jonclark

It has all the attributes of the British 60 pattern smock (stitched collar etc) but is made of a thick cotton with a much looser or coarser weave than the British item.

Dont know if this picture upload has worked but if it has it may be of interest. Its a version of the old British Army 60 pattern smock made for the Bahrain Defence Force in the 1970's

I ( and 2 of my colleges at work) used to build Challenger 2 amongst other things at RoF , later Vickers, in Leeds. Does anyone in West or North Yorks or nearby have an example that we may have built that we can come and have a look at for old times sake? Clearance not a problem.

Its the lack of discipline that makes them shrink I think............

The size 8 and 9 wewre the largest two sizes made. With the jacket 8090 means for height 180 to 190cm with a 1020 or 100 to 120 cm chest. Size 1 2 and 3 (6070) was for some one 160 to 170 cm tall. Size 4, 5 and 6 (7080) was for 170 to 180 cm tall. Each of the heigh ranges had three chest sizes, usually 8595 for 85 to 95cm chest, 9505 for 95 to 105cm chest and 0515 for 105 to 115cm chest. I have no idea how the trouser sizes work, except that sizes 1 to 3 were for a 29 inside leg, 4, 5 and 6 were for a 32 inside leg and 7, 8 and 9 were for seriously tall blokes who inhabited the regions where the air is thinner. Most servicemen find that when they try their old kit on again after 5 years out of the mob, their old uniforms have mysteriously shrunk whilst in the cupboard.........

Try asking on the army rumour service, UK Kit Monster is full of good gen, as is General Melchett

Mostly after searching for days and days on e bay. If you have an e bay account you can put in a favourite search that can be saved for 6 months and you will be notified whenever something that matches is listed. I have 1960 pattern, 1960 pattern combat, 1960 combat etc. Be aware that these days they go for quite high prices. I wrote a guide on e bay about combat jacket sizes explaining how the system works, in case you are ion any doubt about what size to look for. If you cant find it on e bay then google British Army Combat Jacket Sizes and I think it comes up about four or five items down in the list. Or alternatively just drop me a line and I shall run off a quick summary of them for you Cheers, Jon

I've sold quite a few of these 1960 pattern combat smocks on e bay and it depends on the size and condition. The larger sizes, 6, 8 and 9 are the most valuable and can fetch anything from £50 upwards. I have sold a size 6 in unissued condition for over £80 and I have seen them go for over £100 on e bay. The later ones in DPM camo are as rare as hens teeth and thus the sky is the limit really for auction prices. As for the windproof smock, if it really is dated 1944 then it may easily reach well over £100 on e bay.

Hi, I'm Jon Clark, an ex RAF electrician from Leeds. I also worked at the Vickers factory in Leeds for a time building Challenger 2. I also have a bit of an interest in cold war era combat uniforms so feel free to ask any questions.....................