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Looking like Virgil Hilts For Under $250.00, Can it be done ?

B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
mulceber said:
What I find amusing is that you have ORIGINAL depo re-dyes that would make a great Hilts jacket (okay, minus the name plate and captain's bars - don't wanna mess with an original), and yet you're going to the trouble of buying an original. ;)
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Well ..... you are correct it will be an original issued A2 ..., and that’s all I’ll say about it at the moment.;)
 
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London Cabbie

London Cabbie

Well-Known Member
I wonder what the A2 is worth...?

1307. Steve McQueen “Virgil Hilts” signature “prison escape” shirt from The Great Escape. (UA, 1963) McQueen’s signature costume consisting of a dark blue cotton sweatshirt with cut-off sleeves and stretch-ringed waist and collar. McQueen wears this shirt throughout the film and in publicity materials, particularly when riding his motorcycle in the climactic scene where he prepares to jump a barbed wire fence in a race toward freedom. Studio-distressed to represent prison wear with both shoulders and sleeves retaining snags from when “Hilts” is tangled in barbed wire. With Western Costume Co. label on interior waistband typed, “2109-3 Steve McQueen” over which “Bud #2” has been handwritten in black marker, strongly suggesting that, after use by McQueen, this shirt was pressed into service for legendary stunt man Bud Ekins who performed the actual iconic motorcycle jump over the fence in the film. With studio repairs to barbed wire holes. In production-used, vintage fine condition.
$8,000 - $12,000
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B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
London Cabbie said:
I wonder what the A2 is worth...?

1307. Steve McQueen “Virgil Hilts” signature “prison escape” shirt from The Great Escape. (UA, 1963) McQueen’s signature costume consisting of a dark blue cotton sweatshirt with cut-off sleeves and stretch-ringed waist and collar. McQueen wears this shirt throughout the film and in publicity materials, particularly when riding his motorcycle in the climactic scene where he prepares to jump a barbed wire fence in a race toward freedom. Studio-distressed to represent prison wear with both shoulders and sleeves retaining snags from when “Hilts” is tangled in barbed wire. With Western Costume Co. label on interior waistband typed, “2109-3 Steve McQueen” over which “Bud #2” has been handwritten in black marker, strongly suggesting that, after use by McQueen, this shirt was pressed into service for legendary stunt man Bud Ekins who performed the actual iconic motorcycle jump over the fence in the film. With studio repairs to barbed wire holes. In production-used, vintage fine condition.
$8,000 - $12,000View attachment 42231
Click to expand...
I had heard thru VLJ that a wealthy Japanese collector purchased the jacket... who knows for sure.....
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
While waiting for the 1940s baseball glove and the A2 jacket to show up at my door, I thought I’d share something that I noticed while looking through some photos of MCQueen taken during the filming of the movie. One of the things I realized was that MCQueen, being the king of cool and Mr. Smooth, took every opportunity to enhance his movie persona . As such, his clothing , no matter what movie he was shooting, was always pretty tailored to his physique. I’m pretty sure that the Great Escape was no exception. Take a look at the photos below . I’m pretty sure ( about 99% sure) that the 1942 US Army Khakis that he wore in the film were re-cut , tapered , tailored or just plain custom made for MCQueen, for this movie. I’ve taken a few comparative photos of repro and actual WWII Khaki’s and then a photo of MCQueen on the movie set and you can judge for yourself . I’m pointing this out for any of you who may be interested in this sort of thing. I’m not a re-enactor and would look absolutely ridiculous at my age trying to pull off a Hilts Impression at an air show or military show, but I think for those guys who do that sort of thing , they fall short with the baggy pants look. I think once you check out the photos you’ll agree that anyone who wants to achieve this look doesn’t have to go out and drop $139.00 or $$99.00 on repro WWII khaki’s but can look better and get by for considerably less money with flat front , no pleats, no cuffs , Dockers or some other less expensive commercial pair of Chino pants . So you guys can judge for yourselves, feel free to share your thoughts if you have an interest in this stuff.
Cheers
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mulceber

mulceber

Moderator
Spot on, Burt. In fact, I seem to recall hearing that McQueen made sure that his costume in Great Escape was cut to the latest fashion, rather than WW2 accuracy. Apparently his wife also suggested he make the sweatshirt short-sleeved so as to show off his forearms, which...apparently she thought were really good looking?
 
Smithy

Smithy

Well-Known Member
London Cabbie said:
I wonder what the A2 is worth...?

1307. Steve McQueen “Virgil Hilts” signature “prison escape” shirt from The Great Escape. (UA, 1963) McQueen’s signature costume consisting of a dark blue cotton sweatshirt with cut-off sleeves and stretch-ringed waist and collar. McQueen wears this shirt throughout the film and in publicity materials, particularly when riding his motorcycle in the climactic scene where he prepares to jump a barbed wire fence in a race toward freedom. Studio-distressed to represent prison wear with both shoulders and sleeves retaining snags from when “Hilts” is tangled in barbed wire. With Western Costume Co. label on interior waistband typed, “2109-3 Steve McQueen” over which “Bud #2” has been handwritten in black marker, strongly suggesting that, after use by McQueen, this shirt was pressed into service for legendary stunt man Bud Ekins who performed the actual iconic motorcycle jump over the fence in the film. With studio repairs to barbed wire holes. In production-used, vintage fine condition.
$8,000 - $12,000View attachment 42231
Click to expand...

Might blow out the $250 budget Cabbie :D
 
Ed Rooney

Ed Rooney

Well-Known Member
Funny you mention the modern cut of the trousers vs WWII cut. I have always thought they did the same thing in the Dirty Dozen. When Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson wore their stolen German uniforms, the trousers looked like something the Beatles would have worn in 1964.
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Update:
So the next to the last item for the Hilts impression arrived today. I know some of you guys have been patiently waiting to see this thing pull together, so I’ll keep this short for now. I was able to find a vintage late 1940s to early 1950s baseball glove for a reasonably cheap price that fit nicely into our budget .
The glove cost $15.00 with $5.00 shipping for a total of $20.00.
208AEC33-D593-4400-A2D8-693093EB043E.png

Now the glove was in pretty rough shape but I was able to bring it back into reasonably good condition with a light treatment of Pecards Brown. You can see the results for yourself .
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So here’s where we stand with the budget

Boots ................$70.00
Pants ................$27.29
Sweat Shirt........,.$11.88
Flight Bag............$10.00
Watch.................$5.23
Ball glove.............$20.00
Total..................$144.40
Budget Balance ....$ 105.60
Well ... the last item the A2 is on its way .
Stay tuned.
 
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