Eaglehurst

What is interesting is that these trousers continued to be manufactured to the same original 1951 specification as the army trousers through 1953, when the army issue versions had undergone 2 - 3 additional incarnations by that point and looked very different, in both material and design, to the orginal 1951 spec. Below army incarnations 1951 to ultimate Trousers Sateen c. 1953/54 (2 different versions)...

Another example of the matching trousers...

Still gabardine for this version Steve.

These I have in my library Steve but if you need more I can dig it out and get additional close ups...

I recall reading somewhere that this was a modification for tank crews.....although a mod for officers also sounds plausible.

You know my thoughts Steve...superb! And you know my next question.......has he (your contact) gotten back to you yet?

LOL! Ditto....picked up a NOS example recently with, as you say, the nylon backed zip....

I would agree. In the thread link I attached I think MHillyard stated he paid £20 for his. Iirc I did not pay much more than that for my example and yours was £35. If you think about the rarity of these items and the age it surprises me that they do not attract a much higher price. That, as many have stated, though is a function of market perception. These days market places like eBay seem to have gone insane. 59 Patt Denison smocks, which are relatively common, are going for rediculous money - decent size and condition may well see in excess of £200. It is a similar situation for 60 patt gear - I recall a post 64 size 9 60 Patt smock selling for c.£350....:nut: (- although I have noticed that the 60 Patt market has cooled somewhat over the past couple of months). Whereas much rarer 50's pattern gear (incl the ROC gear in this thread) are less well known, and desirable, and thus attract a much lower price.

This may help: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?36890-ROC-Combat-Suit-early-1950s&highlight=suits+protective

That may well be the type I am referencing....

Correct - they are early 50's cold weather issue as part of the Korean war developed cold weather gear which lead to the 1952 pattern gear. Often with these caps the makers name and date is under the semi-opaque liner in the top of the cap. Sometimes if you press down this liner down quite firmly you can read the manf details through the liner...

Whilst the pants are ground crew I believe the parka is actually aircrew. There was a specific parka developed for groundcrew. I have only seen a couple over the past few years and they seem to be very scarce... Will see if I can dig out some pics but from recollection they were shorter than the aircrew parka and fewer pockets. Also, iirc, they were of a slightly lighter weight construction which is why, in really cold climes, everyone seemed to want the aircrew version.

Wow - you have some super stuff in your last few posts...great to see some pics from some new blood. I think I have, over the course of the past couple of years, exhausted anything worth showing from my collections.... Keep them coming...

What is the size and date of this - cannot quite make it out through the liner...

Very nice - great condition and items you do not often see....

LOL - fully agree! In fact find just about any other smock ever produced would be better...

Yes please! And I will echo Steve's comments - really nice example!

Similar example I sold a while back but a para smock copy...but with map pocket and 'pullover' style...

Nice scores Steve. 'Kattenburgs Ltd'....thats a new one on me!

Superb examples and great pics....wouldn't mind seeing a couple of pics of the labels if you have any to hand Steve?

The Mk2 smock is the redesigned issue Woodland DPM smock. These have the same features (pit zips; mesh lining, compass pocket etc...) as the current issue MTP PCS smocks. They are not super rare, but are rare enough to fetch a good premium over and above the standard issue smocks which you can find for next to nothing these days. In my opinion these are great, well featured smocks for general 'walting' and hunting, hiking, fishing etc. and so folks tend to go for them over standard issue. Again how much something will fetch is a mystery these days. If you put it on evilbay and happen to find a couple of enthusiastic bidders you could get £50. I sold one of these a while back in good condition and in 180/112 for £40. I have seen them on evilbay for over £100 and in some cases they have sold! :nut:. A quick check on completed listings shows one that sold for £25 and another for £5. My advice is hang onto it. These are not made anymore and at some point even modern DPM will become collectable.... Your MVP liner is less rare and so less valuable. You may see £15 out of it on a good day. Obviously the above is a guide and subject to my experience only - with some of the crazyness on auctions sites these days don't be surprised if you double the above price on the liner and get 0.99 for the mkII smock...:-D

Superb Steve - you rarely see a set that 'shiny' these days!

Certainly not uncommon Mark although older pre-80s gear was usually sewn. I traded a 59 Patt smock a few years ago that had glue marks on the upper sleeves. Unfortunately can leave a bit of a mess when you remove the patches. I have also seen pleanty of modern smocks with badges/patches glued on using Wunderweb which is basically a material made of glue that melts and bonds two fabrics together when heat from an iron is applied. Not a big fan of it myself...

Cock-ups on NSNs have been happening for years!: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?29436-1960-Pattern-Trousers-C-W-Son&highlight=1960+son+cable

Do you have the matching DPM 63 Patt trousers by chance? If so it would be great to see some pics....