ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

[Windman]

Well.....first post from me, greetings everyone.
What a mammoth but excellent thread, have read every post, as part of my research into the purchase of my first Irvin. Thanks to all that contributed.

I saw a genuine wartime Irvin in a militaria shop when I was a small lad, fell in love with it, but there was no way my piggy bank could stretch that far! My parents bought me a 'high street' sheepskin flying jacket when I was a teenager, but it wasn't a proper job......the hankering didn't abate!

So, 30 odd years later I've decided to treat myself. As a result of the info I've gleaned, including from here, I've taken the plunge and bought a late WWII Irvin from Aero Leather.

It's a really great jacket, and the service I received from Rachel and Denny at Aero has been second to none.

I suppose I should try and get some pics?!

Happy Christmas folks.

 

[Sloan1874]

Which model did you go for?

 

[Windman]

Which model did you go for?

The late WWII model. Russet, with the Waldes nickel alloy zip.

 

[Sloan1874]

Excellent choice. Look forward to seeing the pics - I'm afraid it's obligatory once you post here!

 

[Windman]

Excellent choice. Look forward to seeing the pics - I'm afraid it's obligatory once you post here!

I'll see what I can do!

 

[Ski_bilder]

Hello! This is my first dialogue here

Need help detect and identify = how authentic this jacket?
I'm not a collectThe skin is not dry, sheepskin inside the whole, and not climbing (natural scuff cuffs) inside the pocket a little wiped. No two zippers on the sleeves (sewn been a long time!)
Locks lightning-DOT Made in England
this jacket accidentally saw on sale and could not resist bought
The size of our high-grade 52, the growth of 175-185or,
thanks for the help/Thanks for any help
Sincerely, Valentin (sorry for my english)

 

[Ski_bilder]

...more photos

 

[John Lever]

It's a Fleet Air Arm jacket from WW2.
Others here will tell you more in particular Andrew Swatland

 

[Ski_bilder]

It's a Fleet Air Arm jacket from WW2.
Others here will tell you more in particular Andrew Swatland

Thank you very much for your help
respect

 

[Capesofwrath]

It's a Fleet Air Arm jacket from WW2.
Others here will tell you more in particular Andrew Swatland

Wouldn’t have been made with the zip pockets would it, and the hood was not centre zipped in the originals? Is it a repro or is it original and those were added later?

 

[John Lever]

Curiouser and curiouser...didn't see that.

 

[Sloan1874]

From the different colour sheepskin, it looks as it's been modded at a later date.

 

[aswatland]

Your jacket is a Coastal Command Irvin dating to 1942-3. It was made by Links, a prolific London maker. The dark fleece boarder to the hood is quite unusual. The zipped pockets are either late War theatre additions or post War. The zips and leather seam tapes have been removed from the sleeves to create the pockets.

 

[Ski_bilder]

It's a Fleet Air Arm jacket from WW2.
Others here will tell you more in particular Andrew Swatland

New photos added
Could this help, for a more precise definition

 

[Ski_bilder]

+ Is the link
Pants that came in the kit came with a dark (black) fleece, it probably
It was to repair
(I still have left parts of them)

 

[aswatland]

Thanks. The dark fleece round the edge of the hood is not original, but a later addition. The zip running down the hood is also a later alteration.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks. The dark fleece round the edge of the hood is not original, but a later addition. The zip running down the hood is also a later alteration.

Hi Andrew, the zip down the hood reminds me of USAF N-2 series parkas. Maybe a personal adaptation by an aircrew member so the hood sits flatter and doesn't interfere with helmet/headset/leads etc?

 

[aswatland]

I know what you mean Tim. By later additions I mean after the jacket left the factory. With the possible theatre/post War alterations it is now quite a unique CC Irvin!

 

[Capesofwrath]

I know what you mean Tim. By later additions I mean after the jacket left the factory. With the theatre alterations it is now quite a unique CC Irvin!

I wonder what a jacket like this would be worth compared to one in original condition? After all it can’t be said that these are theatre alterations really and they might just as well have been done post war to make for a more practical jacket.

As to unique, my mother cut the body of an Irvin up for slippers for us when we were children in about 1952. If those slippers still existed they would be a pretty unique modified Irvin….

 

[aswatland]

They may not be theatre additions. We are unlikely to know for sure. An all original CC Irvin would sell in the price range £350 to £600 depending on size and condition. It is very hard to value this customised jacket.