B-17 Crew                   B-17 Crew

B3 Shearling Bomber Jacket Irvin RAF Flying Jacket An American aviator, Leslie Leroy Irvin, designed the now legendary Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket, but that wasn’t his first claim to fame... Leslie Irvin was the inventor of the parachute “rip-cord” system and, in 1919, was the first man to make a premeditated free-fall jump from an aeroplane. The Irvin parachute was quickly recognised as an important piece of aviation equipment and in June1919 Irvin set up Irving Air Chute to manufacture parachutes for the U.S. government. As aviation advanced so did the altitudes to which pilots could fly. Suddenly aircrew were flying to thousands of feet where temperatures would easily be minus 40 degrees Celsius, not a good thing when aircraft construction still provided basic, un-insulated cockpits. This situation drove Irvin to create The Irvin Flying Jacket.

Modern Irvin Jacket Pilot helmet by Aviation Inc

B3 Flight Jacket US Air Corp The B3 is the best known sheep fur flightjacket worldwide. Introduced in 1939 this jacket has proven many times its useful and classic design. Made to warm the pilots on flights in extreme heights resisting minus temperatures this jacket has become the "winter jacket" for many. The ultimate weather proof concept of the B3 jacket, even in extreme low temperatures, is due to a very effective but simple construction. Inside the isolating sheep fur keeps the body warmth while the outside leather resists humidity and wind. All openings of the jacket can additionally be strapped and closed to maximize the effect. Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket Of course, the Irvin RAF Sheepskin Flying Jacket is practical: it’s made from first-rate, hard-wearing materials and it’s made with the same pedantic attention to detail demonstrated by its creator. It will last you virtually forever, but it’s not just about practical stuff - the Irvin jacket is a legend, it’s part of a story, it has its place in our history and as much as anything else owning a genuine Irvin just feels right. You put it on and there’s no question that you’re part of something special. N O T E :: Both jackets are almost identical...Only the Sheepskin color differs. The B-3 had a creamy white lining, whereas the Raf Jacket had a brown(Warm honey) color. Also the original Raf jacket had no outside pockets. The B-3 jacket has two large outside pockets. Leather Pilot helmet The jacket was accompanied by the Pilot flying helmet which is popular nowadays by motorcar enthousiasts and the like. The helmet is made from soft hide with a quilted lining for maximum comfort. The Flying Helmet features a front peak, roll forward ear flaps, goggle straps and long neck cover. We photographers don't plan bumpy rides with our combo in B-17 probably. But if you go out making photographs in the cold, the jacket could be a life-saver for sure. The Pilot helmet could be a pretty accessory when driving an open Sportscar any time around the year. And not to forget a God-send when working under the horse blanket or dark-cloth as we call it....! If you are interested in a jacket like this.

This page is part of     "The MasterSite for the larger camera"