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Hans-Joachim Marseille jacket

Rory Schultz

Well-Known Member
..looks like a motorcycle jacket too me. I would guess that this type of Jacket came in use on racing motorcycles and aviation as well, although they might have been intended for different purposes. Shoulder flaps could have been added for military use. It was not uncommon to utilise clothing for different applications than initially or originally intended for.
Does my gibberish make sense?
The shoulder strap ( on motorcycle jackets ) actually started with the Motorcycle police units from the 1920''s and 1930's it was used for the crossover belt that attached to the waist belt that carried their weapon and ammo pouch just like the Military had. During WW1 up until WW2 Aviators were still using long flight coats and this was changing during the mid 30's because of the use of parachutes required the coats to be shorter. You can not wear a parachute with a long closed heavy outer coat. It was just a matter of convenience leading to the use of short motorcycle jackets, until aviation companies started contracting them for pilots. Can you imagine trying to get out of a burning plane wearing all that gear? That is how a ton of B-17 crews died trying to get a parachute back on during a flak and enemy attack.
 

carrera600

New Member
…a pic i found on the net some years ago
 

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Pilot

Well-Known Member
Almost there…
All NOS material… impossible to differentiate from a pre 1945 one.
Its a 46“-48“ chest… but like the one from HJM… very short.
It will be produced in sizes 40“ -44“ -48“.
No alternating, no adaptation…
Just to do the jacket justice…
Fully aware, not for every frame..
Happy to help via PM
Thanks!
 
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Pilot

Well-Known Member
Thanks to all for the likes and encouraging comments.
I confirmed reconfirm… its a very very short jacket … not for every frame. H. Goering would not fit in :cool: .
It wears like a short tuxedo and or a suit vest ( kind of bolero vest ).
It was meant to be that way … but fits great with high waist trousers or the typical summer Kanalhose… see HJM‘s photos.
The jacket on the photos is a test jacket. Four recent orders plus one possble from a VLJ member will be in the pipe ASAP.
Again thanks to all!

EDIT: HJM‘ was 173cm tall with a body weight of approx. 55-58kg at best.
 
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Kermit3D

Well-Known Member
Thanks to all for the likes and encouraging comments.
I confirmed reconfirm… its a very very short jacket … not for every frame. H. Goering would not fit in :cool: .
It wears like a short tuxedo and or a suit vest ( kind of bolero vest ).
It was meant to be that way … but fits great with high waist trousers or the typical summer Kanalhose… see HJM‘s photos.
The jacket on the photos is a test jacket. Four recent orders plus one possble from a VLJ member will be in the pipe ASAP.
Again thanks to all!

EDIT: HJM‘ was 173cm tall with a body weight of approx. 55-58kg at best.


Yeah, HJM wasn't tall, but he was mostly very slim. This poor boy died at just 22, so he was something of a teenager.
I've always been fascinated by this pilot... a boy with extraordinary flying skills, rebellious and rather anti-military, probably even anti-nazi, his story is really interesting.

Once again, it's a great jacket, but above all, no other comes close to it in terms of precision and cut.
I'd love to see fit pics ;)
 
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