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Post by rullow on Jan 31, 2018 15:16:52 GMT -5
Hello guys, below few photos from this winter... first is depicting a member of 3eRPC during the last operation under command of Bigeard - cca february 1958 operation Youks, Tebesssa sector, Aurés region inspired by the photos from this action plus the photos from Timimouin I and II - from an end of 1957 bases is TAP47/54 jacket + TTA47/52 pants, along with M54 boots and TAP50 musette of a third type. Armament is a M1 carbine with the french adapted pouch (added D ring). RAPCO belt and on it a M52 canteen in M51 pouch.   just few photos in BW     and here what I ve had with me/on me    And to move in time a little bit into the future winter 1960-1961 our soldier passed the course and is now a fresh lieutenant at 1REP. At the moment awaiting his designation to the specific unit within the regiment. At the moment he is enjoyinh the remnants of his holiday in Constantine. The bases is TAP47/56 +cold weather jacket with synthetic fur (pretty warm I d say). In his pouch he has MAC50 (well in my case I ve forced my beretta M92  - I am not sure it it qualifies as a concealed carry as well ) and M51 canteen in M52 pouch.   |
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Post by lew on Feb 1, 2018 13:37:04 GMT -5
Perfect!
Although, I don't recall seeing a Mle. 51 in service that late, but it's not unreasonable. Well done!
Still jealous about the TAP Mle. 47/54 jacket. Are there any good sources for the French OD sweaters with the crew neck? I have later sweaters with a V neck. Although they are technically correct, they are not representative.
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Post by rullow on Feb 1, 2018 15:50:33 GMT -5
Hi Steven  sometimes I see them for sale on Naturabuy - however its never a good size.... only size I see is already way too small even for me..... I am searching for one of a good size as well. However any civil sweater should be OK.... I ve seen many photos of guys wearing the sweather with zipper collar (Bigeard has one at Timimouin as well) or british jersey sweather..... I d love to havy any clue to those french sweather and veste matelassée size charts... about the M51 you re probably right - when you are saying it I dont recall any neither... however I ve been told from an ancient french military professional that those were issued even in seventies and destroyed perhaps in 80s or 90s I guess (ran over by tank ) However in the field the M51 was replaced by M52 as quick as possible.... M51 is really shitty canteen and I cannot find any excuse for the French to issue this into the field.... canteen with a cork cap for the paratroopers - oh gosh!!! canteen which breaks apart when put onto the fire..... briliant idea! However the story for the photo is that he got the "newest" equipment in the regiment warehouse and he didnt have the time your to "demerder" all those things and I think that one will come for you as well (47/54).... now I am trying to find matching pants and thats the pain.... its much more easier and cheaper to find 47/53 jacket than 47/54 pants  and btw - if you are looking for a MAS36, MAS49, FM24/29 or AA52 or even perhaps MAT49 - I think it would be wise to put some money aside.... I ll update you guys later with some news - bad or good - I am not sure yet (it depends now on US banks I guess ) |
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Post by lew on Feb 2, 2018 13:42:46 GMT -5
Oi! I am on the borderline of size large and extra large, so finding anything in "normal" sizes is a challenge. Isn't the sweater with the collar and zipper a US-design? If so, should be easy to find. I'll have to check my library. You're right about the Mle. 51 canteen. The French sure learned their lesson well and applied it to the Mle. 52. Those ones are probably the best canteen short of a Nalgene water bottle. That canteen is the only nitpick I have, so I think you did very well. At least it's plausible that he would have it. I am intrigued about the firearms bit: I am well stocked on FR Mle. 36's, and FSA Mle. 49 and 49/56's. The automatic weapons have me excited. |
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Post by rullow on Feb 6, 2018 10:18:53 GMT -5
dont worry - I ll update you anyway I think you ll hear abou it from more directions there is one jacket on french ebay right now - but the odd french bastard accepts only "chéque"... what a country.... |
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Post by lew on Feb 6, 2018 15:53:45 GMT -5
What a poofter. "Check only"?
That set looks rockin', though. Excellent condition for a 47/54. Pretty darned pricey, but that's to be expected. That cost can cover all the remaining Rhodesian bits I need and then some.
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Post by rullow on Feb 7, 2018 6:35:34 GMT -5
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Post by lew on Feb 8, 2018 14:31:50 GMT -5
Son of a bitch! I only saw the complete set for 1200+ Euros. Totally missed that one. I would have pounced on it if I did. C'est la vie. Quelle tragédie! I'll keep me eyes peeled for another. I'd be satisfied with just the trousers, but a jacket would be cool to go with it. If not, I can mix and match with my 47/52 repros or Windproof jacket.
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Post by rullow on Feb 9, 2018 8:41:49 GMT -5
I am speaking only about the jackets.... trousers are usualy 100 Eur more per one.... its kinda opposite situation compared with TAP47/56 - there is much more easier to find the pants than a jacket.... however - speaking about the Mle51 canteen - I ve got probably the latest of one in usage, and I think you know this one as well: Tchad  |
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Post by lew on Feb 9, 2018 13:13:54 GMT -5
I've had that 6e CPIMa picture for my background before. Never noticed the Mle. 51 canteen, though. Good eye. Kinda feel sorry for that guy.
With the prices of 47/56 sets, at the time, it was cheaper to buy the repro sets Doursoux was offering. They look as good as my original set.
I'll keep an eye out for 47/54 pieces. Those would really round out the collection.
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Post by rullow on Feb 12, 2018 3:54:32 GMT -5
Yep, you wouldnt expect those to be seen on the frontline.... you have a photo of a doursoux set? those are costy but still wort a try for a field usage.... with growing prices of 47/56 its going to be more and more the only option... TAP47/56 jackets are now 100 Eur plus.... pants around 70 Eur, hood cca 15 Eur, bigeard cap 25-30 Eur btw - I guess you will kill me - I mase myself the birthday present :  tailored by 8RPIMA probably  unforunately both passed through IDF - but luckily no stamps outside best part is the price 215 including the shipping now I have to start look for the pants - thats a challenging task.... |
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Post by lew on Feb 12, 2018 13:41:14 GMT -5
You bastard!
I could snap some photos of the 47/56 sets. However, they are identical to the original pattern, though they are on the dark side of the color selection. The original set I have is very red/brown-dominant, while the Doursoux repros are heavy on the greens.
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Post by rullow on Feb 12, 2018 16:02:27 GMT -5
Hi, yep those photos would be highly interesting at least to distinguish the copies from genuine ones ;)and also to know how they have their back side made (if split in the middle or not)... i have one copy I dont know the origin, so it could probably solve the mystery..... however 165 Eur for a jacket is quite expensive.... on the other hand 65 for M47/52 trousers is not so bad.... yep I am pretty lucky on those two - 47/54 has an unusual colour and 47/53 is just 53 - could have been better if the beaver tail wouldnt be cut off but it wouldnt cost 120..... thats the tradeof..... but the pants... the pants..... however I am done with purchasing for this year - perhaps only some minor items - the locker is full btw - perhaps you will recognize our new project:    now looking for a beige 10 OZ denim twill cotton in sufficient qty maybe could be interesting to get the panzerfaust into that..... at least he s got the tailoring capacities and he s got the printers as well |
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Post by lew on Feb 13, 2018 14:44:56 GMT -5
Very cool! Looks more 47/51 to me with that colorway. Is that what you're shooting for? Now you've got me hunting for a TAP 47/54 jacket. Damn you! If you see a jacket for sale, let me know, por favore.  |
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Post by rullow on Feb 14, 2018 2:45:29 GMT -5
yep - you re right since thats the least available model of them all perhaps not used so widely but still worth the effort.... those are the first sketches to get the scheme right and to find out from where the pattern repeats itself - luckilly B1 is heavilly based on A1 so my TAP47 jacket came to use to get the strokes right.... so far I can tell that it could not be possible to make the pattern right without that.... being so deep into the camouflage I can say now that WPG has maybe 30% right... rest of their pattern is made up scifi.... Okay - I am well equipped with TAP54 so now I can thing of you more sometimes its available on the obscure webs I visit often - so next one sized enough ane priced reasonably - I ll let you know for sure |
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Post by lew on Feb 14, 2018 17:41:57 GMT -5
I'm set for TAP Mle 47 and 47/52 repro sets, but I'd probably get a 47/51 jacket.
Panzerfaust was super easy to work with for the 47/52 repros. His original pattern had the 47/51 details mostly correct, so we had to alter those- wrist and waist adjustment tabs, pockets near the beavertail, a couple of the chest pocket details. Thankfully, we did not have to change the fabric pattern.
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Post by rullow on Feb 15, 2018 8:33:55 GMT -5
there is few more difference between 47/52 and 47/51 - I believe that 47/51 has a longer collar as well. For the pockets near beavertail I can rely on TAP47 jakect I have - those are similar to 47/51 in fact TAP47 is very close to 47/51 - the main differences: size of the collar, different size of chest pockets, 3 snapons on chest pocket, wrist (button only) and waist (in opposite direction) adjustments and addition of zipped openings on the back side if I understood it well - panzerfaust started with a 47/51 set? I dont recall those.... but good to gear thats an easy cooperation with him |
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Post by lew on Feb 15, 2018 14:13:16 GMT -5
The PF sets happened c. 2007, if I recall correctly.
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- I am not sure it it qualifies as a concealed carry as well 
