Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Share #1 Posted October 23, 2012 To round off my series of threads on WW2 USAAF uniforms, here are examples of the first and second pattern EMs "ETO Jackets" made in Britain to US specifications for US forces. The designs are a strange fusion of the British Army's battledress blouse and the US Army's OD field jacket. The material used in their manufacture was British khaki wool serge (OD to Americans) The linings were light OD cotton, as found in the US four-pocket service coat. All buttons and hardware were battledress types. Both jackets were issued in quantity to USAAF personnel, as exemplified here. First pattern ETO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted October 23, 2012 Bi-swing pleated back, reminiscent of the US OD Field jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted October 23, 2012 Manufacturer's label. This particular jacket was made in Wales, about 20 miles from where I am right now. The factory was taken over some years ago by the famous Burberry company. It's still there today, in modernized form! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted October 23, 2012 Internally, the first pattern ETO has a large "gas flap". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted October 23, 2012 Collar tab...like the OD field jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted October 23, 2012 Flap-covered pockets, like the first pattern "Parsons Jacket". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted October 23, 2012 Battledress-style buckled waist-band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted October 23, 2012 Cuff details with overseas bars and AAF engineering speciality patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted October 23, 2012 Embroidered on felt "long-wing" 8th AF patch and felt Corporals' stripes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted October 23, 2012 USAAF EMs' OD overseas cap with "Sterling" marked patch-type DUI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted October 23, 2012 Second pattern ETO. Revised design with battledress-style patch pockets and shoulder loops. The gas-flap and belted waistband have been deleted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted October 23, 2012 Bi-swing pleats. Similar in appearance to its predecessor from the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted October 23, 2012 Pocket details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted October 23, 2012 2" Aerial Gunners' wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #15 Posted October 23, 2012 British-made 9th AF patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted October 23, 2012 Staff Sergeant stripes and overseas bars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #17 Posted October 23, 2012 Cont'd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted October 23, 2012 Manufacturer's label. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted October 23, 2012 USAAF EMs' OD overseas cap with STERLING 9th AF patch-type DUI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 23, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted October 23, 2012 Both patterns in use in WW2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 26, 2012 Share #21 Posted October 26, 2012 Sabrejet, those are some great uniforms! Thank you for sharing with us. I hope you won't mind if I add my British-made jacket here. This is the service "pinks and green" uniform of 1st Lt Charles W. Pratt, a bomber pilot with the 8th Air Force. His Ike style service jacket is British made, with red silk lining and bullion pilot's wings and rank insignia. Lt Pratt evidently was either well-off financially, or scrupulously saved his flight pay. I have three uniform tunics of his, and every one has custom bullion and/or silk patches. The crusher visor cap (made by Bancroft), jacket, and trousers are all named to Pratt, and the shirt and tie also came with his uniforms. Sorry for the small photos...haven't figured out how to make them larger and stay within the size restrictions yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 26, 2012 Share #22 Posted October 26, 2012 A close-up of the front of the jacket showing the hidden British brown uniform buttons. The buttons hidden under the chest pocket flaps are also the brown British style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 26, 2012 Share #23 Posted October 26, 2012 Sleeve cuff details showing the officer cuff braid - an unusually green color rather than the more normal tan. You can also see pleats above the braid...not found on US-made jackets. The uniform material is also different than the elastique wool used by US uniform makers. It is a rough weave wool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 26, 2012 Share #24 Posted October 26, 2012 There is also a pleat above the waistband on each side, and the waistband strap ends in a rounded shape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 26, 2012 Share #25 Posted October 26, 2012 Photo showing the red silk lining inside the jacket, and the tailor's label found in the inner right pocket showing a London maker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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