Please<a href='http://www.eastmanleather.com/images/RAF42Vintagemontflat.jpg'> CLICK HERE</a> for larger image, and close ups of details. Originally designed by the parachute pioneer Leslie Leroy Irvin, the R.A.F. sheepskin flying jacket was the only sheepskin flying jacket to be issued to R.A.F. aircrews. From experience learned in the First World War, the necessity for some form of garment with a high degree of insulation became evident. From this need finally emerged the design commonly known as the 'Irvin'. The first examples went into production in 1931. Approved by the Air Ministry its production was contracted out to many manufacturers and not solely to the Irvin Airchute Company, as commonly believed. The pre-war jackets were manufactured with a somewhat extravagant use of the sheepskin material. They had undivided one-piece body panels requiring only the minimum of necessary seams. Although this facilitated easier assembly, it consumed much greater quantities of material. With the coming of war and the demand for greater quantities of jackets, a more economic method of manufacture had to be devised. It was decided that the earlier pattern should be divided into smaller panels, thus saving material, but which resulted in the consequential increase in the number of seams. However, as the war escalated, demand further increased putting manufacturers under increasing pressure to produce the garment even more economically. So, the already divided body panels, were further sub-divided into even more panels.This, together with newly recruited unskilled labour, achieved the aim but to the detriment of the quality of the garment. Whilst these measures served the need for wartime economics, they do not detract from the present day value of these highly sought after flying jackets. Many have now found their way into the memorabilia collections of wartime historians and enthusiasts, for no other garment depicts more readily the gallantry and selflessness of the flyers who wore them - the 'R.A.F. Sheepskin Flying Jacket'. More than 3 years of painstaking research, have gone into developing this garment, which is a reproduction typical of the 1941/42 period. The over-riding prerequisites of quality and authenticity have been strictly adhered to throughout. Presenting the most avid enthusiast with a jacket of unparalleled accuracy. Authentic specification includes: <li>Carefully selected sheepskin, tanned and finished to the correct colour, depth and character specification. In fact our sheepskin for this model RAF jacket is now made from our newly developed 'vintage' sheepskin. The outer finish of the sheepskin leather now has an incredibly authentic vintage finish, giving the garment a character of veteran quality - like an old jacket found in a chest of a veteran flyers attic, where it had laid for 60 years forgotten. The aged leather is subdued and dull, with time recorded in its grain of once flown gallant missions. (This is the jacket for you if you prefer a jacket that doesn't look brand new) <li> Cotton taped, brass zips, specially made to wartime design. <li>The main zip is complete with the slider box 'cup' - a unique feature found only on originals and 'Eastmans'!<li>Hand stitched, printed Linen label.Plus more! This is the definitive reproduction of the RAF jacket ... take a flight into Royal Air Force history with this unmistakable classic! Available in sizes: 34

RAF '42 Pattern

Sheepskin Flying Jacket - Vintage Finish

Please CLICK HERE for larger image, and close ups of details.

Originally designed by the parachute pioneer Leslie Leroy Irvin, the R.A.F. sheepskin flying jacket was the only sheepskin flying jacket to be issued to R.A.F. aircrews.

From experience learned in the First World War, the necessity for some form of garment with a high degree of insulation became evident. From this need finally emerged the design commonly known as the 'Irvin'. The first examples went into production in 1931.

Approved by the Air Ministry its production was contracted out to many manufacturers and not solely to the Irvin Airchute Company, as commonly believed. The pre-war jackets were manufactured with a somewhat extravagant use of the sheepskin material. They had undivided one-piece body panels requiring only the minimum of necessary seams. Although this facilitated easier assembly, it consumed much greater quantities of material.

With the coming of war and the demand for greater quantities of jackets, a more economic method of manufacture had to be devised. It was decided that the earlier pattern should be divided into smaller panels, thus saving material, but which resulted in the consequential increase in the number of seams. However, as the war escalated, demand further increased putting manufacturers under increasing pressure to produce the garment even more economically. So, the already divided body panels, were further sub-divided into even more panels.This, together with newly recruited unskilled labour, achieved the aim but to the detriment of the quality of the garment.

Whilst these measures served the need for wartime economics, they do not detract from the present day value of these highly sought after flying jackets. Many have now found their way into the memorabilia collections of wartime historians and enthusiasts, for no other garment depicts more readily the gallantry and selflessness of the flyers who wore them - the 'R.A.F. Sheepskin Flying Jacket'.

More than 3 years of painstaking research, have gone into developing this garment, which is a reproduction typical of the 1941/42 period. The over-riding prerequisites of quality and authenticity have been strictly adhered to throughout. Presenting the most avid enthusiast with a jacket of unparalleled accuracy.

Authentic specification includes:

Carefully selected sheepskin, tanned and finished to the correct colour, depth and character specification. In fact our sheepskin for this model RAF jacket is now made from our newly developed 'vintage' sheepskin.

The outer finish of the sheepskin leather now has an incredibly authentic vintage finish, giving the garment a character of veteran quality - like an old jacket found in a chest of a veteran flyers attic, where it had laid for 60 years forgotten. The aged leather is subdued and dull, with time recorded in its grain of once flown gallant missions.

(This is the jacket for you if you prefer a jacket that doesn't look brand new)

Cotton taped, brass zips, specially made to wartime design.

The main zip is complete with the slider box 'cup' - a unique feature found only on originals and 'Eastmans'!

Hand stitched, printed Linen label. Plus more!

This is the definitive reproduction of the RAF jacket ... take a flight into Royal Air Force history with this unmistakable classic!

Available in sizes: 34 - 48.