This is our favorite sheepskin jacket from Eastman Leather Clothing and we cannot say enough good about it.  If you want a timeless classic for winter that can be worn anywhere at any age, and which will only look better from years of  hard use, this is that intangible purchase that defies adequate description and which can just be simply said to be, upon the first try-on in front of the mirror - "Worth every penny!"

Originally designed in the early 1930's by parachute pioneer Leslie Leroy Irvin, this RAF sheepskin flight jacket was the only type issued to RAF aircrews, evolving through numerous spec. changes throughout its production life before being withdrawn from production in 1944. Though contracted to many firms to produce, including the Irvin Parachute Co., the original designer's last name has always identified this flight jacket.  After 1941, the critical material shortages and expenses placed on England compelled its army, air and naval ministries to modify many items of gear and clothing in an effort to stay in the war as cheaply and efficiently as possible.  The RAF Aircrew Jacket faced such modifications, causing the flight jacket to increasingly be manufactured from more and more separate panels of sheepskin (yielding more visible seams) to get more use from leftover pelts that would otherwise be thrown out if the pre-1941 design were adhered to.  Over the course of the war years, the jacket continued to gain more panel splices and saw ever-increasing use of lower-grade sheepskin, making the earlier flight jackets quite desirable, even back at that time.  Other notable differences among these jackets is the sheepskin used in construction.  

There are dozens of different breeds of sheep, and the difference between the characteristics and nature of them is wide:  they can range from soft and silky to tough and coarse, and from long and hair-like to short and nubbly.  Additionally, the coloring of the wool found on the original jackets can vary from tan, champagne, ginger, brown, and even black.  It can also be observed from original examples of RAF jackets, that some were made from a noticeably softer outer skin with slightly lower-depth wool. These were largely made from a Merino-type breed of sheepskin, and this skin is well known for its softness and high-quality texture, which is the version recreated here called The Fly Weight.

There were several manufacturers who produced RAF sheepskin flying jackets for the Air Ministry, and during the pre-war years they would often reveal their name and location on the garment label; it was only in later years into the war that the names and places were absent, as they learned this could lead to the producer becoming a target of the enemy due to it being a producer of war materiel.

This Fly-Weight model emulates the early style of RAF jacket commonly produced in the late 1930's, being made from a Merino skin that has been custom made to Eastman's exacting specifications to accurately recreate the appearance, feel, and texture of the originals, along with a classic commercial-style neck label that was typical of the 1930's.  Additionally, this outer skin has been specially produced to have a ‘crazed’, vintage-like appearance, and a fleece that has that typical nubbly texture that can been seen on original examples of this type. Other authentic details include:

• Lighter-shade sheep-wool color

• Aniline-dyed, vegetable-tanned leather for the seam trimming and one-piece pull-through zip thongs

• Specially selected hides tanned & dyed to match the jackets made in the early years, including a "crazed" vintage-like finish and soft pliability with a lower-depth wool (0.5") than is found on our other RAF jacket styles

• Leather pull tabs on zips

• Authentic zippers custom made to early Air Ministry design specs. including the slider box cup (a feature found only on these and original examples)

• All-cotton elasticized strap behind collar for quickly fastening this up

• Hand-sewn linen spec. label in typical 1930's "commercial" layout

One of the most impressive aspects of this product is not just it’s uncanny authenticity, but that it’s the most easy-wearing, soft, comfortable sheepskin flying jacket we offer - you will not want to take off - it's as if you're on Cloud Nine in The Fly Weight!  

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on custom order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Made in England

Originally designed in 1931 by parachute pioneer Leslie Leroy Irvin, this RAF sheepskin flight jacket was the only type issued to RAF aircrews, evolving through numerous spec. changes throughout its production life before being withdrawn from production in 1944. Though contracted to many firms to produce, including the Irvin Parachute Co., the original designer's last name has always identified this flight jacket.  After 1941, the critical material shortages and expenses placed on England compelled its military, air and naval ministries to modify many items of gear and clothing in an effort to stay in the war as cheaply and efficiently as possible.  The RAF Aircrew Jacket faced such modifications, causing the flight jacket to increasingly be manufactured from more and more separate panels of sheepskin (yielding more visible seams) to get more use from leftover pelts that would otherwise be thrown out if the pre-1941 design were adhered to.  Over the course of the war years the jacket continued to gain more panel splices and saw ever-increasing use of lower-grade sheepskin, making the earlier flight jackets quite desirable even back at that time.  Today, all of the original RAF flight jackets are highly collectible, though a premium is typically paid for the very early garments made with the fewest sheepskin panels.

The RAF flight jacket depicted here is the type worn by the RAF Fighter Command pilots who saved England during the greatest air battle of all time – “The Battle of Britain.” The RAF pre-1941 pattern Aircrew Jacket, although very similar to the post-1941 jacket we offer, still bears some noteworthy differences.  As already mentioned, the pre-1941 pattern flight jacket differs mostly from the later ’42 pattern in its larger-panel, fewer-seam construction. As you can see from the images there are no chest seams to the front or back, nor are there any cross seams in the sleeves.  This, as Britain's Air Ministry found out during the war, is a much more costly way to make the flight jacket - the larger panels making conservative use of the sheepskin pelts very difficult.  The pre-1941 pattern uses around 30% more material than the '42 pattern, hence the cost difference, even today. Other differences include: a lighter-shade sheepskin color, high-quality aniline-dyed leather for the seam trimming and one-piece pull-through zip thongs.  The following original details are also incorporated in this pre-1941 pattern flight jacket: specially selected hides tanned & dyed to match the luxurious jackets made in the early years; no-pocket construction (hand-warmer pockets never appeared on the original RAF flight jackets); leather pull tabs on genuine brass zips; authentic zippers on all-cotton tape, custom made to wartime design including the slider box cup (a feature found only on ours and original examples); ventilated arm pit gussets; all-cotton elasticized strap behind collar for quickly fastening this up; hand-sewn linen spec. label and more...

Never before reproduced to this degree of quality and authenticity, our pre-1941 pattern “Battle of Britain” flight jacket will now, undoubtedly, satisfy all those who have been looking for the quintessential RAF flight jacket forever associated with those gallant "Few" of RAF Fighter Command who sacrificed themselves to save England in the summer of 1940.  Tally-ho!

Sizes available: 36-48 regular. Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on custom order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England

Originally designed in 1931 by parachute pioneer Leslie Leroy Irvin, this RAF sheepskin flight jacket was the only flight jacket type issued to RAF aircrews, evolving through numerous spec. changes throughout its production life before being withdrawn from production in 1944.  Though contracted to many firms to produce, including the Irvin Airchute Co., the original designer's last name, Irvin, is commonly used to identify this flight jacket style regardless of manufacturer.  After 1941, the critical material shortages and expenses placed on England compelled its military, air and naval ministries to modify many items of gear and clothing in an effort to stay in the war as cheaply and efficiently as possible.  The RAF Aircrew Jacket faced such modifications, causing the flight jacket to increasingly be manufactured from more and more separate panels of sheepskin (yielding more visible seams) to get more use from leftover pelts that would otherwise be thrown out if the pre-1942 design was adhered to.   Over the course of the war years the RAF flight jacket continued to gain more panel splices and saw ever-increasing use of lower-grade sheepskin, making the earlier flight jackets quite desirable even back at that time.  Today, all of the original RAF flight jackets are highly collectible, though a premium is typically paid for the very early garments made with the fewest sheepskin panels.

We offer this copy typifying the 1942 production run when fine-quality flight jackets were still being made with a minimum of sheepskin panels. Paramount prerequisites of quality and authenticity have been strictly adhered to throughout, resulting in an RAF flight jacket of unparalleled accuracy.  Original details include: specially selected hides tanned & dyed to match the best-made, 1942-produced flight jacket; no-pocket construction (hand-warmer pockets never appeared on the original RAF jackets); heavy double-sided leather pull tabs on genuine brass zips; reproduction zippers on all-cotton tape (zippers are custom made to wartime design including the slider box cup - a feature found only on ours and original examples); ventilated arm pit gussets; all-cotton elasticized strap behind collar for quickly fastening this up; hand-sewn linen spec. label and more... This is the definitive copy of the RAF 1942-pattern Aircrew jacket. Take your flight into Royal Air Force history with this unmistakable classic!

Sizes available: 36-48 regular.  Long and extra-long fittings available at no additional cost on special order only.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England