Heads Up: Denim Tank Suit news

[Robert Bergeron]

Hey , wait a minute ! We were not supposed to wait for Jim to inspect the prototype and give the go ahead before ordering ?

[RichardT10829]

Contacted off Irfan direct, as I had purchased a number of his pixie suits. I liked what I saw so purchased three.. my understanding is Jim wanted to check before giving the go ahead as he does not want folk to be upset if there are issues.

I am after a period looking light weight suit to climb in and out of carriers and tanks with...

I am not so fussy

If it causes grief I will tell Irfan to wait ?

[Remko]

I'll wait for a comparison verdict.....

Like i compared my Winter Pixie with an original after recieving it from Irfan.
The Winter edition was (almost) spot on with the original.

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 (Jim will send me one along with longer straps that cross over the shoulder)

Any indication of final pricing and first deliveries (after the go ahead)??

[Robert Bergeron]

The giant from the Netherlands is a wise man . Waiting for the signal before crossing the start line . That way the God of war ( Jim ) will have time to soften up any imperfections in the suits. A small Canadian ( 6’ 1’’ or 192 cm ) enthousiast . ...

[Jim Burrill]

Don't un-order your suits... But I should have the prototype in Tuesday.

I would feel better having the chance to scrutinize it before people start spending money on my say-so. Well, I would at least do my best to make sure it was made right.

I plan to get three myself.

I really hope Irfan has his shit together about the sizes. I sent him commercial cotton boiler suits/coveralls to try to set a size that you would see if you ordered from the big Aramark clothing company.


There are a couple of people that are trying to sort out replacement suits due to some mix ups. Three were lost in Holland... shipping weight matched three suits, but only one unpacked on arrival. And some that were not a proper fit. So then it got into replacement susits, and who to return the reject to. (ME!)

But it made sense to try to sell those person-to-person and save on postage.

Honestly, I still am not sure everyone is whole yet. Eric's suit is the last one to be mailed. And it was several months past the promised date.

I owe straps and a correct size lable ( That is coming Tuesday with the AFV Suit prototype!!)

It sucks when You can't personally control such things!!

Anyway.... bear with me....

[RichardT10829]

Standing by.. Irfan has been instructed to wait before making mine, he does however have my order.

You can rest easy Rob.

Remko, Irfan is quoting $150USD per suit plus postage.

And here is another image.

They say the devil is in the detail, but Vs the “Cost O Fortune” (SF) ones, they appear to be about 99% better

[shaun]

They look good to me I’m going to get my order in as I need one for the start of the rally season.
I feel it is unfair to rest the “rubber stamp “ on Jim’s shoulders . I have an original set to compare with so I can point out any issues with manufacturer my self.
But going on the images Arfan has sent me they look good to go .

WE WILL SEE !

[Jim Burrill]

Just a heads-up! I got the sample suit in. Love it! A little olive in color than my postwar fabric, but that is being picky.

Stitching is first rate! Size I got was what I consider a Large. I fit but on jeans and t-shirt a very trim fit. No crotch binding and legs and sleeves a good fit, But to be the loose coverall I am looking for I would get an XL.

Irfan is going to send me his proposed size chart tomorrow and I will share that with you all for comments.

I hope you don't think this is too mercenary, but I would encourage you to order sooner rather than later. It will take about 600 yards to do the suits I estimate, but the original order was to be 1,000 meter roll. That got pushed up to double, and then at the last minute to 3,000 yards. Granted, Irfan will probably make the two piece denim jacket and trousers for What Price Glory, but it would help Irfan and my credit card balance if we can get enough orders to cover our fabric buy.

So, if you plan to buy, treat yourself to a fresh suit before the spring MV shows begin.

Pics tomorrow!

Jim

[RichardT10829]

Cheers Jim, I thought so too when i saw the images Irfan sent, I have pulled the trigger for mine.

[Robert Bergeron]

Crossed the start line to the red parachute flare sent flying by Jim : Ordered and paid for a suit today . Cheers . Bob

[Jim Burrill]

"Sorry for the delay in posting this...

I did a hot water wash and hot dryer run on the sample suit.

Like I suspected, there is shrinkage, like with bluejeans.

I measured several points, like the sleeve length, inseam, crotch to waist, shoulder to shoulder. Collar.

Worse shrinkage was in the length of 2" in the inseam. collar had no shrinkage and the sleeve length was about 1.5".

I discussed it with Irfan. He asked me to do a good iron and measure, which I did with no noticeable change.

The solution we worked out is in two parts - Irfan is recalculating the patterns to add more fabric to the pattern pieces so when you get it, it should fit looser than you expect, and after a good hot wash and hot dryer, it comes down to the size that is on the label.

You the buyer, will plan on the shrinkage in the first hot wash. Subsequent washing should be cold and probably close-line dry.

Next sizing thing is the inseam.... we have to keep it simple on the inseam because each single chest and waist could have 4-5 different inseam lengths.

If you think yourself on the tall side, ask for a Tall for your size. Irfan will send a suit that is about 2" longer int he inseam for the same chest and waist.

Some people may find they have a good general fit, but the legs are too long. In that case a local dry cleaner or tailor shop can take up the pants cuff and restitch the tab and buttons.

I just drafted a new size chart for the order form and I am sending it to Irfan now to review and confirm.

Personally, I am ordering a size 5/XL

I am 5"11. chest is 42-44 and a waist of 38". However age and occupation and a general loathing for gym workouts has me a bit larger around the belly button than I am at my belt-line. SO the XL should give me ease over summer clothes.

Irfan sent me a Large and over t-shirt and jeans it was "Snug" across the belly but the other areas fit closely. So I would order next size up.

Trying to sort out the fake size labels is a challenge. An Army Size 4 for one garment will not fit a soldier like any other Size 4 for a different garment.

You would think on induction, a soldier would be measured and told " Remember this! You are a Size 5! always ask for a size 5 from the quartermaster for everything!"

I swear, I could make a doctoral thesis on clothing sizes in WW2!

[Eric R.]

So the sizing based on modern dickey coveralls is not how it is going to be sized? That is what I thought you had originally planned on? That is a shame since I can go about anywhere and make sure the size fits.

After the size screw up I had with the bespoke pixie suit I am leery of his sizing applications.

Originally Posted by Jim Burrill

"Sorry for the delay in posting this...

I did a hot water wash and hot dryer run on the sample suit.

Like I suspected, there is shrinkage, like with bluejeans.

I measured several points, like the sleeve length, inseam, crotch to waist, shoulder to shoulder. Collar.

Worse shrinkage was in the length of 2" in the inseam. collar had no shrinkage and the sleeve length was about 1.5".

I discussed it with Irfan. He asked me to do a good iron and measure, which I did with no noticeable change.

The solution we worked out is in two parts - Irfan is recalculating the patterns to add more fabric to the pattern pieces so when you get it, it should fit looser than you expect, and after a good hot wash and hot dryer, it comes down to the size that is on the label.

You the buyer, will plan on the shrinkage in the first hot wash. Subsequent washing should be cold and probably close-line dry.

Next sizing thing is the inseam.... we have to keep it simple on the inseam because each single chest and waist could have 4-5 different inseam lengths.

If you think yourself on the tall side, ask for a Tall for your size. Irfan will send a suit that is about 2" longer int he inseam for the same chest and waist.

Some people may find they have a good general fit, but the legs are too long. In that case a local dry cleaner or tailor shop can take up the pants cuff and restitch the tab and buttons.

I just drafted a new size chart for the order form and I am sending it to Irfan now to review and confirm.

Personally, I am ordering a size 5/XL

I am 5"11. chest is 42-44 and a waist of 38". However age and occupation and a general loathing for gym workouts has me a bit larger around the belly button than I am at my belt-line. SO the XL should give me ease over summer clothes.

Irfan sent me a Large and over t-shirt and jeans it was "Snug" across the belly but the other areas fit closely. So I would order next size up.

Trying to sort out the fake size labels is a challenge. An Army Size 4 for one garment will not fit a soldier like any other Size 4 for a different garment.

You would think on induction, a soldier would be measured and told " Remember this! You are a Size 5! always ask for a size 5 from the quartermaster for everything!"

I swear, I could make a doctoral thesis on clothing sizes in WW2!

[Jim Burrill]

I have gone back to him about that. That is why I haven't published a fresh order form until I can get Irfan to use my sizes.

I expect to hear back from him today about this and will update the thread when I know more.

I mean, I bought six diffeent sized coveralls from Aramark and sent to Irfan so he could measure the main parts so he could see what amount of fabric was needed in , say, the waist, to have the suit be called an "Extra Large".

So.. the saga continues.....

[Jim Burrill]

Talked with Irfan today. He has made up a third denim AFV for me to try on for size. If that fits, then I will post pics and go public with my most personal details of my size..

As Leonardo told the Pope.... "Soon, Soon!'

[RichardT10829]

So I shouldn't expect mine in the post on the 10th as promised.

[Jim Burrill]

Got the third sample suit from Irfan yesterday. Washed it in hottest water setting and machine dried at the longest and highest heat setting to get shrinkage.

The fit matches the label! He sent me a Large and calls it a size 4/L.

Height 5'9 - 5=10"
Breast 42" - to 44"
Waist 36" - 38"
leg seam 30"

My measurements are close to that, with the exception that I am 5"11.5" tall, ,y usual inseam for Jeans is 31" and my waist at the belt is 38" but bigger above it with "old man's pot belly"

I put it on over underwear and had my wife judge the fir. Keep in mind she is a Union Member of IATSE - the Movie industry costume folks.

She said for me, the sleeves were right, the neck was right - 19", the legs were an inch short, and the overall body length was an inch or so short.

THAT MEANS - for someone who really is the measurements on the label, it is the right fit.

Based on this report, Irfan says he has rescaled the patterns to add for shrinkage and to match the actual size with the label.

He has asked me to spread the word as quickly as I can so he can move forward with the production.

I could wear the third sample to an event, but I plan to order XL to fit my tired old flabby self.