US Uniforms Main Page

Reinforced
M1942 Paratrooper
Uniforms


Last Updated: November 17, 2009

ATF's new M1942 Uniforms:
We have discontinued production of US Made jump uniforms. The fabric available in the U.S. is now inferior to that used overseas and the remaining dyers and finishers have a habit of making mistakes and refusing to own up to them. So, instead of importing fabric from overseas to sew here, we simply let them assemble them there. We've worked closely with this company for 7 years and they now have "the hang of it".

Pattern and details: These are absolutely, positively NOT the same Sturm M42's sold by Sportsman's Guide and all the little vendors on ebay. These are contracted specifically for us, by us. Last Fall, I sent my unissued original 40R jacket and size 34 trousers to the manufacturer. They bagged the old pattern completely and started over. I also have a mint condition 42R and 44R jacket here to compare the size grade. These now fit like the real thing. Compared to our US Made uniforms, these have higher armpits, better fitting shoulders (no more sagging) and the taller collars.
The trouser improvements are minor. The belt loops are more accurate, labels are improved, and we even had exact buttons reproduced. (Yes, I cut two off of my original pants to copy. Sniff*) The "butt-crack" seam has been double or triple stitched to help prevent blow outs, but the design is poor, so some will probably happen anyway. We can repair them if they do.

Hardware: Zippers are genuine Talon brand and the snaps are the same zinc plated, US Made Scovil brand parts we used on the uniforms we made here. Belt buckles are also US Made. Not those tin things on the other repros.

Fabric & Color: Yes, we are very certain that our uniforms are the same color as the real ones used in WWII were. These are same slightly brownish shade of olive drab #3 used on our current Tanker jackets. If you think these are green, you're color blind or retarded. Or both. The 8 oz. 100% cotton twill is the same weight as used on the real WWII uniforms. Yes, some reproductions are made from heavier material (approaching denim) - but we're going by the original, not a copy. The finishing is superior to the US fabric we had too. The shrinkage is less than half as much.

Reinforcing: They finally got it right. The olive drab canvas has 3-4 slightly crooked, stitch rows and the elbow and knee patches are actually in the right locations. (Some repros place them on the upper arms and thighs for some mysterious reason.)

Reinforced Uniforms in WWII
During early airborne operations in North Africa and Italy, the M1942 uniform was found to be lacking in several areas, most notably strength. The fabric is relatively thin (originals were not made from denim as some characters assume) and some seams should have had extra material added. The knees and elbows wore out easily, the pockets sometimes blew out due to the opening shock of parachutes and the single stitch in the crotch seam led to an awful lot of "free balling".
Sometime prior to Overlord, divisional riggers were directed to fix these problems. The riggers of the 82nd and 101st each came up with a similar though not quite identical fix. Heavy olive drab canvas was used to make elbow and knee patches, and reinforce the edges of the cargo pockets. Leg ties were added to the trousers to help compress the bulging hip pockets. Small variations exist in the way they are stitched between the 82nd and 101st, but they are essentially the same.
Each paratrooper was to turn in one of his two issue sets for reinforcing prior to the Overlord jumps. Many paras did not receive them back in time for the jump, so some had them, others did not.  In other words, either style is correct for the period.


Reinforced M1942 Paratrooper Uniform Set
As modified by the riggers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. See charts below for available sizes.
Set $150
Set w/506th Jacket $200

Q: What color are these???
A: The same color as the real ones used in WWII. Olive drab no. 3. If you thought they were supposed to be beige, click here for the khaki course.

For uniform packages click here.
For complete Paratrooper Impressions click here.

Completely new patterns. Better, more accurate fit Bi-swing back, tapered waist Talon zippers, high collar Spec Labels Undercollar correctly reinforced Binding tape on the shoulder joint, felled seams 3-4 rows of stitching, like originals
The color in the photos will vary due to the settings on your computer monitor. We are 110% certain that these uniforms are a correct WWII shade of olive drab no. 3. For more info about the color of original WWII uniforms, click here.

Reinforced M1942 Paratrooper Jacket
Price $75

Sizing: We have only changed the way these are marked, not the actual sizing. Originals have the chest size marked in inches, rather than letter (M, L, XL) sizes. We have simply converted the letter size back to the corresponding inch size. (Since this has already caused mental anguish for a few people, I've added the "Same as" column to illustrate.)
As these are a combat uniform, like BDU's or ACU's, it has not proven necessary to offer every chest size. So, if you are a size 42R, then order a 44R. The difference in the chest is not going to be detrimental- especially when you're wearing an undershirt and carrying fieldgear.
Bellies: If your belly is as large or larger than your chest, order by your belly size. These jackets are tapered- meaning the waist is about 5 inches smaller than the chest on sizes 36R, 40R, and 44R. There is very little taper on the 48R and 52R.

Reinforced M1942 Paratrooper Jacket
Availability
Size
Same as...
Fit Range
Stock
36R
S
34-36
In Stock
40R
M
37-40
In Stock
44R
L
41-44
In Stock
48R
XL
45-48
In Stock
52R
XXL
49-52
In Stock
No other sizes available.
506th Jackets
Sleeve pockets w/ 101st Airborne Patch
Rear pockets
Color will NOT
match

"506th" Jackets
Price $125
In many period photos of the 506th taken during the fighting in Normandy, a notable percentage of their jumpsuits had been modified by the addition of extra pockets. We have modified some of our jackets in similar fashion by adding extra pockets to the sleeves and the skirt. We also make sure to add a 101st patch. These modifications are detailed on page 32 in the Michael De Trez book, "The Way We Were The Band of Brothers", featuring 506th E Company member Forrest Guth's original uniforms.
Pockets do NOT match! The spare pockets are made from different batches of material. It is the same 8 oz. cotton twill as the uniform, but the shade varies. This is historically accurate- in WWII, this was not done at the factory.The individual troopers cannibalized worn out jump jackets for pockets and then stitched them onto theirs. Often by hand. Not only were they likely a different shade, but the originals were heavily worn too. Talk about mis-match- how did they ever fight a war like that. Eeew! If this shade difference offends your sense of fashion and is unacceptable to you, then do not order one. We do not have matching fabric so no matter how loud you scream, matching pockets won't happen.
The 506th was NOT the only unit to modify their jump jackets. Some troopers in all of the parachute regiments modified their jackets- in numerous ways. Not just like these. Calling them"506th jackets" is simply an easy way for us to identify these.
Shipping Delay: It will probably take 2-3 days extra for us to get these shipped. We modify these individually and the girls are only here 4 days per week.
Rank Chevron restrictions: Due to the placement of the pockets on the sleeves of 506th jackets, the rank must be sewn onto the pocket flaps. The highest rank possible to sew on these is Sergeant due to the size of the flaps. Staff, Tech, Master or First Sgt. chevrons will NOT fit on the pocket flaps. You'll either have to go without or promote yourself to officer rank.

 

"506th" M1942 Paratrooper Jacket
Availability
Size
Same as...
Fit Range
Stock
36R
S
34-36
2 Days to sew
40R
M
37-40
2 Days to sew
44R
L
41-44
2 Days to sew
48R
XL
45-48
2 Days to sew
52R
XXL
49-52
2 Days to sew
No other sizes available.

 

New, more accurate patterns Scovil snaps, correct reinforcing Realistic Spec labels Reproduction buttons, flybar buttonholes

Reinforced M1942 Paratrooper Trousers
Rigger-reinforced trousers as worn during the invasion of Normandy. The leg ties on our trousers are made form 1" binding tape (webbing) which was "101st style". The 82nd Airborne riggers used a strip of olive drab canvas instead. We can replace these with the 82nd style leg ties for $10. (Sorry, but 85% of all reenactors do 101st. Mostly 506th...surprise!)
These also have suspender buttons already in place.
Price $75
Trouser Belts & Suspenders

Reinforced M1942 Paratrooper Trouser
Availability
Size
Stock
28 x 34
In Stock
30 x 34
In Stock
32 x 34
In Stock
34 x 34
In Stock
36 x 34
In Stock
38 x 34
In Stock
40 x 34
In Stock
42 x 34
In Stock
44 x 34
In Stock
No other sizes available.

 
430 Rose Ln.
Columbia, KY 42728		 PHONE:   (270) 384-1965
TOLL FREE: (866) 213-3946
FAX:    (270) 384-1443

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