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Post by lew on Apr 1, 2014 6:48:07 GMT -5
For those interested, eBay seller panzerfaust1943 has repro British windproof uniform sets for sale. Member combat_1984 has both half and full zip repro Denison Smocks for sale. I'm still waiting on my windproof jacket, but my smock already came in. The quality and attention to detail is outstanding. Not even a thread out of place and the pattern is spot on. Originals for both of these are prohibitively expensive and rare, and these reproductions are decently priced. With the exception of the TTA Mle. 47 and 47/52 uniforms, uniforms for Indochina are pretty hard to come by, and these fit the bill for some units. Disclosure: I have no connection to these two sellers other than being a customer.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 1, 2014 12:50:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up!
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Post by lew on Apr 2, 2014 6:52:42 GMT -5
The windproof jacket should come in today or tomorrow, and I'll put up a review then.
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Post by lew on Apr 4, 2014 11:05:50 GMT -5
Got the windproof jacket repro in yesterday. The quality is even better than the smock. The correct material was used, and a large fits like it was tailored. I'm thinking about a pair of matching pants to complete the outfit, but the sizes have some strange dimensions. Still might be worth it, though, although there's no problem using the jacket alone.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 4, 2014 13:33:27 GMT -5
I'll have to see about a set. I acquired an original windproof trousers, but I'd much rather use a repro in the field if possible. I have a windproof jacket from Silverman's but I get conflicting reports on how good of a repro it is. I might just order a full set from panzerfaust...
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Post by lew on Apr 7, 2014 8:41:21 GMT -5
For the price, I think the full set would be worth it. I still have yet to hear back about custom sizing, and I really don't want to have to visit a tailor, so I'm still undecided about the pants. For my needs, I can wear the jacket with Mle. 47/56 pants and be just fine, but a complete set would be nice for some of the units I portray, 13e RDP namely, not to mention Indo.
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Post by lew on Apr 9, 2014 8:40:25 GMT -5
I contacted member panzerfaust1943, and they are able to alter the trousers, so I have a pair of the trousers on the way.
Also, eBay member nchs is going to have Bigeard caps in the windproof pattern available shortly. I have three of their lizard pattern berets (used by 1e RCP from 1955-1958), and the quality is excellent.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 9, 2014 8:53:34 GMT -5
Really!!??!! Windproof Bigeards!! How cool!! Gotta have one!
I bought a US camo Bigeard from them. It's well made but unfortunately it's a little small... Evindently a 59 - 60 is to the small side. I'll just have to remember to go to a 60 - 61 when the windproof comes out.
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Post by lew on Apr 9, 2014 14:10:32 GMT -5
Crap. I forgot about the sizing. My head measurements indicate an actual size 59, but the berets I have are 60-61.
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sparkz
Nouvelle arrivée
Posts: 18
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Post by sparkz on Apr 14, 2014 13:06:50 GMT -5
Hi Guys, Done a bit of research into British windproof smocks a while ago and it's a pretty sticky subject.
Won't go over board, I'm not the expert by any means.
Looks like the original was made by Eskimos from seal fur hence the pattern of the camouflage copied by the British in 1942. Not an SAS, special forces type jacket, just a windproof that never really caught on in WW2.
Lots of surplus after WW2, so seen in Korea with Infantry units from the commonwealth for extra warmth. So you can see how they ended up being sold on to France.
The British seemed of remade them in the late 1950's because the camo pattern is slightly different for desert use.
The South Vietnamese remade them in the early 60's with a slightly different colour shade and this is the one Silvermans copied, it's got an extra green in it.
I've had an original 43 pattern trouser, Silvermans copy and now using the WPG set, which to be fair are quite a good copy.
Hope this helps, not the expert but it's just what I've found out over a few years.
Cheers.
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sparkz
Nouvelle arrivée
Posts: 18
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Post by sparkz on Apr 14, 2014 13:10:39 GMT -5
PS, Panther Store in Czech Republic purchased my original trousers to copy and make reproductions, they should be good based on their other fine reproductions.
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Post by lew on Apr 14, 2014 14:38:19 GMT -5
The set linked to in my original post is the 2nd camouflage pattern. I think he also lists WW2-era 1st pattern sets, too. Either is correct for Indochina, and the 2nd type was more common in Algeria. They were also made in plain khaki like the Panther Store repros, but I have not seen that in use by French forces, although it would be easy to overlook a plain-looking jacket in most photographs. The South Vietnamese pattern windproof camouflage is different from both British types, as you said.
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Post by lew on Apr 17, 2014 7:14:09 GMT -5
Update: eBay member "nchs" has a few of the Windproof pattern Bigeard caps in stock. They are not listed on the store page, so send them a message. They are part of a limited run, and they had a limited amount of fabric available, so they are all size 61 (L/XL). $75. I ordered one and another lizard pattern beret for 1e RCP. The seller was unsure of the material, so I'll report on that when I receive it. As long as the color matches either the Type 1 or 2 patterns, I'll be satisfied to have a complete uniform set.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 17, 2014 8:37:28 GMT -5
Thanks Lew! I just sent them a message! I also just got a set of P42s from At the Front (arrived yesterday). Excellent workmanship and fit.
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Post by lew on Apr 17, 2014 12:37:41 GMT -5
No problem.
I've been thinking about adding a set of the P42's later this year after I figure out which Indochina unit(s) I want to portray. I'll at least get a jacket. Good to know they are quality pieces. Thanks.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 17, 2014 22:09:02 GMT -5
I figured I'd just cover all my bases and get all the flavors of camo I can and have the flexibility of units if I can ever get some more folks involved out this way.
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Post by lew on Apr 18, 2014 8:10:34 GMT -5
Good plan. I'm of the same mind set, although doing kit for two wars. I did just win a Mle. 51 canteen off of eBay.fr, so, with the windproof set, MAS-36 or -49, Pataugas, and TAP web gear, i have the rudiments of an Indochina impression.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 18, 2014 8:17:51 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm thinkin' since they're so close to go ahead and pick up Algeria kit as well. There's just enough bleed over to make it worthwhile.
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Post by lew on Apr 19, 2014 19:32:32 GMT -5
That's the spirit. Just be careful, as the troops in Algérie were mainly Metropolitan units and generally far better equipped with the latest and greatest in French uniforms and equipment, so the variance seen in Indochine gives way to greater standardization. In other words, the hodgepodge of equipment seen in the Far East isn't usually going to fly. Doursoux.com has fantastic Mle. 47/56 veste et pantalons sets. Pricey, but the material and details are spot on if you are so inclined. A Mle. 47 TTA uniform set will work for many units, including some of the para units, at least early on in the war. Oh, and MAS Mle. 49/56's are easy to find for five bills. I have three of them, plus the Mle. 49. Cheers!
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Post by craigtx on Apr 19, 2014 20:59:34 GMT -5
Thanks Lew! I appreciate the tips!
I just went to the Doursoux site and the set of Lizards they have there look like a set I found (and bought) on Ebay so I might be ahead of the game...
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Post by lew on Apr 20, 2014 11:00:49 GMT -5
The set you found on eBay, was it original or repro?
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Post by craigtx on Apr 20, 2014 12:50:50 GMT -5
Repro, absolutely! The originals tend to go for way more than I can afford...
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Post by lew on Apr 21, 2014 9:47:13 GMT -5
Mind posting pictures? Do you know who made the set? Might just be the same maker as the Doursoux set. Mag Force still makes rip-stop Mle 47/56 sets, but, obviously the fabric is a no-go. Still, very well made.
I got lucky and got a bunch of stuff- 47/56 uniform set, original casquette Bigeard (my size, no less!) écharpe barracuda (camo netting/scarf), and an original tan beret (too small for me, but still rare) all for $150 out of South Africa. The jacket even had orders for a field exercise and a staff officer tour itinerary for 21e RIMa dated 1964.
I'd love to find a Mle. 47/54 or 47/53 set, but those go for stupidly insane amounts and are usually pretty worn out.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 21, 2014 10:29:42 GMT -5
I'll try to remember to post pics. I'm not sure of the maker. I'll look and see. The fabric is new but I didn't ask about/check the content.
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Post by lew on Apr 21, 2014 13:16:59 GMT -5
Actually, no real need for pictures. I have enough sets to know what they look like. It should be pretty apparent if it's cotton drill or whatever the originals used. Any synthetic content should feel pretty obvious. Rip-stop would be impossible to miss.
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Post by lew on Apr 21, 2014 18:05:06 GMT -5
Update: My casquette Bigeard, Windproof came in today. I usually wear a size 59. These are advertised as size 61, but the fit was only very slightly loose and will not need any alteration. The material is lightweight and very close to the rest of the Windproof ensemble. A little pricey, but it's well-made and will complement the rest of the set nicely.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 22, 2014 8:32:33 GMT -5
I'm still waitin' to hear back from them. I've made an inquiry last Thursday, but crickets so far.
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Post by lew on Apr 22, 2014 9:20:31 GMT -5
Here's the e-mail address with which they conversed with me: gpete2000@aol.com
They were pretty prompt with their service.
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Post by craigtx on Apr 23, 2014 8:29:38 GMT -5
Thanks Lew! I'm pretty sure they're not Doursoux though. I checked the jacket and it says 100% cotton made in China. It appears to be drill, but definitely *not* ripstop. I did notice the zip is reversed, it's on the left rather than the right. The details seem to be pretty good two sets of snaps on the pockets. the vertical zip on the left breast pocket. Drain holes in the pockets.
From my less than knowledgeable eye, except for the zip postion, looks good.
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Post by lew on Apr 24, 2014 7:35:33 GMT -5
Sounds like it should be fine. The ones I got from Doursoux were spot on compared to my original, except for the shade. The DS ones were the later, darker camo pattern, while the original has much more red and brown. Thankfully, both will work.
What do you have for weaponry?
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