aswatland said:Yes I did. British fleeces are from different breeds of sheep and are generally more robust. Maybe something to do with our UK climate as well. Hardy sheep only survive winters in the hilly parts of the UK! BTW is Swatland!
ethanedwards said:Makes me wonder, what contemporary items of today's armed forces will have future collectors handing over their hard earned money.......... and if it's still leather and sheepskin flying jackets, will there be a sufficient body of knowledge for them to differentiate between originals and (high-end)copies?
Windsock said:I reckon the tanning and skinning process had something to do with it too. The skin backing fleeces of US shearling appears to be quite thin in comparison to earlier Irvins (however later Irvins tend to have the thinner crinkly leather as well and also tear easily). I've owned some shocker late models and it alsmost put me off them altogether.
Aside from the preparation techniques perhaps it was desirable to have thinner skinned jackets to aid in flexibility and movement in confined spaces whilst still providing as much warmth as possible. I find the shaggy late war irvins to be warmer but less bulky than the pre-War types.
Just like the aircraft they were used in they weren't expected to be used for a long time so longevity or absolute durability wouldn't have been high on the priority list compared to keeping the wearer warm.
Baron Kurtz said:I don't imagine the skin of a young sheep is substantially different from that of an old sheep. Biology doesn't work like that.
bk
ethanedwards said:some say
the British are more prone to 'romanticising' WW2 because although the Luftwaffe and V weapons killed so many, they didn't have to live under such a long, dreadful and wicked occupation as did so many of our European friends.
If it is given that the Irvin and A2 may be called symbols of a justified war, and we can hopefully wear and collect them without too much contention, what then is the appeal - to a great many collectors - of Wehrmacht and other German armed forces' militaria? The ability to divide the men and their equipment from their political masters? I had not considered this point until your post, hmmmm......
ethanedwards said:Anyone care to guess what this is all about? (The guy on the right has a very
rounded collar on his IJ!)
ethanedwards said:Anyone care to guess what this is all about? (The guy on the right has a very
rounded collar on his IJ!)
Smithy said:Mike is right.
That is 81 Sqn of 151 Wing in Russia in autumn 1941. This squadron had been deliberately reformed in July 1941 to be part of the RAF contingent protecting the Arctic convoy ports of Murmansk and Archangel.