"The Gunner" from Kakaduimport?

[Spitfire]

Any of you gents have any experience with this greatlooking coat:
"The Gunner" from Kakaduimport.

Or with the company itself?

To me it looks like an amazing coat.:eusa_clap

 

[Smithy]

That's an Aussie company Spitty. I've seen a couple of their things before and from what I remember they make nice stuff.

That's canvas is it? It's reminiscent of some of the patterns of flying coat that were used in WWI. Although they were usually leather, I have seen a photo of an Australian Flying Corp member in Palestine wearing what appears to be a canvas coat (then again it could just be a heavily used leather coat).

You just need a pair of Lewis guns and somebody in the front seat of a Brisfit to cart you around

 

[tonypaj]

Any of you gents have any experience with this greatlooking coat:
"The Gunner" from Kakaduimport.

Or with the company itself?

To me it looks like an amazing coat.:eusa_clap

I've got one, in the closet and there it will stay (until my son gets old enough to want a real beater). It is thin, cheaply made, poor finish (I could go on and on), in fact there's nothing I'd recommend about this coat. Well, the picture is good...

 

[Smithy]

I've got one, in the closet and there it will stay (until my son gets old enough to want a real beater). It is thin, cheaply made, poor finish (I could go on and on), in fact there's nothing I'd recommend about this coat. Well, the picture is good...

That's a shame Tony, I saw some of their stuff in the late '90s when I lived in Sydney and the clothing I saw was really nice.

Sounds like they've gone down the gurgler quality-wise since then.

 

[Spitfire]

Thanks for an honest reply, Tony. You just saved me some money there.

 

[ethanedwards]

What a pity Spitfire - it looks great though doesn't it. I know it's different in style, but I used to have one of these M-1951 coats. It was extremely heavy, beautifully made and very strong. Must be hard to come by now though?

http://www.militarysupplyhouse.com/overcoatus1.htm

 

[Feraud]

What a pity Spitfire - it looks great though doesn't it. I know it's different in style, but I used to have one of these M-1951 coats. It was extremely heavy, beautifully made and very strong. Must be hard to come by now though?

http://www.militarysupplyhouse.com/overcoatus1.htm

I currently have the M-51 Field Coat. It is a great heavy coat and not too hard to come by I think..

I also have the raincoat I have been meaning to pass along to a Lounger to make room in my closet.

 

[MJCR]

I bought one of their canvas bags last year and it's pretty awful quality. I kept it on the off chance it might come in handy one day, but I can see it going to the charity shop soon as it's just taking up space.

 

[Speedster]

There has been a few threads about it previously:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=11845

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=20140

It looks good. Too bad about the quality.

 

[Rufus]

Hiya Spitfire,

You can find original WW2 UK 'Dispatch/Despatch' riding jackets regularily on ebay.co.uk... They go for about 20-50 quid, and are great for bikes (obviously!), and wet and windy towns!

Rufus

 

[rebelgtp]

Darn I was disappointed to read that review of the gunner as just last night I was thinking of ordering one. makes me glad I held off.

 

[Rick Blaine]

WHOA, Whoa, whoa, now...

I have had this coat for about six months and, though I am no connoisseur of men's outerwear, I like it just fine (for the $56+ shipping I pd.). My basis for comps ain't much but I have a G & B expedition, a Peterman tweed hacking jacket & just got a Magnoli "The Natural" in leather, so I am not a total tyro either.
The Kakadus' canvas feels sturdy & mid weight, the workmanship seems sound. The brass hardwear seems solid. We are in the midst of a hella drought so I have only had occasion to wear this in the rain twice, but it kept it off ... what can I say, maybe I am a philistine, but I like it. The design is dashing, it is not as idiotically pretentious (at least in Knoxville) as a duster, it is not impregnated with rubber, tar, oil or wax as was the original (rubber I think) , it's a real eye catcher paired with a fedora and it is machine washable to boot. Yes, I wish the belt were longer so you might tie it, I wish it draped better & hope it will w/ age, overall I am happy.

Kakadu also has a short safari jacket I have been thinking of as an alternative to leather;

I wouldn't hesitate to get "The Gunner" (despite the idiotic name) again, at a reasonable price.

 

[Spitfire]

Now I am confused - again:eusa_doh:

 

[tonypaj]

Now I am confused - again:eusa_doh:

Then you've got to see for yourself, some like apples, some oranges. They're not expensive, that's for sure, and that's why I'm not too bothered...

 

[Copper]

I just picked up some stuff from Kakadu - the Nelson Jacket, the oilskin cargo trousers, and a shoulder bag.

I think that it is of pretty good quality for the money. I have a Belstaff Trialmaster and although I give the quality nod to it over the Nelson 'replica', the oilskin seems to be solid, the leather collar lining is a nice touch, and the fasteners of decent quality. The differences lay mostly -at first look at least as i have not yet ridden with both- in the small details and in the quality of the lining. At 1/4 the price though, I have to say that it is impressive, and will look good with a couple union jacks sewn on.

I have thought about getting the 'gunner' jacket as a 'beater' jacket in place of my original canvas dispatch rider's coat. These are almost impossible to find to fit a 50L, and I would have trouble replacing the one I did find.

I plan on usuing the oilskin cargo trousers in quite a significant riding adventure later this year, so I will be able to provide a true torture-test report on them.

 

[HDRnR]

I have the Kakadu and an original Despatch. The Kakadu is a basic representation that is not bad for the price. The original Despatch coat is just a different animal all together due to the fabric, its probably the heaviest impregnated canvas I have ever seen. Its heavier than any outfitter tent canvas I've come across, truly an amazing trenchcoat. The Kakadu is more of a soft brushed cotton. Its like comparing a butter knife to a Bowie knife.

 

[Creeping Past]

I've contacted the people who sell this in the UK and they say it's made of 10 oz canvas. That would seem quite substantial. Would previous posters/owners say that's heavier than or the same as the one(s) they've seen or read about?

I'm hovering between this and a more pungent rubbery 1950s version offered by SOF, the British surplus and repro people. I'm aware they're not at all the same animal. Nevertheless, I'm on a tight budget and it's one or the other...

 

[Spitfire]

Who sells them in UK?
Website maybe?

 

[Creeping Past]

What a good idea!

A lot more than the US vendors. But comparable if I'm to be hit with a customs charge.

I'm going to toss a coin come payday... maybe even in their direction.

 

[dfukumoto]

Anyone know if they fit "true to size", ie if I have a 40" chest I would be "medium" (39-41")?