Uniform

[billrunnels]

I have only one piece of my WWII uniform and it is special. The "Battle Jacket". It was made by a tailor in London and cost me $75. The red satin lining was the 303rdbg color. It was not accepted as part of the Class A Uniform Until near the end of the war when so many brought them back to the States. However, we wore them while in the UK. It was an optional item and not many purchased them. I only weighed 145 pounds then. When I put in on now there is a 6 inch gap down the front.

 

[Tim Moore]

I have only one piece of my WWII uniform and it is special. The "Battle Jacket". It was made by a tailor in London and cost me $75. The red satin lining was the 303rdbg color. It was not accepted as part of the Class A Uniform Until near the end of the war when so many brought them back to the States. However, we wore them while in the UK. It was an optional item and not many purchased them. I only weighed 145 pounds then. When I put in on now there is a 6 inch gap down the front.View attachment 487684

Gorgeous.

 

[Airframes]

Great that you still have it Bill.
Is that the one sometimes known as the 'Ike jacket' ?

 

[billrunnels]

Great that you still have it Bill.
Is that the one sometimes known as the 'Ike jacket' ?

No, I think the "Ike Jacket" was government issue. They do look alike.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Very nice! Keep that in the family.

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Bill.

 

[soulezoo]

Love it!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Great that you still have it Bill.
Is that the one sometimes known as the 'Ike jacket' ?

I have a nice original Ike Jacket in my collection. I can post a picture of it when I get home.

 

[billrunnels]

Very nice! Keep that in the family.

I plan to.

 

[Elmas]

$ 75 were a tremendous amount of money in those days!
Made in a world famous tailoring firm in Savile Row?

 

[billrunnels]

$ 75 were a tremendous amount of money in those days!
Made in a world famous tailoring firm in Savile Row?

Sorry I don't remember. No marking in the jacket.

 

[Gnomey]

Great stuff Bill!

 

[airminded88]

Impeccable and invaluable piece of history.
I bet wearing that uniform in public must have made you feel very proud.
Thank you so much for sharing Bill.

Cheers

 

[billrunnels]

Impeccable and invaluable piece of history.
I bet wearing that uniform in public must have made you feel very proud.
Thank you so much for sharing Bill.

Cheers

I was proud to be a part of the Military service during WWII. That pride continues today.

 

[MIflyer]

I believe that kind of jacket was used by the RAF. I suppose that the USAAF adopted it informally.

 

[billrunnels]

I believe that kind of jacket was used by the RAF. I suppose that the USAAF adopted it informally.

Thar could very well be.

 

[MIflyer]

I base that idea on the movie 633 Squadron. They are wearing a jacket very similar to that one, although in blue.

I have a Norwegian Air Force surplus jacket much like that one, in dark blue.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I was proud to be a part of the Military service during WWII. That pride continues today.

As it should Bill!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Great that you still have it Bill.
Is that the one sometimes known as the 'Ike jacket' ?

This was the "Ike Jacket". This is one that is in my collection.

 

[billrunnels]

This was the "Ike Jacket". This is one that is in my collection.

View attachment 487876

Very similar without the red satin lining.