British Paratrooper trousers?

[uaoao]

Has there ever been any idea to issue Para trousers? (IE Denison/DPM trousers with press stud pockets?), I dont mean the windproof camo trousers but somthing that would have matched the Denison smock as OG lightweight trousers would have stood out in some conditions.

[irondiv]

No standard DPM, but no para of the era would have been seen dead in anything but L/W trousers - with sewn creases

[AlienFTM]

No standard DPM, but no para of the era would have been seen dead in anything but L/W trousers - with sewn creases

 

There used to be Trousers OG, similar to Lightweights but fuller cut, cross-over and buckle fastening (iirc) instead of a simple button. Button fly and heavier weight than Lightweights. Functionally they were identical to Lightweights. We were issued two pairs each when we arrived in Nicosia as UNFICYP Force Reserve Squadron (Ferret Scout Cars) in 1976. In many, many units, combat trousers are sneered on. In the 70s and 80s they also cost a lot more (total cost od ownership) than Lightweights etc. Combat jacket and "Lightweights" were de rigeur in these regiments, including 15th/19th Hussars.

 

An issue of two pairs of OGs along with our Lightweights times 2 on our 1157 gave us enough pairs trousers to have one clean, one on and two in the centralised laundry (aka "the dhobi"). Likewise we got five times Shirt OG (aertex) to compliment any of our own KFs or No 2 or private purchase shirts.

 

Sewn in creases were brilliant. Until they came back from the dhobi, pressed and starched ... with the dhobi crease an inch distant from the one sewn in, so you had to re-iron them.

 

I understood that Paras preferred / were issued with OGs as opposed to Lightweights but I could be wrong.

[wdbikemad]

Other than the WW2 serge para-type BD trousers, no subsequent special pattern ever made................

 

Post-WW2 para's favoured either denim BD Trousers, or the 1950 pattern "Trousers, Drill, OG" (tropical combat trousers in green drill with a crossover-belt fastened waist...).................also favoured were (from the early 60s) "Trousers, Overall, Green" which replaced the denim BD trousers.............again, made from cotton-drill but of a more conventional cut and almost a copy of the heavy green 1960 pattern combat trousers but lacking the large left-leg pocket, field dressing pocket and (in some cases) the right-rear hip pocket..........later issues of these trousers, made up to 1970, were produced in olive drab poly-cotton and added the hip and large left-leg pocket..............by 1972 the green poly-cotton "TML's" (Trousers, Mens, Lightweight) began to replace all earlier patterns..............