• Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
  • Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets
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Revive Restore Vintage

Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets

Original 1978 Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket – Early Aviation Leathercraft, No Pockets

£995
£995
Sale Archived
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

An Irvin RAF sheepskin flying jacket from 1978, made in England by Aviation Leathercraft under exclusive licence from Irvin G.B. Ltd. It comes from the early years of production and is the early model without pockets, which makes it a rare piece. It is cut to the classic Irvin pattern in dark brown sheepskin with a thick tan fleece, an asymmetric front zip, zipped sleeves and a belted waist.

The Irvin jacket was designed by Leslie Irvin, the American parachute maker, for RAF aircrew facing the cold of high-altitude flying in the 1930s. It became standard issue through the Second World War. Production stopped after the war, and by the 1970s good examples had become scarce.

In 1977, Simon Green, a pilot and the founder of the steering wheel maker Moto-Lita, set out to make one for himself. With help from Irvin G.B. Ltd and staff at the RAF Museum at Hendon, he reconstructed the jacket, and by the company's own account he later received original patterns and machinery from one of Irvin's wartime subcontractors. Irvin approved the pattern and the use of the name, and Aviation Leathercraft began production at Thruxton in Hampshire. This jacket was made in 1978, and its woven label carries the licence wording and the Thruxton Airport address.

This early model has no pockets, leaving the front clean. Early Aviation Leathercraft jackets in this form are hard to find today, and this one is a genuine collector's piece.

The sheepskin is heavy and the fleece is dense, giving real warmth without bulk. The body is built from several panels joined with raised, taped seams, in the manner of the wartime jackets. The outer skin carries a finish with a deep, glossy depth. Along the raised seam edges this has worn back to a lighter brown, outlining each panel against the darker body. The fleece is a warm tan, with natural shading across the inside of the body.

The large shearling collar can be worn open or turned up and closed with the leather throat strap and its double D-rings. The asymmetric front zip runs at an angle to clear the collar. The sleeves zip open at the cuff, with leather gussets beneath, so the jacket could be worn over gauntlets. Under each arm, a gusset carries nine metal vent holes, a number found on many Irvin jackets of the late 1930s. A full leather belt with a brass buckle and eyelets runs through loops at the waist. There is a chain hanger at the back of the collar, and the cuffs and hem are finished in fleece.

Condition & Restoration

Excellent vintage condition.

Cleaned in-house and conditioned with our own sheepskin leather conditioner from our Workshop Blends. The leather is supple, and the patina is intact.

Seams and structure are sound throughout. The zips run smoothly, and the belt and throat strap fasten as they should. The fleece is full and clean. Light wear to the finish along the seam edges is consistent with age and use.

All photographs show the actual jacket for sale and form an important part of the condition description.

Key Features

  • 1978 Irvin RAF sheepskin flying jacket
  • Early Aviation Leathercraft production, Thruxton
  • Rare and collectable early model without pockets
  • Original Irvin licence label
  • Dark brown sheepskin with thick tan fleece
  • Panelled construction with taped seams
  • Large shearling collar with throat strap and double D-rings
  • Asymmetric YKK front zip
  • Zipped sleeves with leather gussets
  • Underarm gussets with nine vent holes each side
  • Full leather belt with brass buckle
  • Fleece cuffs and hem
  • Chain hanger at the collar

Size & Fit

Measurements taken laid flat:

  • Chest (armpit to armpit): 21.5 in / 55 cm
  • Shoulders (seam to seam): 18.5 in / 47 cm
  • Sleeve (shoulder seam to cuff): 25.5 in / 65 cm
  • Sleeve (underarm seam to cuff): 20 in / 51 cm
  • Back length (collar seam to hem): 24 in / 61 cm

Labelled size: 38 Regular.

Best suited to: a 37 inch chest.

Fit: Comes up slightly small for the labelled size. Sizing from that era tends to run a little smaller than today's, and the jacket follows the close cut of the original Irvin pattern. Short in the body, finishing at the waist. Please check these measurements against a jacket you already own.

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