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New B3 Jacket, but which one?

Southoftheborder

Well-Known Member
Those Aviation Leathercraft jackets are very well made. I tried on some of their Irvin style jackets down in Thruxton when I bought one of their aircrew jackets about twenty years ago. The thing is that they are in no way reproductions of genuine wartime Irvin jackets. Even though Mota Lita, the company that owns AL bought the rights to the Irvin name and makes a big fuss about them being the only genuine Irvin. Wartime jackets were made by many companies just as A 2 jackets were in the US, and all were slightly different. But these jackets aren't based on any particular pattern, and to the best of my knowledge Mota Lita didn't get any patterns when they bought the name and some of the machinery years ago.

They started off making them without pockets like originals but found people wanted then. So they now have pockets as standard and you have to special order one if you don't want them. Many companies sell sheepskin jackets loosely based on wartime ones of both the RAF and USAAF - just like the one you bought and sent back. But not many sell really good reproductions; and that is what those who want good copies pay for.

BTW if you want practicality Irvin jackets aren't very practical in the UK climate. I've owned a couple including a very nice older type pre broken hide Eastman Irvin, and the things are just too warm and bulky for all but the coldest days. I have D 1 and B6 copies now and they are very practical and have pockets. The D 1 is lighter weight and is a very stylish jacket. Check it out.

Lastly I think many people can regret going for something like the Aviation Leathercraft Irvin when they learn more about the history of the type. I've read quite a few posts on forums like this one of people who bought into the 'genuine Irvin' hype and regretted it later. All said how well made they were too...

But they bought also very well made but much better copies of wartime jackets later.
 

riopaulf

Member
Those Aviation Leathercraft jackets are very well made. I tried on some of their Irvin style jackets down in Thruxton when I bought one of their aircrew jackets about twenty years ago. The thing is that they are in no way reproductions of genuine wartime Irvin jackets. Even though Mota Lita, the company that owns AL bought the rights to the Irvin name and makes a big fuss about them being the only genuine Irvin. Wartime jackets were made by many companies just as A 2 jackets were in the US, and all were slightly different. But these jackets aren't based on any particular pattern, and to the best of my knowledge Mota Lita didn't get any patterns when they bought the name and some of the machinery years ago.

They started off making them without pockets like originals but found people wanted then. So they now have pockets as standard and you have to special order one if you don't want them. Many companies sell sheepskin jackets loosely based on wartime ones of both the RAF and USAAF - just like the one you bought and sent back. But not many sell really good reproductions; and that is what those who want good copies pay for.

BTW if you want practicality Irvin jackets aren't very practical in the UK climate. I've owned a couple including a very nice older type pre broken hide Eastman Irvin, and the things are just too warm and bulky for all but the coldest days. I have D 1 and B6 copies now and they are very practical and have pockets. The D 1 is lighter weight and is a very stylish jacket. Check it out.

Lastly I think many people can regret going for something like the Aviation Leathercraft Irvin when they learn more about the history of the type. I've read quite a few posts on forums like this one of people who bought into the 'genuine Irvin' hype and regretted it later. All said how well made they were too...

But they bought also very well made but much better copies of wartime jackets later.
Thanks for all that info! I really like the D-1 Redskin. Very stylish. Looks practical too with the pockets. Not too bulky and will keep you warm when you venture outside.
The UK isn't like Siberia or flying high in the sky so maybe the D-3 is my answer? I am a driving instructor for my day job but often have to go outside.
Is it something that could v3 comfortably worn in a car?
Damn! So many choices!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 

MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
Have a look at the B-6 too, similar to the D-1 but with a more tailored back and epaulettes. Lots of people here speak very highly of them. The bi-swing back may give better freedom of movement for driving. The D-1 was designed as a ground crew jacket, although you see pics of fliers wearing them. A much simpler design, which appeals to some. More food for thought.
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
I love my D-1 which is an ELC, though if I were buying one now I’d probably go for the Aero Redskin D-1.

Don’t underestimate the warmth of a D-1, or I presume B-6. They are well able to cope with all but the very coldest UK days and if, as a driving instructor, you’re hopping in and out of cars you will likely find either jacket too much, particularly if you’re sharing the vehicle with a less warmly clad student and need the heating on! IMHO, a B-3 or Irvin would be out of the question in this scenario, unless you’re giving driving lessons north of Aberdeen in an open top car!

Btw, the fleece on an Aero D-1 is slightly longer so the jacket will be slightly warmer than an ELC.

If you want a jacket for hopping in an out of cars I’d suggest an A-2 or B-10 and like weighted jackets worn with a long sleeved t shirt or sweater or CPO shirt to tailor for conditions on the day.

Just my tuppence worth and hope it helps.

Cheers
 

riopaulf

Member
I’m loving all these suggestions and info, guys! I really do appreciate the time you have taken to help me understand.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

A2 B3au

Well-Known Member
Yeah true B3s don’t and mines a seal brown.Alc do a B3 too but I’ve only ever seen 1 person with it. It’s such a shame we can’t get to try these jackets before we buy , Eastman and aero both have stalls at certain events during the summer and a pop up store in December in London which is handy to try but you’ve missed that .im based in west London and have a couple B3s you can try if your were local
 

A2 B3au

Well-Known Member
D8C24EB0-04B6-4761-BC4E-594FCC7B384B.jpeg
Stanerzs is spot on I prefer my aero B6 for comfort and practicality and the D1 and B6 have pockets
 

riopaulf

Member
Have a look at the B-6 too, similar to the D-1 but with a more tailored back and epaulettes. Lots of people here speak very highly of them. The bi-swing back may give better freedom of movement for driving. The D-1 was designed as a ground crew jacket, although you see pics of fliers wearing them. A much simpler design, which appeals to some. More food for thought.

Thanks Mikey, what’s a bi-swing back? I don’t understand that feature....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

A2 B3au

Well-Known Member
Those Aviation Leathercraft jackets are very well made. I tried on some of their Irvin style jackets down in Thruxton when I bought one of their aircrew jackets about twenty years ago. The thing is that they are in no way reproductions of genuine wartime Irvin jackets. Even though Mota Lita, the company that owns AL bought the rights to the Irvin name and makes a big fuss about them being the only genuine Irvin. Wartime jackets were made by many companies just as A 2 jackets were in the US, and all were slightly different. But these jackets aren't based on any particular pattern, and to the best of my knowledge Mota Lita didn't get any patterns when they bought the name and some of the machinery years ago.

They started off making them without pockets like originals but found people wanted then. So they now have pockets as standard and you have to special order one if you don't want them. Many companies sell sheepskin jackets loosely based on wartime ones of both the RAF and USAAF - just like the one you bought and sent back. But not many sell really good reproductions; and that is what those who want good copies pay for.

BTW if you want practicality Irvin jackets aren't very practical in the UK climate. I've owned a couple including a very nice older type pre broken hide Eastman Irvin, and the things are just too warm and bulky for all but the coldest days. I have D 1 and B6 copies now and they are very practical and have pockets. The D 1 is lighter weight and is a very stylish jacket. Check it out.

Lastly I think many people can regret going for something like the Aviation Leathercraft Irvin when they learn more about the history of the type. I've read quite a few posts on forums like this one of people who bought into the 'genuine Irvin' hype and regretted it later. All said how well made they were too...

But they bought also very well made but much better copies of wartime jackets later.[/QUOTE Very well put and very true SoB
 

s4rmark

Well-Known Member
I have an Eastman Leather B-6 and as stanier says, they can cope easily with the UK climate. Much more comfortable too, when driving.
 

Otter

Well-Known Member
Bi swing is like a pleat, quite deep, in this case running in the vertical at the back of the bracket, I just rat the top of the sleeves. It allows more give in the sleeves when you move, meaning the shoulders can be fitted a little tighter while still giving you a very good degree of movement.
 

A2 B3au

Well-Known Member
F124C1B6-AEA2-4E3A-804A-F18A8212978E.jpeg
Bi swing is like a pleat, quite deep, in this case running in the vertical at the back of the bracket, I just rat the top of the sleeves. It allows more give in the sleeves when you move, meaning the shoulders can be fitted a little tighter while still giving you a very good degree of movement.
That's an aero B6 I'm wearing in the post above it's in redskin
 

Otter

Well-Known Member
Riopaulf, if you have a wee look at the two photos that have been kindly posted you can see what I mean. The D1 shoulder comes down further to give you space to move, the B6 has the bi fold so it can be a closer fit.
 
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