Improving Mil-Tec's US 1st Pattern Tropical Combat Jacket - Reenacting Tips

Improving the ubiquitous Mil-Tec reproduction US 1st Pattern Tropical Combat Uniform jacket.
Patreon - / riflemanmoore
Paypal one time donations - www.paypal.me/...
Facebook - / riflemanmoore
Instagram - / riflemanmoore
Contact - [e-mail]

[@andrewjohnston4127]

Nice 😀 I had a couple of the original 1st and 2nd pattern jackets around 20 years ago. Nicely badged up and in decent condition. Wish I kept them now after seeing what they are selling for these days.this was mid to late 90s so still plenty of original kit was easily picked up at shows

[@RiflemanMoore]

I would love to pick up a set of original 1st pattern tropical combats, one of the best looking relatively modern uniforms to come out of the US in my opinion. As you say they would have been a good thing to keep hold of. Such is the way of things, alas!

[@johnshanahan8477]

What els would you be doing on your lunch break other than looking at a fantastic video from this man . Hope you had a fantastic Christmas

[@RiflemanMoore]

I had a great Christmas, thank you, I hope you did too. Thanks for tuning in as it were!

[@Alienkiwi730]

I bought the same jacket. I did a similar thing but more of a 'transitional period' look of 1966. Kept the 'Ryan' patch on. Replaced the 'US army' tag with the green/black variant of the one you put on. Left the Cavalry patch on, and put an 82nd Airborne coloured patch on the right sleeve. And coloured staff sergeant chevrons

[@RiflemanMoore]

Did you do anything with the buttons?

[@Alienkiwi730]

@@RiflemanMoore Yes i used buttons from my old torn to shreds M-65 jacket. Same buttons, and a darker olive shade. They were very matte, so i polished them using polishing combound

[@uazfoursixnine]

I have one of these and I often wondered how accuratly were they reproduced. Thanks for this video.

[@RiflemanMoore]

No worries, glad you found it interesting!

[@robertsoucy9725]

We called them 1966 Pattern in the 70s when I was a lad in the 82 ABN! You could buy them in used good condition at the Surplus shop! My 2 pairs got stolen off the clothes line at Ranger school.

[@leighneil]

Looks awesome now. Fantastic attention to detail. I wouldn’t worry about the ghosting of the patches, especially the SSI as this happened on originals when soldiers moved unit or got a second hand replacement jacket. My guess on the jacket’s reappearance is as part of a 1 RAR impression, as they were attached to the 173rd in 1965.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks Leigh! I do intend to display this with a 1RAR mannequin at some point, yes but that isn't the video I'm working on at present...

[@mh53j]

I have the Rothco repro. It's very good as far as cut and style, but the cloth is so thin you can see through it; not very rugged. Still have several originals, XL brand new, unissued. I have a few unbadged ones I wear on a daily basis; don't think it appropriate to wear badges/patches if you didn't earn them. Could use my name and rank, but think it better to wear a sterile jacket. Many jackets were unbadged in Vietnam anyway. Thanks for covering my favorite uniform! My originals just seem to have shrunk over the years....

[@RiflemanMoore]

I've heard the Rothco examples are a bit on the thin side when it comes to material, I guess it's cheaper to make them that way?

[@CraftyMagpie88]

Hi rifleman Moore, do you have the link of the guy on eBay that sold you the personalised White name tapes ? Thanks

[@gousmc1983]

use a spray starch first after removing the old insignia... assuming it hasn't been on for years,... let the starch soak in it should expand the fabric and close up the holes before you press it

[@eod995]

How does the color match up to a real one? I’ve often heard that these and the Rothco Type 3’s run in a very light grey color.

[@RiflemanMoore]

To give you an idea the basic parachutist's badge in the video is an original, embroidered on sateen and I think that shows a good colour match, as said in the video. Rothco seem to make theirs pre-faded which leads to the grey effect.

[@eod995]

@@RiflemanMoore I actually ended up purchasing one for myself, I’d have to say that I agree with all the points you made and also your thoughts on the coloring. Thanks for replying and have a nice day!

[@blueband8114]

Agreed, looks much better after replacements.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Thanks, I'm glad you think so.

[@heisenberg470]

Nice jacket and good customization. You could have worn it to see how it looked!

[@gsoni79]

Brother what size u ordered and whats your actual chest size.....one of the reviwes on amazon is asking me to size down i am a size 42 inches ND HAVE ORDERED LARGE SIZE

[@grease8922]

awesome! great sharing.. thanks... Just a quick questions, will the nail polisher effect on the button will be gone after you wash it, and how long it will last ?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Not sure on that, I don't imagine it would last all that long and would probably need re-applying at some point.

[@Big-Jow]

Hey Simon, do you have any plans for a possible "Hong Kong defense December 1941" kit as a mannequin of the month ? I have been recently reading up on them and the far east theater in general and feel there is a lot of potential for new displays of a theater not appreciated as much as the ETO, at least here in the US where info on the exact loadouts can be a bit lacking. Happy New Year as well to ya :) !

[@RiflemanMoore]

Happy New Year! As said before it is on my radar, yes but I can't say when it will be done I'm afraid!

[@TheLoachman]

I have a few of the later pattern shirts, acquired in the 1970s, along with at least one pair of trousers. One shirt is the camouflage version, but I was never able to find matching trousers. It's always been a favourite uniform - stylish (based upon the US paratrooper uniform of the Second World war) and comfortable. I just stumbled across your channel a few hours ago and have gone through quite a few of your videos. I was trying very, very hard not to subscribe as I am subscribed to far too many channels already, but finally broke down as I was watching this video.

[@RiflemanMoore]

Well, thank you very much for succumbing and subscribing! As you say the tropical combats really are a stylish uniform, this and the later pattern in ripstop ERDL are my favourites.

[@kurtschmidt5005]

I have seen them on Amazon and thought they looked pretty good

[@MyRanger12]

Where did you get the white stampe name tag?

[@RiflemanMoore]

A chap on eBay produces them using an original set of stamps.

[@廾匸-z4f]

I'm Chinese, I'm watching your video on modifying my TCU, it gave me a lot of help, I have an original version of Tropical Combat Jackets, I want to put MACV armband on the left arm of the uniform and 173rd armband on the right arm (both rank and armband are colored) Does this comply with the rules? The rank is Lieutenant.

[@outdooradventureHungary]

nice video thank you it help me a lot

[@MichaelR58]

Thanks for sharing, looks good, hey , my name was on the shirt 👍

[@RiflemanMoore]

So it was! Many thanks, glad you found this interesting.

[@jhernandez8830]

nice conversion. I have considered this same coat. how is the fit?

[@RiflemanMoore]

Pretty good, I got a medium, should probably have gone for a small as I'm a skinny git.

[@MrDukeSilverr]

Now u just gotta leave it out in the sun for a week and u get the nice fades

[@RiflemanMoore]

Hah, indeed but I like it pristine.

[@jimmyfingers227]

Is thhere a reason why you replaced patches with colorful versions rather than subdued olive?

[@RiflemanMoore]

In the early war period when these were issued you'd see a predomination of full-colour insignia. I'm not saying you don't see first pattern tropical combats with subdued insignia but it was less common. Especially when you consider the second pattern replaced the first in production in late '65.

[@jimmyfingers227]

@@RiflemanMoore thanks for information, interesting

[@MacChew008]

Dear Simon. Are you attempting to be a QM, Quarter Master, The amount of gear you have, is like a QM store.

[@RiflemanMoore]

It is getting a bit that way I fear!

[@AceHardy]

🌴☀️

[@claymorelessbag3042]

?

[@tmdmail]

Spray lacquer is great as well. Dries in 20mins, harder wearing.