B-24J
One of the Regulars
- Messages
- 295
- Location
- Pennsylvania,USA
I have never seen one exactly like this before. It may have been a special order from Irvin Air Chute as it does not fit the Irvin spec. It harps back to WW1 when long coat were extensively worn by pilots in the RFC. When I first saw it I thought it was a conventional jacket that had be adapted in the theatre by taking the pockets, zip and fleece from flying trousers to make a long coat. Detailed photos would be very interesting.
While the website from which the jacket was sold claims copyright on the pics, perhaps I can describe the coat a little better.
The jacket's two front and back panels are continuous to the mid pocket level. The "skirt" seams start there.
The main zip is a DOT Made in England as are the sleeve zips.
The elastic collar strap is missing, but the attachment points are there.
The pictures do not show a label, but it looks like there may have been one.
The main zip is continuous to the hem and the hem is continuous around the back (no slit). I think the coat does not seem a likely Air Ministry issue item for the time as the length would likely interfere with the lower parachute straps.
All-in-all, aside from the length and pockets, it is a match for an early IAC.
The buyer purchased an interesting item. I do not recall the price, but it was considerable.
John