Polypropylene underwear is another way to stay warm. It's also availabe at a surplus store. I don't know how bulky this field jacket liner is, but I often wear a wollen vest underneath my M-422A. The one I use is from the New Zealand firm, Swanndri, but Filson offers similar looking vests -- as do o...

So this all boils down to the following:

When in doubt, use the jell - and get an Australian oilskin to wear when it looks like it might rain.

Here's how the shipping company broke it down for me (who were actually pretty sympathetic and easy to deal with) I don't know how "sympathetic," ect. they were, but many people have unpleasant surprises when dealing with shipping companies. I strongly suggest people use POP (Plain Old Po...

What kind of leather?

For in depth discussion of RAF gear, goto te WW2 RAF Colklectors/Reenactors Forum: It's hoped that this site will allow a common meeting environment to discus topics relevant to the WW2-era British/Commonwealth Air Forces, with particular emphasis on collecting issues and the challenges facing Livin...

My Irvin from Aero has arrived. It is a one-panel, pre-WWII type. I chose this because: a) obviously this was the type the RAF preferred - other types only being adopted due to circumstances. b) Eastman says the one panel type was used during the Battle of Britain. c) Even if Aero is right that the ...

Here are some authentic WWII era Irvins. These are not reproductions but rather actual jackets worn by RAF pilots and crew members. http://neoclassicists.net/indygear/raf/1940_Irvin.jpg http://neoclassicists.net/indygear/raf/Hurricane_Irvin.jpg http://neoclassicists.net/indygear/raf/Irvin_4.jpg http...

Here is a site that offers RAF gear: http://stby.com/airdigger/repro.htm Items offered include: Type D Flying Gloves RAF Mk VIII Goggles. Replacement Lenses RAF KD Trousers OR-Pattern KD Jacket RAF Battledress Uniform RAF NCO/OR Sidecap RAF Other Ranks Service Dress Uniforms Black Aircrew Sweater Va...

Of course, the think to wear with an Irvin is a RAF Rollneck sweater. Those of you familiar with Hogan's Heroes will recognize this sweater as the character, Newkirk's. Both Eastman and Aero offer versions. Aero: http://neoclassicists.net/indygear/raf/RAF-aero.jpg Eastman: http://neoclassicists.net/...

In addition to Aero, Eastman, and U S Authentic, the following vendors also offer Irvins:

Cirrus:

http://www.flyingjacket.com/fjacket.htm


Aviation Leathercraft:

http://www.flying-jacket.com/jak1.asp

In order to prevent this thread from becoming a long advretisment for Aero, here are the two blurbs from Eastman about its two Irvins: The RAF 1940 Pattern Sheepskin Flying Jacket has been added to our range due to popular demand. Although very similar to the 1942 Pattern jacket that we already prod...

Here is some more detailed information from Aero about their four types of Irvins: The very first Irvin's made in 1931/32 had no tape on the long back seam on the sleeve, exactly like a USAAF type B-6. They also had a strap and buckle attachment under the collar with the buckle having a prong and th...

On my latest communication fromAero, they state:

The shearling we have for the Irvin is very good. We do have a lighter
weight shearling but this is not really suitable for the Irvin.

I take this to mean that the lighter weight Irvins will not be offered.

Here are a couple of links providing information about what Battle of Britain pilots wore: http://www.neoclassicists.net/indygear/raf/JAKTIRVN.jpg http://www.neoclassicists.net/indygear/raf/Life_v_1_small.jpg http://www.neoclassicists.net/indygear/raf/PARABRIT.jpg http://www.apejoe.com/Aviation/Brit...

My immediate email response from Aero has been encouraging. HOwever, I note that Aero's "Battle of Britain" spec Irvins are half pannel while its full-panel Irvins are characterized as "pre-World War Two." I have heard elsewhere that the actual Battle of Britain Irvins were full ...

I am considering the purchase of an RAF Irvin jacket. Aero, Eastman, and US Authentic offer these. Perhaps others do as well. I am most particularly interested in the Aero because the company has a good reputation and the cost seems reasonable. Does anybody have any experieice with Irvins from any o...

Question: Given that professional leather cleaning is so expensive, when does one do it?

How often (once a year?).

Under what circumstances: what sort of condition should your jacket be in before considering this? When would it be a mistake not to get the jacket cleaned?

For a shirt that is true to the Indy spirit differs somewhat from the Indy letter, consider the Orvis Bushveld Elephant shirt, which is first cousin - so to speak - to the Orvis Bush Shirt. The Bushveld shirt differs from the Bush shirt with slightly lighter cloth, no epaulets, and leather tabs on i...

I hapen to be size 35, which LL Bean can fit, unlike many vendors who offer 34 and 36 but no 35. I also am size 41 shirt - or should be - but most vendors offer medium as 38-40 and large as 42-44. Apparently those of us who are 40 - 42 are supposed to go about bare chested or something. Of course, w...

For a set of boots that capture the spirit if not the letter of Indy's boots, consider those offered by H. S. Trask of Bozeman, Montana. http://www.hstrask.com/retail/default.asp Trask shoes are made from bison, elk, or longhorn. Trask describes its product as follows: "As Bison grazed nearby, ...

I've concluded that wearing a bow tie, other than at weddings and formal occassions, has the effect of tagging you as having politicaly conservative leanings. As far as clip ons, it's been said that REAL men (ladies) tie their own ties. :wink: Archibald Cox, of Watergate fame, wore a boe tie. A lot...

Traditionally, a gentleman removes his hat whenever indoors. Did Indy?


Besides which, it can be a bit silly and downright inconvenient to remove a hat when going to some really informal place, like a grocery store.


So when do people remove their Indy hats?

The Hanhart Watch factory based in Dissenhofen, Switzerland, made watches for the Luftwaffe and for the Kriegsmarine U-boat commanders. Although Indy himself would not have worn these watches, the various bad guys would have. Reproductions are available (at nearly $2000.00 each <g>). http://www.hist...

I just visitied the USWings site, and this is what it says about shrinkage: Important: these are military-fit shirts, which means they run small. For a more normal fit, order one size larger. To prevent excessive shrinkage, the shirt should not be placed in a dryer. Drip-dry only. http://www.uswings...

I just purchased one of these shirts, so I can't say how it may respond to washing. However, I am puzzled by these statements that it is so heavy. I also happen to have several Orvis Bush shirts - and while the US Wings shirt is heavier than a light cotton shirt - it is much lighter than an Orvis Bu...