Over Goat

[caddyman]

After posting up the old photo of me in the snow drift yesterday, I have been wondering if it is still possible to get old RAF greatcoats (that one was 1942 vintage; I only got rid of it when I left Clapham, though it hadn’t fitted me for years). It was easily my favourite coat of all time; it was pretty basic, being an airman’s coat – a friend of mine had an officer’s greatcoat that was much softer and had a lining – but damn it, you could see off a nuclear attack in it.

The style ran generally unchanged from the mid 1930s until the late 1970s as far as I am aware, so it wouldn’t have to be a 69 year old coat. Something newer would suffice. Sadly I doubt that even the doughtiest of government surplus stores would have anything in my size. Even if there is something that will go around my chest, it is unlikely that there is anything available that will encompass my gut (even if it is shrinking slowly).

I really miss that coat.

Comments

[fencingsculptor.livejournal.com]

The answer is yes, but because of Torchwood they're getting rarer:

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/shop/british-militaria/miltary-uniforms/new-genuine-raf-great-coat-like-439384.html

Silverman's willusually stock anything from any period...but they're uber pricey:

http://www.silvermans.co.uk/ProductDetails/tabid/89/Department/Military/Category/JACKETS+++SMOCKS/ItemDescription/RM+NAVY+BLUE+OVERCOAT+NEW/ItemId/30/Default.aspx

Your best bet cout be Ebay.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

36" chest. Not much use for one of my proportions, really!

[fen-wolfchile.livejournal.com]

36", I'd have trouble getting that on.

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

I would love to have a greatcoat. I must look up an army surplus store sometime.

[fractalgeek.livejournal.com]

My favourite store is "Johnsons of Leeds".

The summer "Detling Military Odessey" is a great source.

[agentinfinity.livejournal.com]

Surely there must be some re-enactors somewhere reproducing this stuff for the larger frame.

[failing-angel.livejournal.com]

Have you tried Squadron HQ (http://www.squadronhq.com/) in Kentish Town (closer to Camden Tube) - it's the former Lawrence Corner

[mr-h-r-hughes.livejournal.com]

Size will be an issue though those coats do knock about and navy ones are easy to get too. Put it this wa *I* had trouble getting an RAF coat in my size.

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

hesitant to say much about size but XXL would be rare for those on active service as they would fail a BFT test. that's why there aren't any big sizes. They would need to be made for costume companies and places like that