We got a couple of hundred genuine Royal Air Force bomber jackets in dark blue. These are damn well made, fit right and make you look like a sexual tyrannosaurus... and will probably be sold out pretty quickly. Used surplus.
This is a rather archetypal example of a classic bomber jacket with a less puffy and shiny look compared to American models. Still, you have the ribbed cuffs and hem, slanted front pockets, and zippered front as a bomber should. The hem is short so pull up your pants!
The collar on this one is a tab type and the shoulders have epaulets for a rather "officially stylish" look. It probably goes together rather well with a red scarf.
The fabric is a 55/45 polyester-wool blend, lining 100% polyester.
The jacket was made with a removable liner, but it is not included with these.
Size info
First up is the max recommended chest girth, then an approximate length group. The fit is not loose nor tight but just right and allows for a woolly pully.
The correct length group varies depending on the fit (the shoulder seams and sleeves, in general, sit lower when the jacket is looser) and personal proportions. However, here's a rough guidance:
| Size | User length (SI) | User length (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Short / M | <176 cm | <5' 9" |
| Regular | 176-182 cm | 5' 9" - 5' 11" |
| Long | 182-188 cm | 5' 11" - 6' 2" |
| X-Long | >188 cm | >6' 2" |
Based on our comparisons, the lengths S and M are about the same. (You would be forgiven for thinking M and R are interchangeable.) S stands for Short, of course, but we couldn't figure out the word that refers to a short person and begins with the letter M. Anyway, this is what we found out.
To quickly convert the chest sizes to inches, here's a handy table:
| Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|
| 92 cm | 36" |
| 96 cm | 38" |
| 101 cm | 40" |
| 107 cm | 42" |
| 112 cm | 44" |
| 117 cm | 46" |
| 122 cm | 48" |
| 127 cm | 50" |
British surplus
The jackets are used but obviously not by infantrymen in combat exercises. All is good and proper!
Anon
Trent J.
JHIH W.