New B3 Jacket, but which one?
Hi everybody, With the very cold UK weather I recently bought a vintage B3 jacket From eBay. I loved it but it was too big for me. Also, I didn’t like the smell much. It was a strong musty smell on the...
View ArticleB-3 and RAF Irivn finish?
Question, The B-3 had a lacquered finish as I understand. Were the Irvin jackets lacquered also? Thanks Steve
View ArticleThe future of Jacket Collecting (Original and Repro)
With the end of WW2 fast approaching 70 years it did make me think about how more recent generations see, view and understand the conflict and especially with regard to this forum the types, collecting...
View ArticleWWII RoughWear B3
I purchased this nearly 5 years ago. Always wanted one from WWII. It came from an estate if I remember correctly. As you can see it’s a RoughWear. Little did I know at the time the same company made...
View ArticleNavy jacket contract list?
I remember there was a list of Navy contracts with production numbers, etc. Where in the forums might I find that? Thanks!
View ArticleRALPH (LAUREN) LIFSHITZ
Anyone else see this pic of Ralph last weekend in the Wall Street Journal? View attachment 11265
View ArticleA few observations and an appeal.
At the risk of ruffling a few feathers or being accused of preaching to some of the converted here... Since re-registering on VLJ last year I have followed some very interesting threads where repro's...
View ArticleUSCockWingsUSA does it again: frontal assault on the A-1
Once again, Give Us Your Money Because It's Made In The US of F***in' A! View attachment 14177 Giant side entry pockets? Check. "Knit" parts (actually insta-pill acrylic)? Check. Giant label? Check....
View ArticleNo-name W535-AC-27753 (Cable).. Horsehide or cowhide???
Good morning fellas I just received my first A-2, a No-name W535-AC-27753, I normally wear 42 in G-1’s but this is one is 40 so I took my chances. The condition is great for being 77 years old, the...
View ArticleTo patch or not to patch...
What would you do? I am a bit biased about putting a patch on that jacket. View attachment 14257 View attachment 14256
View ArticleWhat do you think is the most iconic flight jacket in history
What do you think is the most iconic flight jacket in history. By that I mean for a person with no interest in flight jackets. For me it would be 1. Irvin. [I wish it was cold enough here in winter to...
View ArticleHLB M-422?
I've been in touch with someone that says they have a HLB M-422, but I thought Monarch, W&G and Switlik were the only makers of that contract. I know that HLB made a M-422a, so what differences...
View ArticleLegally avoiding import taxes for WWII Jackets
Yes it can be done. Use a customs declaration form CN22 or CN23. On the far right next to Item Description there is a box for a Tariff code. Use the code 9705.00.70 Make sure and put "Original WWII...
View ArticleWWII VP-17 M-422A with nice theater made patch
I have been collecting WWII Navy flight jackets for the last 15 years and this the first patched WWII flight jacket I have that was actually patched and worn in WWII. Those things are beyond rare....
View ArticleWho else now prefers the A1 to the A2
I don't know if it's just an age thing [I'm 54] but I now favour my A1 over my A2, it's now become my go to jacket, I thinks it's the obvious 20s 30s style of the A-1 that I prefer. I really don't give...
View ArticlePostwar cheap surplus store gear
I'm planning a rummage through several boxes old family photos as I'm sure there are some in there showing dad on one of his bikes wearing surplus Irvin, '41 flying boots, gauntlets etc. There some of...
View ArticleCurrent inventory
At the end of a significant downsize i am left with the following: leathers Eastman 18775 defunct contract in russet horse Eastman monarch without inner pockets Goodwear 27753 in the pipeline Mccoys...
View Articlecloth over leather: yes, no, and when...
Going to try my biiig ATF fleece-lined Navy deck jacket over my Headwind cape A-1 for subzero cold plus wind chill. Probably nicely warm, but how lameass is it to wear your leather anywhere but on the...
View ArticleMystery A2 jacket
Can anyone help me figure out who made this A2 jacket? I bought it at a local hospice thrift shop. Needless to say, I was not leaving without buying the jacket, despite the missing label. Too many...
View ArticleWhatever happened to the Goldsmith A2 ?
After several pages of research , photo analysis, information sharing , design modifications and speculation, whatever happened to the planned releases of the repro Goldsmith A2 jackets. I know that...
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