Flying Jacket of Wing Commander Eric James Brindley Nicolson

The 1938 pattern Irvin jacket was widely issued and worn by RAF aircrew during the Second World War. This example was owned by Wing Commander Eric Nicolson.

As a pilot during the Battle of Britain in 1940, Nicolson was awarded RAF Fighter Command’s only Victoria Cross. During a mission to deflect an incoming raid over Southampton, his Hawker Hurricane Mk I was hit by four cannon shells from an enemy aircraft. Despite sustaining serious injuries, and with his Hurricane ablaze, he continued to pursue and shoot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110. He died in 1945 when his B-24 Liberator caught fire and crashed into the Bay of Bengal. This particular jacket was acquired by the RAF Museum in 1983 with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.