M-51 Fishtail Parka and such

[Doctor Damage]

Unsanctioned uniform of Japanese TV/film detective characters

Who's the actor?

 

[Blackadder]

Who's the actor?

Yuji Oda in Bayside Shakedown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yūji_Oda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayside_Shakedown

 

[Doctor Damage]

Denzel Washington in Book Of Eli

 

[Fifty150]

Some people like tight fitting clothes. I get that. This coat was made to be oversized and baggy. It works well for me, exactly as designed. I can wear it over layers, and still have a range of motion. I see that the film character also has a kafiyyeh, which is a great accessory. I don't get to wear mine as often as I like. But when it is cold enough, this really is warm.

I have other warm coats. A trench. Several wool Pendleton & WoolRich. Chesterfield. Squall coat in "stadium length". Leather. A duster. Camelhair. Duffle coat. Pea coat. Rubber yellow rain coat. Car coats. My generation favored black, long, leather coats. Mostly double breasted with a belt, similar to a leather trench. I like long coats. Just isn't cold enough around here to wear them. But a black fishtail could be worn with jeans, and over office casual.

I went for hike wearing it today. Windy and foggy in the hills overlooking downtown. The shell is good for protection from thorns. Hood keeps the bird poop off my head. In addition to aggressive raccoon, we also have coyote. Lately, mountain lion have been spotted. Fishtail parka is perfect for concealing a sidearm. Nobody needs to see my pistol unless I need to draw it from the holster.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ another great essay... is that LA?

Looks like Bronson does a couple of fishtail repros, the M51 looks particularly good, the M65 not so much (no hood for instance). Check them out here:
https://bronsonshop.com/search?type=product&q=fishtail

 

[bn1966]

^ another great essay... is that LA?

Looks like Bronson does a couple of fishtail repros, the M51 looks particularly good, the M65 not so much (no hood for instance). Check them out here:
https://bronsonshop.com/search?type=product&q=fishtail

these look good, over in the UK the M-65 is often worn without a hood, but it’s nice to have option....

 

[Fifty150]

On very few occasions, I actually unzipped the collar and pulled the hood out of an M-65. I think less than a handful. Every time I thought the same thing. This hood is a piece of $¥!¶¿. In 1965, the hood was worn over the steel pot helmet. I pulled the hood over a baseball cap. It's better than not having it at all. Fine for keeping a little wind and rain off your neck. Until you put your poncho on. Or attach the cold weather hood with the fur. It's okay for creating concealment of your facial features. But in a storm, it is not your best option.

 

[Fifty150]

is that LA?

San Francisco

Bernal Heights Park

Coyote literally roam the streets in this town.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's the diagrams and measurements from the official documentation for these parkas, MIL-P-43496F (d 1990) for the parka and MIL-L-43466C (1981) for the liner. Look how huge those chest sizes are!!

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's the official hood, MIL-H-43555D dated 1988. One size only.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

this photo comes up with a search for US Army in West Germany 1980s, looks like a fishtail

 

[Doctor Damage]