Heads Up: Denim Tank Suit news

[Jim Burrill]

Hi folks,
for those that went through the winter "Pixie" or crew suits project, Irfan has been to a weaving mill and has said the run is a match for the original green denim I sent him.
See the two images at the factory.

Also, an original denim AFV crew suit was sent to him (received) as well as a repro of my suit from a different source about 7 years ago.

Also, we sent several Aramark coveralls to pin down the actual measurements for the size.

Not ready to take orders just yet, but approximate cost is 150USD Plus postage.

[Jordan Baker]

Sounds good

[Robert Bergeron]

Jim, are we buying from Irfan again or directly from you this time ? Cheers . Robert

[Jim Burrill]

Robert, I am not wealthy enough to buy 90-100 suits from him and hold them and you all buy from me.

I am sticking my toe in the waters with some smaller items like the BESA Tool roll, BREN fiber boxes and bags for the Mk2 carriers, and possibly the seat covers for CMP pattern seats. (both the back and bottom) And then the WS-19 waterproof covers. The profits from one goes to pay the production costs of the next project.

So, yes, best to send the order and payment directly to Irfan.

Maybe that can change if i can decently launch Burrill's /|\ Ordnance - ( the logo would be the older B /|\O )

[Robert Bergeron]

Thanks for all the efforts and the work you have put into these projects Jim. I certainly appreciate everything you have been doing . I am in for two sets. Robert

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Sounds good Jim! As stated before I’m interested.

Will these become in Khaki colour (the light shade of yellow-brown) as well?

[Bob Carriere]

Nice job Jim

I would be in for 2 in green and if the khaki becomes available a couple more.

Bob C.

[RichardT10829]

Likewise I would be up for one.

[Andy Mitchell]

I could do with one as well !

[SteveJ]

Im interested in one also

[Kevin MacDonald]

I would be in for 3 in the green. The fabric looks fantastic.

[Jim Burrill]

Hi folks - I call this a "heads-up" instead of "for sale" because I wanted to let you know that while I have seen the photo of the denim fabric, I have not yet seen Irfan's prototype suit yet.

The information in the order form is the prices and shipping.

While I am good with ordering my own from him at this point, waiting to see the final version may be a good idea.

Those of you that are happy with your Pixies may be confdent he will deliver a great denim suit.
I would suggest that if you place your order, tell him to wait until we have accepted his prototype before building yours.

Actually, the plan is for them to build a pile of set sizes and just pull a suit to fill an order.

Anyway, That is what I am advising Irfan to do. Collect orders but wait to make until I have QA'd the sample suit first.

Might make a nice Christmas present if you want to just get the order placed.

I welcome any suggestions from the group on a way to improve this project.
Thanks!!!

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Jim

Denim being denim...............Any allowances made for shrinking????

Looking forward to your QA comments.

Bob C

[Jim Burrill]

Good point. I would order to the high side of size. Denim - being all cotton - will shrink a bit. I don't know how this fabric will react, but in general it should fit quite loosely.

But to be safe, wash in cold water and air dry.

[Jim Burrill]

I have been asked about a khaki version of this AFV Crew suit.

I am a bit perplexed.... I don't have an original so I don't know what the difference is. (aside from color)

If it is also denim, I have to say with the 3,000 meter minimum order we had to put into the mill, not likely to happen.

If it was some kind of khaki cotton twill, it could be possible but I need to borrow/buy an original from someone.

Jerry Lee of WPG was selling a khaki coverall (not the mechanics' coverall) but it seemed it was ex Indian Army?

Anyone have better info? One to sell?

[RichardT10829]

Does Irfan have a prototype made yet that we can see ?

[Jim Burrill]

I am expecting one to QA in a week or two.

I recommend that people just get prepped to make an order with out sending money until we have proof that it is right.

[Remko]

So, after the pixie now this.

Does someone have a pic to what it would turn out on a model/mannequin.

Might be interested in a size 8.

[Tim Bell]

Originally Posted by Remko

So, after the pixie now this.

Does someone have a pic to what it would turn out on a model/mannequin.

Might be interested in a size 8.

I guess that would depend on the size/shape of the mannequin

[Jim Burrill]

Thanks for the kind words!!! Hope the Denim AFV suits project has fewer (to zero) blips with sizes as the Pixies did. Thanks everyone for being so understanding. Got about two Pixies to finish sorting the size rebuilds so everyone is whole with swaps and shipping and all.

Cheers,
Jim

[Jim Burrill]

This is a picture taken yesterday of the prototype Denim AFV Crewsuit.

Irfan is sending it to me to review and I should get it Monday or Tuesday.

I will compare with the one I had made from an original about 10 years ago, and also the ones Das Adler was making. Irfan had an original to copy from for this project.

I just learned that Soldier of Fortune is selling their own copy of the Crewsuit, but reports are that they are shite.

If anyone has one, and can state the flaws, I will make a point of comparing that against Irfan's version.

[Robert Bergeron]

Jim, now that is a nice crewsuit !

[Bob Carriere]

.....following the thread with interest.

Thanks for taking the time to make it happen.

Cheers

[tankbarrell]

Originally Posted by Jim Burrill

Thanks for the kind words!!! Hope the Denim AFV suits project has fewer (to zero) blips with sizes as the Pixies did. Thanks everyone for being so understanding. Got about two Pixies to finish sorting the size rebuilds so everyone is whole with swaps and shipping and all.

Cheers,
Jim

Not quite everyone! My friend still has his to sort. Other than buying a whole new one from Irfan, I'm not sure what else he can do.

[Jesse Browning]

This is the suit I bought from SF. I am very happy with the workmanship. It is very well made. As for it’s accuracy, I don’t know. I’ve never seen an original, and did not study them to a great extent.

[Jesse Browning]

I will try to list the positives and negatives from my experience with this suit and SF.
The positives: Like I said, the suit is very well make; very heavy duty. It was at my house (in the Midwest USA, from the UK) in 3 days after ordered. The size 4 fits me well with tee shirt and shorts under it (I’m 6’ 200 lbs). The buckles are all the same and machine made (I have one of Irfans Pixie suits).
The negatives: The sizing with SF was a problem too. According to their size chart, I needed a size 5. When I first tried it on, the sleeves were 6” past the end of my fingers. Likewise the legs were 6” too long. The actual waist measurement was 62”. SF didn’t want to take responsibility for the error, sending me a picture of someone they said was my same size wearing a size 5. They said he looked fine ( even though his shoulder seam was half way between his shoulder and elbow. After many emails and phone calls, I didn’t hear from them again, and had to have my credit card company reverse payment. I’m still out the $80 it cost to send it back. The suit was 80 GBP and about 60 GBP shipping to the US. My son ordered me the size 4. As I said, I don’t know much about the accuracy. Someone with more knowledge on the subject can critique that.

[Tim Bell]

Irfan has one of my original 1950s denim tank suits to use for reference.

Tim

[Jim Burrill]

Jesse... That fabric doesn't look like denim, but simple dyed cotton twill.

Look at the insides of your bluejeans... Denim is woven with the warp a previously dyed color thread, and the weft is white. Both are cotton threads. So the woven fabric is all cotton, like twill. But twill as used by What Price Glory and other firms as they couldn't get denim of a wartime color.

Irfan and I received an order of 3,000 meters from a mill in Pakistan he had a relation work for.

I have the advance notice from DHL that I should have the prototype this Tuesday. I will give it a close scruitiny for proper construction and details and report here.

Adrian, PM me your friend with the problem with the Pixie. I am tryign to guide Irfan in resolving the remaining issues. A bit tricky... I am not a business partner with him.More of a B2B consultant. I have put in money to help buy the denim, but will not see any back. I will eventually receive some private order items - BREN Ammo boxes, pouches, BESA tool roll, and Wireless covers as repayment for my investment to buy the denim.

But I want everyone to be whole for trusting my "source" of buying the pixies.

[Ed Storey]

Why are these things being clearly marked as reproductions on the inside of the clothing? It is a difficult and challenging task already to document the story of most wartime clothing without an infusion of similarly marked reproductions to muddy the waters. Taking the responsible approach of clearly marking these garments as reproductions has no effect on how the items look when being worn by today's hobbyists and is respectful to future enthusiasts who will be left trying to sort out the copies from the fakes.

[Jim Burrill]

Ed, it is the hobby of reenacting vs. Collecting. Reeanctors don't want to trash originals, or originals to fit you are not available.

So reproductions will be made. At least Irfan is marking the lable to use his business name as the give-away while the rest of the lable looks "Authentic".

There are an awful lot more reenactors than there are collectors who can't tell the difference between 70 year old clothing and something made in the last couple of years.

Also, the whole concept of mistaking a newer made item from an original is just part of the collecting world, even if military reenactors didn't get repros made to play in. Just ask any museum or auction house.

As they say, the cat's out of the bag.