Who Makes the Most Accurate Stitch for Stitch Repro of the US Tanker Jacket ?

[B-Man2]

Burt, Since you owned every repro tanker made, I am curious to have your opinion about the ATF ones. I have their fleece tanker but the construction is kind of awkward - it's hard to describe but when I wear it it does not fit/feel quite right . I was wondering if their wool lined jacket is any better

Adam
I also owned both the fleece and the wool versions . While they were ok , I found both of them to be very blousy and puffed out when I wore them . The fleece one more than the wool one, but still they both had that problem . I also found the wool one to be lighter in weight than an original . I think they used a thinner wool blanket lining in them. So for those reasons I sold them . The newer versions may have addressed those issues and that’s why I asked the question .

 

[jack31916]

99% agree… except the BR ( „ Conmatic „) zipper has nothing to do with a WW2 tanker jacket…
I am happy to be proven wrong.
Other than that BR top class as well!

Maybe the brand isn't right ( although Conmatic can be a spin-off from Conmar...?) the shape of the zipper is.

I've had an original "Tankers" jacket with this type of Conmar or maybe even Conmatic zipper. See some pics from the web for the idea.

 

[Chandler]

I also owned both the fleece and the wool versions . While they were ok , I found both of them to be very blousy and puffed out when I wore them.

I've only ever owned a WW2 Impressions and ATF Fleece, but a friend had a Buzz that I thought was a damn good repro -- just beyond my budget.

FWIW -- I've never considered my (7 year old) ATF to be "blousy," but I've also washed it a couple times and I know it's shrunk -- though still fits fine.

The WW2 Impy always felt short in the body and the knits on the collar and cuffs always felt too short.* The body fabric was pretty robust, but the color was a little off. This was from a very old run -- maybe early 2000s, so I can't comment on their current production.

I've wanted a tanker since the late '70s when I first discovered Bill Mauldin's cartoons and historical writings on WW2 -- even bought a Cockpit version that turned out to be crap (and returned), so I'll just say I'm pretty happy with the look, feel, and fit of my ATF -- even have a backup for when the current one gives up the ghost.

*I posted a pic of this jacket in another thread, I'll have to dig it up for reference.
*

 

[Chandler]

I also found the wool one to be lighter in weight than an original.

Burt, have you owned an original in the past? I'd love to get to inspect one to compare to today's repros.

 

[CBI]

yes, this is funny, my ATF Tankers were NOT blousy, all the others were.

 

[CBI]

considering you have owned many Tankers, makes sense to get in the GW line as it will cost you much less in the long run.

 

[bseal]

Dude … You just like to keep stirring that pot don’t you?

They are just down the road.

 

[Shanghai-Mayne]

I own a pair of original tanker coverall , and a RM tanker.
The Real McCoy‘s tanker, both of its outshell and liner fabric are bit thicker than original piece, that’s the only difference them.

 

[Brettafett]

Not sure if you've seen this Burt, or if its your size...

FS: Buzz Rickson Tanker Jacket, Slash Pocket, Size Large, Brand New

Hey everyone, putting a few jackets up for sale. This is a Buzz Ricksons tanker jacket that I purchase a couple months ago and hasn't been worn at all and is in brand new condition. The jacket is a size large—please refer to the pictures for the measurements. I'm asking $250 shipped CONUS...

www.thefedoralounge.com

 

[Spitfireace]

You should put in the proviso that you mean WW2 CVC (combat vehicle crew or tanker) jackets. Since there are other models made since then.

 

[Chandler]

You should put in the proviso that you mean WW2 CVC (combat vehicle crew or tanker) jackets.

Winter Combat Jacket?

Wasn't really designed just for tank crews, they just glommed on to the whole winter combat set and the "tanker" stigma just stuck.

 

[Spitfireace]

Sure why not? Tanker is not one jacket I mean the first WW2 model and the second WW2 model. They continued.

 

[Pilot]

Not sure if you've seen this Burt, or if its your size...

FS: Buzz Rickson Tanker Jacket, Slash Pocket, Size Large, Brand New

Hey everyone, putting a few jackets up for sale. This is a Buzz Ricksons tanker jacket that I purchase a couple months ago and hasn't been worn at all and is in brand new condition. The jacket is a size large—please refer to the pictures for the measurements. I'm asking $250 shipped CONUS...

www.thefedoralounge.com

Burt go for it, it wont get better

 

[B-Man2]

Burt go for it, it wont get better

Not sure if you've seen this Burt, or if its your size...

FS: Buzz Rickson Tanker Jacket, Slash Pocket, Size Large, Brand New

Hey everyone, putting a few jackets up for sale. This is a Buzz Ricksons tanker jacket that I purchase a couple months ago and hasn't been worn at all and is in brand new condition. The jacket is a size large—please refer to the pictures for the measurements. I'm asking $250 shipped CONUS...

www.thefedoralounge.com

Guys
Thanks so much . I’m working in something now and if it works out I’ll post it . I certainly appreciate your input .

 

[Chandler]

Tanker is not one jacket I mean the first WW2 model and the second WW2 model.

Okay, but I've never seen "CVC" used as a WW2 acronym. Any examples?

 

[B-Man2]

UPDATE……. UPDATE ….. UPDATE ……

These days there aren’t many things that people can agree on … but the one thing that I think most of us on this forum would agree on is ….. that John Chapman is a good person and a very skilled jacket maker.
To bring you guys up to date on this thread, as most of you know from reading the above posts I was in search of a really spot on repro tanker jacket that had all of the components of an original WWII tanker. I had owned a number of different maker tanker jackets and was never really happy with the feel, look and weight of those repros. After searching around I was pretty much resigned to trying to find a Buzz Tanker, as I figured that would be my only option. I really thought that a Good Wear Tanker would be the ultimate tanker to have, but at 76 years old I had a long honest discussion with myself about the realities of waiting a few years in the jacket que. It was about this time that I checked my email one morning and to my surprise I had gotten an email from JC. He related that he had read this thread and as fate would have it, a customer had just returned a tanker jacket to him for a sizing problem and JC, knowing my dimensions from previous purchases thought that it would fit me, and asked if I’d like to try it out. I won’t bore you guys with anymore details as you have probably already figured out how this ends. The jacket was a perfect fit. It’s a DuBow tanker and it checks off every box in my quest for a repro that is indistinguishable from an original.
So John Chapman .. if you happen to read this .. thank you ! You’ve made an old guy happy beyond belief.
Cheers !!

 

[Chandler]

@B-Man2 -- Burt, I have a 45th division patch if you want to go full Willie & Joe.

 

[B-Man2]

@B-Man2 -- Burt, I have a 45th division patch if you want to go full Willie & Joe.

I appreciate the offer buddy but I’m keeping this one as is. Stick around for a review of it coming soon .

 

[Pa12]

UPDATE……. UPDATE ….. UPDATE ……

These days there aren’t many things that people can agree on … but the one thing that I think most of us on this forum would agree on is ….. that John Chapman is a good person and a very skilled jacket maker.
To bring you guys up to date on this thread, as most of you know from reading the above posts I was in search of a really spot on repro tanker jacket that had all of the components of an original WWII tanker. I had owned a number of different maker tanker jackets and was never really happy with the feel, look and weight of those repros. After searching around I was pretty much resigned to trying to find a Buzz Tanker, as I figured that would be my only option. I really thought that a Good Wear Tanker would be the ultimate tanker to have, but at 76 years old I had a long honest discussion with myself about the realities of waiting a few years in the jacket que. It was about this time that I checked my email one morning and to my surprise I had gotten an email from JC. He related that he had read this thread and as fate would have it, a customer had just returned a tanker jacket to him for a sizing problem and JC, knowing my dimensions from previous purchases thought that it would fit me, and asked if I’d like to try it out. I won’t bore you guys with anymore details as you have probably already figured out how this ends. The jacket was a perfect fit. It’s a DuBow tanker and it checks off every box in my quest for a repro that is indistinguishable from an original.
So John Chapman .. if you happen to read this .. thank you ! You’ve made an old guy happy beyond belief.
Cheers !!
View attachment 129405

View attachment 129409

Don’t you just love days like that. Congrats and put 30 years of wear on it.

 

[Lowden025]

I own a "Good Wear" tanker that I purchased several years back. I don't have the expertise to talk about design and material authenticity but the materials and fit are top notch. I also own a "WWII Impressions" purchased around the same time. Nice jacket...but doesn't have the feel and comfort of the Good Wear.
Not sure if John is still offering tankers. At the time I purchased it he was experimenting with the design and had only made a handful.