ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

Doctor Damage · Nov 16, 2019

RL204 said:
What size do you normally wear? I usually fall between a 42 and a 44 for most brands. The aero Irvin seems to be one of the best looking Irvin jackets in my eyes. I thought a 44 would be adequate for me and not be too loose looking. Hard to tell from measurements online as the thickness of the jacket throws everything off. I always prefer a tailored look as I’m a tall skinny guy.

Actually, if you're tall and skinny, then adding a bit of bulk to your upper body would probably be an improvement. So a bulky flight jacket, for instance, would improve the "masculinity" of your figure (since ideally men are supposed to have larger upper bodies while women have larger hips). If you're tall and skinny and wearing slim fitting stuff then it's just going to accentuate your tall-ness and skinny-ness. But hey, this is just theoretical stuff -- you're going to know when you look best.

Doctor Damage · Dec 1, 2019

Doctor Damage · Dec 19, 2019

ChrisDW · Jan 14, 2020

Hi all

My first post on here, and possibly going to kick things off by asking a daft question...

I’m heading up to Galashiels in a couple of weeks to get properly sized up for an Aero shearling. I like the B-3, but I am currently favouring the pre-war RAF ‘Irvin’ style jacket (pre-war version as it has the fewest seams).

My question is about whether it is acceptable to have an Irvin made with the more blonde b-3 shearling, as I prefer the colour, or would that be considered sacrilege? I don’t want to create a monster....

Thanks for any advice.

dingoman · Jan 14, 2020

Hi folks! WTB early Eastman Aero Leather Irvin in size 46 or 48!!!

Sloan1874 · Jan 14, 2020

ChrisDW said:
Hi all

My first post on here, and possibly going to kick things off by asking a daft question...

I’m heading up to Galashiels in a couple of weeks to get properly sized up for an Aero shearling. I like the B-3, but I am currently favouring the pre-war RAF ‘Irvin’ style jacket (pre-war version as it has the fewest seams).

My question is about whether it is acceptable to have an Irvin made with the more blonde b-3 shearling, as I prefer the colour, or would that be considered sacrilege? I don’t want to create a monster....

Thanks for any advice.

I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with that. They have previously stocked a darker brown with oatmeal sheepskin, and I remember them making up an ANJ4 in the B-3 redskin sheepskin, looked quite nice I recall. It's just whether you want something that is period correct. Tbh, you should seriously consider the Irvin sheepskin, it's a low maintenance and the honey colour is a very elegant.

ChrisDW · Jan 16, 2020

Sloan1874 said:
I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with that. They have previously stocked a darker brown with oatmeal sheepskin, and I remember them making up an ANJ4 in the B-3 redskin sheepskin, looked quite nice I recall. It's just whether you want something that is period correct. Tbh, you should seriously consider the Irvin sheepskin, it's a low maintenance and the honey colour is a very elegant.

Thanks for the advice. I actually drove down to Andover yesterday and tried on the Aviation Leathercraft Irvin and B-3 jackets. I ended up going for the B-3, by a small margin. Apart from anything else, it was immediately available, as opposed to the 14 week lead time that Aero quoted me for one of their B-3s.
I'm still heading to Aero in a couple of weeks, so may put in an order for an Irvin while I'm there.....

Edward · Jan 16, 2020

ChrisDW said:
My question is about whether it is acceptable to have an Irvin made with the more blonde b-3 shearling, as I prefer the colour, or would that be considered sacrilege? I don’t want to create a monster....

If you think it looks good and you don't care whether it's historically correct or not (though, tbh, I've seen a range of slightly different hues in sheepskins on Irvins, especially later ones: organic material plus wartime demand often having (perhaps ironically) equated to less uniformity in practice), go for it. If you're going to use it for "living history" / reenactment, that level of accuracy matters. If not and what you want is a generally period correct looking Irvin with your own touch, very few will even notice the variation in spec, and if they feel the need ot raised it, well - that says more about them...

Doctor Damage · May 17, 2020

aries-buzhor · Jul 5, 2020

Dav said:

Hello, Dav!
Can you type please if it is russet or seal hide?

Dav · Jul 5, 2020

Hi there, it's the russet.

Sloan1874 · Jul 5, 2020

Doctor Damage said:
View attachment 201511 View attachment 201510 View attachment 201512

I was at a Terry Gilliam Q&A a few years ago and he was wearing this jacket. I've got to confess that I was more focused on whether he was wearing an Irvin than what he had to say about the rather dull film he'd made.

MrProper · Sep 28, 2020

Aero Coastal Command

Caber · Dec 3, 2020

I am a new owner of a aero pre war IRVIN. I wanted to ask the vets of IRVIN's her a question or two.
How do you keep the shearling from getting all matted up and is there a way to clean it?

Is it normal for the shearling around the sleeve cuffs to wear down pretty quickly ?

Kit Marlowe · Dec 27, 2020

Aero Late War RAF for a first post here

Doctor Damage · Dec 28, 2020

^ great jacket Kit, thanks for posting!

John Lever · Dec 28, 2020

Whatever happened to Hawk-eye?

Doctor Damage · Oct 2, 2021

just bumping this thread, now that the cold weather is coming these sorts of jackets start to look rational again...

MrProper · Oct 5, 2021

FiveStar Irvin
https://www.fivestarleather.us/products/fivestar-leather-repro-raf-irvin-1940-41-pattern-sheepskin-flight-jacket

jojothenorthstar · Nov 19, 2023

I've got quite a dumb question but I am in the market for an irving and i have to ask about 3 things.

1. is it comfortable?
2. Should I size up?
3.when you leave it half/three quartered zip and the leather flap hangs out, is it annoying to walk? Does it bounce on and off your chest or is it fastened and secure?

thanks

ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

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