Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) flying jacket

Well now is the time to get kitted up If like me you use your morgan all year round,up to now ive worn a big sheepskin ,but think its time to go for a flying jacket.I was thinking of a n irvin ,but wondered if the std one would be a little bulky,and may be the lightweight one would be better.Has enyone heard of a company in america called WPG according to their website they make a lightweight sheepskin flying jacket at about 1/3 of the price of an irvin leathercraft,and the many many reviews say it is the one to buy above all others inc eastman and irvn just wondered if any of you outthere had got one, duncan

I bought the top of the range Irvin. It is wonderful but only useful in deepest winter as it is too warm for Autumn and Spring. With hindsight, I would have bought something a little less effective and added a layer on very cold days.

Irvin are bulky but that's part of the attraction for me as it makes them incredible warm to wear with a lovely feeling of insulation from the outside world. I remember an essential 200 mile motorbike ride around this time of the year as we were moving home. Although very cold it was dry. The rear of my full face helmet interfaced perfectly with the collar of the jacket to allow a warm and surprisingly quiet ride.

My Irvin jacket was bought new over 35 years ago and it still looks like it.

My children bought me an authentic one and I wear it in the house.

I had a B2 style jacket (slightly longer than an Irvin) made for me by Cirrus back in 2007 or so. They specifically asked me if it was for motoring use and advised me to have a jacket with ½" pile rather than the full 1" of a traditional Irvin. I took their advice and have been jolly glad I did. I also had it done in 'distressed' sheepskin, as otherwise you have to wear the things constantly for years before they acquire a 'lived in' look. Cirrus, sadly, is no more but Aviation Leathercraft are still going strong and will make you something to suit requirements.

I have practically no pictures of it (never been one for selfies), but this is what it looked like back in 2011 when we did LeJog.

Duncan,
I have no experience of the jacket that you mentioned but I think for you it's going to be a better bet than an Irvin although it will depend on your chest size.
I inherited my late Fathers RAF issued full fat Irvin and I am 46" chest so getting comfortable in a wide body Morgan for me was impossible so our Son now uses it for his motorbiking.

Someone will be along to answer your question soon.

Eastman Leather Clothing make some superb jackets that are totally authentic to the originals. I have a 1940 pattern jackets as worn by the Battle of Britain pilots, you will find that you definitely need to be in minus temperatures to be comfortable wearing it. However the company does produce a 1950's Commercial Bomber Jacket called the Air Comfort that may fit the bill Eastman Leather Clothing

Try these guys - Made in Scotland - superb quality

https://simmonsbilt.com/

Just found this pic taken whilst collecting my new M3W from Ledgerwood Morgan. Reminds me how perfectly suited the Irvin jacket was to winter motoring in that car.



First drive home was on a very cold early April day, but coooned in the jacket I felt perfectly comfortable with a feeling of warmth and security. Having less than the full lining would defeat the point of owning one for me. It certainly doesn't have to be freezing for comfortable wear. The only thing missing were Spitfire pilot notes in the lining

Given what I paid for it in the 80's the price Aviation Leathercraft now charge is quite competitive.

Mine is super quality and was made to measure.

Unfortunately I find the very thick lining quite restrictive and overall the jacket is almost too bulky for classic car use.

My previous flying jacket was excellent and they're hard to beat, particularly with the high collar when open top driving

I have thought of having the lining trimmed on my current jacket - but who could do it ? Perhaps even a dog trimmer ?