I was born and raised in the UK, with Spitfires flying over my house, listening to family tell tales of RAF pilots during war and reading Biggles books, so it's no surprise that when someone says to me flying jacket, my first thought is of an Irvin. The timeless Irvin pattern was developed during the 30s, and by the outbreak of war in 1939 was the standard RAF flying jacket.
This example is clearly labeled and dated 1944. This bears all the hallmarks of a late-war refurbished jacket including the contract number 40288 - common practice during the latter part of the war, when jackets would go back to stores and be repaired or have panels replace with shearling from old flying trousers. This is a classic late-war example of an Irvin, in very good condition!
Condition
This is in very good original condition. All the original zippers work nicely, the tag and chain hanging loop are still in place. There is some light wear to the very outer layer of shearling, but again that's very common and won't inhibit wearing if that's your intention. A very very good example.
Size
- No label, but fits a modern large/XL
- Pit to pit 24"
- Shoulder to shoulder 21"
- Shoulder to cuff 26"
- Collar to hem 26"