ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

[B-24J]

Hi Worf,

I once spoke with a seamstress about shortening some shirts and she told me for something around 2+ inches it would be best to do the alteration at the TOP of the sleeve. So the sleeve would be unstitched at the shoulder, shortened, and then re-stitched.

John

 

[Worf]

How much are you looking to have taken off the cuffs?

Probably 1.5 to 2 inches. As it is now sleeves almost to my thumbnail and when I zip em up my hands fall asleep until the zip loosens up. I never tried rolling them up didn't know how that would work with the zips in the sleeves.

Worf

 

[Edward]

Hi Worf,

I once spoke with a seamstress about shortening some shirts and she told me for something around 2+ inches it would be best to do the alteration at the TOP of the sleeve. So the sleeve would be unstitched at the shoulder, shortened, and then re-stitched.

John

This is SOP with better tailors, in particular for jackets with button holes, especially working button holes. I should think the zip fastening on the Irvin's sleeves would necessitate this approach.

 

[B-24J]

Irvin Cuffs Turned Up

The Bomb Aimer in the 1941 movie "Target for Tonight" has is cuffs turned up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDTLeFl8cXU. Look at about 18:00 and 45:45 which is the debriefing.

John

 

[ButteMT61]

Sloan you weren't knocking anything that I know of... I know Spitty's ole Aero Pre-War isn't perfect, didn't expect it to be. I'd sltill like to get the sleeves shortened. I don't wear the Irvin for fashion anyway... just plain ole freeze mah butt off protection. YOUR Irvin on the other hand is a goat of a different flavor! That thing is purty! Can't wait to see you in all your satorial, if you know what I mean.

Worf

I know people knock Aero's Mil Repops, but I'm sure the Irvin isn't goat lol

 

[Sloan1874]

Edward, yer mail box is full!

 

[Sloan1874]

Probably 1.5 to 2 inches. As it is now sleeves almost to my thumbnail and when I zip em up my hands fall asleep until the zip loosens up. I never tried rolling them up didn't know how that would work with the zips in the sleeves.

Worf

Ken told me that it was a common practice among pilots, you just flip them back on themselves.

 

[Edward]

Edward, yer mail box is full!

Sorted!

 

[Spitfire]

The way to do it, Worf:



Cheers!

 

[Worf]

Thanks Spitty I'll give it a try. Speaking of Irvins I came home yesterday and found this post WWII pot-boiler on T.V. It was Victor Mature's birthday and in 1957 he starred in this British film called "The Long Haul". Pretty non-descript movie except that when driving he, and many other drivers, wear duffels and surplus Irvins. It's in B&W so the patina's and age of jackets are tough to gauge but there sure were some nice ones. in there. On the question of sleeve length I'll try rolling them up and if that doesn't work I recently got an email from Ken Calder who informed me how the shortening SHOULD be done if it comes to that. It was a private conversation so I didn't persume to put his post up here right now.

Worf

 

[wdw]

Hey Sloan, isn't today the day???

 

[Sloan1874]

It was indeed! Haven't had a chance to do any wear pics and report yet, but here's a teaser of the Irvin with some of its forebears:

 

[Spitfire]

Just a couple of pics of my Aces High Irvin - shot two days ago. Finally it's the Irvin time of year again!!!

 

[Smithy]

Søren, that is the best repro Irvin I have seen. The collar looks even better now after you had Jon trim it :eusa_clap

 

[wdw]

Very nice. A serious bit of leather.

 

[Edward]

These all look great! Now they need to do one with a CC hood...

 

[Sloan1874]

It's developing a lovely patina, Spitty.

 

[bn1966]

Fantastic jacket..very jealous

 

[Spitfire]

Thank you gents. This will be my last post. The reason can be found in the now closed "Loungers that you miss"-thread in the Observation Bar.
Stay calm and carry on. Se you at the VLJ Forum.
Ciao.

 

[Worf]

Ah Spitty, I log in to compliment you that Fab Irvin and I read you're leaving!!!! Wha!!!! You introduced me to the wonderful world of Irvins! You're responsible for my obsession! Arrrgh! I don't know the in's and out's of your beef but I hope you change your mind and come back! You've been aces with me!

Worf