Pixie
 

Hey Rem, I am 6 ' 1 "" and 200 Lbs ( 185 cm and 90 Kgs ) so I ordered size 7 Tall.

That should hit the spot right on.

Cheers.

Robert,

Yup, spot on like my size 8.
Sleeves could have been an inch longer but.... nah, just right.

Added a pic in the album showing my leg clearance during normal jeep drivinig.
Original seat not adjusted.

Pixie suit arrived today. DHL had it scheduled for Thursday but showed up today (Tuesday). Appears to be very well made and is an excellent fit for me (Size 7R in this case). Lining is much more comfortable than the original while still having the same outward appearance. Haven't tried out the suspenders/dead-man's lifting straps yet so can't report if they are short or not as someone previously mentioned for their suit. Even if they are, I wouldn't complain as everything else looks good and there isn't anywhere else to get a correct looking wartime or postwar suit in anything bigger than a size 6.

Well done Jim for spearheading this project :thup2: Bring on the denim suits :) :)

Will be awaiting some pics of the Pixie Dave...

Will make a comparison shoot tonight. Repro side by side an original of a friend of mine.

Hereby the link to the album

https://goo.gl/photos/Mp6jHWtehZQaFePt7

Photo 1 Collar inside UK 1945 right, repro left
Photo 2 Collar outside UK 1945 right, repro left
Photo 3 Left front pouch UK 1945 right, repro left
Photo 4 Belt inside UK 1945 right, repro left
Photo 5 Belt outside UK 1945 right, repro left
Photo 6 Fasteners in collar UK 1945 right, repro left
Photo 7 Pouch on leg UK 1945 right, repro left
Photo 8 / 9 Side slith for pouch UK 1945 right, repro left (missing the fastener both sides)
Photo 10 11 Different reinforcements on various places
Photo 12 / 13 Right front pouch UK 1945 left , repro right Fastener different
Photo 14 (original) / 15 repro / 16 repro inside rear pocket different
Photo 17 Missing the Mfg. label

Original sent to Irfan can be a different Mfg. than this one of my friend.

The missing the label is in my opinion the only thing i would recomend to sew in the suit.

Mine must arrive at the end of the month :thup:

"MLU members gather, happy with their Pixie suits"

Attachment 89934

Or rather:

"CHRISTMAS WITH THE BRITISH LIBERATION ARMY IN HOLLAND, NOVEMBER 1944.
A tank crew of the 4th Battalion, the Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Division, unpack a Christmas parcel. The crew who are shown with their camouflaged tank looking like a 'travelling Christmas tree' had been together for three years. They had seen action in Libya and Italy before coming to Holland. Left to right: Trooper R Buckley; Trooper J Round; and Sergeant H Kirk"

Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205212835

Who is providing the Sheman Hanno??

Did anyone else get a message like this from Irfan? I'm thinking this is not legit.

I got the same message. It looked suspicious to me as well so I deleted it without opening it.

I've sent the screen grab onto Irfan himself.

That is iffy.... It does look like a hat he makes. His primary product is hats of all countries, so it could be. I didn't get one, but I probably would have opened it.

But I am also suspicious of just about any "link" that I wasn't expecting to get.

Let's see what he responds to.

I don't think anyone these days is offended if someone asks if a message is legitimate.

Jim

I've not had that message but then I've not had anything back from Irfan after his 'thanks for payment' email of the 27th of February. I've not been chasing him, it's only been a few weeks but he hasn't answered my recent (10 days ago) request for an update.

Previous emails were answered promptly. How have others found a time frame from payment to delivery?

Spoke to him two days ago, he had his FB account hacked, he has a new account now under Irfan Ali Gondal.

Have not been in contact with Irfan but got the same message from Remko!

Sorry, me bad..... or... just automatic forwarding to all contacs after opening link in the mail :giveup

I just had a FB Messenger chat with Irfan.

He and his brother are the ones sewing the tank suits. He has his shop worked making a couple of large orders for Jerry Lee ( What Price Glory).

He says he is shipping three suits a week.

He also says he expects to complete the delivery in 80 days from the date Rinkum got his.

He has had some labels made up to resemble the wartime labels but he took to heart my caution to add something modern to the labels so people don't accuse him of selling fake originals. He added the modern company name.

Any without labels, let me know and i will send you a label for your size to add, if you choose.

Irfan has not yet registered for MLU, but I have encouraged him to, if only to post in the For Sale section, or respond to questions on the suits and possible future projects.

FYI - Denim tank suits. - Jerry Lee of WPG is interested in a lot of the excess yardage we will have to have made, but he is not interested in the AFV suits. He says the volume is not significant enough for him, so he is helping me.

I am about to do something brash and try to sutler under the brand "B/|\O" "Burrill Ordnance" for a few AFV related items. This does not include the denim tank suit project! I said I would get that going as a fellow hobbyist and not put any kind of mark up on it. We all pay the same to Irfan for them,

But after that, I will see if I can make a bit of dosh from some other projects. I will clearly mark those so you know there is some profit being made.

All the best,
Jim
1942 Humber Mk4 Armoured Car

15th (S) Reconnaissance Regt

Reproduction Label
 

Adding current or fictitious company names to reproduction labels does not solve the problem, in fact it probably contributes to the problem. After a few years of wear and tear any reproduction looks like an original and combining this with a current or made-up name on a reproduction label doesn't help as few people know anything about wartime manufactures. What needs to be done is have the word REPRODUCTION clearly stamped in large letters on the inside of the garment, only then will you be protecting the next generation of enthusiasts from mistakenly purchasing a reproduction.

Agree. so When I saw that after following the style of the Army label, he added WorldWing1@Gmail.com as well as the word REPRO to the labels should do the job. In any case, an unscrupulous dealer could always cut the label out.

List, do you think that will keep the historical "newness" intact?

Jim

Ed, sorry, I saw after the post your suggestion to paint/stencil the word reproduction in large letters inside.

As a reenactor, That would bother me. I would be unhappy to have the reproduction be disfigured in such a visible manner. Rather like buying a red dress tunic, only to find it had been slashed when it was surplussed.

However, I will bow to the collective expertise of the folks buying the suits. and ask Irfan to start adding a large "REPRODUCTION" stenciled in 3" tall letters across the inside back and shoulder area so it is obvious it is a reproduction.

Honestly, it doesn't take long in the hobby before being aware of how some dealers try to defraud people, and then is is the old saying of "let the buyer beware". Irfan is certainly not trying to sell these as "newly discovered originals.

I don't think it is a matter of a dishonest seller trying to flog reproductions as originals. It is more a matter of how someone can discern an original from a repro many more years down the line.
I think a label stating it is a reproduction is a good thing. Why not something along the line "Faithful and skillful reproduction by Irfan in collaboration with Burrill Ordnance"? Why not be proud of the work you two have put into it?

Just my EUR 0,02 worth,
Hanno

For me as a seasoned reenactor and collector.

These are not exact reproduction - they are close.. there are differences and am sure when am out and about in mine, the rivet counters will be delighted to tell me what they are.

No other manufacturers of reproduction clothing see fit to print "Reproduction" in 3in high letters on their kit.

This garment is a limited manufacture run to members of this forum and a few other AFV owners who want quality kit to wear... Am perplexed therefore why this suggestion has arisen given those for whom these are being made.

Other manufacturers take less intrusive approaches - fake manufacturers labels and stamps... Steve Kiddle at Pegasus Militaria uses "HJN co".

I have no complaint with a fake manufacturer's name... even down perhaps to REP.Ro.

But am dead against "Reproduction" in 3in high letters across the inside... this is way over the top and not necessary... certainly not in mine, which is for me to wear with my vehicle.

Tim

A number of buyers (and some non-buyers) have PMed me about this.

While everyone agrees that these should have some kind of ID as a repro, the consistent feeling is to be discreet with the markings.

Since Irfan has already made up facsimile labels which include the word Reproduction and his Internet website on it, I think we will just leave it there.

It is up to the buyer to add any additional markings to theirs to address their concern about preventing some future fraud.

What you can do is to take an indelible ink pen like a common Sharpie and mark your suit where-ever and however you choose.

Personally, I use my last 5 of my SSN as my pretend "Army Number" so I can recognize my webbing and kit from my club-mates.

Saying reproduction on the label is fine. Stencilling it with 3" letters across the garment just to please some who never seem to be pleased is senseless.

I'd rather buy a book and learn the differences between an original and repro then see what amounts to nothing but graffiti.

As Tim said, it won't take long for the collectors to identify a couple tells that differentiate the repop from the original. I don't want the 3" lettering mucking things up.

That is perfect. Anyone wanting more than this genuine maker's label is "looking for nails at low tide", as we say in Dutch.

As for differences between this reproduction and originals, having seen Jim's photos, I'd say there are similar differences between wartime originals.

Indeed, Jim is to be commended for taking this initiative and Irfan for applying his skills while making a living.

Let's leave this debate where it is and move on to the next project: denim coveralls. Bring it on Jim & Irfan!

Hanno

Well my suit arrived today, and I have to say I am very very very happy with it indeed ! A perfect fit too. I am a typical size of your average 1940's British soldier ! 5'10" 36" chest 32" waist. I purchased a size 5 and it's spot on with my denim bottoms on underneath and a jumper.

Very warm too.

So glad I bit the bullet and got one now.

Good to hear Richard.

My order should be getting shipped by the end of the week. Can't wait to see them.

Fingers Crossed.....
:thup2: