ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

bbc1969 · Mar 30, 2009

Tally Ho! said:
What kind of "The Cockpit" are you referring to?

I hope not the German company that has been selling (imported) terrible jacket copies which they've been calling "jackets made to the same specs as originals with - NOW GET THIS: the aid of the original stencils" (unquote).

The "Boutique Cockpit" as they call themselves are so full of s... you guys just wouldn't believe it...and yet people spend the same amount of money for the price of an ELC as they don't know any better.

GOOD GRIEF!!!!

Tally Ho!

Naw, different companies I believe. "The Cockpit" was started by a guy named Jeff Clyman back in the 70's or early 80's and had (has) a flagship store in New York. It then evolved or already was "Avirex". Not sure about the whole timeline, but I do know that "The Cockpit" and Avirex are different brands now. Avirex doing alot of "letterman jacket" and "hip hop" styling I think.

I don't think "The Cockpit" was up to snuff with an ELC or Aero, but they had/have some nice stuff.

added thought: I was doing some web searching, and noticed that "old nautibits.com" has an original Coastal Command Irvin in stock, smaller size evidently. They had another that recently sold it looks like.

Spitfire · May 31, 2009

I think it's now - in the middele of the hottest spring we've had for centuries - one should think about the new repro Irvin.
I have had several serious talks with Aero in Scotland about my new Pre-War type Irvin. And next week I am going to order it. They wont start making it before august - when the new sheepskin arrives. But I guesse I can wait that long.
But - man - am I looking forward to that!
This is the model: (From their website)

Hawk_Eye · May 31, 2009

Aero makes a really nice Irvin nowadays. Thick strong hide and sturdy construction, I love my Eastman but I certainly wouldn't mind having an example from both companies in my closet. You should take a look at a thread from late last year on VLJ by Jamesp, comparing his 1942 pattern Eastman with a pre-war pattern Aero Irvin in real deal hide. The real deal sheepskin looks incredible.
Sometime in the future I think I'd like to have Aero make me up a custom late-war pattern Irvin in real deal hide.

Spitfire · May 31, 2009

Yep - I saw that.
It's exactly the real deal pre-war I'm going to get.
And I am looking for a set of DOt zippers to be included too.

ethanedwards · Jun 3, 2009

Spitfire said:
Yep - I saw that.
It's exactly the real deal pre-war I'm going to get.
And I am looking for a set of DOt zippers to be included too.

If you asked, do you think they would taper the sleeve for you?

Spitfire · Jun 3, 2009

ethanedwards said:
If you asked, do you think they would taper the sleeve for you?

Not sure I understand what "taper the sleeve" means??????

taggers · Jun 3, 2009

Interesting thread. I now want an Irvin.

I have a no name flying jacket from (I guess) the 1950s/60s. It's no Irvin, but it's very much in a vintage/utilitarian vein.

It has synthetic tapes.

ethanedwards · Jun 3, 2009

Spitfire said:
Not sure I understand what "taper the sleeve" means??????

Sorry Soren, all I meant was that the arms on original Irvins (and Eastman's) reduce in diameter as you get nearer the cuff. I can't speak from experience but I don't imagine this would be a difficult thing for Aero to do? (Famous last words.......)

Spitfire · Jun 3, 2009

Oh - the shape of the sleeves?
Actually I think Aero allready has changed that. A year ago I bought a Irvin from them, where something had gone completely wrong, with the chestmeasures. They took it back - no problems.
But the very few minutes I had it on, I experienced for myself, that the sleeves got tighter towards the cuffs.
I have a very unflattering picture, to prove it

ethanedwards · Jun 3, 2009

Spitfire said:
Oh - the shape of the sleeves?
Actually I think Aero allready has changed that. A year ago I bought a Irvin from them, where something had gone completely wrong, with the chestmeasures. They took it back - no problems.
But the very few minutes I had it on, I experienced for myself, that the sleeves got tighter towards the cuffs.
I have a very unflattering picture, to prove it

That's good news, I didn't know they had done that. I think the nubbly wool on the Aero looks great - and now the waiting game begins..............

Spitfire · Jun 4, 2009

Just had a good mail correspondance with Amanda, and they do alter the sleeves to original shape, if people just ask for it.
I did.... That simple!

And what a great service they have.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Smithy · Jun 14, 2009

Spitfire said:
Just had a good mail correspondance with Amanda, and they do alter the sleeves to original shape, if people just ask for it.
I did.... That simple!

And what a great service they have.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Now this is something to look forward to Soren! Sounds like you're in line for that early pattern Irvin you've been wanting. Should be well worth the wait

Spitfire · Jun 14, 2009

You bet, Smithy! The pre-war, Battle of France/Battle of England type.

And (hopefully) it will arrive just in time for the new Irvin season.
(In the meantime I just go back and look at the pictures of James' jacket!

)

Nice to have you back, mate! Tally Ho!

Creeping Past · Jul 8, 2009

I still haven't got one. Just at the time when I've enough cash to buy a WPG one (I'm a beginner here), they've sold out of 46" chest ones. Another year.

John Lever · Jul 8, 2009

Spitfire said:
Just had a good mail correspondance with Amanda, and they do alter the sleeves to original shape, if people just ask for it.
I did.... That simple!

And what a great service they have.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

They have started to use the template that I sent them.
It was to be only for my Custom jacket, but Will asked would I mind if they used the template for all their jackets in future ?
I said yes, of course.

Spitfire · Aug 3, 2009

John Lever said:
They have started to use the template that I sent them.
It was to be only for my Custom jacket, but Will asked would I mind if they used the template for all their jackets in future ?
I said yes, of course.

Thanks, John!

Spitfire · Sep 24, 2009

It finally arrived

Well - it finally arrived. My new pre-war model IRVIN from AERO in Scotland.
Here it is:

What a nice detail!:eusa_clap

...and one more!!!!!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

And here it is - with a very happy owner inside.

It fits like a glove - but is also far too warm to zip up inside
Now I only need to break it in - it's right out of the box on this pic.

What do you gents think?

Smithy · Sep 24, 2009

Bloody fantastic Soren! :eusa_clap

It really looks wonderful, fit looks to be spot on. The arm pattern seems to be far better and the same as my ELC 1940 Pattern Irvin.

I'm really chuffed for you mate as I know how long you've wanted an early pattern Irvin

Now scramble old boy! 100+ Angels 15!

PADDY · Sep 24, 2009

Well Done Soren..!

Yep, you've got yourself a winner there :eusa_clap

And great to see that Aero have modified their designs on the Irvin, as it looks so much better now, especially in the arms, and the retainer strap at the back is a nice touch too!

You must be rightly chuffed and doing *snow dances* to get the weather over there to change quickly!!

John Lever · Sep 24, 2009

I am curious to know the actual shape of the arms. Do they have a bell shape to them ?
That was the shape of the template I sent to Will.

ALL REPRO R.A.F. Irvin type jackets

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One of the Regulars

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One of the Regulars

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New in Town

One of the Regulars

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One of the Regulars

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I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

One Too Many

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

One Too Many

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