ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

aswatland · Sep 14, 2010

Edward said:
Interesting to hear Lewis are enteringb thed Irvin market! Are they aiming for a historically accurate or more of a civilian option, does anyone know?

I just about ten days ago won an ELC 42 pattern on eBay for GBP300 (thanks to Andrew for thed tip off on that). It's sitting here in my office for now; photos to follow in due course.

Edward, I too am pleased to hear about the Lewis Leather's Irvin project. I understand that the Wartime relative of the current firm made Irvins for the AM along with flying gear an equipment. However I have yet to see a D. Lewis label unless they were behind D.G.L Irivins.

aswatland · Sep 14, 2010

Archbury said:
Beautiful fleece Paul, I wish mine had been made with that! So Lewis leathers
is attempting an Irvin...Can't want to see what pattern they use and if the
details are correct. I shall be awaiting Wing Commander Andrew Swatland's
assesment.

I have seen the Devon fleece Irvin at Duxford and think its one of their best to date. It's a shame they can't get the zips quite correct. It will be interesting to see how LL do. Does anyone know the timescale they are working to? A winter release would be very sensible.

havocpaul · Sep 14, 2010

According to Derek at LL they plan on getting it out by the end of this year, it won't be cheap for sure! (More than any other repro Irvin I would guess, not counting the terrible one from The Few). D.Lewis were prolific suppliers to the RAF pre-WW2 and during the war itself, mainly flying helmets, flying suits and boots (which they are also going to be re-issuing soon). If they made Irvins they didn't put the D.Lewis labels in them but could well have had a contract during the war years as suggested.

Spitfire · Sep 14, 2010

If Lewis Leathers are comming up with some true-to-original 1936 pattern flying boots, I know some people, who are going to be very happy.
That's great news. Can't wait to see them. And their Irvin(s)

aswatland · Sep 14, 2010

I can see one heading for Denmark!

JLStorm · Sep 14, 2010

Does Eastman treat their regular fleece to achieve the Devon timeworn look, or do they source this separately? Anyone have any idea? I really like the time worn fleece look. I like the longer looking fleece with the large separate curls. I have had a few B3's (no irvins) and as they get worn, the fleece just flattened it certainly never achieved a neat look like this fleece has.

aswatland · Sep 14, 2010

Gary has run out of the special Devon fleece and no more jackets will be available this year. Yes the fleece is given the time-worn look, a process which is only on the 1944 pattern jacket. The 1940 and 1942 models are made using broken grain fleece, but its not the Devon fleece.

Archbury · Sep 14, 2010

Andrew S. may know the answer to this, it appears that the Time Worn Devon leather is heavier than what's used on the 1940 and 1942 ELC pattern
Irvins. I love the look of it too but it's very stiff and dry in areas, it's going to
take some time for it to break in that's for sure!

Archbury · Sep 14, 2010

Advice needed...

Andrew S., Any ideas on how to soften up the leather on the Devon fleece
without changing the color of it? And you're right, the zippers not up to
muster, everything else is spot on though.

JLStorm · Sep 14, 2010

aswatland said:
Gary has run out of the special Devon fleece and no more jackets will be available this year. Yes the fleece is given the time-worn look, a process which is only on the 1944 pattern jacket. The 1940 and 1942 models are made using broken grain fleece, but its not the Devon fleece.

Ok so its the same fleece, just made to look different? It seems longer than their other offerings, is that just my perception?

Archbury · Sep 15, 2010

The Devon wool is long and curly, it's not as dense as the other wool used on the 40 and 42 patterns.
It sheds quite a bit too but I'm sure this will discontinue over time, I'm also
curious to see how warm it is compared to my other Irvin, B-3 and ANJ-4.
-Karen

Smithy · Sep 15, 2010

JLStorm said:
Ok so its the same fleece, just made to look different? It seems longer than their other offerings, is that just my perception?

It is different as the long, curly wool has been sourced from a specific breed of sheep.

And Edward, congratulations on picking up an Irvin! Photos would be good if you get a chance.

aswatland · Sep 15, 2010

JLStorm said:
Ok so its the same fleece, just made to look different? It seems longer than their other offerings, is that just my perception?

No it is not the same fleece as used on their other Irvins. It's from a rare breed of sheep. It is shaggy and thicker than the fleeeces used on the 40 and 42 pattern jackets.

JLStorm · Sep 15, 2010

Got it thanks for the help!

Spitfire · Sep 15, 2010

Thank you - missed that. I am obviously not in there as often as I should be.

alfyman · Sep 17, 2010

Windsock said:
Over at VLJ we have been playing musical ELC Irvins. I picked this size 48 1940 model from another member and it's now moving on to another who has just sold his '42 pattern to another VLJ'er!

I confess i bought it out of curiosity, having heard so much about them I just had to compare with the real thing. Unfortunately for me it'll never be a practical option- at least not a 48- maybe could be tempted again with a 46- who knows.

Mine's exactly the same as Cams. I love it, and it may be heresy to some but personally I feel they are using fleeces that are too thick and I dont think the arm patten is consistent with the proportions of the rest of the jacket or of originals. Still, it is a thing of beauty and I don't mind the broken finish either.

For thoise interested to compare, the dimensions are;
pit to pit 26"
Shoulder to cuff 26.5"
Back length 26"
Zipper length to bottom of hem 23"
Shoulder width 21"
I did measure it last week but it's packed now so can't verify, but the bicep circumference is about a full 2" longer than any of my 4 comparably sized originals.

Very Nice...

PADDY · Sep 17, 2010

Keep on topic Gentlemen...please.

When I have a moment, the boots pieces will be moved. Thanks, Paddy.

/|\ · Sep 30, 2010

Hi everyone,

I first found this forum three years ago when I was looking for info on Byrnie Utz hats. (My office is very close to the store, but I wanted to look at it online first.) Hats are nice, but my main interest is in aircraft. And the most beautiful aircraft ever made is the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire. So I had to have an Irvin!

I picked up an Avirex one a few years ago. I didn't want pockets, but it was the only Irvin I could find at the time that would fit and that I could afford. It's so bulky, and it's so rainy up here, that I've worn it maybe four times. I like the inside a lot. The fleece is very soft and plush. The outside has that fake 'vintage' look to it, which I don't care for. Also, the zips are rubbish. But at least I had an Irvin-style jacket!

It turns out that a friend reads and posts here: Archbury. She recommended the What Price Glory Irvin. It arrived Saturday. (I ordered it Thursday!) I've been losing weight, so I bought a size smaller than the Avirex. Alas, it's a bit snug. But I'm still losing, so it will fit soon enough. I love the colour, and that it's a much closer match to originals than the Avirex. (Granted, that's not a very high bar! :eusa_doh: ) The fleece looks closer to that on original jackets that I've seen in books and on the great photos people post here. Archbury says I'll wear it a lot, and I believe her! It's a nice jacket, and the price is great. When I'm no longer over-gross, I'll get myself an Eastman pre-war pattern.

Ok. I have an Irvin jacket. I have a Spitfire turn coordinator. It's slowly coming together...

Spitfire · Sep 30, 2010

Welcome to the Irvin Flying Circus

The quest for the Holy Grail of Irvins will never end, and you have only just entered.

/|\ · Sep 30, 2010

Well, my goal is to have three Irvins. I want an 'everyday Irvin'; one that looks authentic, but I don't have to worry about. I think the WPG fits the bill. I also want an Irvin that is as close to the original as possible. From what I've read here, that sounds like the Eastman. I'd save that one for when it's cold and dry. Finally, I'd like an original two-panel 'Battle of Britain' Irvin in good condition and that fits (eventually). That will be a problem, as I'd need a size 44. I'd wear the original on special occasions with my Type B helmet.

Once I have the three Irvins, I'll be done. What I really want to spend my money on is getting 'back in the saddle'. Sadly, I've discovered that having a mortgage negates the opportunity to fly.

But hey, I've started refinancing to convert my 30-year mortgage to a 15-year one (at a much lower interest rate). I can sell some film gear, my '63 Triumph, my Shiloh Sharps, and whatever else I can find, and it can all go into the pot. I'll get back in the air eventually!

You can't see the jacket, but I'm wearing a Flightsuits Ltd. royal blue Nomex CWU-36/P here (also shorts and boots.

):

Here's one of my issue CWU-45/Ps:

Not wearing an Irvin in either photo, and the jackets aren't even leather. But eventually I'll have both the jacket and something to fly it in.

ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

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