5
Height 5ft 10/11
Breast 49
Waist 48
10421
Ref 22A/848

Both are from original Irvins but now I am confused dot com

can anybody help?

John

 

[Roughwear]

The measurement given on the early/mid War labels are smaller than the actual sizes as they were designed to be worn over uniform jackets. The second example from a 1943 contract is very odd indeed. There are several similar labels, particularly those on Robinson and Ensum jackets (c. 1941-3) and the measurements given are significantly greater than the actual jacket sizes.