IRVIN NUTS?...the ULTIMATE thread for those who love 'em!

[Smithy]

The 'cross-over' of flying gear between the 'Eagle Squadrons' and the regular RAF chaps is interesting (it probably forms the basis of the myth that the USAAF and RAF used to share flying clothing as there was not enough to go around!)

The men on the left are wearing M1941 field jackets. There is a famous photograph of EAW Smith (RAF) wearing a similar M1938 Parsons jacket.

Alan

I think that this is where the myth arises although there is the odd case of US servicemen swapping and winning items of RAF kit. The establishment of the 4th FG happened very quickly and many former Eagle Squadron members simply used the RAF gear which they were used to.

Amusingly, the 4th FG boys were seen as very slovenly by other members of the USAAF and there were many instances of complaints being made regarding their appearance, although they appear to have scrubbed themselves up for the visiting VIP in this pic.

 

[Milu]

I just got my WPG Irvin.
What can I say. First reaction - Bit of a bargain. I'm usually a 46 and on WPG advice I got a 48 as I wanted the option of wearing a heavy sweater underneath, fits perfect including the sleeves which I was a little nervous about.
The zips are not the best. The leather and pile seems a little delicate compared to the premium brands, but it's also lighter and very soft - lovely to wear. It seems warm but I don't think as warm as a premium one. Overall I'm very happy with it, and it meets all my requirements.

 

[Smithy]

Wear it well Milu! And how about some photos of the new jacket

 

[ethanedwards]

Irvin sizes

I wondered if it was possible to create a list of sizes for Irvins?

[/IMG]I've made copies of the labels I have found, (although you will see one label is not from
an Irvin!) Do the FL experts know if sizing was kept consistent throughout
a manufacturing lifetime and garment type? I also wondered if it is known when Irvin's ceased to be official issue and when aircrew stopped using them?
I have 2 jackets, one is a size 6, and I assume the other must be a 5 as it's
that bit smaller. The 5 is from a FAA T/AG who flew in Swordfish and Avengers - this may show that the FAA did not necessarily have the yellow hood? It's in lovely condition, only one other collector owned it between myself
and the veteran. The size 6 has had a fair bit of restoration work on it, nicely done by Aero Leather. If anyone was interested I could measure them for
real world sizing as opposed to what the labels indicate.
Profound apologies if I am going covering old ground here. It's fantastic to think of a community out there with the wish to preserve this history.

 

["Doc" Devereux]

I'd certainly be interested.

 

[Smithy]

Irvin Sizes

I think Andrew might have already done this, either here or at the RAF Reenactors Forum.

 

[Spitfire]

I just got my WPG Irvin.
What can I say. First reaction - Bit of a bargain. I'm usually a 46 and on WPG advice I got a 48 as I wanted the option of wearing a heavy sweater underneath, fits perfect including the sleeves which I was a little nervous about.
The zips are not the best. The leather and pile seems a little delicate compared to the premium brands, but it's also lighter and very soft - lovely to wear. It seems warm but I don't think as warm as a premium one. Overall I'm very happy with it, and it meets all my requirements.

Congrats Milu and welcome to the Irvin Flying Circus - please post some pictures. Would be nice to compare.

 

[Windsock]

This may be sacrilege to say this but the fellow wearing the Irvin looks a bit like a re-enactor who hasn't quite got his kit right.

 

["Doc" Devereux]

This may be sacrilege to say this but the fellow wearing the Irvin looks a bit like a re-enactor who hasn't quite got his kit right.

I had the same guy thinking "Can we get this over with? I'm supposed to be halfway to France by now!"

 

[Windsock]

I wondered if it was possible to create a list of sizes for Irvins? .................. The 5 is from a FAA T/AG who flew in Swordfish and Avengers - this may show that the FAA did not necessarily have the yellow hood? ..............

Yes, Andrew S has posted this before. To save him digging it up (hope you don't mind) here it is;

"Jackets size
22C/317 1
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" chest ? Waist?
22C/324 8 Height 6’ 2” -6’.4”, breast 42”-44”, waist 38”40”

Before 1939 sizes of Irvins were apparently just given in chest sizes, the most common, according to the labels I have seen, being a 44."


And yes to the comment about collars. There are planty of shots available showing jackets with standard collars used in the FAA.

 

[Windsock]

Recently the RAF moved out and the Signals and Ghurkas moved in. The site is being systematically cleared. Just in case the rumours are true, I have a spy in the camp...

Alan

Sounds like my kind of place Alan. I would kill to have a poke around somwhere like that. Please keep us posted and best of luck securing any booty!

 

[Smithy]

This may be sacrilege to say this but the fellow wearing the Irvin looks a bit like a re-enactor who hasn't quite got his kit right.

Be interesting to know whether he got a bit of ribbing from his squadron mates afterwards

 

[Smithy]

Yes, Andrew S has posted this before. To save him digging it up (hope you don't mind) here it is;

"Jackets size
22C/317 1
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" chest ? Waist?
22C/324 8 Height 6’ 2” -6’.4”, breast 42”-44”, waist 38”40”

Before 1939 sizes of Irvins were apparently just given in chest sizes, the most common, according to the labels I have seen, being a 44."


And yes to the comment about collars. There are planty of shots available showing jackets with standard collars used in the FAA.

Thanks for digging that up Andrew, I had an idea Andrew S had posted this somewhere. Too damn lazy to find it for myself!

 

["Doc" Devereux]

Likewise, thanks. That makes finding an original my size a little easier, or at least eliminating the ones that won't fit!

What are you doing up at this time of night, Tim?

 

[Smithy]

Joys of not having a 9 to 5 job old boy!

 

["Doc" Devereux]

Isn't it just? Best not let Matron find out though!

 

[Windsock]

[QUOTE="Doc" Devereux]Likewise, thanks. That makes finding an original my size a little easier, or at least eliminating the ones that won't fit!

What are you doing up at this time of night, Tim?[/QUOTE]

You lot should go to bed!


Bear in mind Doc that the sizes quoted were meant to be worn over a full suit of clothing, so if you plan to only wear a long T under it you can get away with a smaller size.

For example the Wearings label posted there is off my Jacket and it's a size 5.
I'm 6'2", 96kg and I find that I normally need lenght in the arms and body in a jacket and this one fits me perfectly with just one layer beneath- Just wish I had just one day of weather I could actually wear it! (I find this one generates substantially greater warmth than my short fleece varieties).

 

["Doc" Devereux]

It's alright Andrew, I've got a chitty. But I'm not so sure about Smithy...

Sizing continues to be an interesting subject. I wear my Eastman (46" - fine in the body but too long in the sleeves) over a shirt most of the time, but sometimes over a jacket as well. I think I need to get a set of measurements done over a suit to be absolutely sure of what I'm looking for.

 

[PADDY]

SIZE CHARTS - STICKY.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?p=183793#post183793

I've just duplicated this Irvin sizing chart into the 'sticky' size chart that I keep as a permanent reference at the top of the OUTERWEAR ROOM. Hope that helps! Paddy.

 

[ethanedwards]

Irvin sizes

Thank you Doc, Smithy and Windsock. Apologies to you Windsock
for lifting your label! I just screengrab useful pieces and then forget where
they came from. The size 6 I have is pretty huge - I'm 6' and a 42" chest but
it still hangs off me - it really does want that BD underneath but then of course you'd cook. The 5 is a really good fit, what a fantastic jacket you have there
Windsock, envy, envy. It's hard to imagine guys big enough to need a size 8 fitting in a WW2 aircraft - maybe a Sunderland though, after going in the one at Hendon I was left wondering what they managed to fill it with.......