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This jacketshould appear on Ebay at 7pm tonight (GMT). The BIN price is £950 and would accept offers near this before the listing goes live.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NR-MINT-ORIGI...Collectables_Militaria_LE?hash=item3efb773785
This is without doubt the best late War multi-panelled Irvin I have ever owned. It is in near mint condition with no issues whatsoever! I am only selling it because it is a little short for me in the arms.
It was made by Links and is their 10422 contract, which ran from 1943-1945. This jacket dates from 1944-5. It has the rounded collar which was a feature of this maker. Unlike many Irvins it retains its original label. The measurements on the label assume it was worn over an RAF uniform with plenty of room for movement!
The jacket was bought from the pilot's relative and this is what he wrote: "The pilot, whose name appears on the jacket's label, is James Jason Phillips. I have his original Pilot's Log Books, which indicate the squadrons he flew with. He appears to have got his "wings" in October 1947 at RAF Tern Hill. After flying with a couple of OCU's, he started flying with 264 Squadron in July 1948 flying the Mosquito, with some occasional flights on the Oxford. From September 1949 the squadron reference changes from just 264 to 264/79 and this continued up until October 1951. There is a slight gap, as the next log book starts at August 1952 and he is now working for Airwork Services Ltd. He was based at Hurn (Bournemouth) airport with the Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU) that worked exclusively with the Fleet Air Arm. Over the next 5 years he flew the Mosquito, Hornet, Sea Fury 2, Meteor 7, Attacker, Sea Hawk and the Firefly. On November 15th 1957 he had been on a training exercise with HMS Bulwark flying a Firefly TT4 that was towing a target drone for gunnery practice. It is believed that he was involved in a mid-air collision with another aircraft towing a drone. There were no witnesses and all four aircrew involved were killed. Some of the wreckage was recovered but only the body of his winch operator was found."
There is a another name written in faded ink on the label suggesting the jacket was issued to another RAF officer prior to Phillips.
The jacket has been in storage since 1957 in the possession of Phillips' widow.
The body of the jacket is made from the fine, slightly shaggy fleece and the collar is made from closer pile fleece.
The skin side of the fleece is a chestnut brown and is supple, strong and without rot or loss of the polyacrilic surface coating. The seams are secure with all their original stitching. There is absolutely no re-stitching anywhere or any damage, repairs etc. It should be noted that as is common with late War jackets, the windflap is most likely made from recycled sheepskin as there is a horizontal line of stitch holes on it where a seam tape may have been sewn when it was used on an earlier jacket or trousers.
There is no wear to the fleece at the cuffs, hem, collar or windflap, indicating that the jacket was only lightly worn.
The original metal hanging chain is present. The belt is in fantastic condtion, with no re-stitching on it. The collar rings and leather collar strap are original. It was not fitted with eyelets for an elastic collar securing strap.
All 8 under-arm vent rings are in tact under both armpits.
The main zip is the original Wartime brass cast double trunnion DOT and it functions smoothly with no missing teeth. Both sleeve zips are original to the jacket and are marked with AM (Air Ministry) the kings crown and F.S. They look brand new and function perfectly with their original leather pulls.
Measurements (from the outside): armpit to armpit (front and back): 22" (front and back), sleeves from shoulder seam to end of cuff: 23.5", across the shoulders: 20", from the base of the collar to the hem at the back: 24.", down the front (from start of zip to bottom the hem: 21" and the waist (measured at the hem): 21.5". It should comfortably fit someone with a chest size up to a 38/40".
This is a really a superb, wearable Irvin, which is impossible to upgrade.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NR-MINT-ORIGI...Collectables_Militaria_LE?hash=item3efb773785
This is without doubt the best late War multi-panelled Irvin I have ever owned. It is in near mint condition with no issues whatsoever! I am only selling it because it is a little short for me in the arms.
It was made by Links and is their 10422 contract, which ran from 1943-1945. This jacket dates from 1944-5. It has the rounded collar which was a feature of this maker. Unlike many Irvins it retains its original label. The measurements on the label assume it was worn over an RAF uniform with plenty of room for movement!
The jacket was bought from the pilot's relative and this is what he wrote: "The pilot, whose name appears on the jacket's label, is James Jason Phillips. I have his original Pilot's Log Books, which indicate the squadrons he flew with. He appears to have got his "wings" in October 1947 at RAF Tern Hill. After flying with a couple of OCU's, he started flying with 264 Squadron in July 1948 flying the Mosquito, with some occasional flights on the Oxford. From September 1949 the squadron reference changes from just 264 to 264/79 and this continued up until October 1951. There is a slight gap, as the next log book starts at August 1952 and he is now working for Airwork Services Ltd. He was based at Hurn (Bournemouth) airport with the Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU) that worked exclusively with the Fleet Air Arm. Over the next 5 years he flew the Mosquito, Hornet, Sea Fury 2, Meteor 7, Attacker, Sea Hawk and the Firefly. On November 15th 1957 he had been on a training exercise with HMS Bulwark flying a Firefly TT4 that was towing a target drone for gunnery practice. It is believed that he was involved in a mid-air collision with another aircraft towing a drone. There were no witnesses and all four aircrew involved were killed. Some of the wreckage was recovered but only the body of his winch operator was found."
There is a another name written in faded ink on the label suggesting the jacket was issued to another RAF officer prior to Phillips.
The jacket has been in storage since 1957 in the possession of Phillips' widow.
The body of the jacket is made from the fine, slightly shaggy fleece and the collar is made from closer pile fleece.
The skin side of the fleece is a chestnut brown and is supple, strong and without rot or loss of the polyacrilic surface coating. The seams are secure with all their original stitching. There is absolutely no re-stitching anywhere or any damage, repairs etc. It should be noted that as is common with late War jackets, the windflap is most likely made from recycled sheepskin as there is a horizontal line of stitch holes on it where a seam tape may have been sewn when it was used on an earlier jacket or trousers.
There is no wear to the fleece at the cuffs, hem, collar or windflap, indicating that the jacket was only lightly worn.
The original metal hanging chain is present. The belt is in fantastic condtion, with no re-stitching on it. The collar rings and leather collar strap are original. It was not fitted with eyelets for an elastic collar securing strap.
All 8 under-arm vent rings are in tact under both armpits.
The main zip is the original Wartime brass cast double trunnion DOT and it functions smoothly with no missing teeth. Both sleeve zips are original to the jacket and are marked with AM (Air Ministry) the kings crown and F.S. They look brand new and function perfectly with their original leather pulls.
Measurements (from the outside): armpit to armpit (front and back): 22" (front and back), sleeves from shoulder seam to end of cuff: 23.5", across the shoulders: 20", from the base of the collar to the hem at the back: 24.", down the front (from start of zip to bottom the hem: 21" and the waist (measured at the hem): 21.5". It should comfortably fit someone with a chest size up to a 38/40".
This is a really a superb, wearable Irvin, which is impossible to upgrade.
