michael pridham Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 Hi Folks, I'am looking for a good quality Flying jacket, can anybody recommend a good make and supplier please. Thanks Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Hogan Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 The best and most original flying jackets were made by Irving. These are still available from Aviation Leathercraft. They are based at the Thruxton race circuit. I bought mine many years ago and its the best thing for an open top sidescreen car but you would find them rather restrictive on a tr4 /tr6 body. The fleece is very thick and the original flying jackets didn't have any pockets in them. I did have pockets sewn into mine as they are more comfortable with them. You can get a jacket from them with a thinner fleece and that might be more practical in a later car. They aren't cheap, mine cost about £400 over ten years ago. Another makes are Cirrus who also do them to the original RAF pattern. There are plenty of other poor imitations out there too ranging from a couple of hundred pounds but you do get what you pay for. hoges Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 (edited) I have a Cirrus - expensive but you get what you pay for (~£670 about 7 years ago). Kept me warm on the Goodwood Members meeting parade in March this year, and on many other occasions. Edited October 8, 2018 by Rod1883 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 You can buy an Irvin jacket from the RAF Museum, or IWM Duxford - £740, last time I looked. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 (edited) . Edited April 16, 2020 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 Hi Folks, when I got my 4A on the road in '98 I didn't know about stylish/expensive flying jackets. I went down to our big (very big) Sunday market at the Western International and had a look at what they had. I ended up with a jacket that had plenty of room inside for the navigator to also keep warm. It is on the large side. I have come to like my jacket. It is house trained and doesn't eat a lot. During the early Summer I had to sew in a number of patches as the outer leather is becoming worn. It is really soft and lovely. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 I would add that Cirrus made mine to measure. I'm not sure they are still in operation though as I can't seem to find a live website. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 (edited) . Edited April 16, 2020 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
michael pridham Posted October 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 Many thanks for your replies. Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard71 Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 53 minutes ago, RogerH said: Hi Folks, when I got my 4A on the road in '98 I didn't know about stylish/expensive flying jackets. I went down to our big (very big) Sunday market at the Western International and had a look at what they had. I ended up with a jacket that had plenty of room inside for the navigator to also keep warm. It is on the large side. I have come to like my jacket. It is house trained and doesn't eat a lot. During the early Summer I had to sew in a number of patches as the outer leather is becoming worn. It is really soft and lovely. Roger Sounds like my sofa! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SuzanneH Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 (edited) I purchased my Flying jacket from a leather merchant at Beaulieu one very hot September Autojumble day back in about 2000. Mine cost £160.00 and Rogers,mentioned above from a market, was about £120.00. Mine is nicely worn in now and soft and comfortable, it takes a while to wear them in and tame them. Sue Edited October 8, 2018 by SuzanneH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crawfie Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 "It takes a time to wear them in and tame them" Not Roger.....surely ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 New ones are nice but ugly till worn in. But a good used one better so my visitors/guest jacket spare. Original Shearling 1940 flying jacket Worn in but no rips or tears. OVER £600 new now. MAKE ME REALISTIC offer plus postage. Rod Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ragtag Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 I got mine on ebay. Ok it isn't an Ervine but it is still very robustly made, very warm but didn't cost the earth. Mine is the B3 style, I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SuzanneH Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 11 hours ago, Crawfie said: "It takes a time to wear them in and tame them" Not Roger.....surely ! Nope, he’s a law unto himself and untameable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 (edited) Bought mine in the late 60's, from Millets (I think) very much the WW2 style, thick sheepskin etc, does have pockets. The sheepskin is not very tough though, & it can easily be torn, Mine lay dormant for a long time when I was without the TR, but now in regular use during the cold months. I did a large repair job on all the tears, & re-enforced the repairs using Copydex rubber adhesive. This worked well, so I then went further, & after dying the whole thing with brown fabric dye (it had lost a lot of it's colour) I coated the whole outer surface with several coats of Copydex. This has made it much tougher. The resulting "stickyness" is removed by sprinkling talcum powder over it, & rubbing in. It doesn't show ! Tetsworth Surrey Oaks Not sure where the hair went Bob. Edited October 9, 2018 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 I'm very impressed and envious that you are still able to get into your old flying jacket Bob. Anything I wore in my teens/early twenties would only go about 2/3rds or 3/4qtrs around me now! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SuzanneH Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 I’m very impressed with the recreation of the original photograph Bob, well done. Sue Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 8 minutes ago, SuzanneH said: I’m very impressed with the recreation of the original photograph Bob, well done. Sue Nah, he left out the HA Viva! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
glasgow4a Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 I have a very good one made by English Classics size 42L pm me for details cheers Ian. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G Denson Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 I hate to say but “ she who must be obeyed “ picked up a WW11 USAF flying jacket from our local tip for the princely sum of £5.00. Fits perfectly. No rips or tears in excellent condition. After a professional clean it was as good as new. I have had good use of it for the last eight years. Cheers Gordon D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark & Sarah Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 On 10/8/2018 at 7:44 PM, Fireman049 said: Hi Michael ~ I bought my Irvin flying jacket a few years ago. I paid about £450 for it. It's the best flying jacket you can buy in my opinion. Mine is fitted with pockets and is ideal for driving an open TR. Highly recommended. Tom. Tom was the pocket for a pot of vasaliene Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) . Edited April 16, 2020 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dic Doretti Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 I bought one at a Millets clearance sale many years ago, it was 10 shillings! and it kept me warm over many thousands of miles on a motorbike, my only form of transport. Much better than the traditional leather jacket but not great quality and eventually fell to pieces. The Swallow I am restoring has a roof so hopefully I will not need another one. Cheers Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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