Jacket Sighting - 1944

Lao Feng · Post by **Lao Feng** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:33 am

I was recently at a restaurant whose decor consisted on 100s (yes 100s) of original WWI and WW2 propaganda posters an Life magazine covers - all framed.

On the cover of the 2 October 1944 cover of LIFE magazine is a picture of US Army General Lucian Truscot.

He is wearing what is clearly a personal modification to a USAAF A-2: same epaulets, same pockets, same collar snaps and eye and hook closure at neck.

The modifications: no wool cuffs or waistband...straight leather cuffs and waist...like "Indy jacket". Overall length looked about ROTLA...you could see his web belt just peeking through at waist and his .45 holster hanging just below the waist

It was a superb looking jacket. (I have no idea what was done or not to the back)

Cheers -- Lao Feng

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:41 am

I found a picture of that cover via Google - you're right! Very Indy-like!

Here's a clip of the photo:

Vindy · Post by **Vindy** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:45 am

You can find a side view of the jacket here:

Truscott Jacket (side view)

gwyddion · Post by **gwyddion** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:49 am

You mean this one?

Regards, Geert

whipcracker · Post by **whipcracker** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:32 am

That's facinating. I think that that were more jackets like Indy's than perhaps we think. I mean it WAS a time of great style and indivduality, no Wal-Mart.

Thanks for sharing. It would be interestin gto find out more on the generals jacket. Maybe someone saw that picture when they were researching Raiders.....?

whipcracker · Post by **whipcracker** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:35 am

And.. the zipper goes all the way to the bottom. Look at the drape too. You know that jacket saw action!

CM · Post by CM » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:17 am

I have seen many jackets from the 1930's through to the 1950's that are like an Indy jacket. They were called "Utility Jackets" back then and they were common. Usually made in goat skin.

All" Raiders" did was take that idea and run with it.

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:24 am

Also, a lot of Officers with $$ had uniforms custom tailored, could be a early tailors take on making something "his own" with Truscott"s input....just a thought

Baldwyn · Post by **Baldwyn** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:34 pm

This is great stuff!

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:23 pm

_ wrote:That, my friends is Patton's personal and custom tanker jacket. Patton is rumored to have designed it himself - as he also had designed other uniforms that he wanted to use for his troops. It is an A2 without knits and with oversized patch pockets with hand warmers. It was never a production jacket, though repros abound.

where could you buy a repro of this?

......and please don't say 'wested' under 'indiana jones jacket'

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:27 pm

_ wrote:Here's Patton wearing his design for a paratrooper uniform. That helmet becomes the more modern Riddell football helmet after the war.

Patton's wardrobe of eccentric uniforms of his own design earned him GI nick-names that included "Flash Gordon," the "Green Hornet."

.....................................Every time I see this picture I wonder which came first, this design or "The Rocketeer".......thank God we had him in WW 2.......

Serial Hero · Post by **Serial Hero** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:40 pm

If I remember correctly that helmet was gold colored.

If you have the cash Orvis sells a reproduction of Patton's leather jacket.
It's on sale now for $1049.00

http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoic ... t_id=11955

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:28 pm

Serial Hero wrote:If I remember correctly that helmet was gold colored.

If you have the cash Orvis sells a reproduction of Patton's leather jacket.
It's on sale now for $1049.00
http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoic ... t_id=11955

that's the shearling bomber, not the tank leather. i googled her and everyone and their dog has a patton b3 offering.........i can't find the tanker jacket

Baldwyn · Post by **Baldwyn** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:45 pm

Indiana G wrote: that's the shearling bomber, not the tank leather. i googled her and everyone and their dog has a patton b3 offering.........i can't find the tanker jacket

Agreed, not so easy to find. It seems easier to have a reputable tailor modify a long A2 jacket.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:46 pm

Wings has a 'Cockpit' Brand B-3 on sale. Very nice.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:48 pm

Indiana G wrote:
_ wrote:That, my friends is Patton's personal and custom tanker jacket. Patton is rumored to have designed it himself - as he also had designed other uniforms that he wanted to use for his troops. It is an A2 without knits and with oversized patch pockets with hand warmers. It was never a production jacket, though repros abound.
where could you buy a repro of this?

......and please don't say 'wested' under 'indiana jones jacket'

I don't know where there is a repro, but from photos probably any maker that does custom A2s could make a close copy?

Hatch · Post by **Hatch** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:51 pm

Indiana G wrote:
Serial Hero wrote:If I remember correctly that helmet was gold colored.

If you have the cash Orvis sells a reproduction of Patton's leather jacket.
It's on sale now for $1049.00
http://www.orvis.com/store/productchoic ... t_id=11955
that's the shearling bomber, not the tank leather. i googled her and everyone and their dog has a patton b3 offering.........i can't find the tanker jacket

............Hey G, see if _ can get "Frank" to take one over to TN to replicate

;-)

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:42 pm

There doesn’t appear to be a storm flap either:

I’m sure U.S. Authentic could make one for a reasonable price.

- Mac

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:08 pm

it's 'no deal' for me unless the vendor has got the pattern.....i'm tired of specing jackets out based on pics

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:16 pm

Well, I don't want one, but I find this whole topic very interesting.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:49 pm

I can't find any more about the jacket but did find this with a bit about Patton's helmet
http://travelins.blogspot.com/2008/05/a ... other.html

Post by **Holt** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:04 pm

Indiana G wrote:i'm tired of specing jackets out based on pics

are YOU tired of that....

then please take a wild guess about what I am my friend............

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:21 pm

His jacket appears to be more than just an altered A2. It's hard to tell from the Life photo if it has an internal storm flap. From the stitching beside the zipper it may have inside leather facings.
It has styling elements from an A2 but otherwise is it's own jacket

Browncoat · Post by **Browncoat** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:16 pm

Patton is wearing a pretty cool looking jacket. I am surprised ELC, Aero, et. al., has not tried to tackle an accurate repro.

Does Patton hold a patent for the football helmet design? Talk about being ahead of your time!

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:03 pm

Great find! Like me, he probably hated having the little hairs at his wrist pulled on by knit cuffs.

Weston

IndianaJack91 · Post by **IndianaJack91** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:16 pm

that is so cool

RaiderZee · Post by **RaiderZee** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:47 pm

For all the world it looks like a Raiders jacket, except:

1. no storm flap
2. cargo pockets instead of flat pockets
3. epaulettes (sewn down?)

Plus tailored fit, Wested's best leather . . .

RaiderZee

CairoIndy · Post by **CairoIndy** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:46 am

Man,that is a nice jacket!..that's how I'd like my Indy jacket to fit.
Wonder if Magnoli would make a replica of this jacket?.

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:35 am

_ wrote

That, my friends is Patton's personal and custom tanker jacket. Patton is rumored to have designed it himself - as he also had designed other uniforms that he wanted to use for his troops. It is an A2 without knits and with oversized patch pockets with hand warmers. It was never a production jacket, though repros abound.

My friend, I thought tanker jackets were made of cotton. From the pic, this looks like leather. What's going on? Do you have any more info?

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:37 am

As has been stated, Patton designed a lot of his own stuff. Even in the movie (not wholly accurate I know but I think this part was), he talked of a uniform he designed for tankers. Even if most tankers jackets were cloth, I know he wore a leather one a lot.

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:52 am

This one is my favorite

General Douglas MacArthur

Did you know General Parson designed the M-41 jacket?

Here's the story
http://www.found-nyc.com/blog/2008/01/1 ... ld-jacket/

bigrex · Post by **bigrex** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:31 am

CairoIndy wrote:Man,that is a nice jacket!..that's how I'd like my Indy jacket to fit.
Wonder if Magnoli would make a replica of this jacket?.

That would be a really cool jacket to be able to offer for sale. Looks like nobody else offers them so maybe they would sell on militaria forums as well. The fit and cut is amazing, the collars look great too. Looks like Patton had an eye for design.

RCSignals · Post by **RCSignals** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:50 pm

Found this

http://www.cockpitusa.com/store/product ... 373&page=1

Notice though the black shown jacket is different from the brown jacket shown

Lao Feng · Post by **Lao Feng** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:53 pm

Many thanks to all who found photos of Gen Truscott and his jacket. I've been in the forum for 5 or 6 years and this is the first time any post of mine ever generated follow ons such as these. Funny to think that Gen Truscott is now likely more well known for his leather jacket than his exploits. Hah! Cheers --Lao Feng (West Point '76)

PETER · Post by **PETER** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:37 am

Well as a point of interest I made for Bermans & Nathan the leather jacket worn by Patton in the film PATTON
Cheers
Peter

PLATON · Post by **PLATON** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:44 am

Was he wearing this one in the film? The B-3?

Or something else?

Kevin Anderson · Post by **Kevin Anderson** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:24 pm

_ has gone crazy. Glad I'm here to witness this....

hovitos loincloth · Post by **hovitos loincloth** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:25 pm

[quote="_"]Here's Patton wearing his design for a paratrooper uniform. That helmet becomes the more modern Riddell football helmet after the war.

Was this to render the wehrmacht helpless with laughter?

Jacket Sighting - 1944

Jacket Sighting - 1944

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