Peter Graham
Well-Known Member
I've wanted a tanker jacket ever since I saw Kelly's Heroes in the cinema with my dad. I've long given up on the idea of ever owning a wearable original so I picked up this one from the same seller in Indonesia that I recently got the Buzz B-10 from. This guy has now got even worse feedback than the last time I bought from him but I've had no problems. Both jackets had free shipping via DHL, which only takes five days and is trackable from it leaves the seller till it arrives, and unlike other couriers, DHL update the tracking at every stage. Very interesting to watch the progress. Highly recommended.
On to the jacket. To be honest, based on the jackets I've owned, admittedly only five, I think BR is over rated. They never get it quite right, be it blousy sleeves, the wrong lining, wrong decals. Don't get me wrong, the jackets are quality kit, but there's always something not quite right.
The tanker may well be the exception to this. I've never handled an original but I've handled a lot of US gear and it feels and looks like an original piece of WW2 US Army field equipment. The colours are spot on and the shell and blanket lining feel just right. The wool knits have a slightly rough look and feel to them which perfectly matches knit caps in my collection. I've included a comparison photo with an original blanket which shows how good the wool parts are. No blousy sleeves on this one. They are A-2 trim, as they should be, and the cut looks spot on compared to photos of originals. I think part of the problem with BR, with the exception of the M-42 jump jacket, is that the jackets are just too 'nice'. All bells and whistles, and never a non decal option. The tanker feels very understated, as a military jacket should. This one is a 36 and it was cheap, but I'm so impressed I may look for a 38 for a little more shoulder room and layering. I'd love to see their M-41 in the flesh. The inside photos have the more correct colour. Right, now to go and watch Kelly's Heroes again !
I lost most of the label with the flash.
Comparison with original US Army blanket on top.
On to the jacket. To be honest, based on the jackets I've owned, admittedly only five, I think BR is over rated. They never get it quite right, be it blousy sleeves, the wrong lining, wrong decals. Don't get me wrong, the jackets are quality kit, but there's always something not quite right.
The tanker may well be the exception to this. I've never handled an original but I've handled a lot of US gear and it feels and looks like an original piece of WW2 US Army field equipment. The colours are spot on and the shell and blanket lining feel just right. The wool knits have a slightly rough look and feel to them which perfectly matches knit caps in my collection. I've included a comparison photo with an original blanket which shows how good the wool parts are. No blousy sleeves on this one. They are A-2 trim, as they should be, and the cut looks spot on compared to photos of originals. I think part of the problem with BR, with the exception of the M-42 jump jacket, is that the jackets are just too 'nice'. All bells and whistles, and never a non decal option. The tanker feels very understated, as a military jacket should. This one is a 36 and it was cheap, but I'm so impressed I may look for a 38 for a little more shoulder room and layering. I'd love to see their M-41 in the flesh. The inside photos have the more correct colour. Right, now to go and watch Kelly's Heroes again !
I lost most of the label with the flash.
Comparison with original US Army blanket on top.