AERO LEATHER Sheepskin Shearling RAF Flying Pilot Aviator IRVIN Bomber Jacket
Aero Leather RAF Battle of Britain Sheepskin Flying Jacket
This brown Aero Leather flying jacket was advertised as a high-end luxury shearling sheepskin jacket in the RAF Battle of Britain Irvin aviator pattern. The listed size is 38 R, with a regular fit and a hip-length cut. The listing identifies it as handmade in Scotland and marks it as not vintage.
Original ordering information
The original description referred buyers to the Aero Leather website to order a new jacket. It quoted a 14–16-week wait for all sheepskin orders because of high demand. This is the lead time stated in the original listing, rather than a current delivery estimate.
Aero background from the original listing
The listing presented Aero's clothing as timeless, distinctive and handcrafted. It described Aero Leather Clothing Ltd, based in Scotland, as the manufacturer and sole distributor of its world-famous Aero leather jackets since 1983.
It identified Aero as a family business founded by Ken and Lydia Calder, who, at the time described, still helped run the company and remained major shareholders. It traced the business's roots to 1975, when it began as a trading company specialising in original World War II flying jackets and vintage American workwear leather jackets.
The description also stated that Aero jackets had appeared in many major blockbuster films and were worn by leading Hollywood stars and other celebrities.
Craftsmanship described in the original listing
According to the manufacturing presentation included in the listing, every Aero garment is individually made by a highly skilled leatherworker who takes pride in the finished piece, rather than on a production line designed to save time and cost.
The presentation credited extensive research and years of manufacturing experience in design and quality control with producing jackets intended to provide decades of wear in demanding environments, including aviation, motorcycling, open-top motoring and outdoor pursuits.
It described leather selected and quality-checked by Aero's technicians before each panel is individually hand-cut. It also described linings hand-cut from alpaca wool, tweed, tartan, wool or silk. Those are general lining options in the company's manufacturing presentation; the item details for this particular jacket specify genuine sheepskin lining and insulation.
The leather panels and lining were then said to be passed to a sewing specialist, who constructs the garment using a traditional walking-foot machine. The original text claimed the stitching was 3.25 times stronger than required, without identifying the test or requirement used for that comparison.
Once the garment was completed, the specialist would put their name to it and pass it to a quality inspector for the 28-point inspection required before dispatch.
Item details
- Size: 38 R.
- Handmade: Yes.
- Accents: Buckle.
- Model: Battle of Britain RAF Irvin Aviator.
- Colour: Brown.
- Country/region of manufacture: Handmade in Scotland.
- Department: Men.
- Style: Bomber.
- Fabric type: Leather sheepskin.
- Outer shell material: Leather.
- Chest size: 38 R.
- Season: Autumn.
- Product line: Irvin-pattern aviator flying jacket.
- Pattern field: IRVIN AERO EASTMAN LEATHER RAF WWII. This wording is retained from the listing; the listed brand is Aero Leather.
- Type: Flying jacket.
- Features: All seasons.
- Manufacturer colour: Brown.
- Warmth weight: Warm.
- Vintage: No.
- Collar style: Stand-up.
- Garment care: Dry clean only, as stated in the original listing.
- Closure: Zipper.
- Brand: Aero Leather.
- Unit quantity: 1.
- Jacket/coat length: Hip.
- Lining material: 100% genuine sheepskin.
- Trim material: Sheepskin.
- Insulation material: 100% genuine sheepskin.
- Size type: Regular.
Original eBay listing and delivery
The item was listed under the title AERO LEATHER Sheepskin Shearling RAF Flying Pilot Aviator IRVIN Bomber Jacket. The supplied record states that it had been on sale since Thursday, 29 October 2020.
- Seller: manna122.
- Location: Cumnock.
- Category: Clothes, Shoes & Accessories > Men > Men's Clothing > Coats, Jackets & Waistcoats.
- Delivery service advertised: UPS Next Day.
The seller invited customers to get in touch with any questions. The following destinations and delivery details are reproduced from the original listing; current availability, coverage and transit times have not been verified.
Shipping destinations
United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, United States, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bolivia, Barbados, Brunei darussalam, Egypt, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, French guiana, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Macao, Monaco, Maldives, Martinique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Saudi arabia, South africa, United arab emirates, Ukraine, Chile, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Qatar, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay.
Additional information
The following information comes from sources consulted on 30 September 2026.
The Battle of Britain pattern
Aero describes its Battle of Britain model as a recreation of an RAF sheepskin flying jacket, popularly called an “Irvin” after designer Leslie Irvin. It distinguishes Pre-War, Battle of Britain and Late WWII versions by their panel arrangements. The Battle of Britain version uses split panels with horizontal seams; increasingly complex panelling later helped reduce material waste.
Source: Aero's official Battle of Britain model description.
Shearling: wool and leather together
Shearling is sheepskin tanned with its wool still attached. This explains the combination of a leather exterior and insulating wool interior. Aero's own sheepskin guide confirms that definition. The original item details specifically identify genuine sheepskin as this jacket's lining and insulation.
Source: Aero's sheepskin guide.
Aero's documented production process
Aero's current process description confirms that one artisan assembles a jacket from start to finish, identifies their work by name, and passes it through a final 28-point quality inspection. The company lists its premises at Greenbank Mill in Galashiels, Scotland.
Source: Aero's official manufacturing process.
Ordering lead times can change
The 14–16-week wait quoted in the original description is historical. Aero's current FAQ explains that production times vary with workload and season, with sheepskin orders particularly popular in winter. Consult the model page or contact Aero for a current estimate when ordering a new jacket.
FAQ
These questions are drawn from public discussions about Irvin-style and Aero sheepskin jackets, together with Aero's published FAQs. Answers are summarised rather than quoted, and experiences involving other jackets are identified as such.
How should I choose the size of an Aero RAF sheepskin jacket?
Aero generally recommends the RAF size closest to the wearer's relaxed chest measurement, with a larger size for extra room or heavier layers. Thick fleece takes up internal space, so external measurements alone can be misleading. An owner discussing an Aero B-3 illustrated this difference between body measurements and jacket measurements. This listing supplies size 38 R but no sleeve, shoulder or body-length measurements.
Owner discussion: Aero shearling sizing. Manufacturer's answer: RAF sizing guidance.
Will a tight sheepskin jacket become much roomier with wear?
Do not assume a large change. In a discussion about a tight Aero B-6, the owner reported that Aero advised there would be little difference beyond the fleece flattening with wear. Other owners described modest changes, so experiences vary. That discussion concerns a B-6 rather than this RAF model, but it supports choosing a comfortable fit from the outset.
User question and answers: whether an Aero sheepskin jacket loosens with wear.
Are sheepskin flying jackets waterproof?
No. Aero's sheepskin FAQ says the leather is water-resistant rather than waterproof and that heavy rain can damage shearling. It suggests an additional waterproof outer layer in bad weather. The “all seasons” field in this eBay listing is not a claim of waterproof construction.
Question and manufacturer's answer: water resistance of sheepskin jackets.
Do traditional Irvin-pattern jackets have pockets?
Aero's RAF design description specifies no pockets, alongside a front zip, high collar, zipped sleeves and functional waist half-belt. Collectors have discussed why the historical jackets lacked pockets, but the explanations in that discussion are disputed. The supplied eBay description does not separately describe this example's pockets, so its construction should be checked against photographs.
User question: pockets in RAF Irvin jackets. Answer source: Aero's RAF design description.
Can this jacket be machine-washed or taken to an ordinary dry cleaner?
The original listing says “Dry Clean Only”, which is retained above. Aero's published general leather-care advice, however, rejects machine washing and generally discourages dry cleaning, including specialist dry cleaning, because of the risks. A sheepskin-maintenance discussion also raises concerns about ordinary dry cleaners. For this particular shearling jacket, check its care label and ask Aero for suitable cleaning instructions before choosing a service; a seller's care field and a general leather guide do not resolve the garment-specific requirements.
User question and discussion: sheepskin-jacket maintenance. Manufacturer's answer: leather cleaning and dry-cleaning guidance.