Replica WWII Battlejackets with Kilts

**Riverkilt** · 18th February 06, 06:15 PM

Okay, this time whipping this horse with some pics to back it up. You all know I'm a nut for What Price Glory's replica War 2 battlejackets, both because they look great with kilts due to their short waist - and because they allow me to honor my father's service as a Flying Sergeant in the RAF and a Captain in the Army Air Corps...and my uncle's service in the Army as an infantryman on the front lines across Europe.

I've decorated my jackets as replicas, but they look great undecorated too.

Here are some pics.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...0&h=1&y=-2henh

And, I do have my eye on the British Army battlejacket...

Ron

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 18th February 06, 07:26 PM

Ron,

Great pics (as usual!). I wish I had an occasion to wear some like that. The only person I know served was my uncle in the Air Force, and my grandfather on my father's side who served in the Navy, and my grandfather on my mother's side, but I am not sure of what branch, but I think Army. Time to dig into some more family history. I could honor my wife's father as he is a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer.

I don't think either service has any jackets that would be appropriate for wear with the kilt, but if you know differently, especially about the Navy, let me know.

**Alan** · 18th February 06, 09:50 PM

Ron,
The Navy has a dinner dress jacket that works very well with a kilt. It is a short jacket similar to the BB jacket. I comes with gold buttons but silver buttons can be purchased for .25 cents each. There are six buttons on the jacket. The cost of the jacket is $160.00 which is less expensive than a PC jacket. It is made of black wool and looks as though it was made for a kilt. I have only seen the jacket on the Uniform web site though. I don't know if this helps or not but just thought I would let you know about it.

**Alan** · 18th February 06, 09:52 PM

Sorry, that last post was ment for Kiltedcodewarrior.

**James** · 19th February 06, 12:36 AM

To be helpful rather than critical.

With regard to the British Army jacket, in the early years of WW2, some units wore the service dress jacketsthat is the skirted jacket as for WW1. However this was being replaced by the battle dress-the upper garment being the 'battle dress blouse', akin to the golf-flying jacket: this last is I think the garment under consideration.

James

**mbhandy** · 19th February 06, 07:02 AM

The US Airforce has a Flight Parka that is reversable greeen outside and dayglow inside for easy pickup visability and it is real warm and short waisted for sitting in the cockpit.

MrBill

**Riverkilt** · 19th February 06, 09:18 AM

Thanks James,

You're right. I'm looking at the shortwaisted jackets. I do have a replica American WWI Jacket in honor of my great uncle Charlie who was more like an uncle to me when I was a boy. He served in France. Have worn it with my kilts.

And here's what I have on my wish list...just the jacket, not the trousers. It also comes in another version.

Just noticed, picking up the pic that Jerry has his RAF battlejackets on sale...

And, I also like the modern flight jackets with kilts. Got a deal on a black nylon one with the survival orange reversable inside. Who knows, if I ever get an Oregon State University tartan (orange, black, white) I might have need for a survival orange flight jacket

Ron

**Pleater** · 19th February 06, 12:46 PM

The material used for British battle dress was really prickly - a real badger's **** experience.The army version was bad, the RAF was a bit softer, but not that much. I can't remember why I ever wore Army battledress, it might have been for a film - just the feeling of being very uncomfortable in it - but I had a set of the RAF kit for working in the garden in my teens - no idea where it came from. Being 5ft 5inches tall I am/was about the right height - not the right shape but that can be adjusted.

The US uniforms were, apparently much better quality cloth, and the tailoring was much smarter.

The RAF 'boys' used to spend hours on their uniforms, pressing and sewing in the creases, even removing a pocket or pockets from the trousers, I think, as it spoilt the look. This was not for the benefit of the force but for wearing when going out to dances at any opportunity.

I am sure I have a book somewhere, on British service dress, which gives the basic plan of the various different uniform garments, plus all the details of the buttons, belts etc. I am sure it would be far more comfortable to have a replica garment made up in a good fabric if you could find something similar - there must be similar books for those who are interested in such details for film, reenactor wear or just pure interest.