For Sale: 1945 Tanker Oversuit

[marco]

Although the label in the right sleeve says "Tank crews" I believe the camouflaged version was mainly used by "open topped" armored car crews.
Can't find many wartime photo's anyway showing the camouflaged version.

Marco

[Neil Ashley]

Originally Posted by marco

Although the label in the right sleeve says "Tank crews" I believe the camouflaged version was mainly used by "open topped" armored car crews.
Can't find many wartime photo's anyway showing the camouflaged version.

Marco

If you can find any war-time pictures of their use I would be interested to see as no one has ever produced any to date.

There are a lot of post-war pictures into the 1960's showing their use.

[marco]

Neil,

This is the only wartime photo I have on which I think the camouflaged tank suit is worn.
Might be another peace of clothing though, I am sure someone can tell.

It is the XII Manitoba Dragoon soldier on the left sitting on the edge of the Ford Lynx armored car.
I do not know the exact date but I am quite sure it is around April or May 1945.

Marco

[Neil Ashley]

Thats a difficult one. Probably more likely to be a Denison but we will never know.

Here is a post-war picture. Note the Denim Tank Suit still in service.

[Ed Storey]

Great photograph Neil, it shows all three garments in use, Denim, regular Tank Suit and the Camouflaged version. Both the denim and regular tank suits were manufactured post-WWII.

[horsa]

I'm thinking the B&W shot has the guy in question wearing a Denison smock. He appears to have a holster on the right hip which would be a bit more awkward in a heavier tank suit since it looks to be pretty conformed to his side.

[Robert Bergeron]

Well,

I see a nice Canadian Ford Lynx with a 1919A4 flexible mounted up front and a lot of idle Germans sitting on it !

It certainly could be a Dennison smock David. Is the soldier wearing the Dennison wearing a black beret wich would be indicative of an armored Regt ?

If he is , then it could very well be the tanker suit because i do not think an armored person would wear an airborne piece of kit.

Just my two cents, no offense meant too anyone.

Robert

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by marco

Neil,

This is the only wartime photo I have on which I think the camouflaged tank suit is worn.
Might be another peace of clothing though, I am sure someone can tell.

It is the XII Manitoba Dragoon soldier on the left sitting on the edge of the Ford Lynx armored car.
I do not know the exact date but I am quite sure it is around April or May 1945.

Marco

10 April, 1945, near Sogel, Germany.
I do not believe the tank overalls (pixie suit) collar is the same as those found on the second and third variations of the Denison smock. Clearly the double zipper closure is not. Pocket and epaulette shape, as well as their location and snap closures appear similar from a distance. Having an opportunity to view the front to see the double zipper of the pixie suit is helpful. Depending on one's build, a belt carried holster could be worn outside the pixie suit.

[rob love]

If it is a denison smock it would appear to be missing it's diaper. Mind you, one couldn't blame a non jumper for cutting that off, especially near an armoured vehicle. It seems to have a mind of it's own in searching for things to get caught on.

[Robert Bergeron]

Gents,

Chuck, please do not take offense. Bob is right. A seller may and must be able to ask whatever he wants for an item. A prospective buyer is never forced to buy at any price. Even tought we may feel an item is overpriced ( i am not saying yours was Chuck ) it is always interesting to see new items we did not know about ( my case ) or haven't seen in a while .

While on the subject of Dennison smocks, Ed you are right again and thanks for your input. The smocks were also worn by Snipers, Scouts, SAS , Airborne and specialists and certain enterprising individuals including officers. But no officer in his right mind would do that to his Sergeant Major and get away with it. Reverse example from the NCO's and discipline would have prevented it in most instances i believe. Monty was famous for dressing up like a clown in all sorts of uniform combinations.He is not a good exemple in that way.

Plus, i think an individual parading in a smock outside the usual environment for such would have made an attractive target for the opposing force . Like in today's Army, i would expect support troops and units would have tried to emulate front line fighting units by wearing front line apparel and accoutrement. I saw ther same with some overweight officers wearing the Tanker suit designed for the Grizzly drivers in the 80's . They looked simply ridiculous and would'nt have been able to locate the starter switch on one of those..

We are not highjacking a tread because the tread does not exist anymore...

So , sorry Chuck ,please forgive us.

In all modesty and friendship.

Robert