Does Oldnautibits guarantee that original wartime flying jackets can be worn on a daily basis?
No! The youngest of our wartime jackets are nearing 60 years of age. Some have had a punishing wartime career, followed by a hard post-war life in ‘civy street’. In post-war Britain, an original RAF Irvin could be bought from any Army Surplus Store for a few pounds! If necessary we restore the jackets that we buy before feeding the leather, which is often in an appalling state. We patch obvious rips or tears then replace, if necessary, damaged or broken zips with appropriate replacements. If, when you enquire about a jacket, you make it clear what its end use will be (dressing mannequin, re-enactment, riding the Norton, or just to look cool in the MG!), we will try to match a jacket to your requirement. What we can’t do is guarantee that an original zip will not break or stitching give out. Treated with respect, however, most of our Irvins, B3’s, or other jackets can continue to provide warmth with that classic vintage style.
